Smart-phones are set to become the next major security challenge for IT according to a CompTIA survey conducted this year.  The survey polled 1070 small businesses in North America and 60% reported they had seen an increase in security issues related to the use of hand-help computing devices over the last year.  The concern is if businesses will view the risk as too great a burden to place on their IT departments and will instead ban the use of them within their corporate environments.  Many IT services firms are preparing for a whole new generation of security applications for mobile devices and how to secure access.

These handheld computing devices give workers the ability to work while “on-the-go” by allowing access to key information residing back at the work or home office.  But, this simple access to information is creating a growing set of security concerns for companies.  Mobile users requesting access to the company network remotely is a potential security threat.  The fear is that a virus could potentially jump from phone to phone to network much like pc-to-pc worms and viruses have done in the past.

Business-oriented smart-phones come from the manufacturer with decent built-in protection like encryption and firewalls.  But, smart phones geared more toward the consumer market have far fewer safety features in place.

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Yes you can. Exchange Server 2007 built-in Windows Mobile support is designed to eliminate the need to purchase additional server-side hardware or software. And technical support is provided through support agreements already in place for many Exchange Server 2007 customers.

Microsoft Office Communicator Mobile is designed to reduce complexity and cost
and improve functionality. By making use of the native functionality of Exchange Server and Live Communications Server 2007, businesses can deploy powerful instant messaging (IM) capabilities for a low acquisition cost. Familiar with Windows, employees may require less training, raising the return on investment.

Many of the components of the Microsoft mobile solution are already in place in the infrastructure of many enterprises. All a business may have to do is make use of the native functionality of Exchange Server and Office Live Communications Server 2007 to enjoy the benefits of Windows Mobile. In addition, many of the Windows Mobile powered components work with existing collaborative applications and line-of-business systems.

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The following Microsoft mobile technologies can be packaged in various configurations to meet your business objectives for mobile enablement:

Windows Mobile 6: Windows Mobile 6 also offers the most advanced mobile suite of Microsoft Office applications to date, helping users manage and review documents on their Windows Mobile 6 powered device. It offers real-time access to the Microsoft Office Outlook ® messaging and collaboration client; provides enhanced control and visibility of calendar information such as calendar bars; and the ability to view e-mails with pictures, tables, lines, and formatting. Windows Mobile 6 also offers the most advanced mobile suite of Microsoft Office applications to date, helping users manage and review
documents on any Windows Mobile 6 powered device. In addition, users get live links to Web and portal sites and Windows Live™ network or Internet services for Windows Mobile.

Windows Vista–based mobile computers: Helps sales representatives use their mobile computers (laptops, Tablet PCs, ultrathin laptops, etc.) as a mobile office, connect more securely to business networks, and obtain and share more information when in the field.

Exchange Server 2007 with Office Outlook 2007, Microsoft Office Outlook Web Access, or Office Outlook Mobile: Helps provide security-enhanced mobile access to e-mail, voice mail, calendars, and contacts on a variety of mobile computers and devices.

Office Enterprise 2007, Microsoft Office SharePoint ® Server 2007, and Office Groove 2007: Extends rich communication, collaboration, and coordination capabilities to mobile employees.

CRM Mobile Express: Provides sales teams with access to critical customer information and tools that enhance their ability to sell and manage their time effectively.

Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007 with Office Communicator 2007: Offers consistent, familiar instant messaging, and Voice-over-IP (VoIP) capabilities to Windows Mobile powered devices and Windows Vista–enabled mobile computers.

Windows Server ® 2008 operating system: Windows Server 2008 is the next generation of the Windows Server operating system. It helps IT professionals maximize control over their infrastructure while providing unprecedented availability and management capabilities. Windows Server 2008 delivers new value to organizations by helping ensure that all users, regardless of location, are able to get the full complement of services from the network. Windows Server 2008 also provides deep insight into the operating system and diagnostic capabilities, allowing administrators to spend more
time adding business value. It is a significantly more secure, reliable, and robust server environment.

To learn more about how Digital Reach can help you get the most out of your IT environment, view our Solutions and Services.

The number of mobile users is constantly growing.  Are you ready?

Mobile workforce trends:

 There are 50 million mobile users—virtually all of them with cell phones—representing 41 percent of the U.S. workforce (“Enterprises Strive to Better Connect the Mobile Workforce,” December 8, 2006, Yankee Group).

 By 2009, IDC estimates there will be more than 878 million mobile users worldwide (“Worldwide Mobile Population 2005–2009 Forecast and Analysis, #34124,” October 2005, IDC).

Mobile solutions are becoming an IT priority:

Gartner surveyed 1,400 global chief information officers (CIOs) and found that “Mobile workforce enablement ranked third as a technology priority for calendar year 2006” (press release, “Gartner Survey of 1,400 CIOs Shows Transformation of IT Organization Is Accelerating,” January 2006, Gartner).

Companies must transform the way they deliver enterprise applications, services, and productivity tools to the mobile workforce (“The Mobile Workforce: How Enterprises Must Adapt to Survive,” August 4, 2006, Yankee Group).

Mobility is a potential software and services revenue opportunity:

Revenue for packaged mobile workforce management software applications, not including service revenue, was slightly less than US$225 million in 2005 and will rise to more than US$300 million by 2009 (Gartner).

By year-end 2006, the combined software and service market segment for mobile workforce application services reached US$1 billion, rising at a 10 percent average annual growth rate through 2007 (Gartner).

Sales of mobile devices are booming:

More than 57 percent of organizations currently fund mobile devices. This percentage is rapidly growing (“Mobilizing the Enterprise in 2006,” IDC).

Most of the industry’s attention continues to be focused on the highest growth application—wireless e-mail. Wireless e-mail will continue to pave the way for a broader range of mobilized personal productivity tools and e-business applications alike (“Mobile Business Application Access,” 2006, Strategy Analytics).

Sales of mobile computers (laptops, tablets, etc.) are growing:

Mobile computer shipments will approach parity with desktop-based units globally by 2010, and mobile computers will outsell desktop-based computers in many mature market segments, especially mature home market segments (“Mobile PC Scenario, 2007 to 2010: Trends and Drivers,” September 6, 2006, Gartner).

Seventy-five percent of organizations now support wirelessly enabled laptops (“Mobilizing the Enterprise in 2006,” IDC).