We have become a society that demands the most technologically advanced equipment, and cell phones are no exception. Mobile phone technology is advanc...
We have become a society that demands the most technologically advanced equipment,
and cell phones are no exception. Mobile phone technology is advancing rapidly, but what can people expect to be using in 2015? What will their mobile be able to do and what will it look like? The increased bandwidth of 3G networks is giving birth to a new generation of ’smart’ mobile devices. These promise to enable users’ access to common desktop business applications while on the move, as well as streaming video, email, web pages, m-commerce and Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS).
For many, a mobile phone is required equipment these days when you walk outside your office to do business. But how much mobile phone power do you really need when you’re away from your desk? Do you need a phone that enables you to …
• Look up customer information and keep track of appointments?
• Access e-mail or the Internet?
• Take pictures?
• Run a word processing or other business application?
Mobile phones on the market today offer and combine many of these features in a slim package that fits comfortably in the palm of your hand. Here’s a quick look at the available phone functions, and how they can help you take care of business on the road.
The most basic mobile communications device is the cellular phone. Most cell phone plans come with voice mail, allowing customers and co-workers to leave you messages if you cannot take their calls. Cell phones give you the ability to store limited contact information, including names and phone numbers of people you call most frequently. In addition, you can send and receive text messages with a cell phone and even use it as a modem to connect your laptop computer to the Internet.
A simple cell phone is probably adequate if you just need to make a few calls during the day or want a way for close business associates can reach you. But you may miss other important messages.
Today, far more business is done through e-mail and other forms of electronic communication than phone calls. To keep up with all your customer messages—voice and electronic—consider a mobile device that has cell phone and e-mail capabilities. These devices are typically the size of a regular cell phone, but they allow you to send and receive e-mail wherever you have a wireless connection. Most devices can be configured to use the same e-mail account you access at your desk.
Phones with Windows Mobile 5.0 software installed can make electronic communication even timelier. Windows Mobile 5.0 supports Direct Push technology, which allows some e-mail servers – such as the one included with Windows Small Business Server 2003 – to send new messages to your phone as soon as they arrive. As long as you have network connectivity, your inbox is always up-to-date.
If you frequently need to look up contact information or check your appointment book when traveling, consider a mobile phone that can also organise your personal and calendar data. In the past, business travelers often used a personal digital assistant (PDA) to keep track of such information. Now Windows Mobile 5.0 powered “smartphones” and Pocket PC Phones provide these features and more.
Equipped with Outlook Mobile, these phones can connect to your desktop computer or e-mail server and synchronise to the Outlook contact and calendar information you have stored there. Regular synchronisation can keep the information up-to-date on both your phone and computer. And the same Direct Push technology that delivers e-mail instantly also enables you to keep your Outlook calendar always up-to-date. You may also want to consider a mobile phone with Web-browsing capabilities. Internet access can be an invaluable tool for conducting research away from your desk.
When you’re traveling in an unfamiliar area, mobile Web access can provide driving directions and information on local services. While waiting at the airport, you gain access to up-to-the-minute flight information, as well as the ability to quickly reschedule if your plans change. While making a sales call at a customer’s office, you can log onto your company’s internal Web site to check inventory or possible delivery dates for a product.
Phones with integrated cameras are common these days, but they are not just for fun. They can be useful for day-to-day business tasks. Real estate agents can use the built-in cameras to take pictures of properties. The quality of the images from these cameras is typically more than sufficient for posting on Web sites. Cameras can also be useful in business meetings. You can take pictures of important slides or notes on a whiteboard for review later.
Windows Mobile Pocket PC Phone Edition comes with phone capabilities along with Office Mobile software, giving you the ability to view and edit Microsoft Word and Excel files and view PowerPoint presentations. You may find you do not need to carry a laptop computer as often. Additionally, you can run a variety of third-party applications such as customer relationship management (CRM) and GPS navigation software.
Mobile phones today can provide much of the power of your desktop computer and keep you plenty productive—even when you are far from your desk.
