As the smartphone market has recently been introduced to a number of innovative solutions and new enterprise capabilities from developers like Google and Apple, BlackBerry maker Research In Motion recently made its own move to offer new capabilities for enterprise document management on mobile phones.

The Canadian smartphone developer announced its acquisition of mobile software company DataViz yesterday. The agreement will be significant to the future of enterprise mobility, as DataViz develops the common business smartphone application Documents To Go, a software program that enables business smartphone users to access Microsoft Office files and other documents on their mobile phones. While DataViz’s software was previously designed for support on a number of smartphone operating systems, the agreement will give Research In Motion an advantage with access to future developments of the technology.

"RIM has acquired some of the assets of DataViz and hired the majority of its employees to focus on supporting the BlackBerry platform," the company said in a recent statement.

In fact, DataViz’s solutions have recently been applied to some of the most innovative mobile technology on the market. The company announced in June that its newest Documents To Go 3.3 software will be designed for iPad support, and an Android version of the software helped launch Google’s operating system into enterprise environments when it was released last year.

For business use, the agreement is a sign of the consistent improvements to the BlackBerry’s enterprise mobility resources. The ability to open an extended array of business documents on smartphones will give businesses an edge by enabling employees to remotely access important Word documents.

Also, the announcement is a sign of the unpredictable nature of the market for enterprise mobility offerings. As new capabilities come to different smartphone products, businesses can ensure they are investing in the most productive smartphone options by implementing mobile management solutions. Consulting external enterprise mobility management specialists allow business leaders to focus on their company goals and objectives, while gaining an advantage with an expert who will decide which smartphone updates can best improve their businesses’ mobile productivity.

As recent success for Google and Apple in the market has spelled doom for Research In Motion’s future products, the company has made a number of moves to maintain its position as an enterprise smartphone provider. Last month, Research In Motion announced an acquisition of a separate mobile software firm, Cellmania, and has reportedly been seeking mobile ad providers to help compete with Google and Apple’s capabilities in the field.

Recent success for the smartphone industry will generate more robust smartphone sales during the rest of 2010 than experts had previously anticipated, according to research by IDC.

The research showed smartphone shipments in the first half of this year reached 119.4 million. The production during the first half is a 55.5 percent improvement from the first half of 2009, in which the industry saw just 76.8 million shipments. The firm predicts smartphone shipments to reach nearly 270 million for the entire year of 2010, showing a 55.4 percent growth compared to the 173.5 million shipments last year. Market trends indicate enterprise and consumer mobile phone purchasing plans revolve around smartphones.

"The smartphone is the catalyst behind the rebound in the worldwide mobile phone market this year," said Kevin Restivo, a senior research analyst at IDC.

The recent success is expected to produce innovation in the industry that will prompt additional businesses and consumers to become attracted to new smartphone capabilities.

"Additional product introductions and an expected flurry of smartphone buying activity in the second half of the year will push the market well above previous expectations," Restivo added.

The research indicates the growing importance of mobile management solutions. As smartphones continue to flourish and more companies begin introducing them to their employees, mobile management solutions can help ensure businesses get their full value out of their mobile investments by providing efficient solutions for enterprise mobility.

Also, businesses will need to prepare themselves for the introduction of new smartphone products to the market. IDC’s research indicated a slight shake-up of the current state of the smartphone industry, as Google’s Android overcame its competitor Apple with the third most market share at 16.3 percent. Research In Motion’s BlackBerry operating system retained its position as the second most popular smartphone option, but is only slightly ahead of Google’s OS Android’s market share at 17.9 percent. Symbian, whose operating system is found on Finnish smartphone developer Nokia’s devices, retained the top spot in the smartphone industry with a dominant 40.1 percent market share. However, the rapid growth of Android smartphones is expected to continue over the next four years as Google’s mobile operating system will significantly cut into Symbian’s market share, taking up nearly 25 percent by 2014.

The research, which comes soon after a recent report from Piper Jaffray that anticipates Google and Apple to eventually edge out Research In Motion in the market, indicates the upcoming changes for enterprise mobility. As smartphones continue to become a common technology among businesses, mobile management solutions will help employees fully leverage the benefits of the technology more quickly.

Emerging developments in the smartphone industry are expected to bring about new trends for enterprise mobility management, with formerly popular business smartphone options being replaced by new products from Google and Apple.

A recent report from institutional securities firm Piper Jaffray predicts Android smartphones to occupy nearly half of the market share during the next five years, with an additional 20 percent to 30 percent market share taken up by Apple’s iPhone. The firm made its prediction based on the recent surge in growth for Android smartphones, as the study shows Google’s current 14.9 percent of market share in 2010 will grow to 23.2 percent by 2012. The prediction for Google overshadows the iPhone’s expected progress, which the report forecasts will increase from 15.9 percent to 17.6 percent during the same time period.

Naturally, the research leaves little room for the long-time dominant Research In Motion and Nokia to continue to provide a significant amount of enterprise smartphones. As a result, the report speculates that either company could eventually adopt the Android system in order to stay relevant, and may even move to Microsoft’s upcoming Windows Phone 7.

"Over time, we do not see the benefit of RIM and Nokia continuing to push proprietary software that can’t compete with the market and eventually expect one or both to capitulate and move to utilizing third-party software," the report explains.

The developments signify a major shift for enterprise mobility management, as Research In Motion’s BlackBerry has become a staple in the mobile management policy of a vast array of businesses. Business leaders may begin investing in secure mobile management solutions to prepare for the changing trends in business smartphone options. Businesses that have become acclimated to the BlackBerry for enterprise mobility may be presented with challenges if their employees begin introducing Android phones or if the company completely shifts its focus toward other operating systems.

Also, as a separate Forrester Research study predicts more businesses will offer support for their employees’ personal smartphones, mobile management solutions can keep business smartphone plans in line to ensure employees use their smartphone of choice in the most efficient ways.

The recent research indicates the constantly changing environment of the enterprise mobility sector. During the past few years, employees have shifted their smartphone interests to include myriad mobile smartphone options. Investing in mobile management solutions can prepare businesses for the influx of new smartphone options and equip employees with productive management techniques for whichever mobile solution they adopt.

Businesses may soon have another smartphone platform to support, as Microsoft recently announced it has begun shipping its much-anticipated Windows Phone 7 mobile operating system to device manufacturers.

While smartphones operating on the system may not be released for months, the announcement is a major step forward for the introduction of Windows Phone 7 to the smartphone market. According to a recent post on the Microsoft Windows Phone Blog, the release means the company’s internal engineering contributions to the operating system are complete. Now that the Redmond, Washington-based company has finished developing the system and begun shipping it to manufacturing partners, the platform’s integration onto emerging smartphone products is currently underway.

For businesses, the announcement means mobile management policies may soon need to cover the range of smartphones that run Windows Phone 7. A recent Forrester Research report highlighted the emerging enterprise mobility trend to offer support for multiple smartphone options within their networks, in an effort to allow employees to use whichever smartphone platform they are most comfortable with for business operations. As more smartphone platforms continue to hit the market, mobile management solutions can ensure businesses are prepared to help employees use their new enterprise mobility devices efficiently.

Microsoft expects Windows Phone 7 to make a splash in the overall smartphone industry. The Windows-based mobile operating system signifies Microsoft’s heaviest push into the enterprise mobility market.

"Windows Phone 7 is the most thoroughly tested mobile platform Microsoft has ever released," Terry Myerson, Microsoft Windows Phone Blogger, wrote in the post announcing the introduction of the system to manufacturers. "We’ve had thousands of independent software vendors and early adopters testing our software and giving us great feedback. We are ready."

In a market currently dominated by Apple, Google and Research In Motion, phones running the Windows Phone 7 platform are expected to draw attention once they are available. Integrating mobile management solutions before the phones begin showing up in the hands of business employees can equip business leaders with the tools to manage the technology as it is introduced to their network.

Other developers are expected to disrupt the status quo of the current smartphone market as well. As LG has also announced plans to sell more than 5 million smartphones by the end of this year, the upcoming diversity of smartphone offerings may pose challenges to IT departments and business leaders.

Enterprise smartphones offer employees the opportunity to access email constantly and from any remote location. A recent study has found employees in the U.S. and Britain actually do.

U.S. research firm Harris Interactive, in accordance with its British counterpart Opinion Matters, have collaborated on a recent online survey to find the impact of constant email access on the business environment for today’s employees. The introduction of smartphones, according to the study, has ended the era of the typical 9-to-5 workday as 72 percent of American respondents claim they check their emails outside of regular business hours, even while on vacation. British employees were not much different, as 68 percent in the UK reported the same.

However, a major difference between U.S. and British smartphone use for enterprise email access was among employees who take sick days. In the U.S., 42 percent of respondents said they log onto their business email accounts while home sick, compared to only 25.8 percent of British employees who said the same. Interestingly, male employees in the U.S. were more likely to use their smartphone for emails outside of business hours than women.

With increased access to email from smartphones, business employees are seemingly unable to resist the temptation to check their email accounts. Twenty-seven percent of respondents from U.S. businesses said they check their email on their smartphones because they feel they are expected to provide quick responses, and expressed concern about advancing their careers. An additional 37 percent of respondents are reportedly afraid to go without checking their email, in case they miss something important.

Another common trend revealed was the advantage of getting extra work done on-the-go, as 43 percent of respondents said they connect to email on smartphones in order to get ahead and ease their workloads for the following business day. Constant email access seems to have become a staple of the American employee’s business environment, as 18 percent of respondents said they believe they need to check their email outside of office hours in order to have a successful career.

The study signifies the benefits of enterprise smartphones that seem to be catching on among business leaders. As more companies look to get in on the advantage of issuing smartphones to their employees, mobile management solutions can ensure smartphones are used in the most efficient way.

Mobile management policies are becoming more important for today’s businesses, as a recent study found wireless and mobile technology solutions are at the top of priority lists for enterprise information technology leaders.

The CIO Technology Priorities Survey of nearly 300 chief information officers in the U.S. found 56 percent of respondents placed mobile and wireless solutions at the top of their lists of technology production priorities for all business levels. This most recent survey, conducted in June, showed a 10 percent increase in mobile business management solutions compared to a similar study conducted in January. The trends show eventual widespread adoptions of smartphones for business use, as the 56 percent who placed mobile solutions at the top of their priorities closely followed the 57 percent who said virtualization is their top technological concern.

Jeanine Buford, vice president of information services and technology at Keystone Human Services, recently told Reuters how her business could improve overall productivity by introducing more smartphone capabilities. She said laptop computers create a "physical barrier between workers and clients," and secure management of mobile applications are ideal for mobile business solutions.

"We have people working out in the community and need to record their work where they are," she explained.

However, introducing smartphones to new business environments can be tricky for companies that are ill-equipped with mobile management policies. When business employees are given a new company-endorsed smartphone, they may initially face challenges in maintaining efficiency and productivity. While smartphones offer a number of business-savvy apps and features, they offer even more applications that can pose obstacles to business operations. Also, smartphone users that are uneducated on certain functions available on their smartphone may be unknowingly using applications or features that could cost their company money.

As the study indicates more businesses are planning to adopt mobile business technology, mobile management solutions will become equally important to ensure the seamless introduction of smartphones to business environments using them for the first time. Mobile management solutions can set up policies and guidelines for business employees adapting to the capabilities of smartphones, and can get them to quickly leverage the full convenience benefits while ensuring they do not adopt inefficient trends and download costly apps.

Other recently emerging enterprise trends will lead to an increased need for mobile management solutions, as a recent Gartner report explained how businesses are beginning to allow employees to use the smartphone of their choice. Business leaders can benefit from introducing a mobile management solution to help introduce policies on multiple smartphone platforms, rather than spend the time to learn each smartphone system themselves.

Cost is the one immediate and perhaps most obvious downside to enterprise mobility. But letting cost keep your company from embracing mobility could turn out to cost your business much more down the road.

The average per employee spend on mobility is $120 a month, according to a recent survey from iPass. In a report titled “What You Need to Know About the Costs of Mobility” (PDF), iPass surveyed enterprises to gauge the corporate perception of mobility and the taxing effect it can have on a business’s bottom line. Read the rest of this entry »

The increase in smartphones at the workplace has fueled the need for mobility management solutions.

A recent mobile device security maker said it has added 1,500 enterprise deployments since it added support for Apple’s iPhone and smartphones running Google’s Android operating system, eWeek reports.

Twenty percent of the 1,500 new deployments use multiple platforms, including the iPhone OS, BlackBerry OS and Android 2.2. This information indicates that more companies are straying from mandating that employees use smartphones from a single manufacturer for their work-related needs.

With more business professionals wanting to use their personal devices to complete work, its up to employers to establish support and regulations to manage mobile activity. Individuals bought record numbers of Android-operated smartphones during the last quarter, leading to many Android owners wanting to use their new devices at work. Companies that create effective mobile management solutions can avoid making workers carry two mobile devices, which can often be a burden.

Effective mobility management solutions can provide companies with information and guidance on how to incorporate compliance and mobile use policies for multiple platforms. Introducing strong but effective mobile use policies is quickly becoming the standard for successful enterprises, as unregulated use of a company’s network and data can result in heavy costs.

The rapid evolution of smartphones have transformed them into portable hard drives, music players and email management solutions. As helpful and productive as smartphones have become, many of these new features can distract employees from being productive. With that in mind, leaders in the mobile management field have recognized the best methods of forming policies that will lead to maximum compliance from workers.

Employee compliance is also a key need for businesses that want to keep a balanced and realistic budget. Many companies have used mobility management providers to help them establish responsible mobile device budgets, taking into account equipment, service charges and calling plans. However, to obtain these cost-saving solutions, companies must make sure their employees aren’t racking up additional expenses, whether its through purchasing non-work related apps or making personal calls at premium rates.

As the smartphone market becomes more competitive and new devices become available, companies with effective enterprise mobility solutions will be more fiscally capable of upgrading and managing new devices on their corporate networks.

Gene Signorini of analyst firm Yankee Group recently discussed with Channel Insider numerous enterprise mobility trends affecting businesses.

With more smartphones entering the corporate world, enterprise mobility management solutions have become the standard for business leaders who want to increase productivity and drive down costs.

Signorini told Channel Insider that the consumerization of IT is one of the largest growing trends in the mobile device sector. Company leaders are offering workers more say in which devices and products they use, rather than forcing workers to use one mobile platform.

“Employees are having a significant impact on decision around mobile technologies,” said Signorini.

The main reason for this shift is that employees are purchasing more smartphones for personal use, which they want to be compatible with their corporate networks. Companies that provide multiplatform compatibility allow workers to use their personal smartphones for work-related tasks. This means businesses do not have to buy numerous devices for their employees, which in turn will reduce costs and allow them to stay within crafted mobile budgets.

Signorini told the news provider Android smartphones will soon be a major player in the enterprise, advising businesses to establish platform support for the Google operating system.

“I think the Android influx will start heavily with the next six months,” Signorini said. “It is unavoidable.”

Once companies provide support for Android devices, mobility management specialists can help leaders establish smart mobile use policies and practical monthly budgets. Taking on mobile management needs in-house can be challenging and a costly proposition for businesses, which is why Signorini said “enterprises are looking at taking a new approach to their mobile policies for purchasing and expensing.”

The mobile market is teeming with business applications that go beyond email and calendar programs. Companies must make sure they establish mobile policies that regulate business professionals’ use of smartphone apps. While many apps can be helpful in efficiently completing tasks, others can be costly and distracting. Signorini said enterprises must think about how they want to obtain new applications, whether its through self-development or purchasing them from carriers, Channel Insider relays. Mobility management providers can help companies design mobile app policies that employees will observe and abide by, which can often be difficult for a company to achieve on its own.

The enterprise mobility analyst said Microsoft will play a major role in shaping the smartphone market. With Windows Phone 7 aimed specifically at business professionals, Signorini said the new OS may help the Redmond, Washington-based company increase its presence among business professionals, though the road may be challenging.

“The downside is competitors have been so successful, it’s going to be tough for Microsoft to regain credibility in the marketplace,” he said. “But, the upside is that this market moves so quickly, and innovation happens so fast, there is always an opportunity to regain share.”

The quickly evolving smartphone market requires businesses to stay up-to-date with new technology in order to provide the best support for their employees. Using mobility management solutions can allow businesses to purchase new smartphones and devices so they will fit into a realistic budgeting model. Some business leaders may want to jump on the chance to purchase the latest smartphones; however, consulting with a mobile management expert can ensure companies invest in a fiscally responsible way.

Android smartphones have exploded in the mobile device market during the past year, offering business professionals essential mobile management tools while not sacrificing its sleek, trendy interface.

A new report from the Globe and Mail indicates that while Google’s rise in the smartphone world shook up the market, its Android operating system may have reached its peak. The report highlighted five reasons why smartphones running Android 2.2 may not overtake Research In Motion’s BlackBerry devices as the leading tool for business professionals.

The first three reasons are a result of new competition joining the business smartphone market.

According to the report, Hewlett-Packard’s Palm OS is one of the best touchscreen operating systems in the market, and a viable option for workers who are interested in devices similar to the iPhone or Droid. Smartphone’s with the Palm OS may be a more cost-effective option for companies looking to spend responsibly on their mobile device needs.

The rejuvenation of Finnish phone manufacturer Nokia may also play a role in slowing the growth of Android smartphones. The company, which is the worldwide leader in mobile cellphones, has stated it will refocus its resources on high-end smartphones as a way to establish itself in the U.S. market.

If Nokia can create devices that offer comparable computing power as the Droid with strong enterprise security features, it may become a realistic candidate for business leaders. The key for Nokia will be to make an affordable device that can be bought on a large-scale by companies.

Business leaders who may have written off Microsoft smartphones may want to reconsider their position, as the computer giants’ Windows Phone 7 OS was designed specifically with the business professional in mind. The new phones offer a wide range of Mobile management tools, including better email management and security enhancements. The device can more easily integrate with businesses systems than many other smartphones and can mold well into mobile use business policies.

The top two reasons Android smartphones may not have cemented themselves atop the business mobile device mountain is the release of the BlackBerry Torch and the possibility of a Verizon iPhone, the report relays.

Although the Torch did not get the response from critics RIM may have desired, the phone is still geared for the enterprise. Companies who already run BES may opt for the Torch over an Android smartphone as a way of reducing their mobile expenses.

If the iPhone becomes available for Verizon, a slew of new options become available for businesses using that wireless carrier. Many companies have chosen not to embrace the iPhone because it would mean switching providers and plans, which can be costly. A Verizon iPhone may change companies’ mobile plans.

Organizations continue to seek the assistance of mobility management specialists to help guide them through the budget-making process in addition to helping them create mobile use policies. Companies that are waiting for the iPhone to switch to Verizon may look for mobile management solutions to assist them with setting and enforcing realistic budgets that account for each employees needs.

Many businesses require several different wireless carriers in order to meet the demands of their employees, both in terms of devices and service areas. It can prove difficult for enterprise companies to manage cross-carrier relationships and billing, making a true mobility management solution a priority for most mobility management programs.

One of the drawbacks from Android and Apple devices in the enterprise setting is the large amount of non-essential apps that are available. Creating mobility policies has become the standard for enterprises, and thus, companies that do not create effective mobile use policies may find their smartphone bills soaring each month. In addition to budgetary concerns, establishing policies can also be a way to protect company data from falling into the wrong hands.

A recent survey discussing business trends found the majority of mobile employees never disconnect from technology and frequently carry more than one mobile device.

Nearly 54 percent of respondents said they never truly disconnect from technology, and the 46 percent who responded that they do, said its mostly due to situational circumstances, like losing connection.

Ninety-four percent of mobile employees said they connect to the internet while on vacation, with the majority saying they use the web to complete work-related tasks. Mobile workers are using multiple devices to finish their work, with nearly 97 percent of respondents carrying two mobile devices, such as a work-issued smartphone and their personal smartphone.

Most respondents said their smartphones are essential tools for email, calendar and text messaging both for work and personal use. Allowing workers to function at a high level with useful mobile devices can be a costly initiative if not properly managed and monitored.

The increased use of smartphones for business professionals has resulted in numerous companies looking for ways to manage their mobile device budgets. From keeping track of devices to controlling smartphone costs, many organizations have realized the booming smartphone phenomenon requires careful planning and creative policies.

Replacing lost or stolen smartphones can result in hefty costs for business leaders, which is why many are exploring mobile use policies that will ensure employees are more responsible with their devices. Having a smart and organized account of the company’s mobile device inventory allows leaders to have leaner and more productive operations.

A growing number of companies have introduced mobile management solutions to help them form and enforce budgets. Mobility management providers can help businesses build mobile use policies to ensure workers are acting responsibly and efficiently when on the go.

With numerous business applications and costs associated with mobile device deployment, companies that create a set budget can prevent themselves from overspending. The money they save from implementing strong budgetary plans can then be reallocated to other business sectors.

The economic downturn has many companies rethinking their spending habits and placing more emphasis on cost-effective strategies. With that in mind, many companies have looked to mobility management solutions as the standard for effective corporate smartphone use.

The global smartphone application market is expected to reach $15 billion by 2013, according to research from Berlin-based Research2Guidance.

The firms says the worldwide market has already reached $2.2 billion in the first half of 2010, with mobile app download numbers totaling 700 million more during the first six months of the year compared to the same period last year.

A large consumer of smartphone apps are business employees, who have grown increasingly dependent on their mobile devices to complete work-related tasks. Many app creators are designing programs specifically geared toward business professionals that are useful for managing email, traveling and organizing their documents.

However, many of these apps are not free and can add up to hefty expenses for companies that do not have mobile use policies in place. Although the apps can be beneficial for businesses, especially if they directly make an employee’s work easier to complete, unregulated downloading of apps can lead to a bulging mobile budget.

To better manage smartphone expenses, many companies have enlisted the services of mobile management specialists, who can help business leaders develop a healthy budget to make sure they do not spend more than they can afford. Mobility management experts can guide companies through the budget-making process and establish strict monetary rules to ensure responsible spending from employees.