Usage

=Pros and Cons of Major Smartphone Types and Business Usage of Smartphones =

__Usage__
If a business wants to be successful, they have to rely now on smartphones. They depend on the many features each phone posesses in order to keep things running smoothly. Here are just a few important features that are available with your smartphone:

Email Calendaring
 * anywhere access
 * require response in a timely fashion
 * connectivity
 * web based applications
 * access to global/local contacts
 * schedule/change meetings
 * synchronization
 * assistant stays on top of things

Documents
 * excel, word, powerpoint and .pdf documents available
 * quickly email last minute revisions before an important meeting

** __Comparing the most popular smartphones __ **
The major categories of smartphones are listed //below// along with their pros/cons and features that appeal to businesses. For more information, please refer to this article: [|Mobile communication: The Future of Business]


 * //Pro://** The Blackberry is the most popular when it comes to business. It was the first device to offer push email. There are advanced security features available and it is easy to manage.
 * //Con://** The interface for Blackberry is not as slick as the Iphone.


 * //Pro://** The Windows Phone was developed primarily for business users, and a mobile version of Microsoft Office productivity suite comes pre installed. There are similar features to the Blackberry and it has many business applications available.
 * //Con://** It is known for "sluggish performance" and "clunky user interface."


 * //Pro://** The Andriod is still pretty new, but it is easy to use, fast, and has many devices to choose from.
 * //Con://** It is not very popular in the business world because there aren't enough business applications, and it lacks many features that are neccessary for business such as data encryption and support for virtual private networks (VPN's).


 * //Pro://** Apple iPhone is improving it's features for the business market. They include Microsoft Exchange email, remote wipe, hardware encryption and policy based control. There are many applications available for business use.
 * //Con://** There was a slow start for the iPhone to be business friendly. It wasn't as popular as other devices such as Blackberry.

//The following is an article about how businesses use File Maker Mobile. Why would a business want to use it? One reason would be because it is a clever program they use on their mobile devices to keep everything you need nice and organized. // 

** __What can File Maker Mobile do for you? __ **
File Maker Mobile is a program that is very convenient for those in business. The article says you are able to store up to 50 files in your handheld, each file having 50 fields and 5,000 records, each record storing up to 50KB. There is a lot of data that you can store in such a little device, which proves that this can come in very handy for business on the go.

There are some limitations, but according to the filemaker website ([] ) you are able to modify, add or delete records as you please, update with two way synchronization, keep it with you wherever you go, and increase your productivity.

A few of the things you are //not// able to do are calculation fields, globals, containers or summaries. 

//Managing mobile devices in your business is very important if you want to cut unneccessary costs, maintain confidentiality and keep yourself from becoming aggravated from all other hassles.// 

**__Businesses have to exercise mobile device management strategies__**
 The article //above// describes how important it is to create strategies for your business when using mobile devices. It uses AFLAC as an example of a near miss that could have led to disaster for the company. A few of the strategy goals were to: -reduce management complexity -meet federal requirements around data management and security -protect privacy -ban non issued company handhelds from connecting to enterprise servers -forbid use of POP3 and SMTP email access to the corporate network

// Mobile devices have a changing role in businesses. Please refer to the article below for more information. //



__**Every business is unique when it comes to determining needs **__
It's important to determine what tools you need to help your employees and your business, regarding mobile devices. A few examples that are given, would be Tesco using Windows Mobile for work schedules and a GPS tracking system for their delivery drivers.

The other is an application called "Streetwyse" which is used by West Yorkshire's police department that runs on Research in Motion's Blackberry, which allows the officers to access the Police National Computer to download digital mug shots.

It is critical to think about what it is your business needs to progress and move forward. Each phone has a unique function that can make things easier for you, and you can really rely on it to make your business grow, but you have to choose what you need wisely, otherwise things may not go too smoothly in the long run.