The next step in creating a mobile network is system integration. This is the most important but sometimes overlooked part of a mobile network. It’s probably because many mobile devices can access email and the Internet on their own, and IT staffs in most companies feel that’s all that is needed for a mobile worker. Nothing can be further from the truth. Like any other device in your system, mobile devices must be able to ‘talk’ to that system if you want your mobile staff to get the true benefits of having a mobile device. 

Being able to access more than your company’s mail server is essential to giving a mobile work force all they need to be successful. That means making sure their devices can access customer records, invoices, CRM applications, VPNs, and have remote access from anywhere just like PCs and laptops. Let’s not forget about the most important integration: the company’s security protocols.

This above all else should be number one on the list. Yet most companies seem to have a blind spot when it comes to security system integration of mobile devices. Mobile security must be the first thing integrated into your system. Mobile devices carry a lot of sensitive company data in them and, in some cases they can store up to 8GB of data when it is linked to your network.

Many times unsecured data is lost or stolen. When those company records are gone, that breach of security could become a big legal problem for the company. You must always remember that security, security, and more security is job number one for your IT staff if any mobile device wants to access your network. The final part of system integration is mobile management.

Now that you have a mobile network in place, it must run smoothly 24/7 like any other IT system. Mobile devices must be managed which means access to company data, upgrade of applications, and replacement of mobile devices if they are lost or stolen. That also means setting up the same type of help desk for mobile devices that you would give to PCs and laptops. Making sure that mobile devices are fully integrated into your system is going to lower your TCO and help you realize a better ROI, but most importantly it will make mobility a profit center for your company.

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