| The business world is a fast-changing place. | | | | short-ranges. |
| Information and communication technology is | | | | Bluetooth-enabled devices also communicate |
| continually setting the pace. New advances in | | | | wirelessly. They don't need line of sight to make |
| technology are changing the way everyone | | | | them work. Bluetooth-enabled PCs, notebooks, |
| works. Not only at the desk, where more can be | | | | PDAs, printers and mobile phones can talk to each |
| done in a day, in less time than ever before, but | | | | other over a short range - up to 10 metres - |
| also on the road and away from the office. | | | | without any wires. Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity) is the |
| The Need for Mobile Solutions An increasing | | | | wireless technology of the moment. Fast, reliable |
| number of businesses are recognising the need | | | | and secure, it offers a range of up to 550 |
| for mobile data solutions. Typically, there are two | | | | metres. |
| options: | | | | GPRS (General Packet Radio Services) is a |
| >A hosted exchange solution where everything | | | | wireless communication service that provides |
| is managed for you and your people. All you see | | | | continuous connection to the internet for mobile |
| are the messages, email basic messages, data, | | | | phone and computer users. It lets users take part |
| reports, and content that are delivered to your | | | | in video conferences and interact with multimedia |
| PC or mobile online device as part of your hosting | | | | websites and similar applications using mobile |
| agreement. | | | | handheld devices and notebook computers. |
| >A mobile information server, which is a full | | | | The Next Generation Next-generation mobile |
| solution, managed inside your business or by a | | | | phones add more features every day, letting |
| hosted supplier. For a simple monthly fee plus | | | | users browse the internet in colour, make voice |
| airtime costs, you get everything you require, | | | | calls, send text messages and emails. They can |
| including all the hardware, software, installation, | | | | also work as cameras allowing users to take and |
| training, and support. | | | | send photos with voice messages attached. New |
| Most small businesses that have invested in mobile | | | | 3G (3rd-generation) mobile phones transfer data |
| solutions are reporting significant productivity gains. | | | | faster and allow it to be shared in real time |
| What's Out There? | | | | between multiple users. They also provide video |
| Wireless systems bring huge benefits. With no | | | | conferencing and enable access to documents, |
| cables to worry about, you can easily add new | | | | databases and work schedules stored on |
| users to your network. You can download files | | | | company intranets and secure websites. |
| and print documents from your laptop or handheld | | | | In addition, there are powerful hand held |
| device without any awkward connections. And | | | | computer devices now available, including PDAs, |
| you can move around the office yet remain online | | | | Smartphones, and Tablet PCs. |
| as if you were at your desk.systems let you | | | | What Does All This Mean for Me? Mobile options |
| swap data and synchronise calendars between | | | | give you and your people speed, freedom, |
| infrared-enabled devices such as mobile phones, | | | | flexibility, and the resources to work anywhere, |
| laptops, and personal digital assistants (PDAs) | | | | at any time and in any way. |
| without cable connections. They operate over | | | | |