the rugged devices already in place in the enterprise, the “hybrid” device environment was born, and it quickly became the norm. The demand for support exploded as users clamored for help with almost endless combinations of consumer devices, operating systems, applications and management platforms. The relatively straight forward support needs of desktop users paled in comparison to mobile’s proliferation of devices and device types, and the velocity of frequent updates.
To help cope with this burgeoning complexity, new mobile-specific offerings debuted. Mobile Device Management (MDM), Mobile Application Management, Telecom Expense Management (TEM) and Managed Mobility Services (MMS) augmented internal IT staff, bringing specialized mobile expertise to the enterprise. In addition to helping simplify the management of mobile in the enterprise, these offerings also provided a new platform from which to view, manage and control mobile’s performance – down to the individual device.
Unlike the previous era, when mobile success was defined in the tactical terms of completed deployments and satisfied users, mobile began morphing into a strategic asset capable of enabling business transformation in the third era.
Beginning in 2016, enterprise mobile began to replace the siloed approach that dominated previously with scalable, enterprise-wide deployments becoming the norm. Mobile began to be valued as a transformative catalyst for business. Enterprises combined mobile assets with cloud-based applications and business intelligence tools to pull from mobility previously hidden business insights.
With mobility becoming a strategic weapon in business transformation, 10 specific characteristics are converging to exponentially expand mobile’s complexity. These characteristics include:
1. Faster refreshes: In consumer mobile, users expect to see significant advances every 1 to 2 years, and they upgrade their personal devices accordingly. Enterprise users now expect the same – even as Finance Departments struggle against declining device values. As a result, pressure is building to find new, innovative ways to finance mobile devices with guaranteed technology refreshes every 12 to 18 months.
