In Amsterdam, 17th of November 2011

When we collectively experience the effects of massive technological changes on the scale of what mobility has accomplished in the last five years, we the undersigned hold these mobile truths to be self evident that the IT departments of yore are no more.  The movement towards managed mobile ecosystems dictates that we must collectively change our approach to mobility in our workplaces and our perception of the mobile workforce and thus liberate ourselves from our legacy mindsets.

We, as forward thinking ICT practitioners declare today our intention to move into The Mobile Fast Lane, and that as such, we no longer need:

Worry About Supporting More Than One Platform

Five short years ago, IT departments rightfully looked to standardize their mobile computing platforms because of the fact that the computing environment was a new technology and that there was no means to support seven mobile computing platforms in a secure, scalable and convenient fashion.  Today however, we now have the opportunity to no longer fear the complexity of managing multiple mobile operating systems.  We recognize that there are now leading technological solutions that allow the ICT administrator to manage smartphones, tablets and other mobile devices that run the Android, BlackBerry, iOS, Symbian and Windows Mobile/Phone operating systems from one unified management console, thereby not be constrained to one sole option.

Fear The Proliferation Of Devices

When organizations first began to deploy mobile devices to the workforce, they rightly went through the process of determining who within their organizations needed an expensive mobile device and service plan.  Today however, the price of mobile devices and services have declined to the point that almost anyone can afford to bring their own device(s) into the workplace.

We recognize that historically, this should have been feared due to the potential influx of rogue devices into the workplace that the IT department would not have known about – thereby creating a potential information security risk.  We also recognize that, much like we now have the ability to manage multiple mobile operating systems, we can leverage those tools to manage both individually and corporate liable devices in the same fashion.  This allows ICT departments to no longer fear the proliferation of smartphones, tablets and other mobile computing devices in the workplace.

Be Weary Of The Consumerization Of IT

ICT departments have been trained for decades to believe that consumer grade products are invariably inferior in quality and security as compared to enterprise grade products.  The unfortunate side effect of this approach has been that user experiences were deprioritized, often resulting in highly complex and confusing tools that required significant amounts of training to even begin using the systems. Today, we recognize that not only are users significantly more technologically savvy than in the past, but that users increasingly expect the levels of convenience they have in their personal technology choices for their work tools.  We believe that the consumerization of IT should hence not be feared and instead embraced as it will lower or remove the barrier to the broad adoption of mobile technologies and solutions in the workplace.

Fear The Empowerment Of The User

Thirty years ago, when ICT adoption was new in the workplace, organizations rightfully entrusted select individuals to be responsible for all the decisions surrounding the selection, deployment, training and management of various ICT hardware and software.  This gave ICT departments great responsibility and power as they helped guide and steward the less technologically savvy members of the workplace.  Today’s workforce is much more technologically savvy, and may often have faster (wireless) Internet connections or computers at home versus what they may use in the workplace.

Today’s employees therefor are now justifiably questioning the authority of ICT departments, because in certain instances, they may be able to suggest alternatives that are more cost effective and better tailored to their individual needs.  We recognize that the most forward thinking ICT departments will not look at the technologically savvy user as a threat to their professional existence, but instead as a resource for new innovation for the ICT department and the business as a whole.

Be Concerned By The Pace Of Change In Mobility

There is no question that the pace of change in the mobile industry is unparalleled by almost any other industry today.  Changes in mobile hardware, software and solutions seem to appear on a weekly basis.  We recognize that this can be a daunting proposition for any ICT department to keep up with, thereby causing fear and push-back.

Instead, we recognize that we need to embrace this sea change because of the fact that mobile ecosystems are not only emerging, but growing, and thereby creating opportunities for our businesses that we could have never imagined before.  We understand that by embracing this change and not fearing it that we can create new opportunities for our businesses and our own ICT careers.

Be Considered Hinderers Of Business Innovation And Instead Enablers Of Corporate Value

We are mindful of the reputation ICT departments have created for themselves over the last 30 years.  The decisions we were making as technology experts to protect and safeguard our workplaces have been misinterpreted as our inability to adapt to changing times for the business and our fear of innovation and perhaps our own obsolescence.  We did this because of the fact that ICT was new and something that was not broadly adopted both at work and at home, resulting in technology neophytes.

Today, we recognize that people in the various lines of business are keenly aware of emerging technologies or solutions that can help them be more effective at work.  Today, we recognize that we can change from a “Can’t Do” mindset to one that offers us no limits.  We commit ourselves to working with the various lines of business at our workplace to help maximize the value of our collective ICT investments for our businesses.

Be Concerned By The Complexity Around Mobile Application Development

It’s hard to imagine that there could be something even more complicated than managing multiple devices and form factors across four (or more) mobile operating platforms.  Unfortunately, mobile application development and management can be an even more daunting task for organizations.  With so many ways to develop mobile applications, and limited resources in terms of time, people and money, we must make difficult choices when we prioritize which platforms we should be building applications for.

We do have a new opportunity however that allows us to maximize our resources all the while providing rich – consumer grade appeal – applications for our mobile workforce, partners and customers.  Regardless of the tools to develop these applications, we believe in the vision of developing “hybrid” mobile applications that leverage the emerging HTML5 standard in conjunction with native containers that provide us the best of both worlds – one common development language that allows us to leverage the native properties of the various mobile operating systems such that we can quickly and efficiently delight our users with rich, native mobile experiences.

Wait For Tangible ROIs In Mobility Initiatives

A tangible return on any investment is not a new expectation in the workplace.  This is something that any manager will expect when spending limited financial resources.  What happens when you can’t calculate a “hard” number for that return on investment?  Normally, projects would rightfully be put aside when not able to justify the expense.  Mobility should however be treated differently.

We recognize that even today’s mobile “killer app” – email – has no truly quantifiable ROI.  That said, we all understand the importance of this now basic functionality.  We recognize that mobility is still in its infancy and that as it matures, ROI models will become more refined.  However, until we have those tools in place, we will not stand in the “breakdown lane” while other companies continue in the mobile Fast Lane.  We will be pioneers who rationally and methodically go about mobilizing our businesses.

Be Bound To One Sub-Optimal Technology Partner

Because of the fact that mobility is still an emerging technology sphere, there is a wide array of solution providers that have emerged to help the workplace solve these new challenges.  However, we acknowledge that no one vendor can necessarily address all the challenges that the ICT department and the workplace as a whole will face as they explore their mobile ambitions.

This is why we recognize the need for an ecosystem of partners that the ICT department – and the workplace as a whole – can work with to tap into best-of-breed technology and solution providers to address the totality of your mobile needs.  Whether it’s technology providers, global system integrators, mobile network operators or mobile device manufacturers, they should all speak one language…your language.

Adopt A One-Size-Fits-All Mobility Solution

While it’s important to work within a mobile ecosystem where the partners speak your language, they must also understand your specific needs.  Industry experience is one thing, but your organization will undoubtedly be facing mobile challenges that will be unique to your work environment and your organization’s social fabric.

Your mobility strategy should be just that.  Yours…and not a one-size-fits-all, cookie cutter approach.  We recognize that, while there will be some common tools and processes put in place, the success of your mobility initiatives is not based upon standard solutions, but instead on your workplace’s personal approach to working with your ecosystem in a uniquely tailored fashion.

 

We, the undersigned, hence make this pledge to Move The Big M and work with you to move into the Mobile Fast Lane.