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| Gartner Says Enterprises Must Prepare to Support Three Distinct Mobile Solutions by 2004 |
| Gartner Analysts Discuss Wireless and Mobile Industry's Outlook During Gartner Symposium/ITxpo |
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LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla., October 9, 2001 - By 2004, a flood of new mobile devices in the enterprise will force at least 50 percent of Fortune 2000 companies to support three distinct solutions, according to Gartner, Inc. (NYSE: IT and ITB). Gartner analysts said these IS departments will need to support low-speed wireless data only, voice plus Web access and high-speed wireless LAN access.
Gartner analysts provided their analysis on the future of wireless and mobile computing today during Gartner Symposium/ITxpo 2001, which is taking place October 8 - 12 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. Gartner analysts said enterprises must be selectively aggressive in the early adoption of only those mobile technologies that support key business initiatives and market imperatives. "Enterprises should buy standardized devices for business users who can prove that they have a need, or provide an incentive program for employees to purchase all PDAs and smart phones throughout the company," said Ken Dulaney, vice president and research director for Gartner. "Unmanaged, untracked PDAs and phones must not synchronize with enterprise systems, unless the user agrees to install and maintain enterprise-supplied security, backup and auditing tools." Gartner analysts said that by adopting multiple mobile-computing appliances, users are creating the "age of the personal area network (PAN)." By 2002, 80 percent of mobile devices in the enterprise will contain at least 20 percent personally managed programs and data. By 2003, mobile workers will spend at least 20 minutes per day in a personal data synchronization process. "Key IS strategies for coping with this mobile device invasion will include constraining supported devices, adopting standardized synchronization tools and moving to higher-level application platforms that rely less on a specific operating system," Dulaney said. Gartner forecasts that, by 2004, 60 percent of mobile workers will be compelled to carry technologies that offer instant response by voice and hourly response by e-mail. Currently, there is not a determined timetable when mobile workers with cell phones and PDAs will respond to an inquiry. With emerging technologies, the response time will improve dramatically. "In many enterprises, the turnaround time of voice mail and e-mail are different," Dulaney said. "However, eventually they will converge to the point where users will have to respond in seconds, if they can. At that time, technology will force users to have integrated systems that will treat voice mail and e-mail as interchangeable media, tied together by personal switching systems that locate users and deliver the message in the most convenient media." Gartner Symposium/ITxpo is the IT industry's largest and most strategic conference, providing business leaders with a look today at the future of IT. For more than 10,000 IT professionals from the world's leading enterprises, Gartner's annual Symposium/ITxpo events are key components of their annual planning efforts, and a place to gain insights into how their organizations can use technology to address business challenges and improve operational efficiency. For more information online, go to www.gartner.com/symposium. Gartner, Inc. is a research and advisory firm that helps more than 10,000 clients understand technology and drive business growth. Gartner's divisions consist of Gartner Research, Gartner Consulting, Gartner Measurement and Gartner Events. Founded in 1979, Gartner, Inc. is headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut, and consists of 4,600 associates, including 1,400 research analysts and consultants, in more than 80 locations worldwide. The company achieved fiscal 2000 revenue of $855 million. For more information, visit www.gartner.com. |
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Contact: Christy Pettey 408 468 8312 christy.pettey@gartner.com |
