Mobile is an essential business tool for the modern employee. Today’s workforce is on-the-go more often and far less centralized than ever before—and mobile devices inherently lend themselves to efficient telecommuting and business travel. However, as technology advances, manufacturers are striving to create all-in-one mobile computing devices capable of delivering the full suite of capabilities one typically expects from a desktop computer or laptop.
Compared to PC technology, mobile device tech cycles very quickly. Consumers are typically eager to adopt new technology that allows them to do more on one device, and older devices are phased out more quickly.
The new Elite x3 Windows 10 mobile device from HP aims to meet this desire by providing seamless workflows from a single device. It features natively installed Microsoft Office Suite, Salesforce, and the Continuum feature from Windows 10—a program that supports specific Windows apps. The Elite x3 will launch alongside a “mobile extender,” a laptop-style case with a larger battery that connects to the device wirelessly.
Your company probably has encountered (if not adopted) some Shadow IT—employees using their own devices and methods to complete work outside the typical range of accepted devices and platforms. While Shadow IT isn’t going anywhere, it isn’t necessarily a dangerous concept either. The modern business world has grown to a point where interconnectivity correlates to overall productivity. Essentially, the modern business world evolves so quickly that you need to do everything you can to keep your company ahead of the competition.
Bring-your-own-device (BYOD) policies have largely been both a blessing and a curse to modern CIOs: they allow employees more flexibility to complete their best work from anywhere, but unsecured or irresponsibly handled devices create cybersecurity risks. Data breaches can be deadly in the modern business world. Even if your organization isn’t totally crippled by a cyberattack, the damage a successful attack can do to your company’s reputation is often irreparable.
Striking a balance between productivity and security is crucial. Allow your employees to work more on their own terms without creating unnecessary security risks. Conversely, carefully manage your BYOD policy without stifling your workforce with excessive security requirements hindering their ability to work. Make cybersecurity a priority when you look for ways to make your organization leaner and more efficient.
Mobile is now an essential part of the modern business realm—more employees than ever are using mobile devices (they may be approved, company-supplied, or unapproved personal devices). Employees want real-time access to what they want, when they want it, and almost every mobile user wants an interconnected experience among devices, apps, and locations. While the world continues to grow more connected, business leaders need to learn to embrace mobile technology and approach cybersecurity with a proactive mindset.
Accounting for more mobile computing puts added strains on IT departments. As they struggle to reconcile legacy systems with mobile technology, new advancements and new methods for completing work and collaborating are constantly arising, creating new challenges for IT professionals. To stay ahead of the game, IT needs to plan for mobility, consider proprietary software and apps, and carefully assess any potential vulnerability.
All-in-one mobile computing devices address both the need for a truly interconnected work experience while accounting for more sophisticated cyberattacks. Every company relies on different applications, software, and devices for daily operations, so there won’t be any one-size-fits-all device for professionals in every industry.
I don’t see any one device becoming the standard across multiple industries, but I definitely acknowledge the potential for many companies creating their own systems for seamless workflow. Whether that takes the form of a single device or several, I do not know—but I do know that the desire for a truly seamless mobile computing experience isn’t going to fade anytime soon. It’s just a matter of time before the notion becomes reality.
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