Enterprise Mobility - A Tank Half Full

Communicating with Pigeons

Seriously, I am talking about tanks.  Tanks as in Abrams, Tiger, T-34s or Shermans.  Did you know that at the beginning of WWII allied tanks did not even have mobile communications.  They had NO mobile radios.  Tanks were sent out into the battlefield with no effective way to communication with them or ask them to change plans, directions or missions.  Early tanks even used pigeons to communicate.

German forces on the other hand had mobile radios in all of their tanks and could communicate with HQ, nearby troops and aircraft.  This capability enabled them to provide real-time feedback and visibility into real-time events, which enabled rapid adaptation to changing situations in the field .  In addition, real-time mobile communications enable combined activities and collaboration between tanks, troops and aircraft that were never before possible.  This capability revolutionized military strategy.  This new capability enabled innovative strategist to develop new tactics.  

My new slogan this year is, Mobile Technology without Tactics is Wasted. 

The allied forces had mobile radios and communication technologies.  They had just not deployed them sufficiently, nor developed any new tactics designed to take advantage of them.  How many of today's enterprises have mobile technologies, but have not developed new strategies or tactics to take advantage of them?

Upcoming Events

Virtual Mobility Summit - September 27, 2011
Field Mobility 2011 Australia - October 25 - 27, 2011
Enterprise Mobility Exchange, Las Vegas - November 2 - 3, 2011
Kevin Benedict Speaking Tour, Tokyo - November 14-15, 2011
Kevin Benedict Speaking Tour, Singapore - November 17-18, 2011
Kevin Benedict Speaking Tour, San Paulo, Brazil - December 4-9, 2011

Whitepapers of Note

The Business Benefits of Mobile Adoption with SAP Systems
ClickSoftware Mobility Suite and Sybase Mobility Solution
Mobile Adoption Among Gas and Electric Utilities
Mobile Adoption in Life Sciences
Mobile Adoption in Oil and Gas
Networked Field Services

Recorded Webinars of Note

3 Critical Considerations for Embracing Mobile CRM
Healthrageous Mobility Case Study
The Latest m-Business Trends and How the Onslaught of Mobile Devices Affects Development Strategies
The Real-Time Mobile Enterprise:  The Benefits of Rapid, Easy Access
Syclo and SAP Deliver Mobile Apps on Sybase Unwired Platform

Ruggedized and Industrial Mobile Device Articles

Consumer Smartphones or Industrial Smartphones?

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Kevin Benedict, Independent Mobile and M2M Industry Analyst, SAP Mentor Volunteer

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Full Disclosure: I am an independent mobility analyst, consultant and blogger. I work with and have worked with many of the companies mentioned in my articles.