ARMONK, N.Y., Nov. 9, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- IBM (NYSE: IBM)
today unveiled a suite of new software and services that enables
global organizations to build a comprehensive mobile computing
strategy – from securing and managing devices, to creating mobile
applications and analyzing data. These new offerings are part of a
move by IBM to capitalize on the growing market opportunity for
mobile that is expected to drive $130B in revenue for the IT industry by 2015,
according to a recent study.[i]
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As organizations increasingly view mobile computing as the next
platform to conduct business, the market is evolving beyond just
the device. Business leaders including the chief information
officers (CIOs) and increasingly chief marketing officers (CMOs) of
global organizations such as airlines, retailers, governments and
healthcare providers are among the businesses turning to IBM to
ensure mobile services and solutions are readily available to
constituents and in full compliance with IT strategies. They need
solutions that can be applied across any mobile environment and
device -- whether a laptop, smartphone or tablet -- and can provide
an underlying IT infrastructure that is always available, secure,
effectively manages data, and integrates both front and back-end
systems.
According to latest reports, more than 10 billion mobile devices
are expected to be in the hands of consumers, doctors, sales
leaders and the like by 2020.[ii] Already, 90 percent of mobile
users keep their device within arm's reach at all times, and
complete many kinds of transactions across these smart
devices.[iii]
"Mobile is fundamentally changing the way we think, work, and
act. But the speed at which this shift is occurring is
forcing organizations to react, instead of proactively plan for
this transformation," said Phil
Buckellew, Vice President, IBM Mobile Enterprise. "We are
evolving that approach. Just as IBM helped organizations capitalize
on the Internet more than 20 years ago, we are also doing the same
for mobile computing. We will continue to partner with clients and
help them get ahead of this trend by enabling them to become mobile
enterprises."
IBM Solutions Helps Clients Become Mobile
Enterprises
Rohde & Schwarz, a global manufacturing company specializing
in high-end test and measurement equipment, is transforming its
organization into a mobile enterprise by doing away with cumbersome
hardcopy product catalogs. By arming the 2,000 members of its
global sales team with mobile devices and applications,
representatives can now access the critical information needed to
retrieve client information in real-time, easily access inventory
information and rapidly close sales.
Using IBM Worklight's unique standards-based development
approach and open integration capabilities, Rohde & Schwarz is
able to overcome mobile application challenges that many
organizations face – including mobilizing enterprise data across
multiple platforms without compromising user experience or
functionality, whether its sales team is using smartphones,
tablets or laptops to access the information.
"By introducing mobile into our sales processes, our
representatives can now access our in-house product database on the
road and showcase brand new products to our clients in a meeting,"
said Manfred Metz, Corporate
Mobility Manager, Rohde & Schwarz. "IBM enables us to not only
efficiently develop these applications, but also easily integrate
with a range of backend systems used across our entire enterprise.
Now we are able to deliver exceptional apps in weeks instead of
months."
New Mobile Software and Services Fuel Growth
While the opportunities presented by mobile are significant,
there are a number of challenges facing clients when adopting
mobile computing. This includes the management and security of
devices and their underlying infrastructures, ensuring a quality
mobile application experience for users across operating systems,
new devices entering the market almost monthly, integrating data
with the cloud, and analyzing insights captured in real-time.
From consulting services to software solutions and industry
expertise, organic R&D to key acquisitions, IBM offers clients
a variety of offerings to quickly adopt mobile technologies
throughout the organization. As global organizations struggle to
keep pace with the opportunities that mobile computing can provide,
IBM's new suite of capabilities will enable them to overcome these
obstacles. For example:
- Mobile Planning and Strategy Services: Working with IBM
consultants, clients can identify gaps and properly plan for the
right mobile strategy.
- Mobile Analytics: Through analytics capabilities, chief
marketing officers (CMOs), e-commerce and app developers can gain
real-time access and deep intelligence into customers' online and
app experience across mobile devices.
- Endpoint Security and Management: With new software and
managed mobility services, clients can embrace the Bring Your Own
Device (BYOD) trend by simplifying the processes to secure devices
and empower employees to manage their own devices. These
capabilities extend to the management and support of Apple
(including iOS 6), Android, Microsoft Windows operating system
(including Windows 8) and Blackberry devices.
- Mobile App Development: Using the IBM Mobile Foundation
will help clients better support native app development and make it
easier to build apps that function in the absence of a network
connection. New Lifecycle Management software will help clients
quickly develop high quality apps across multiple platforms. New
managed service capabilities will also provide organizations with
support for deploying, implementing and managing their mobile apps
and app stores.
- Social Collaboration for Mobile: With new social
business enhancements, an organization's mobile workforce can use
their mobile devices to blog, get live updates from their social
networks, access and edit files. New remote data wipe capabilities
also help protect company data in case a device is lost or
stolen.
IBM has been steadily investing in the mobile space for more
than a decade, both organically and through acquisitions,
offering a complete portfolio of software and services that
delivers enterprise-ready mobility for clients -- from IT systems
all the way through to mobile devices. This builds on IBM's
deep understanding of its clients and their evolving IT
needs.
To learn more about IBM Mobile Enterprise capabilities, visit
http://www.ibm.com/mobile-enterprise/us/en/.
Follow us on Twitter @ibmmobile and use #ibmmobile to join the
conversation.
[i] McKinsey & Company analysis.
[ii]
http://www.economist.com/blogs/dailychart/2011/10/personal-technology
[iii] "China Mobile 50k survey"; Morgan Stanley Research.
IBM Contacts
Tara Sucato Tsapepas
IBM Media Relations
1 (917) 472-3701
tjsucato@us.ibm.com
SOURCE IBM