As I mentioned in my last blog posting, mobility is a big trend in IT today. For everything from finding the nearest pizza place, looking up movie show times, getting driving directions, or checking social media, “there’s an app for that,” as the commercial says.
But increasingly smartphones are becoming a standard accessory that we carry everywhere, and they have become a mandatory business tool, including for Federal use. Of course, we expect to be able to access our corporate e-mail. But beyond e-mail, there is an explosion of uses and possibilities. For instance, did you run into a business contact today and even briefly discuss a project, an idea, or a future meeting? Better write it down, or better yet, go to the Customer Relationship Manager app on your smartphone and put the information where you can better manage it.
For those organizations (such as GSA) with fleets of vehicles, a smartphone app could give a quick and easy way to enter or retrieve data on vehicles. Health professionals can have important data readily available as they are making hospital rounds. The US Postal Service provides users with the ability to track packages. Travelers love the ability to receive travel schedules and enter expenses in real time. Sales staffs can retrieve inventories from a business database while talking to the potential purchaser. For those professionals that track billable hours, what could be better than a quick timekeeping entry on the smartphone?
These activities in themselves are not new ideas. What is new is having all these capabilities on a platform that is mobile and convenient. The possibilities are endless … but the challenges are huge. For instance, security is paramount. We will need secure communications, possibly encrypted data. If a user loses a smartphone or, worse, it is stolen, we must ensure that the data is not vulnerable. Also, IT staffs and application owners may need to build interfaces to legacy systems, or develop new architectures to support mobility requirements.
For those of us who are IT service providers, the challenges will be to manage the various the interfaces, increasing capabilities, security needs, and rising expectations of our customers. I’d like to hear from readers. How do you see these trends developing? Do you see smartphone apps becoming a significant part of our IT responsibilities? How will other mobile devices such as e-book readers fit into this mix? What will be next?
9) Smartphones for Business Use
Sterling Whitehead on 3/30/2010 16:59:10
Good post. I’m a federal contract specialist, and I find my BlackBerry useless for work because I can’t download any apps.
Security is a major issue though. As an interim solution, mobile gov sites could be set up until secure apps are developed.
Additionally, I’d love to have an app for the Federal Acquisition Regulations. It would be handy in the field and in negotiations.
8) re: Smartphones for Business Use
Casey Coleman on 3/31/2010 14:05:08
That’s a really good suggestion, Sterling! I will keep that in mind and see if I have opportunity to suggest a mobile app with the FAR. Thanks.
7) FAR – Smartphones for Business Use
Mike Bowers on 4/28/2010 12:26:07
The iPhone has an app for the FAR. It is called iFAR and is free. It makes the FAR completely indexed and searchable. You can also email pages from it for reference. The app was developed by Visual Soft Inc., maybe they would be willing to replicate the app for the Blackberry.
Having contacts available on the go through the Salesforce Blackberry is nice. The app requires a separate login for an extra level of security in case the device is lost.
6) Smartphones for Business Use
Mike Bowers on 4/29/2010 13:14:27
The iPhone has a free FAR app called iFAR. “Self contained title 48 Federal Acquisition Regulation with full PDF pages ready to email for reference. Completely searchable and indexed.” it was developed by Visual Soft Inc. Maybe the could be talked into releasing the app for Blackberry as well.
5) Smartphones for Business Use
Martha G. on 4/30/2010 12:44:15
There is an app for the FAR for the iPhone; however, it uses 2005. There is also a per diem app.
4) Smartphones for Business Use
Rob Lewis on 5/3/2010 9:21:12
A quick but late comment.
Apps can not be made secure unless the underlying operating system is made inherently secure.
Also, encryption is not a panacea. When any system in not inherently secure, keys can be stolen and breaches occur when data is is USE, not when in storage or in transit.
Don’t let me dampen your enthusiasm. There are ways to do these things, but not generally understood.
3) dinariraqi
dinariraqi on 7/22/2010 6:54:17
That’s a in fact good idea, Sterling! I will maintain that in mind and see if I have chance to propose a mobile app with the FAR. Thanks.
dinariraqi.net
2) Smartphones for Business Use
Cynthia Cook on 8/8/2010 22:43:42
Hi Sterling. I stumbled upon your site while trying to find out more information about working as a federal contract specialist. There is an opening at the NASA research center in Cleveland (near me), and I wondered if you would email me the story of how you obtained your position? I can tell that you are extremely involved in your profession and I would greatly appreciate any information that you might be able to pass on to me. I have a J.D. and some government bid administration and contracts experience. My email is above.
Thank you so much!
Cynthia Cook
Akron, Ohio
1) Smartphones for Business Use
Smartphones on 9/20/2010 22:09:27
I do see these trends developing whether it is secure or not. I am a college student and using our smartphones is a must on campus. Us students are well connected to the networks and are always on the look out for new apps. I can see smartphone apps becoming significant however, I do agree with you that the security of personal information needs to be further developed.