Welcome to the latest edition of Inside Looking Out. This past week, I got to speak with Todd Ostrander. Todd is a co-founder and now VP at Perlego Systems, a Washington (State) based mobility management solution provider.
One of the thing that I think sets Perlego apart from the (relatively) crowded MDM space, is that they provide their MDM solution as a SaaS based subscription model.
Enterprise Mobility Matters: Hi Todd. Welcome to Inside Looking Out. Enterprise Mobility has changed a lot in the last few years. What would you say is the greatest recent advancement?
Todd Ostrander: Hi Philippe. Thanks for having me here. We’ve been discussing the merits of enterprise mobility for more than a decade with the anticipation that devices in our hands hold the power to change the paradigm of how we communicate. The combination of 3G networks and the Apple iPhone became the inflexion point. While the iPhone is by no means an enterprise device today, it changed the paradigm of the world’s view of what a personal communications device could be. Every major smartphone manufacturer is now playing a significant role.
EMM: Are companies looking at mobility differently today as compared to a few years ago?
TO: Leading edge companies have already determined that mobility is about productivity enhancement and improving the top line. However, in doing so, they also must maintain control over the devices (management and security). Top line revenue growth at the expense of data security is not a positive outcome.
EMM: How do you see the economy impacting mobility in the enterprise?
TO: Healthy companies are taking advantage of the current conditions because they know that their competitors are failing to invest and therefore falling behind. Many companies are using the current conditions to right-size their organizations and everyone is looking for opportunities to cut cost. Unique opportunities exist for vendors offering Software-as-a-Service solutions to the market because it provides the cost cutting benefits of the software solution while shifting the investment to using OpEx rather than CapEx dollars.
EMM: What do you think is the greatest current opportunity for enterprise mobility?
TO: Computing devices are tools that can be used either tactically or strategically. The first computing devices were used to cut the cost of accurately providing financial data. Walmart was one of the first companies to use computing as a strategic competitive advantage and is now the largest retailer in the world because of this strategic view.
The case studies are just beginning to be written about companies that view enterprise mobility as a paradigm shift that will change our view of who they are. I believe that the companies that learn how to communicate with their customer in an authorized yet proactive way though their mobile device will have a significant leg up on the competition over the next several years.
EMM: What do you think is the greatest risk for organizations right now?
TO: The greatest risk that companies have is not to view mobility as a strategic asset. It’s not the risk of data loss, but rather the risk of opportunity cost. Mobility is changing the way we do business whether we’re driving it or it’s driving us. Leaders need to choose to get in front of it, not let it happen. This is about making strategic decisions about how to use mobility to our advantage and prepare for the next wave that is already hitting us.
EMM: What steps should executives take to ensure the success of their mobility implementations?
TO: The critical steps in the process are:
- Define your vision for what mobility can do for your company – in the future. How can I create a better / more robust customer experience?
- Be bold enough to understand that this IS the future and not just a fad.
- Make strategic decisions based on technology that is available today in the market and don’t get too far out in front of technology.
- Determine what you already have so that you can get started immediately.
- Choose to manage what you implement the same way you manage your other computing assets.
Well there you have it. Thanks Todd for taking the time to chat with me about your views on Enterprise Mobility. Do you know anyone who should be a guest here on Inside Looking Out? Drop me a line.
