High levels of business interest in a wide range of mobile services,
coupled with advancements in network technologies, have cultivated the
development of a wide variety of wireless enterprise applications.
New analysis from Frost & Sullivan , North American Next-Generation
Mobile Enterprise Markets, reveals that this industry generated revenues
totaling $446 million in 2001. Total market revenues are expected to
be over $6 billion in 2005.
Corporations
are recognizing that sophisticated systems management
software make centralized control over mobile systems feasible, enabling
enterprises to interact more effectively with their dispersed workforce.
The
development of wireless enterprise applications offers companies the
opportunity to supply critical data via Internet-enabled smart phones,
laptops, and personal digital assistants, to an increasingly mobile
workforce.
"Mobile enterprise services are poised for a period of impressive
growth,
fueled by the convergence of voice and data communications over emerging
packetized networks," says Frost & Sullivan Research Analyst
Brent Iadarola.
To cash in on this trend, service providers are rapidly upgrading their
applications to improve the value and reach of their systems. Carriers
are
increasingly investing in next-generation packet-switched networks that
will
provide superior data speeds, greater compatibility, and wider coverage.
Success
lies in being able to integrate wireless data solutions into
readily usable and affordable packages. Service providers have to customize
wireless data packages to industry needs and functions. By simply marketing
applications, they run the risk of allowing competitors to penetrate
the more
attractive niche markets. The key to drawing businesses toward enterprise
applications is to present them with solutions and not just technology.
According to Iadarola, "Flexible application platforms, superior
customer
service, and customized, coherent pricing plans are anticipated to emerge
as
the true differentiators for carriers, as coverage, reliability, and
functionality become commoditized."
The
onus is on mobile operators to market, sell, and service mobile data
solutions to their installed base of corporate customers. Also, they
must
have the vision to identify new distribution channels with the assistance
of
value-added resellers.
The
future belongs to third-generation (3G) networks with their facility
to increase data speeds and network capacity, stimulating market growth
of
advanced enterprise solutions. However, the migration to 3G is expected
to be
incremental as operators are expected to invest in sequential technology.
Frost & Sullivan is a global leader in strategic growth consulting.
This
ongoing growth opportunity analysis is part of the Next Generation Wireless
Communications Subscription, which also includes market analyses on
U.S.
Mobile Internet Access Markets and U.S. Next Generation Mobile Networks.
