Innovative Paper - Microsoft Goes Mobile

Microsoft goes Mobile

Microsoft made their programs available for usage on handheld devices in the late 1990’s under the name Pocket Office (Microsoft). Since then Microsoft has updated its Microsoft Office software and has made it available to be downloaded on iOS devices, android, and tablets. The days of only being able to use edit and write documents on a computer are diminishing as more people are overwhelmingly using handheld devices to work on the go.

The ease of having Microsoft Office programs on handheld devices is something that can transform the way some businesses operate. Those who have to travel for work will no longer have to wait until the plane lands or when they get to their destination to catchup on business affairs. Now businessmen can edit and complete their assignments for work anywhere in the world from their mobile device. Businesses will also have the option of being able to pay less money for mobile subscriptions since they are cheaper, or give their employees devices with Windows platform to cut out the price. Not only will it save businesses some money, they will also have one less thing that they need room for in the information technology infrastructure. However, before businesses decide to change their infrastructure they will need to make sure that Microsoft Mobile will be beneficial and coordinate with their business practices. The main downside to Microsoft Mobile is that it can access “anything, anywhere, at any time” (Ellermann, 2002).

In order for a business to decide if having mobile devices running Microsoft will be beneficial for their company, there are a few things that they need to look at. The company will need to take a look at their current infrastructure and business strategy and make a decision if investing in Microsoft mobile applications will be good for business. Even though the costs of maintenance on the program will not increase the overall budget for the company in the long-run (since Microsoft handles customer service), costs will have to be calculated for purchasing the devices and the upkeep on them (Ellermann).

The next step for a business to tackle would be security. Microsoft has had its share of security problems in the past, and having business affairs on mobile devices is a security risk. If an employee misplaces a device, anyone who is tech-savvy has the ability to access all the information that employee has access to unless the right protocols are set in place for mishaps. A solution to that problem would be to establish what information each employee needs access to in order to successfully do their job (Ellermann).

Another step would be to make sure there are enough employees willing to use mobile devices. Through all of the technological advances that have been made, there are some who prefer to work from a computer or laptop. Some argue that the screens on mobile devices are too small, while others