My Enterprise Mobility Manifesto

Reading though the draft of this entry, I was struggling to think of a good title for it.  The word count actually came in over 1000 words, which is more than I typically care to write because I am convinced I have a slight case of attention deficit disorder.  Reading through it, it felt as if I was getting so much off my chest…as if I had some sort of manifesto in mind.  Now mind you, I recognize that other people who have written a manifesto have sometimes needed to live in a chamber with padded walls, but I assure you this is not the case here…or at least I hope not (although I have put this in the Crack category).  In any case, here we go.

As you might know, assuming you have followed my former blog, I have been trying for the last couple of years to provide on a regular basis, an unbiased perspective on the world of enterprise mobility.  I have tried to read every article I can, share it with you and provide you another perspective on the matter.  Sometimes, I agree with the author and/or provide an analysis on a news event, while other times I have been less than agreeing (and kind about it).  Regardless of my opinion on the matter, those of you who have spoken to me know that not only I write like I speak, but that it’s always straight from the heart (and hopefully mind).

That said, I can’t tell you the number of times I have spoken to people where we say the same thing.  The world of enterprise mobility is moving so quickly – how can you keep up with all the changes?  I agree 100%.

Whenever I am asked where I think enterprise mobility will be in five years, I start to laugh.  Unless you want me to provide platitudes (I can think of a few people who do that very effectively), I won’t pretend to know what’s going to happen in 18 months.  Who would have thought two years ago that the iPhone would be such a huge success or that other vendors would have fallen on tougher times?

So I asked myself one day: Why can’t there be a hub where we can all learn and share together about enterprise mobility?  Why do I need to go hunt all across the web to find what I am looking for?  Not from a search engine perspective either, because that takes time…time I don’t have.  Why can’t there be a place where I can see videos, updates from Twitter or press releases on my favorite enterprise mobility topics.

And then it dawned upon me.  Why CAN’T there be such a place?  Actually, there’s NOTHING preventing its existence!

There’s no reason you shouldn’t be able to:

• Read blog entries from a broad set of thought leaders in enterprise mobility…and not just yours truly (not that I consider myself a thought leader);
• Download white papers that are UNBIASED…without expecting a follow-up call from an inside sales person (no offense to inside sales people);
• Watch the latest videos on enterprise mobility;
• See what people are Tweeting on enterprise mobility;
• Read the latest press releases on enterprise mobility;
• Write your own FREE blog on enterprise mobility;

But what if it weren’t just about enterprise mobility in general?  What if you could do all the things in the above list on what matters to you most RIGHT NOW?

• Thinking about using the iPhone in the enterprise?
• What about individual vs. corporate liability?
• Windows Phone 7 Series?
• Thinking about creating a mobile strategy?
• What about Governance, Risk and Compliance for enterprise mobility?
• What do you need to know about Enterprise mobility management?
• Are you considering enterprise mobility solutions in healthcare or retail?

It’s all here…and more. Over 50 different topics (and counting!) that may be of interest to you in the growing world of enterprise mobility.

But wait, there’s more.  This site is also a place where you can commune with other people interested in enterprise mobility.  As a registered member of the site:

• You can see who else is a member of the forum;
• You can friend them, as well as send them direct messages through the site;
• You can see what other members of the forum are doing on this site;
• You can view, join or create groups on your favorite enterprise mobility topics;
• You can also start or join discussions on your favorite enterprise mobility topics;
• You can create your own or view other members’ enterprise mobility blog(s);
• Want to share your Tweets on this site?  You can set up real-time bi-directional synchronization between your profile on this site and your Twitter account.  That means if you post something here, it will become a Tweet.  If you Tweet something, it will show up here.  All you have to do is go to your profile, select “Settings” and then select “TweetStream”;
• Like a comment from a blog entry or a discussion?  Give it a thumbs up.
• Don’t like what they wrote?  Give it a thumbs down.  Either way, make your voice heard.

OK, so at this point, I am sure you’re excited to sign up for The Enterprise Mobility Forum.  But I also recognize the hassle of having to fill out the form and remember ANOTHER username and password.  Well, you won’t have to if you don’t want to.  In the next couple of days, you’ll be able to just fill in your LinkedIn credentials, and the site will do the rest.  It will create your account and pre-populate your profile with some of the information you’ve already provided for LinkedIn.  It’s THAT simple.  But don’t let a couple of days make you stop from registering now!  You’ll be able to sync up your profile with LinkedIn whenever you want.

So in conclusion,

• The Enterprise Mobility Forum is not a blog;
• It’s not a place where you can glean insights from thought leaders;
• It’s not a place where you can download white papers for free without being spammed by vendors;
• It’s not a content aggregator where you can see the latest videos, tweets or press releases;
• It’s not a place where you can create your own blog and share your enterprise mobility experiences;
• It’s not a discussion forum;
• It’s not a social networking site.

It’s all of them.  All in one place.  All for you.  All for free.

It’s brought to you by The Enterprise Mobility Foundation.  The Foundation exists thanks to the founding supporters and other supporting vendors who recognize the need for a truly unbiased, independent place for us to congregate and learn from each other.  They want us to all be smarter about enterprise mobility and be as passionate about enterprise mobility as they are…and no, the Foundation will NEVER provide them your contact information.  Your privacy is just that.  Your privacy.

Now go on.  Register for the site and start creating your own or join existing groups and discussions about your favorite enterprise mobility topics so that we can ALL learn from each other.

Now if all of this isn’t enough for you, just wait a short while.  There’s even more functionality coming in the next few weeks to help us all be better informed on our favorite enterprise mobility topics.

And by the way, we eat our own dog food at The Enterprise Mobility Foundation.  This site has a mobile edition that you can view on your favorite smartphone.

I sincerely hope you like and benefit from The Enterprise Mobility Forum and that it becomes your starting point for all your enterprise mobility adventures.

Cheers,

Philippe