Mobile Workers
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The document outlines three types of mobile workers: always mobile, sometimes mobile, and hybrid, each with distinct technological needs and working patterns. It emphasizes the importance of aligning work types with appropriate tools, considering costs, and being mindful of communication dynamics. The author suggests that companies should analyze these worker profiles to enhance efficiency and accessibility.
Mobile Workers
- 1. Mobile Workers Vincent Maher, Portfolio Manager: Social Networking, Vodacom SA
- 2. 3 different types of mobile worker Always mobile Sometimes mobile Hybrid
- 3. Always Mobile Very seldom comes into the office Needs more than 80% of work functionality on the phone Uses a laptop only when stationary 100% reliant on email Will need to teleconference a lot
- 4. Sometimes Mobile Work is divided into periods of travel and office work Must be able to synchronize desktop applications with mobile Phone is a lifeline while in transit Laptop still primary device
- 5. Hybrid Mobile Travels a lot but doesn’t work while travelling Work is done at stationary but sometimes remote locations Laptop is primary device
- 6. Differing needs Always Mobile Strong email and IM Document viewing and editing Internet everywhere Centralized/synchronized calendar sharing and meeting requests Customized input software Extended kit (extra battery, chargers etc)
- 7. Differing needs Sometimes Mobile Strong email and IM Centralized/synchronized calendar sharing and meeting requests Light but powerful laptops Remote access to the company network/VPN Quick wake-up and hibernating machines Long battery-life, extra battery packs, stockpile of spare cables etc at office
- 8. Differing needs Hybrid Mobile Remote access to the company WAN/VPN Centralized/synchronized calendar sharing and meeting requests Company sponsored broadband Must be able to access same services remotely as they would in the office
- 9. Profiles Always Mobile Sales team Remote assessment Sometimes Mobile Senior management Hybrid Mobile Senior management, occasional travelers
- 10. Possible special requirements Standardization of handsets Mobile software development GPS integration
- 11. Work Types Systems input Access core systems directly Self-management Appointment scheduling, Intranet access, HR tools like digital pay-slips Document work File sharing, document editing, workflow Conversational work Email, IM, Social Network messaging
- 12. Scenarios Standardized and structured Company chooses handset profile Applications built for specific devices Security and data integrity enforced Loosely knit Workers choose handsets and applications Mesh different platforms together as and when they need them
- 13. Example Vodacom SN team Located across 3 continents, different time-zones Management team travel frequently Work is a combination of documentation and conversation Work can happen at any time of the day across any time-zone
- 14. Example Devices BB Bold, BB Storm, HTC Magic, Samsung, Nokia E and N series Dell/Apple laptops What we use for comms Conversational: GTalk, SMS, The Grid, Skype Documents: MS Office, Google Docs and SS Messaging: Email, Facebook*
- 15. Conclusions Companies must analyze different types of mobile worker Align the type of work with the type of tools required Be aware of costs and who should rightfully pay them Understand the implications of each work type and the communications peaks and troughs
- 16. Discussion Email: vincent@vincentmaher.com Twitter: @vincent_maher Voice: 082 998 5412 Blog: http://www.vincentmaher.com