Mobile Collaboration - Essay Example

Mobile Collaboration Report Mobile Collaboration Report Introduction Mobile collaboration is technology centered method of collaborating using electronic possessions and supplementary software intended for use in inaccessible localities. Today, mobile phones, PDAs, tablets, computers and other electronic devices are increasing at high rate. In return, new opportunities for collaboration and communicating are opening for business forecasts. So far, research conducted on mobile collaboration tend to incline its focus on technical issues such as remote information access and connectivity support. This shows there is no enough studies that have been established regarding the issues that affect the design of mobile collaboration systems, which are the key to the functioning of technology-based process. Purpose Through mobile collaboration, people work together to deliver better outcome, and therefore, the purpose of this report is to discuss mobile collaboration in depth. Method This report uses information retrieved from journals, articles, websites and books that are all related to the topic. Background/discussion Existing systems/solutions In the past years, the existing research focus is on the changing and evolving of wireless mobile computing technologies for human to machine and human to human collaborations. This collaborations has led to many IT leaders giving much attention to the extension of collaboration from desktop computers to mobile phones (Cisco, 2013). To increase the implementation of amalgamated communications, IDG Enterprise Survey indicate more than 67% of IT leaders are preparering to invest in the competences of communication. In other words, types of mobile collaborations have increased, ranging from helping children in reading to business to increase or better firm’s performance. Despite the advantages retrieved from mobile collaboration, there many challenges which are faced in the implementation stage. However, Cisco Mobile Collaboration Management Services offers solutions to such challenges especially to the IT leaders. According to Cisco (2013), if at all IT organizations would need to manage, secure and spread the collaboration knowledge on mobile devices as well as streamline mobile collaboration management, the best way is to adopt cloud-based mobile device and application. To streamline mobile collaboration management, the cloud-based mobile enables flexibility to scale, rapid deployment and increases support for new devices (Cisco, 2013). The model also offers hasty registration and WI-FI, Email, VPN for all company devices. Conversely, with the cloud model, IT organizations can alleviate security and acquiescence risks by locating and wiping out data for stolen or lost devices, and also enforces and administers passwords, encryption as well as lock down security policies OTA. Nonetheless, in the education sector, mobile collaboration is also playing an important role. Fails et al. (2010) states that in education, a system referred to as Mobile Stories enables cooperative reading and writing of stories which have embraced collaboration and flexibility. Studies show flexibility plays an important role because it allows in context usage as well as combating the worldwide corpulence epidemic anywhere anytime. However, the Mobile Stories was established for children between the age of 6 and 11. So far, there are many systems which have been established to nurture story sharing and creation such as MOOSE Crossing where children are able to construct stories online collaboratively or individually (Fails et al., 2013). Another system, SAGE, is designed for children between 6 and 16 where they interrelate with repletecottontaillinked to a computer by typing. Additionally, Rosebud system allows or tries to evoke emotional responses through narrative. Other systems which are not specifically narrative systems include Ambient Wood, and Sketchy which have been developed recently on the IPhone particularly for children to promote story creation (Rogers et al., 2004). Focusing on Mobile Stories 1.0., the system allows devices to connect to a story server and for users to choose a story. Many of this systems especially ones delivered through cloud, does not require initial capital investment (Cisco, 2013). In today’s real business world, many workers expect their mobile devices would help them to be more productive. With increased technology, and more mobile applications which are facilitating employees work as well as increasing personalization, the challenge remains on IT organizations and their businesses to balance the need for compliance with employees and customers, and the need for organizational security (Valacich and Jessup, 2002). Providing solution for that balance, Valacich and Jessup (2012) states that Good Collaboration Suit plays that role by providing apps that users demand such as instant messaging, Email and calendar. How technologies such as mobile communications, internet, media, cloud and IoT are used in mobile collaboration Mobile communication Mobile technology has been adopted widely all over the world, especially by the upcoming generation. This has led to increased potentials about approachability and user involvement in the labor force. In businesses, mobile communication is increasing innovation and efficiency. Through communication, users especially vendors of forecasting support systems (FSS) are able to reach each other and consult each for advices on future forecasts (Asimakopouloset al., 2014). Mobile devices allows information access, and sharing of information faster. Users of mobile phones are to download applications such as m-forecasting which enables establishments to deliver totally collaborating reporting and scrutiny; without the necessity for particular software. On the other hand, mobile texting (SMS) enables users to share small content of information which does not require other media to convey. Internet of Things (IoT) Internet of Things is the “network of physical objects or "things" embedded with electronics, software, sensors and connectivity”. So far, several definitions have been established regarding Internet of Things, which is sometimes referred to as Internet of Everything. The term often refers to the way short mobile transceivers are embedded in gadgets and other items which are used daily with the aim of facilitating communication between things and people, or between things themselves. With IoT, mobile collaboration is faster, more effective and also increases businesses opportunities and increasing organizational sales. With IoT, mobile collaboration is expected to increase where communication will be between people and machines. All devices that will be installed IoT applications, connections will be anywhere, anytime and opportunities and possibilities will be infinite. The Internet of Things (IoT) has sensors which senses and collects surrounding strictures such as height, electronic gadgets, pressure and temperature. Internet Studies show that through internet mobile collaboration has become easier as well as communication. People are able to share videos, pictures, information and audio in return allowing multi-party conferencing in real time. Today, mobile collaboration utilizes internet technology in return enabling actual collaboration sovereign of location. Differing from traditional video conferencing, advancements in internet technologies has enabled conferencing from anywhere at any time, even with hand mobile phones which is allowing true mobile collaboration. According to Avaya (2010), with Avaya Mobile Collaboration software in mobile devices, it is easy to utilize IM and video chat. With the software, conversations between employees and employers continues, despite the location each of them is. Through seamless communication, organizations become more flexible, responsive and profitable (Antunes, 2007). Through internet, organizations are able to make their customers happy because with video calls, customers are able to reach organizations direct minimizes the poorly handled voice calls and emails (Avaya, 2010). Cloud Cloud enables organizations to streamline mobile collaboration management by offering integrated reporting, and acquiescence of organizations with their mobile devices. The model enables flexibility to scale, rapid deployment and increases support to new devices (Cisco, 2013). Clouds acts as a single boundary to manage mobile applications, devices and offers bulk provision, faster enrollment, and e-mail, Wi-Fi, over-the-air, VPN and company provided devices. Cloud offers a secure cloud infrastructure with EU Safe Harbor, SOC II Type 2 (Cisco, 2013). With cloud, one is able to configure information, push security policies and manage in house developed mobile applications. Personal thoughts The range of mobile collaboration takes into reason a number of fundamentals that remain to develop in their complexity and convolution: audiovisual, acoustic and elastration competences, conferencing and telepresence systems, collaboration tools, transmission technologies, and flexibility. Over the last years up to date, mobile collaboration has been adopted widely in schools, industries such as healthcare and energy. In today’s multifaceted work environments, mobile collaboration permits users from different localities to bring together their efforts towards solving problems. Additionally, mobile collaboration also permits modern technology for better flow of communication. Challenges Users of modern technology such as smartphones are usually not confident in using the devices to relay confidential information. At the same, technology allows critical information to be relayed to the wrong people which can be very dangerous. Private and confidential data can be leaked if mobiles are hacked. According to Asimakopouloset al. (2014) the new touch screens poses as challenge when visualizing and forecasting data. Possible issues and the future of mobile collaboration With the changing world which is facilitated by globalization and increased technology, mobile collaboration will increase and create new ways of working. With time, combining cloud trends with mobile devices tools, flexibility and social collaboration will highly impact business models. Given the opportunity to establish collaboration apps, organizations can enable their employees to gain access to information they could not access, which in turn could increase employees ability to perform their jobs. Conclusion This report has found out that mobile collaboration brings people together to deliver quantifiable results. Access to the right information helps deliver important advantage effect on productivity. The report has also found out that today mobile phones, PDAs, tablets, computers and other electronic devices are increasing at high rate which in turn has created new opportunities for collaboration and communicating are opening for business forecasts. References Antunes, P (2007). A Design Framework for MobileCollaboration. 1-8. Retrieved from http://www.di.fc.ul.pt/~paa/papers/encyc-06-final.pdf Asimakopoulos, S., Boretos, G. P &Mourlas, C (2014). Forecasting “In the Pocket”: Mobile Devices Can Improve Collaboration. Foresight 13-18. Retrieved from http://eds.a.ebscohost.com/eds/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=bf6a9b96-5de6-4420-af1a-b674ddc336f9%40sessionmgr4001&vid=1&hid=4202 Avaya (2010). The Mobile Collaboration Solution for Small to Midsize Businesses: Give your people the real-time collaboration tools they need to be more effective and productive, anywhere, on any device. Retrieved from http://www.avaya.com/usa/documents/mobile_collaboration_brochure.pdf Cisco (2013). Cisco Mobile Collaboration Management Service: Cisco Collaboration Services 1-15. Retrieved from http://www.cisco.com/web/services/portfolio/documents/mobile-collaboration-management-service-brochure.pdf Fails, A. J., Druin, A &Guha, L (2010). Mobile Collaboration: Collaboratively Reading and Creating Children’s Stories on Mobile Devices. Retrieved from http://hcil2.cs.umd.edu/trs/2010-02/2010-02.pdf Rogers, Y., Price, S., Fitzpatrick, G., Fleck, R., Harris, E., Smith, H., Randell, C., Muller, H., OMalley, C., Stanton, D., Thompson, M. & Weal, M (2004). Ambient Wood: Designing New Forms of Digital Augmentation for Learning Outdoors. In Interaction Design and Children (IDC), College Park. Maryland. ACM Press Valacich, J. S & Jessup, M. L (2002). Wireless Mobile Collaboration. Proceedings of the 36th Annual Hawaii International Conference on 6-9 Jan 2002. 1-45. DOI: 10.1109/HICSS.2003.117380. Retrieved from http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/xpl/login.jsp?tp=&arnumber=1173801&url=http%3A%2F%2Fieeexplore.ieee.org%2Fiel5%2F8360%2F26341%2F01173801.pdf%3Farnumber%3D1173801 Read More