Mobility to be 'business critical issue' in Middle East - IBM

Mobility, the company says, will be the key issue in Middle East business technology solutions over the near term.

"IBM has long been talking about information everywhere, information on the move. It's what we call pervasive computing, the idea that you can use a wide variety of devices to access a wide variety of information regardless of where you are. We believe that service providers need to embrace those concepts in the Middle East as more and more enterprise companies are demanding better, broader network access to their information," said Bashar Kilani, head of IBM Software Group, Middle East, Egypt and Pakistan.

Pervasive computing concepts are already key in markets such as the US and Europe, where over 70% of businesses have said they are planning to adopt pervasive computing technologies in their operations. With the availability of sophisticated terminal devices ranging from remote scanners through to rich client devices such as the Nokia Communicator and notebook computers operating over GSM, 3G and WiFi networks, businesses are now able to use the speed of remote information access in new ways.

"We're looking at businesses that are creating new and innovative ways of delivering new services, new levels of customer service and even new categories of business offering based on information everywhere type concepts," said Kilani. "It's a great opportunity for telcos in the region to extend new classes of service to enterprise customers who want support in building secure, effective mobile information systems.

Major advances in information management and network hardware, software and security have meant that businesses can open full access to enterprise networks from remote users, creating new classes of service and information management. Together with these, web-based applications - particularly Web 2.0 type services such as NetVibes - are driving demand for mobile information access from customers.

"Customers are increasingly expecting to be able to access information over their mobile devices in a variety of formats - and companies are increasingly interested in reaching those customers wherever they are. At the same time, people are now able to work in new ways and be more reactive and responsive. While fixed line access methods have in the main served until now, wireless networks are opening up an entirely new approach to the market and this is where IBM believes the Middle East has a huge opportunity,"

said Kilani.