Mobile Expertise Apps 'Essential' For Integrator Growth

"Over a short period of time, this will be absolutely essential. There is no doubt in my mind," said Dean Douglas, general manager of wireless e-business services for the Americas at IBM Global Services.

Extending traditional applications to mobile use will become a necessity as next-generation wireless networks gain traction in the United States and businesses look to be more efficient, Douglas said. Those still waiting for wireless to take off in the United States are behind the curve, he said.

Of the 1,000-plus wireless engagements IBM has undertaken in the past 18 months, 40 percent have been in the United States, Douglas said, adding that the company expects its 2002 wireless engagements to double last year's numbers.

The complexity of wireless solutions,along with the events of Sept. 11,dampened enterprise adoption of wireless technology in 2001, but the market is expected to increase more dramatically by next year, said Becky Diercks, a wireless analyst at research firm Cahners In-Stat. The number of wireless business data users is projected to top 39 million in 2006 vs. 6.7 million last year, Cahners In-Stat reported last week.

Wireless integration services will continue to evolve, including more sophisticated mobile ERP rollouts and even wearable computers for field-force workers, IBM's Douglas said.

Douglas showed off a voice-activated, wearable computer from Xybernaut, Fairfax, Va. The clip-on device, which can be attached to a belt, features a small screen and headset and lets users check diagnostics and ask questions without leaving their remote work area, he said.