Mobile applications: getting more done on the go.

AuthorBarbour, Tracy
PositionTECHNOLOGY

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In today's business world, work isn't always restricted to an eight-hour day. At least not at Pacific Alaska Freightways. The company's six or so Alaska-based salespeople use Blackberries, iPhones and personal digital assistants to get business done when they're away from the office. "We don't shut off at 5 o'clock," said Bill Meszaros, vice president Alaska. "We're always connected."

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The sales team employs mobile applications--mostly for e-mailing and texting--to respond to customers' needs. "If they get an e-mail from a client for pricing or to ship a product, they can answer them immediately," Meszaros explained. "It enables them to stay out on the road longer, which allows them to do more sales calls."

Pacific Alaska Freightways is among a growing number of businesses relying on mobile applications to squeeze more tasks into the work day. Mobile applications--basically mini computer programs designed to perform specific tasks--allow users to handle various functions, from communications and information access to computing and business process solutions. Mobile apps enable companies to turn laptops, cell phones and other wireless devices into powerful tools that can enhance their efficiency, productivity and the bottom line.

USE, IMPORTANCE INCREASE

Wireless applications give companies more control over where they engage in business, as well as decrease costs and increase revenue, according to Anand Vadapalli, chief operations officer of Alaska Communications Systems.

"Mobility allows the conduct of business on your terms--where you want and when you want," Vadapalli says. "Clearly there are the benefits of improved productivity when employees who travel a lot or work substantially outside an office environment are able to access their data and business applications from mobile devices. However, companies can also drive significant revenue opportunities by making their business more mobile. As an example, AlaskaRealEstate.com provides an application to be downloaded to your Smartphone that allows you to search for properties in and around the area you are currently at. This is an excellent revenue opportunity for Realtors."

Wireless applications for business are growing in importance. In market research completed earlier this year by ACS, nearly all of the businesses surveyed said they have remote workers who rely on mobile applications. And in an October 2009, ACS hosted business roundtable discussion on the topic of business mobility; some of Alaska's top information technology leaders indicated they had made a number of business functions mobile, such as e-mail access, network monitoring, remote access and some dispatch tasks. They also said they wanted to make many more business...

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