Welcome

Over the coming weeks we shall be keeping you abreast of the news, interviewing industry leaders and presenting interesting case studies.  We hope you enjoy our coverage and look forward to your news, insights and suggestions for improvement.  Finally, let me remind you about our upcoming event MIDAS: Managing Innovative Devices and Services on 27-29 October in London. We have an exciting line-up of speakers and a number of interesting case studies including MedMobile's use of device management to improve patient care, O2 Czech Republic's deployment of device detection, and Yell Group's deployment of mobile location based services.  Day 1 focuses on service provider issues, Day 2 on enterprise issues and Day 3 on Futures.I hope many of you will join us to discuss current challenges and future opportunities in device, application and service innovation and management.

Abraham Joseph

Founder, Device Management Forum.

News Roundup 

As we were closing this issue of the newsletter yesterday we got news that Nokia will be discontinuing its behind the firewall business mobility solutions including Nokia Intellisync Device Management, File Sunc, and Behind the Firewall Wireless Email. The company will, however, continue to develop Nokia Intellisync Call Connect for Cisco and Nokia Intellisync Call Connect for Alcatel which will be marketed through Cisco and Alcatel respectively. As senior manager within Nokia involved in managing the transition told Mobility Insight that the decision had nothing to do with  business performance. "It was simply a matter of strategic focus," he said. We Will have more on this story in the next issue of Mobility Insights.

Following the launch of T-Mobile's G1 based on the Android platform last week, both Innopath and Funambol were quick to announce supporting management applications. The former unveiled a device management client for the G1 while the latter unveiled a mobile synchronisation application.

Close observers will be aware of the industry's various twists and turns in recent years. For those new to the industry or those that might have missed some, you may be pleased to know that we captured and archived most of the important developments. Here are some examples of acquisitions: Nuance Acquires SnapIn, Microsoft Acquires MobiComp, Synchronica Acquires Axis Mobile, Alcatel Lucent Acquires Motive, HP acqures Bitfone Sicap Acquires Swapcom. Of course we track announcements of funding rounds, customer contracts and appointments also. For example, Visa's investment in Mformation.

Leadership Interview

 In every issue, we aim to highlight an interview with a leading figure in device management or a related area. These interviews will be archived in PDF format on the DMF portal. This issue Dirk Schafer, Managing Director of 7P Mobile, which started off as a joint venture between Vodafone and Cap Gemini Ernst and Young explains why he thinks many of the current approaches to mobile device management will not be successful.  

Read the full interview here.

Download and read other leadership interviews. (Registration and login required)

Forum News 

The major news in this issue is the the upcomig MIDAS Conference in London on 27-29 October. We have an exciting line-up of speakers and a number of interesting case studies including MedMobile, O2 Czech Republc and Yell Group.  

What is device management? Here is the DMF's definition: 

"Device management is the process of acquiring, configuring, deploying, securing, maintaining and decommissioning devices in order to deliver specific business and end user benefits."

What's the big deal? Many definitions suggest it is just a technology. We think that like other management disciplines, it is a process. A process that utilises technology, but a process nonetheless. There also seems to be a lot of confusion about (or possibly interest in)  the definition: the string "device management" has been in the top 5 searches - often sitting in first or second place - in searches performed on our portal each month since the launch of the portal nearly two years ago. Clearly, more information and education is needed.

Feedback

If you want to comment on any of the stories above, please send your feedback to mail@devicemanagement.org

Next Week

• Interview with Fred Harrison, the new chairman of the Open Mobile Alliance.
  
  Market Insight: Orange discusss their new device management service.
  
  MIDAS update: Latest speakers, exhibitors & workshops.

:: Featured Event

 27-29 October - London, UK

Managing Innovative Devices and Services

Organised by the Device Management Forum and featuring industry  heavyweights as well as young innovators, this three-day conference and expo focuses on device and service innovation and management. 

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:: Polls

We are running the following polls on the DMF portal currently and would love to have your vote. You might also be interested in seeing how other people are voting. Note: You need to register and login in order to vote or see the results.

(1) Which problem does the industry need to solve most urgently regarding use and management of devices?

(2) What is the greatest device management challenge operators face today?

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