Close
  • Latest News
  • Big Data and Analytics
  • Cloud
  • Networking
  • Cybersecurity
  • Applications
  • IT Management
  • Storage
  • Sponsored
  • Mobile
  • Small Business
  • Development
  • Database
  • Servers
  • Android
  • Apple
  • Innovation
  • Blogs
  • PC Hardware
  • Reviews
  • Search Engines
  • Virtualization
Read Down
Sign in
Close
Welcome!Log into your account
Forgot your password?
Read Down
Password recovery
Recover your password
Close
Search
Menu
Search
  • Latest News
  • Big Data and Analytics
  • Cloud
  • Networking
  • Cybersecurity
  • Applications
  • IT Management
  • Storage
  • Sponsored
  • Mobile
  • Small Business
  • Development
  • Database
  • Servers
  • Android
  • Apple
  • Innovation
  • Blogs
  • PC Hardware
  • Reviews
  • Search Engines
  • Virtualization
More
    Home Latest News
    • Mobile

    Taking Wireless Bull by Horns

    By
    eWEEK EDITORS
    -
    January 21, 2002
    Share
    Facebook
    Twitter
    Linkedin

      Twenty years ago, the arrival of the IBM PC struck IT departments like a bomb. IT managers had no idea how deeply PCs would penetrate and then obliterate their big-iron world.

      PC sales soared as workers brought the radical devices into companies via the back door. Years passed before IT recovered. How powerful was the blast? It vaporized a dozen or so billion-dollar companies and nearly took out IBM.

      The same thing is happening today with wireless technology. It is mature, fast, reliable and rapidly nearing costs able to drive mass adoption. As eWeek Labs tests published last week concluded, 802.11a technology is five times faster than 802.11b, which already rivaled wired broadband and DSL speeds.

      Wireless growth is not just confined to the Internet and data worlds. By the end of last year, 10 million wired phone lines were displaced by wireless services, mostly by consumers, according to IDC. Presumably, these consumers will want the same flexibility at work.

      As wireless costs decrease, adoption rises. IDC in one of its 10 predictions for the global IT industry this year makes the problem clear: “Businesses will feel a crunch in 2002 as users and workers with wireless and mobile Internet access create demand for enterprise support thats not yet in place.”

      IT can avoid being blindsided or, as with the PC, can just let it happen. Theres no excuse for the latter even as IT wrestles with smaller budgets. Here are a few things you can do to anticipate wireless needs:

      • Poll users on their wireless needs and how adoption will make your company more competitive and profitable. Couch questions in a way that shows the company is studying the legitimate opportunities, not rushing headlong into the technology for its own sake.

      • Proactively demonstrate whatever proven wireless technology you already have. Practice what you preach, and get wireless yourself. If you dont have the money to buy evaluation units, many vendors would happily loan them to you with the promise of business down the line.

      • Persuade top management to offer moral support, resources and money to help you quickly find wireless opportunities. The technology, and maybe what your rival is doing with it, can make a compelling case.

      If you endured the early days of the PC, you know what I am talking about. Show those coming afterward that they are not doomed to repeat history.

      How wireless are you now, and how wireless do you need to be in a year? Write to me at [email protected].

      eWEEK EDITORS
      eWeek editors publish top thought leaders and leading experts in emerging technology across a wide variety of Enterprise B2B sectors. Our focus is providing actionable information for today’s technology decision makers.

      MOST POPULAR ARTICLES

      Android

      Samsung Galaxy XCover Pro: Durability for Tough...

      Chris Preimesberger - December 5, 2020 0
      Have you ever dropped your phone, winced and felt the pain as it hit the sidewalk? Either the screen splintered like a windshield being...
      Read more
      Cloud

      Why Data Security Will Face Even Harsher...

      Chris Preimesberger - December 1, 2020 0
      Who would know more about details of the hacking process than an actual former career hacker? And who wants to understand all they can...
      Read more
      Cybersecurity

      How Veritas Is Shining a Light Into...

      eWEEK EDITORS - September 25, 2020 0
      Protecting data has always been one of the most important tasks in all of IT, yet as more companies become data companies at the...
      Read more
      Big Data and Analytics

      How NVIDIA A100 Station Brings Data Center...

      Zeus Kerravala - November 18, 2020 0
      There’s little debate that graphics processor unit manufacturer NVIDIA is the de facto standard when it comes to providing silicon to power machine learning...
      Read more
      Apple

      Why iPhone 12 Pro Makes Sense for...

      Wayne Rash - November 26, 2020 0
      If you’ve been watching the Apple commercials for the past three weeks, you already know what the company thinks will happen if you buy...
      Read more

      eWeek has the latest technology news and analysis, buying guides, and product reviews for IT professionals and technology buyers. The site’s focus is on innovative solutions and covering in-depth technical content. eWeek stays on the cutting edge of technology news and IT trends through interviews and expert analysis. Gain insight from top innovators and thought leaders in the fields of IT, business, enterprise software, startups, and more.

      Facebook
      Linkedin
      RSS
      Twitter
      Youtube

      Advertisers

      Advertise with TechnologyAdvice on eWeek and our other IT-focused platforms.

      Advertise with Us

      Menu

      • About eWeek
      • Subscribe to our Newsletter
      • Latest News

      Our Brands

      • Privacy Policy
      • Terms
      • About
      • Contact
      • Advertise
      • Sitemap
      • California – Do Not Sell My Information

      Property of TechnologyAdvice.
      © 2021 TechnologyAdvice. All Rights Reserved

      Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the products that appear on this site are from companies from which TechnologyAdvice receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site including, for example, the order in which they appear. TechnologyAdvice does not include all companies or all types of products available in the marketplace.

      ×