Related to the user-experience is the issue of application portability. At the moment few companies have had to address this, but with the rapid evolution of handheld devices, it has the potential to be a real headache in the future, according to Verma.

Open standards

Fragmentation of the mobile device market, with multiple operating systems in play, has added uncertainty to enterprises embarking on their mobile journey but Lo of RIM thinks open standards will bring about mobile platform convergence. "Java ME on the handset-with Java EE on the server and web services in between-are widespread, fairly mature and independent of any particular vendor," he said.

In IDC's view, open standards are also critical to market development since they will enable the alignment of mobility with enterprise IT infrastructure. "It needs to be more flexible and intelligent so service-oriented architecture and web services will come into play," said Verma. "We expect to see a full platform for mobility-as opposed to the point-solutions that are currently deployed-start to become a reality at some enterprises toward the end of 2007."

This timeframe certainly rings true for CLP Hong Kong, which is one of the SAR's most sophisticated users of enterprise mobility. "Having implemented a number of mobile applications in the areas of field force management and asset maintenance, we are currently looking at leveraging technology advances to enable wider access to existing enterprise applications," said Blumberg. "Our view is that within the next 12-to-18 months pretty much all back-office applications can be delivered anywhere in real-time, supported by fit-for-purpose devices and user interfaces as well as adequate information security."