Mobile Cloud: More powerful than the sum of its parts
Developments in mobility and the cloud have made big waves in the business world over recent years.
Developments in mobility and the cloud have made big waves in the business world over recent years. As pressure grows to improve customer experience with innovative mobile services and to seamlessly connect employees to business-critical apps and data, the convergence of mobile and cloud is shaping IT decision-making.
Why is this happening?
The cloud delivers a whole new IT model, and this trend is only set to increase. Cisco’s 2015 Global Cloud Index predicts that 83% of global data center traffic will come from cloud services and apps by 2019. The value of cloud – its capacity to boost productivity, efficiency and customer experience – is seriously curtailed if it cannot be delivered seamlessly anywhere.
As mobile devices become smarter and more ubiquitous, the way we’re using them and what we demand of them is also changing.
Employees expect to be able to access the services, apps and data they need in any connected location – according to a recent Cisco study1, 96% of IT decision-makers said that collaboration apps are primarily accessed by employees on mobile devices. Customers also increasingly expect to have access to the same services and features on a mobile device as on a desktop computer. Mobile devices do not, however, have the functionality and capacity to meet these expectations on their own.
Combining these two models into a single cohesive platform creates mobile cloud. The mobile device provides ease of access anywhere the user has connectivity, and the cloud does the ‘heavy lifting’ in relation to storage, processing power and the hosting and running of the apps themselves.
Making mobile cloud a reality
So what do organisations need in order to make mobile cloud a success?
- The right approach: Cloud and mobility should be seen as a single topic for decision-making, not two different concepts. As with most projects, it’s important to begin by aligning mobile cloud with the needs of the business.
- A robust infrastructure: The success of mobile cloud is dependent on network performance. A simplified, unified wired and wireless network and intelligence built into the WAN optimise application performance and provide vital network visibility.
- Apps with intelligence: Platforms such as Cisco’s Enterprise Mobility Services gather and use contextual data to deliver personalised user experiences, boosting revenue and user engagement.
- Innovative mobile experiences: Cisco Connected Mobile Experiences lets organisations gather valuable data on visitor use of venues, and creates unique apps based on visitors’ personal preferences, such as wayfinding and directory apps. This increases loyalty and boosts visitor satisfaction and user loyalty.
Ingram Micro helps Cisco reseller partners gain competitive advantage and deliver first-class customer solutions. To find out more about how we could help you take advantage of the market opportunities mobile cloud offers, contact one of our team of Cisco experts. Contact details and further information can be found on our partner enablement platform: www.ingramflyhigher.com/uk/contacts.