Five technologies to look out for in the next three years

Integration of presence information into applications

Presence is a status indicator that provides information regarding the current location and availability of the person being contacted, and is employed by another person or application to determine the best communication channel to use at any given time.

In a business setting, presence information will enable more efficient and effective communication. Toby Clarke, group IT director at insurance specialist Abbey Protection Group, says that presence technology will revolutionise its communications strategy, providing direct and measurable benefits.

Better and smaller battery technology

The ability to gain productivity enhancement on the move all depends on how long batteries in portable equipment lasts.

Dave Lipsey, information systems infrastructure manager at Ordnance Survey, says that cheaper, smaller and more durable battery life is essential to being able to work better and more flexibly in and around the office.

‘We are suffering with third- rate battery technology ­ it is still in the Stone Age compared with the sophistication of our mobile devices,’ he says.

Mobile Linux

Providing an alternative platform for handheld devices, Mobile Linux is growing in popularity because of its small footprint, low cost and open standards.

Mark Blowers, senior research analyst at Butler Group, says that many of the handset vendors are already dipping their toes into the market with Linux-based mobile devices.

‘The way remains open for Linux to steal a real advantage over its rivals and become the mobile platform of choice for the enterprise,’ he says.

Introduction of multi-mode communication devices

Mobile phones have become ubiquitous, and even in a business environment it is often the first number called.

Future phones will probably be a hybrid communication device, akin to a smartphone, capable of receiving voice and data. The device will use a single number that connects to the corporate network in the office and seamlessly use an external operator network when out of range.

Jeremy Green, analyst at Ovum, says such devices will help firms bring mobile communications under control, in both cost and management terms.

Femtocells

Enabling dual-mode interoperability, femtocells could be the answer to the corporate fixed-mobile convergence conundrum. Femtocells are multi-channel wireless access point base stations that join all the communications devices in a localised environment, such as an office.

Simple to deploy, low cost and scalable, femtocells offer an alternative way to deliver the cost and usability benefits of fixed mobile convergence without the need for new dual-mode handsets.