Firms need to work more closely with mobile operators and application developers to successfully integrate mobile systems into their infrastructure, though the business case for mobilising the workforce remains strong, according to experts at last week's IDC Mobility Conference.

Vendors and analysts presented a number of case studies at the event, revealing that a lot of work must still be done if coherent and workable mobility strategies are to be planned and realised.

Lars Vestergaard, IDC research manager, said firms must start by mobilising the right applications, beginning with email. He added that messaging is an easy application to implement for mobile staff, but other applications requiring access to corporate servers take more time to develop.

Vestergaard said that some of the large software vendors whose products could enhance customers' profits had taken too long to integrate mobility. "SAP took five years to move to a credible mobile solution," he added.

However, companies that have delayed the roll out of mobile systems may find they cannot do so for much longer, said Mark Bond, director of enterprise marketing for Vodafone UK. He pointed out that some companies have had to implement mobile strategies to stop people using unauthorised devices and ensure security.

Bond also highlighted the increased demand for mobile systems caused by flexible working practices and cultural shifts away from fixed-line phones.

"The pressure on firms to retain good staff means that you have to provide them with the tools that give them the flexibility to work from home," said Bond. "There's a generation of people who have never had a fixed-line phone. When they see a desk phone, they say, 'What's that?'"