FIA uses smartphones to speed performance

Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile gets devices from Nokia

Formula 1 governing body Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) is issuing directors with Nokia 9300i smartphones as core business tools for use when travelling and at the trackside.

Executives who travel extensively use the smartphone for voice, email, calendar, internet and business applications to keep on top of work and messages through a single device.

The Nokia 9300i’s tri-band support allows staff to keep in touch wherever they are in the world, regardless of the local wireless service.

It has a user-friendly keyboard and full colour screen for accessing the internet as well as Word, spreadsheet and presentation documents.

The FIA piloted other mobile devices but found they did not meet the flexibility and functionality required.

Chris Bentley, head of information systems strategy at the FIA, says the organisation needed a device that was powerful enough to manage messages, diary and key documents without the hassle of carrying a number of devices.

‘Employees used to have a PDA, notebook and mobile - now one device has the same functionality. Executives can pick up emails quickly and stay on top of information,' said Bentley.

‘The most important thing is they can pick up emails wherever they are. When they are travelling they often only have a short time between flights and they don’t want to have to drag out a notebook. With the smartphone, they can pick up emails instantaneously,’ he said.

Since testing the smartphone in the technical department last year, 17 FIA personnel are using the device, including Charlie Whiting, race director for the FIA Formula 1 World Championship and the most widely travelled person in FIA.

‘Between races, it’s not unusual for me to visit circuits in Istanbul, Tokyo, Monaco and Shanghai, in the space of a week. Despite the demands of almost constant travelling I can keep up to date with my workload because I have a mobile office in my pocket with me everywhere I go,’ said Whiting.

Safety research is also easily accessible via the smartphone which has an Adobe Acrobat Reader enabling users to view FIA technical regulations which are held in a PDF document.

‘The time before races is always very busy as we need to ensure that all racing circuits meet all of the safety and sporting requirements set by FIA. I need to be sure that I’m completely up to date with the latest safety regulations. The Nokia 9300i means that I always have the FIA regulations with me as well as all my key contacts to verify any issues,’ said Whiting.

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