With the recent discussions about Apps and how consumers want the freedom to find, evaluate, and purchase Apps for their Smartphones, I wonder how many users are able download and use a productivity application and how many have policies that prevent them from doing so.
If you found a productivity application for your mobile device that was proven to increase your performance, would you: a) be allowed to install it? b) encounter resistance (or refusal) from IT to allow you to install it? c) make a business case to management for why this App should be allowed?
Please take a moment and vote in one of the two quick polls below, then scroll down to share your comments.
I'm not asking whether you think Smartphones connected to enterprise systems should be locked down or not - there are many valid arguments for both sides of that discussion. What I most want to know is what the current climate is like when it comes to productivity applications on mobile devices and what organizations are doing to encourage/permit or discourage/restrict users from downloading and using productivity applications on their mobile devices.
Update: I split the question into two separate polls because otherwise the results could be skewed in favor of the iPhone/Android as these devices are often unmanaged/uncontrolled in the enterprise.
A few months ago, I engaged Darren Duke of Simplified Technology Solutions, to help me get my BES up and running and I have been hooked on my Blackberry every since. (Darren's a master at all things BES. I highly recommend him) Anyway, the ability to have everything in sync with Lotus Notes at all times is absolutely fantastic. At this year's Lotusphere, we will see RIM and IBM introduce even greater support for IBM Social apps (e.g. Connections and Quickr) on the BlackBerry. I'm told that with OS5 we will even see support for Symphony documents. Cool.
Unfortunately, as a productivity platform for messaging and task management, mobile devices leave much to be desired. As great as it is to receive email on my device, it's unproductive to process it on the device and then have to process it again when I return to my computer. David Allen has this same issue, too.
This weekend, David and I were talking about Lotus Notes and eProductivity and I gave him an overview of our roadmap for mobile and cloud computing. David shared a few thoughts about staying productive in the cloud, and he told me he wanted me to get eProductivity into the BlackBerry sooner than later.
I think David shares the sentiments of many mobile knowledge workers that want to get things done on the road. I know I look forward to the day when my productivity tools are available wherever I want to work, whether that is on my BlackBerry, at my desk, or in the cloud.
This is why I am pleased to have David collaborating with me to create such a solution. It's coming folks.
If you work with RIM and will be attending Lotusphere, I'd like to talk with you. Though much is under wraps, If you find me at Lotusphere I'll give you a quick overview.
Meanwhile, here's David's wish for a GTD Enabled Blackberry to use with IBM Lotus Notes:
I'm exploring an idea for a specific demo for my Lotusphere presentation with David Allen. I normally try to find my own answers before I ask others or blog. but I'm running into roadblocks trying to find the answers to my questions. With the holidays approaching, I'm also running out of time.
So, here's my question to the ND community.
I want to be able to demonstrate two BlackBerry Bolds (already purchased) connected to Domino with a) custom applications and b) SameTime mobile.
We are a small consulting firm; I don't want to invest the resources to purchase a full Enterprise BES server just to support 2-3 demo users so that I can show my clients. There must be an easier (read: faster and low cost) way...
As best as I can tell, I will need:
1. A BlackBerry professional server of some flavor
2. MDS Support for the custom apps, and possibly for the Mobile SameTime (Isn't there a simple way to just connect SameTime to the server direct?)
It appears that my initial options are:
Blackberry Professional Express. Great for messaging only Does not appear to support MDS or SameTime Free for first user, ~$100 for each additional user
BlackBerry Professional Software See here for comparison Appears to support MDS, though not stated SameTime support not available (Unless I can manually load) Will cost me $500 for my 2 users (up to 5)
BlackBerry Enterprise server See here for comparison Will support MDS and Enterprise IM (SameTime) Will cost me $4000 for my first 2 users (up to 20) $ out of my ball park for a demo.
Hosted Options I've sent email to one hosting company; but I have no idea of price or time to deploy. It appears it will take weeks to get set up, which may be a deal breaker Security?
As you can see, I know what I want to accomplish. If this were for a client, I would opt for the full enterprise sever. For my own test, demo, and development, that's a bit steep. All I really care about is the ability to use and demo this at Lotusphere. So I need to get it set up quickly, load up a few custom apps and SameTime, if at all possible) and go. I would be most appreciative to talk with some who's been down this path before and who has set up this specific type of system. Thanks folks.
As I begin the migration from my trusty Treo 755p with CommonTime mNotes to my new BlackBerry Bold 9000, the first challenge I've run into is how to get multiple Notes e-mail accounts onto the BlackBerry. In mNotes, It's possible to sync up to four separate Notes mailboxes, calendars, address books, and Journals to the Treo. So far, the best information I have found on the BlackBerry is that I will get one Mailbox synched via BES and then a few additional "internet" (e.g. POP3) mailboxes via Internet Mail. Ideally, I'd like to match what I have in CommonTime. That is, I want four distinct mailboxes (and Calendars) to appear on the device that are fully in synch with those on the server. One of these mailboxes is a team mailbox that several of us sync to.
Fortunately, the people inside the yellow bubble are some of the smartest I know; I'm sure someone's already figured out how to do this. So, I'm posting this request for assistance. If you've done something like this or have some experience to share, I'd like to hear from you.
I am preparing to write a series of posts about my 2009 Productivity Toolkit. For that adventure, I've purchased several tools for myself and my team, including the new BlackBerry Bold 9000 some new Lenovo Laptops and a variety of software applications.
I've had the Bold for just 24 hours, long enough to collect my thoughts and first impressions. Here's my 24-hour report card:
Setup/Operation
EXCELLENT
Device Design
EXCELLENT
Screen/Keyboard
EXCELLENT
Use of standard connectors
EXCELLENT
Voice Call/Quality/Volume
VERY GOOD
Size/Weight
EXCELLENT
Navigation/Ease of Use
EXCELLENT
AT&T Coverage & Network (so far)
VERY GOOD
WiFi Integration
EXCELLENT
BlackBerry as Modem
POOR
BlackBerry Desktop Software
VERY GOOD
Task Management
POOR
Overall Satisfaction
VERY GOOD
Some of you may disagree with my POOR ratings. I wanted to capture my first impressions. I will continue to test and evaluate these and other features of the Bold offering. I simply wanted to capture my first impressions.
Craig Wiseman, a long-time Treo-user, ditched his Treo 680 for a BlackBerry Bold 9000. Meanwhile, Greg Eldred asks: Is there a future for Palm? and Ed Brill raves about his first 30-days with his BlackBerry Bold. I've been a long-time fan of the Palm Treo SmartPhone due to the simplicity of its applications and the extensive integration I have done with Lotus Notes. As I look forward to 2009, I've decided to evaluate a few new mobility platforms and the Bold is at the top of the list.
I recently decided to move to the BlackBerry Bold 9000 as my mobile computing platform. I have a collection of mobile devices, including Palms, Treos, Nokias, and as of yesterday, a shiny new BlackBerry Bold 9000 which I plan to integrate into Lotus Notes. I selected the Bold over the Storm primarily for two reasons: 1) I want a device that is as well suited for information input as it is for retrieval, and 2) I need a device with WiFi support. (No network coverage where I live.)
My story in action management began in the mid 1980's when I received a contract to teach a course on systems analysis and design methodologies for the Navy…
