'Our solutions make call center agents available anywhere, anytime'

What are the current trends in the enterprise mobility segment
in India and globally?

The trends are very strong as people are willing to move to enable mobile
technologies. More and more people are on the move, and they want to be secured
always on connectivity. There is a big opportunity in India, as there is a very
strong business case for mobile technology.

What is driving the uptake of mobile enterprise applications in
India?

The positive value proposition that mobility applications bring encourages
enterprises to implement them. Anytime connectivity, effectiveness, and
efficiency are driving the uptake of mobility applications. Voice over wireless
has really become popular, and there is an explosion of mobile handsets.
Moreover, there has been an increased acceptability for services such as email
and real time location services. These services are also driving the uptake of
mobility services.

What makes you different from other companies in providing these
solutions?

There are a lot of different technologies in mobility, and they cross over
between voice, data, and wireless technologies. It is here that Nortel is very
uniquely placed, as we lead in data, voice, and wireless. Mobility pulls all
these technologies into one solution, and we are strongly placed because we have
expertise in all the key areas to give a complete mobility solution. We have a
solid portfolio, and we are educating our partners and customers about this
technology to encourage our partners to articulate the value proposition and
provide it to customers.

What verticals are demanding mobile networks the most?

Whichever industries need to be mobile but yet connected need mobility
applications. Segments such as hospitality, health care, retail, warehousing,
and education, especially higher education, need to be mobile. In these areas
the value of these applications is very high.

Have you tied up with some companies or service providers in
India?

There is not much direct interaction with service providers in enterprise
mobility. Typically, we provide enterprise mobility solutions. Part of the
mobility solutions can include the services offered by mobile operators. It does
work in consent, as part of the connectivity runs over the service providers,
and we can provide security over these networks.

What do you think are the roadblocks for its popularity?

Security of the mobile technology and mobile connectivity are the main
roadblocks in the uptake of mobility within an enterprise. But, now these
concerns have been addressed as we have now developed the technology to a point
where as long as it is implemented properly, the mobile environment is just as
secure as a private network.

Can you give us a brief description of mobility solutions that
you have?

There are several components to enterprise mobility, and we have divided it
into three different solution areas. There is the mobile campus, which is really
enabling user have of the technology to have always access to all network
applications. A campus can be an office building or any premises. The second is
teleworkers road warrior solutions, where the users have a full and secure
access to all corporate resources irrespective of where they are. The third is
an extension of call centers, which is a strong part of our business in India.
Our solutions make call center agents available anywhere anytime.

Sonia Sharma

sonias@cybermedia.co.in