Mobile workforce as a term is pretty self explanatory; it is a workforce that is mobile. The real credit for the creation of the mobile workforce goes to the developments in information technology and the quick paced advance of the internet. The advent of high speed wireless internet connectivity now allows us to send and access information anywhere at anytime, this has led to the creation mobile workforce. Everyday, technology is not only getting smarter but smaller as well and devices such as the laptop and the Blackberry with the Wi Fi capacity have become the hardware for the mobile workforce. Thus, the worker can practically work from anywhere and not be constrained to his office. Over thirty percent of the workforce will be a mobile workforce by the year 2011. It is estimated that the United States of America will have seventy five percent (75%) mobile workforce an increase of seven percent from the current figure of sixty eight percent (68%). Japan is expected to have the highest mobile workforce of eighty percent (80%) by twenty eleven (2011) which is incredible increase from the fifty three percent (53%) figure of two thousand and six (2006).
The increasing need for a balance between work and family drives the popularity of the mobile workforce. The office time is greatly cut down and the mobile workforce can now work their busy jobs from anywhere. However, the mobile workforce needs to realize the double edged nature of the solution. A mobile workforce needs to make sure that its freedom is not taken advantage of by an increase in work hours that will eat away its family time. Emerging countries are also adapting the concept of mobile workforce in spite of their minimal figures as of now. The growth of the telecom industry in India is a quintessential example of the success of the mobile workforce. The 3G technology is being auctioned by the government of India and they are also creating a wireless spectrum for it. The mobile workforce does have to deal with a few issues.
Security of the information is the main concern with the mobile workforce. So much information flying to and fro beyond the premises of the organization is difficult to secure. Keeping tabs on all the devices ingrained within the mobile workforce is another issue that organizations face. The integration of all these devices used by the mobile workforce into the personal firewall of the organization to prevent uninvited guests from entering is no easy task either. Compatibility of different software can be another problem scenario with a mobile workforce.
There are proven solutions to these problems. If the handheld device of any of the mobile workforce is misused or misplaced then the organization can destroy the information stored in the device or render it unusable remotely. Tracking the devices used by every employee of a mobile workforce is also possible. It is always better for the organization using a mobile workforce to enforce a password policy with user authentication done over a secure network. Thus, the uses of a mobile workforce are apparent. The greatest challenges are managerial but the prospects of being able to reach your talented pool at anytime are pretty attractive. It is for these reasons companies and managers are fast learning and engaging the mobile workforce.
Arslan writes about mobile workforce.For more information on mobile workforce see http://www.maas360.com
The increasing need for a balance between work and family drives the popularity of the mobile workforce. The office time is greatly cut down and the mobile workforce can now work their busy jobs from anywhere. However, the mobile workforce needs to realize the double edged nature of the solution. A mobile workforce needs to make sure that its freedom is not taken advantage of by an increase in work hours that will eat away its family time. Emerging countries are also adapting the concept of mobile workforce in spite of their minimal figures as of now. The growth of the telecom industry in India is a quintessential example of the success of the mobile workforce. The 3G technology is being auctioned by the government of India and they are also creating a wireless spectrum for it. The mobile workforce does have to deal with a few issues.
Security of the information is the main concern with the mobile workforce. So much information flying to and fro beyond the premises of the organization is difficult to secure. Keeping tabs on all the devices ingrained within the mobile workforce is another issue that organizations face. The integration of all these devices used by the mobile workforce into the personal firewall of the organization to prevent uninvited guests from entering is no easy task either. Compatibility of different software can be another problem scenario with a mobile workforce.
There are proven solutions to these problems. If the handheld device of any of the mobile workforce is misused or misplaced then the organization can destroy the information stored in the device or render it unusable remotely. Tracking the devices used by every employee of a mobile workforce is also possible. It is always better for the organization using a mobile workforce to enforce a password policy with user authentication done over a secure network. Thus, the uses of a mobile workforce are apparent. The greatest challenges are managerial but the prospects of being able to reach your talented pool at anytime are pretty attractive. It is for these reasons companies and managers are fast learning and engaging the mobile workforce.
Arslan writes about mobile workforce.For more information on mobile workforce see http://www.maas360.com
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