By , Principal Research Analyst
For years, ] has been working with [NYSE:] So it comes as no surprise that Motorola is buying Symbol – in fact, it brings our attention to the reality of the virtual workplace, and how technologies are beginning to merge to make this happen. The key to the virtual workplace is to ensure that remote workers can connect to corporate application resources, regardless of device and/or location.
Symbol provides rugged single purpose devices like bar code scanners, kiosks and point of sale systems. Symbol also produces general purpose mobile computers, and mobile management and data security software embedded on these devices. So with one purchase, Motorola is getting access to tools that support the entire Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) application – from inventory, production, sales, and delivery. One of the neatest features Symbol has recently added is VOIP connectivity on their general purpose mobile computers, enabling workers to get immediate access to help.
The biggest black mark against Motorola is the proprietary nature of their radio communications. Their sales and marketing staff do a great job landing deals with the largest enterprises around. After the sale, many of these enterprises complain they feel trapped by Motorola because they can’t buy interoperable equipment, and they can’t afford to replace the equipment already installed.
Nemertes’ upcoming benchmark, Building a Successful Virtual Workplace, will highlight collaborative applications and devices, as well as providing guidance of how to avoid common pitfalls such as vendor lock-in.
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