Using Exchange Mobility for the Mobile Executive

When looking at various scenarios for mobile user access, the mobile executive frequently comes to mind as an individual that can benefit from real-time access to calendar, contacts, and office communications. Prior to Exchange 2003, many executives carried around a mobile phone or a PDA; however, the devices were rarely synchronized on a regular basis, causing calendars on the PDA to be drastically different from the executive's real calendar.

By having Exchange 2003 provide real-time synchronization of information, executives can always look at the most current version of their calendar, and the assistant back at the office has to spend less time adjusting appointments after conflicts are determined.

Technologies Used by Mobile Executives

Frequently a mobile executive uses a mobile phone to keep in contact with the office or to communicate with other managers or clients. The executive also needs access to up-to-date calendar information and contact information. Some executives add to basic email, calendar, contact, and office communications with real-time email access, using devices such as Research in Motion's Blackberry device, or with a pager and accessible mobile phone. All this functionality leads the executive to have to carry around 2–3 different devices, none of which have the most current information.

Achieved Benefits by Executives

The benefit of leveraging the mobile capabilities of Exchange is the ability for executives to have the most up-to-date information on their Pocet PC devices without the need to contact their assistant or make last-minute changes to avoid conflicts. Exchange 2003 mobility simplifies the process organizations must go through to connect users to the office network. These benefits improve time to implement and cross-training turnaround, which ensures a more reasonable expectation for accessing the information.