Microsoft CIO Discusses Corporate Decision to go 100% Windows Mobile

[Ekkie Tepsupornchai]

http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/07.../wireless25.php

"While the Microsoft work force may be particularly demanding of technology compared with other companies, Markezich has a singular advantage: The only phone operating system he supports is Windows Mobile. Unlike many other companies, Microsoft doesn't have to make a Symbian- or Palm- or Linux-based system 'interoperate' with Windows software.Markezich said he was not troubled by the cost of outfitting employees with mobile devices... he said, 'we feel the productivity benefits will offset the cost.'"

It might seem like a no-brainer that Microsoft would select their own mobile OS as the corporate standard, but as any IT department manager/executive knows, there's a balance that needs to be struck between efficiency and flexibility, especially when it comes to a global workforce who's very focused on driving business; for many companies, it just didn't make much sense to pidgeon-hole their mobile associates. However, as these devices become increasingly powerful and more capable, IT managers are constantly evaluating whether it makes sense to standardize or not based on support needs. This article does a good job of summarizing the argument for Windows Mobile... even if it is about Microsoft "drinking their own Kool-Aid."

[Ekkie Tepsupornchai]

http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/07.../wireless25.php

"While the Microsoft work force may be particularly demanding of technology compared with other companies, Markezich has a singular advantage: The only phone operating system he supports is Windows Mobile. Unlike many other companies, Microsoft doesn't have to make a Symbian- or Palm- or Linux-based system 'interoperate' with Windows software.Markezich said he was not troubled by the cost of outfitting employees with mobile devices... he said, 'we feel the productivity benefits will offset the cost.'"

It might seem like a no-brainer that Microsoft would select their own mobile OS as the corporate standard, but as any IT department manager/executive knows, there's a balance that needs to be struck between efficiency and flexibility, especially when it comes to a global workforce who's very focused on driving business; for many companies, it just didn't make much sense to pidgeon-hole their mobile associates. However, as these devices become increasingly powerful and more capable, IT managers are constantly evaluating whether it makes sense to standardize or not based on support needs. This article does a good job of summarizing the argument for Windows Mobile... even if it is about Microsoft "drinking their own Kool-Aid."

[tbakerisageek]

Drink their own Kool-aid if they will... I wouldn't choose any other Mobile OS given the choices there are on the market now.

as far as I'm concerned WM5 is far superior to any other OS, Just look at the competition.

Palm - HA
Rim - (IMO Microsofts biggest competition) Has the Ideal push email system that everyone tries to match. but I think they forgot to add the rest of an operating system to it!
Symbian - Just like Linux (Guess why!) it has to many different versions and is not "Standard" enough to break out as a major competitor in the mainstream marketplace.

I will disclose, the only PDA's I've owned are Pocket PC based. with my experience as both a computer tech, where I had to integrate different OS'd PDAs including palm, PPC, and Blackberrys into users businesses/lives, and a Sales Person at Circuit City, when they still carried both Pocket PC and Palms, I had enough exposure to both to get a great feel for what they can do. I am lacking in extensive Symbian knowledge, but have enough experience with it to have made a fair judgement about it.

[BevHoward]

It does increase the chance that WM problems may finally get reported to those responsible for them along with the heat necessary to get them addressed ;-)

[tbakerisageek]

I second that... Maybe we will see some quick progression in the develpment now. All of the Power Toys for PPC are from like 2002. Once PPC's are in the hands of MS developer and other employees there will be some more development in this type of application.

[Ed Hansberry]

Originally Posted by BevHoward

It does increase the chance that WM problems may finally get reported to those responsible for them along with the heat necessary to get them addressed ;-)

:rotfl: my thoughts exactly. make a few (hundred) of them use VPN and connection manager for a few weeks. maybe that'll get CM fixed.

[Phoenix]

Originally Posted by Ed Hansberry

:rotfl: my thoughts exactly. make a few (hundred) of them use VPN and connection manager for a few weeks. maybe that'll get CM fixed.

:lol: True true. Administering of said medicine to their own.

[Scott R]

Drinking the kool-aid? I don't think you meant to use that euphemism. I think you meant "eating their own dog food".