Are you still stuck behind a desk at work?

If some predictions are correct, you may not be by this time next year. As technology analysts and media outlets publish their annual lists of trends expected for 2012, many are pointing to an explosion in worker mobility initiatives across a wide variety of industries as one of the top forecasts for enterprise technology.

While mobility has been on the rise for several years, 2012 will be the “Year of Mobile Ascendency,” as mobile computers and smartphones surpass PCs in both spending and shipments for the first time ever, according to industry analyst firm IDC. The firm also predicts that mobile data network spending will exceed fixed data network spending for the first time.

According to a survey of U.S. companies conducted by The Yankee Group, a research and advisory firm, many are prioritizing investments in mobile technology over traditional IT projects. The analysts also note in a report published in partnership with Mobile Enterprise magazine that mobility is becoming more pervasive throughout the entire enterprise. According to the Mobile Enterprise “Mobility Outlook 2012,” field workers today represent less than a third of all mobile computer users within U.S. firms – today’s mobile worker is just as likely to be an intra-office mobile worker, telecommuter or frequent business traveler.

Over the past several years, more and more companies in a variety of industries have discovered the advantages mobile computers can offer by improving efficiency, productivity and customer growth. However, several obstacles have limited full-scale mobile technology deployment for many organizations, including security and device management concerns, ruggedness and durability, and technological limitations. As 2012 brings new mobile technology built specifically for enterprise use, such as Panasonic’s Toughpad family of tablets – offering security embedded at the hardware level, advanced device management features, enterprise-focused app offerings and MIL-STD-810G-rated ruggedness and durability – you can expect more enterprises to take another look at mobility initiatives for their employees.

What else is in store for enterprise technology in 2012?

Cloud computing: Hand-in-hand with the continued rise of worker mobility will be the expanded importance of cloud-based computing, which allows users to access services and data stored in “the cloud” over the Internet. With the national expansion of 4G wireless networks and the introduction of more 4G-capable mobile devices like the Toughpad tablets, the productivity and efficiency of today’s mobile worker is only expected to grow. Analysts, including those at IDC, see more enterprises shifting toward long-range implementation and integration strategies for cloud adoption, and taking advantage of cloud-computing services ranging along a spectrum from open public to closed private.

Social: Social technology – social networking, collaboration, publishing and other tools – is expected to continue to grow in prominence for enterprises as more companies discover the new avenues they provide for effective communication and engagement both with customers and internally, analyst firm Gartner predicts. The researchers predict that social technology will be integrated with most business applications by 2016.

Big Data: Today’s increasingly connected world means enterprises have access to extremely large volumes of data – collected from diverse sources including customer sales interactions, social networks and internal sources. Industry analysts expect more companies to tackle the challenge of tapping into these mountains of unstructured data that are full of rich information to support business decisions, but challenging to understand and analyze. IDC expects new technologies and vendors in 2012 that will help enterprises dig in to the growing digital universe – expected to expand to 2.7 zettabytes (ZB) of data by year’s end – as a business intelligence tool.

From increased mobility to better integration of social technology and big data analysis, analysts see enterprise technology continuing to evolve in 2012. What tech trends do you see happening this year?

5. Connectivity and Mobility on Mount Everest and the Summit of Kala Pattar

According to a USA Today article from earlier in 2011, Apple claimed that the iPad has been tested or deployed at 80% of Fortune 100 companies. Even vertical industries, such as healthcare, are not immune to the use of tablets: a recent survey found 27 percent of primary care providers and specialists say they use iPads at work.

Given the increased demand from enterprise clients for tablets and the fragile nature of consumer tablets (as demonstrated in this video) case manufacturers have started to address these intrinsic drawbacks by making ruggedized cases to help increase the durability of these devices, with some case manufacturers even claiming IP ratings and MIL-Spec certification. Despite some of the wild claims made by manufactures of rugged cases, most are simply marketing hype, as ZDNet’s Jason’s Perlow recently discovered.

The main argument against ruggedized mobile devices has always been their higher prices. Many enterprises do not need military grade ruggedness — let’s face it: most enterprise users are not going to need mobile devices to be rammer-resistant or ATV proof — so the temptation to add a ruggedized case to a $500 consumer grade tablet is compelling.

However, as with any mission critical mobile deployment, the environment where a device is deployed needs to be a key consideration, because simply wrapping a consumer device in a rugged case will not address every potential issue.   This could result in highly reduced efficiencies, user downtime and elevated IT support costs.

Even if the iPad is a rousing success in the consumer space, it will still be a challenge to translate the iPad’s user experience into an equally satisfying solution for vertical markets due to the unique needs of each industry. As Jeff Orr of ABI Research noted in an interview with ZDNet, “The reality today is that enterprises are evaluating the iPad because they have to, not necessarily because they want to.”

Panasonic aims to address these unique requirements with the release of its rugged enterprise tablet, the Toughpad A1 tablet, just released last month. Our Toughpad tablet will address key shortcomings of consumer tablets, by delivering a product designed with security, functionality and real-world reliability in mind. Moreover, like all Toughbook products, the Toughpad tablet will be designed and constructed with the mission-critical mobile user in mind, offering durability, and ingress protection consistent with our other fully-rugged devices.

True enterprise-ready devices are capable of much more than just being able to withstand an occasional drop or splash; they are purpose-built to offer the right mix of durability and productivity features to drive maximum ROI to the mission-critical mobile user.

Has a consumer tablet ever come-up short for you in the field? We welcome you to share some of your stories of frustration with us.

Workforce Mobility on the Rise

Mobility in the workforce is only projected to increase – more than a third of the world’s workforce is expected to be mobile by 2013, according to a recent IDC report . Despite the security breach risks, a mobilized workforce still holds numerous benefits, allowing workers to work from virtually anywhere and be more efficient and productive. Further, mobile workers often report  more satisfactory work-life balance and improved overall job satisfaction. But the Ponemon study points to the critical need for organizations to develop comprehensive strategies to tackle the IT security threat that mobile devices pose.

Mobility Brings Benefits and Risks

While today’s mobile technologies have given workers freedom and flexibility like never before, they also significantly raise the risk of serious cyber attacks, according to the June 2011 study conducted by the Ponemon Institute, a privacy, data protection and information security policy research group. The survey of 583 U.S. general IT and IT security practitioners reported that employee laptop computers and mobile devices were the two most likely endpoints from which a serious network security breach may occur. Twice as many breaches occurred through one of these mobile devices as they did through desktop computers, according to the study.

In the study, ninety percent of organizations said they have had at least one network security breach, with more than half of respondents reporting two or more breaches in the past 12 months. On average, these security breaches cost each of the organizations $500,000 or more including cash outlays, internal labor, overhead, revenue losses and other related expenses.

Focus on Prevention

In order to address this growing threat, one of the recommendations of the study is for organizations to put their IT security focus on prevention, rather than on the fast detection and containment of a security breach or other concerns. “Only 32 percent of respondents say their primary focus or approach to network security is on preventing attacks,” the study’s authors write. “…We believe our research provides evidence that many organizations are lacking the right strategy to prevent cyber attacks against networks and enterprise systems.”

This strategy can entail beefing up security software running on all devices, and educating mobile workers on the organization’s policies and their responsibilities to help protect network security. It also can include investing in technology with security embedded at the hardware level, rather than as just an “add-on.” Unlike many other mobile devices, Toughbook notebook PCs and tablets, like Panasonic’s coming Android Toughpad tablet, include security features built into their hardware. These features can include trusted platform module (TPM) security chips, Computrace® theft protection, Intel® Anti-Theft Technology and shock-mounted, flex-connect hard drives with quick-release features; and offer options such as SmartCard and fingerprint readers, or software such as Oculis Labs’ PrivateEye that uses the computer’s webcam for facial recognition to protect information displayed on screens from visual eavesdroppers.

Plan for the Future

Each year, more and more workers rely on new mobile technology to free them from the bonds of the traditional office environment and boost their productivity and morale. With a comprehensive IT security strategy that focuses on prevention, enterprises can meet the challenge of enabling a growing mobile workforce without compromising the security of their networks.

But is this enough to make consumer-grade tablets ready for “real world” use? For some, yes. For most, these measures won’t do it.

More than 15 years ago, Panasonic introduced the world to the first fully-rugged mobile computer. Over the years, we’ve found that in highly-mobile outdoor markets, including aviation, construction, field sales and law enforcement, to call yourself “rugged” you have to meet a slew of requirements. Your device has to be able to withstand all of the elements, from the blazing heat of the Middle East to the altitudes of Mount Everest and snows of Antarctica.

So, what should IT professionals look for when they are evaluating tablet hardware devices for use in rugged environments? Here are five pointers:

1. Can you see the screen during the day?
• Look for multi-touch, daylight viewable screens that allow you to easily see critical data regardless of lighting conditions
2. Can you drop the device and not have to replace it?
   • Look for MIL-STD 810G drop ratings that ensure that your tablet will survive the occasional (or frequent) drop from heights of 4-6’ feet
3. Can your tablet handle the elements?
   • Outdoor use will subject your tablet to dust and water. Ingress protection ensures that you keep the elements from impacting the performance of your tablet.
4. Will it keep going and going?
   • Using your device in the field means that it will be on for most of the day. You need batteries that will get you through a full shift of work without recharging.  Another consideration relating to batteries is that they be replaceable. Many consumer focused tablet devices do not allow for battery replacement.
5. Is it Secure?
   • Consumer devices are not designed with security in mind. Look for security built into the hardware level with support for features such as encryption, enhanced VPN, dual factor authentication, trusted boot and device management. If you’re dealing with highly sensitive data, seek out FIPS 140-2-compliant devices for Federal government use.

Hardware is half of the equation. Readying tablets for use in commercial enterprises or government also requires a rich application environment. Access to vertical applications that address key concerns, such as Mobile Device Management, security and virtualization will be keys to any successful professional deployment.

Today, Panasonic is announcing the Toughpad™ family of professional-grade Android™-powered tablets, including 10-inch and 7-inch devices. The devices – targeting mission-critical and highly-mobile workers – will be supported by an ecosystem that includes an enterprise-focused app store, peripherals, developer tools, deployment support and more.

Tablets are going to be an important part of the professional IT environment and choosing the right device depends on several factors. Let us know how you plan to use tablets in your organization and what capabilities are important to you.

However, there are methods to successfully engage your employees and ensure a smooth and positive rollout. A significant investment in new hardware will end up collecting dust in a corner if not properly adopted and integrated into your workforce. At Panasonic we’ve established some best practices to garner employee buy-in early on and streamline the deployment process.

Understand the needs and pain points of your mobile workers
Many times the organization’s IT department has its own agenda and goals for a new technology deployment. This is often driven by the need to streamline IT processes or capture additional data in the field as the result of a new corporate initiative. However, it’s extremely important that you invest the time to understand the culture and needs of your workforce. This is a critical element of a successful deployment rollout.

We advise IT planning personnel to conduct ride-alongs with field teams or host focus groups in order to get a sense of the their day-to-day challenges and pain points. This allows you to observe redundancies and inefficiencies and collect feedback directly from the end-users. It also communicates to your workforce early on that you’re interested in addressing its needs and helping make their jobs easier.

Initiate small pilot or trial programs
Once you understand the needs of your workforce and began evaluating solutions, initiate pilot programs to test different solutions in the field. A small pilot program with a select group of users can be valuable. They can get a feel of the workflow with the possible devices and communicate their feedback. Tracking key information, such as the number of repairs/service calls per day or turnaround times, during the pilot phase will help earn management and financial buy-in and acceptance from the larger team.

Select partners that offer ongoing support once the solution is deployed
Choose partners that will provide support and services once the technology is in the field. As with any new rollout, it will take time for the devices and associated software to be fully accepted and usable. Partners that provide on-site assistance and support after the initial purchase will significantly reduce the time your IT department spends training and assisting workers with technology transitions.

Offer comprehensive training for all your mobile users
Once you’ve selected the best solution, prepare a detailed rollout plan that includes employee training. Without the proper training, we find users often don’t use the technology to its maximum potential. To get the most out of your investment, we recommend choosing a day and time to roll out the solution to the entire team. During this training, use advocates of the technology to share success stories from the pilot program and share the key improvement metrics that you captured and quantified. Using the participants from the pilot program to engage their peers will help create excitement and lower resistance to the new processes.

With any mobile technology investment, you are purchasing a solution, not individual devices. Without training and acceptance from your workforce, you’ll likely be facing an uphill battle. Engaging your field workforce early on and listening to your employees’ needs will create interest in the new solution and expedite your return on investment.

*David Krebs and Balca Korkut. “2011 Enterprise & Government Mobility Solutions,” VDC Research, June 2011.

IDC estimates that more than 72% of workers in the United States have some level of mobile access to information. Further, People Security estimates more than 67% of mobile workers are accessing some type of sensitive data outside the trusted confines of the corporate firewall. Sensitive data includes social security numbers, credit card numbers, trade or government secrets, and HR information and the the headlines are full of examples of what happens when these data breaches occur.  IT departments have focused on strict endpoint security policies to lock down data leaving the enterprise, but few of these policies extend to protecting visual data. With the prevalence of digital cameras, information leaving an organization, unintentionally, is just a click away.

So how does one successfully achieve an effective laptop security solution? First and foremost, it is important that mobile users, especially those working in government, take advantage of the security features, which are readily available to them (i.e., disk encryption, fingerprint scanners, smartcard readers, chip-level security, remote device management, etc.).

Second, ensure that you have a visual screen protection system in place. Screen filters are one option to protect against screen eavesdroppers, but these solutions are not the most secure. Optimal security recognizes the user and blurs the data for non-authorized users. For its customers working with the highest security information, Panasonic announced a recent partnership with Oculis Labs, through which we offer a bundled upgrade option for all Toughbook mobile computers with embedded webcams (i.e., Toughbook 31, C1 and 53). All such devices come with the option of being preloaded and delivered with Oculis Labs’ PrivateEye Enterprise data privacy software, the recent recipient of Military Embedded Systems Editor’s Choice Award. The incorporated software protects critical information traveling outside the hosting computer—from the screen to the user’s eyes, while the embedded security features of the Toughbook device provide internal protection for the hardware.

Panasonic continues to keep laptop security top-of-mind and is committed to ensuring that only authorized access to information on the laptop takes place – inside and outside the office.

What’s your company’s policy on mobile computing and how are you securing your information from eavesdropping eyes?

- Do I need 4G?

- When do I have to migrate my devices to 4G?

- Does 2011 represent the end of 3G and beginning of 4G?

It is true that each improvement in wireless technology has delivered an enhanced connectivity experience. 4G is the first network improvement that promises to provide a mobile experience as robust as DSL and connected broadband. A well-formulated and seamless transition to the new emerging 4G technologies is key for IT managers across all industries. If business requirements are for content-rich applications, including streaming video, vendors should be able to deliver a connected experience that meets their customers’ expectations.

Currently, 3G technology will suffice for a number of businesses in variety of verticals. Usage scenarios include information sharing, email, document and job status updates on the go and GPS navigation. According to Yankee Group, “only 36% of our enterprise IT decision-makers say they strongly believe 4G offers significant improvements over 3G.”

However, as 4G begins to make its way mainstream and approaches the same footprint of coverage as 3G, the demand curve for the faster technology and content-rich, video-centric applications will become the norm across a large sector of government and enterprise markets. This is when 4G will have true transformational power for our customers.

Panasonic’s wireless team delivers value to customers by maintaining a close working relationship with our Carrier partners. This empowers us to develop and deliver solutions that will provide an optimized connected experience, on 3G and 4G networks, during this new phase of innovation and change.

At PSC, we have a clear 4G roadmap, and we are here to support our customer needs – whatever they are.

Since 1998 and the introduction of the first Toughbook mobile computer with Wireless LAN capabilities, Panasonic Solutions Company (PSC) has been at the forefront of wireless broadband developments. We have designed embedded wireless solutions to deliver the most robust network connectivity possible. This, in turn, provides our customers with an elegant and seamless wireless-broadband experience.

We believe that wireless innovations are just as important as rugged features of Toughbook mobile computers, which means that the hardware must be able to stand up to the rigors of the field, but the connectivity is key to providing customers with access to information and to increasing productivity. For this reason, PSC continually focuses on not only improving its products’ durability but also on improving their connectivity.

Just like in the past, Panasonic is in lock step with our customers and wireless partners during this transition. As 4G networks mature, we are committed and dedicated to collaborating with carrier partners to provide an optimized end-user experience for anywhere, anytime connectivity.

Due to our 14 years in delivering wireless solutions, we are in a unique position to provide our clients with a well-formulated and seamless transition to the new emerging 4G technologies. We have a clear roadmap to meet our customers’ ever-changing mobility needs. We are here to help you decide which solutions are the best for your evolving business requirements, and we plan to support a variety of connected solutions to meet our your mobility needs.

With regards to our current and future wireless offerings, we wanted to let you know that:

• We will continue to support Gobi2000 in 2011/2012, based on customer requirements
• We have already launched 4G-cabable devices, the Toughbook 53 and Toughbook 31mk2, with carrier certifications coming later this year

Change is good but it is never simple and easy. With our in-depth industry knowledge, my team of seasoned professionals and I are here to be your trusted, strategic advisor, and to help you make the best wireless-broadband decisions that are tailored to your specific needs.

Introducing the Toughbook S10

In today’s world, business travel is a requirement for almost any job. According to IDC, the world’s mobile worker population will grow to nearly 1.2 billion people – more than a third of the world’s workforce – by 2013.

For any executive or professional that spends a great deal of time away from the office, like I do, remaining productive is vital. Users like us require a notebook where reliability, connectivity and portability are crucial elements of the product design.

“Road warriors” encounter many challenges inherent in travel, including drops, bumps and spills – any of which can seriously damage your device and ultimately prevent you from getting your work done or meeting that important deadline. In fact, when respondents in a 2010 IDC survey were asked how their systems had broken, 72% indicated that the devices were dropped while being carried, 66% said liquid was spilled onto the devices and 55% said the devices fell off a desk or table. The three most cited causes of notebook damage are related to human error and everyday usage, which underscores both the importance of understanding usage patterns and the unfortunate vulnerability of these systems.

Today, we are introducing the Toughbook S10, a business-rugged device that is purpose-built to meet these challenges – while offering exceptional battery life, connectivity, security features and performance for those workers constantly on the go. Its class leading 12.5 hours of standard battery life and light weight (3.0 pounds) makes it the ultimate device for mobile computing.

The S10’s wireless features include Wi-Fi, Bluetooth® and optional Gobi2000™ 3G embedded mobile broadband technology. With these features, travelers have a number of options to remain connected while traveling or working remotely.  In addition, the standard integrated DVD Multi-drive makes it easy to catch up on those old Sherlock Holmes films in the evening.

We are dedicated to empowering highly mobile professionals by offering the most innovative devices. Panasonic will continue to engineer more mobile and capable solutions like the Toughbook S10 to meet the demands of true “road warriors” like you and me.