Editor's Corner

 

Building on a Solid Platform
When all you did with a mobile phone was make a voice call, the underlying software really didn't matter to the purchaser. Sure, the contact list and call history might look a little different from phone to phone, but the differences were largely cosmetic. As enterprises begin to see mobile phones as fully-functional portable application platforms, the underlying operating system takes on enormous importance to IT managers. Just as with servers and desktop clients, the operating system will have a huge impact on your ability to deliver the applications the organization demands. This week, the news seemed focused on the platforms as companies explore the current differences and look into the future for coming capabilities. While Microsoft Vista is getting the headlines, the operating systems on your smallest devices may be the platform software that has the greatest impact on you and your organization. If you haven't paid attention to the mobile platform until now, this is your week to start. -Curtis