Better business decisions -- Stronger project management
An enterprise that has a real-time connection to the field force is in better touch with its business. This improved business intelligence leads to improved business opportunities and lower liabilities. When field problems are reported in an accurate and timely manner, the opportunity to compound further expense is nipped in the bud.

For example, a building inspector with a handheld device has all the tools necessary to correct a construction mistake. Using the handheld, specifications are viewed, punch lists created, cost estimates calculated, subcontractors contacted, and corporate headquarters accurately apprised. In short, the cost of a mistake is minimized.

Increased customer satisfaction
An efficient field force team and accurate data reporting frequently leads to happy customers. Happy customers often want to buy again and want to buy more. Therefore, it's common for enterprises with deployed mobile field force solutions to see an up-tick in customer up-selling, cross-selling, and contract renewals.

What's the down side?
Well, there really isn't one. This mobile solution category is a no-brainer folks! Simply stated, handhelds are plain good business for any enterprise with a mobile workforce. Handhelds are an indispensable tool for the field force to be intrinsically connected to the company and transform the workday from a sea of paper forms and sticky notes.

What's up next?
For our next column, we're going to discuss a special sector of mobile solutions for the field force: field sales. Handhelds are revolutionizing how sales organizations develop and close business, and how enterprises track their business opportunities.

While we thoroughly enjoy pontificating on our personally selected topics regarding Mobile Enterprise Solutions, we'd like to establish an interactive relationship with you, our reading audience. Monologues are not us! We'd like to invite you to send your questions, opinions and topic suggestions on mobile enterprise solution value delivery to dtroppito@computingunplugged.com. We'll do our very best to respond expeditiously in our upcoming columns. Looking forward to hearing from you!

James Booth is Editor-at-Large at ZATZ Publishing. In addition to writing for Computing Unplugged and Connected Photographer, he's the author of Do-It-Yourself Wedding Photography. A self-taught photographer, James also dabbles in digital graphics and has learned to be a PC and handheld specialist through personal trial and error. James can be reached at jbooth@zatz.com.