One driving factor is expected to be automotive telematics (no pun intended).  Mercedes has announced “in dash apps” and remote services for its mbrace offering (which seems to be a nifty play on “embrace,” with the very necessary “m” for mobile).  mbrace is a mobile app and system allowing you to connect with your Benz “like never before!”  Offerings in the M2M and mobile realm are also available from Audi and Cadillac, and most others will undoubtedly follow.

It may come to pass that routine auto diagnostics and tune-ups will happen via mobile, with nary an action by customer or servicing garage/dealership:  A simple subscription service will allow your vehicle to be maintained by M2M servicing – electronic adjustments to brakes, or fuel efficiencies, for example.  The necessity for maintenance requiring a visit to the shop will be communicated to the car/customer too.

This understanding can lead to other interesting possibilities:  Various products could have onboard diagnosing mechanisms, with a dock (or cable) for plug in of a smartphone.  Once the phone was docked and turned on, the product could do a M2M connection for reportage of the machine’s status.  In other instances, a machine could simply self-diagnose, and call you with status.

A couple examples come to mind:  A furnace could report to your phone that its filter was dirty and in need of change.  For that matter, a vacuum cleaner could ring you when its bag was full!  This last could well be a point of diminishing return (you’ll have to excuse me, my vacuum is calling on my other line), but you get the idea.

But what does this mean to the typical organization, company, enterprise… even sole-proprietorship?  It means that you should survey for products – servers and operations architecture items – that are M2M-capable.

You should at least consider M2M versions of components when and where available, for the prudent adoption of them in capturing efficiencies of maintenance, notifications, and repair.  The Mobile Revolution is just getting started.

IT and Business folks:  Whether you’re a C-Level executive, or positioned at, say, a HelpDesk, or you’re a network manager, account executive, etc., you can help with something very important these days given the economic climate.

You can help to make budgets more efficient. 

Today, efforts to reduce cost in the face of difficult economic times cannot be handled with temporary cuts, or episodes of suspended or revolving service – at least not entirely.  Further, once you’ve eliminated the obvious budget “fluff” and other “nice to haves”… we find that we really get down to the skinny.  We have to put on our thinking caps… we have to get truly imaginative.

Let’s also mention:  The smart organization provides incentives and (usually cash) awards to those who help to make the organization more efficient and cost-effective.

In scrubbing for savings and efficiencies, look to similar organizations to see what they’ve done.  Also, participate wherever possible in strategic groups, inside and out, that not only can help to create your future – but to create that future as economically and as powerfully as possible.

Keep these traits firmly fixed in mind when reviewing expenditures against that which must be done:  Quality, effectiveness and efficiency… and necessity.  Ever run across something that runs great, is perfectly sized (in terms of optimization and reliability), and does a great job of production… of something… that no one is using??  Or that gets produced elsewhere, in a discreet, tandem system?  Or that comes from one area, and with minor re-purposing, could serve other areas?

I’ve seen that plenty – and likely so have you.  Regardless, watch for redundancies and wasted efforts and resources.  So –

1.    Survey for reusable frameworks and solutions that can be repurposed, or whose deliveries and services can be widened, for other areas.

2.   Look for strategic partners and constituent groups who can partner with you in leveraging ideas, resources, and solutions to the common good of the whole – granting economies of scale.

3.   IT leaders:  Lead discussions in “business language” in seeking negotiation, acquiescence, collaboration, and potential compromise between business units and departments in capitalizing on best leverage of resources and best returns.

4.   All should be looking to understand as wide an enterprise context as possible in seeking to capture best quality, efficiency and effectiveness; within practicable limits (that is, in view of your authority, available time, etc. – don’t enter a zone of diminishing return).

5.   Watch for opportunities to educate external controlling or influencing bodies, such as boards and governing agencies.  Seek their help, or at least their understandings, regarding your efforts for budget efficiencies, thereby thwarting inadvertent harming circumstances that can damage your efforts of spending control.

6.   Ensure “right sourcing” of core services, procurements of product, etc.  If there is something you haven’t shopped in awhile, shop around!

Also keep in mind that, for some areas, there are likely new directions to go in reaching destinations of “new normals.”  New normals that are more effective and efficient.  These will differ according to your organization’s mission, size, and related suite of products, services, and other resources that enable the conduct of your organization’s business.  Again, look to like-organizations for ideas, and churn through the list above.

Effective budgets are always in fashion, but now more than ever there is real opportunity to shine in this area.  I hope you score some great ideas, and… I hope your organization is savvy enough to provide meaningful rewards.

August 28^th:  On this day in 1922, WEAF in New York City airs the first  radio commercial (Queensboro Realty – $100 for 10 minutes).