May 10 2008 12:38PM GMT
Posted by: Tony Bradley
BlackBerry,
Unified Communications,
Mobile,
OCS,
UCC,
Microsoft,
UC,
Office Commmunications Server
The Palm Pilot started the handheld PIM (Personal Information Manager) trend, but the RIM (Research In Motion) Blackberry handheld is the device that revolutionized information management by merging it with a mobile phone and incorporating enterprise email on the go. Unified communications seeks to bring that type of on-the-go communications to a whole new level, but the Blackberry was left sitting on the bench…until now. WebMessenger has introduced WebMessenger Mobile for Microsoft OCS, an application for Microsoft OCS which delivers some of the unified communications capabilities of OCS to the Blackberry handheld device. This first generation version essentially only provides IM and IM presence. WebMessenger is working with telecommunications switch vendors to incorporate presence on the phone side as well.
Mar 1 2008 4:48AM GMT
Posted by: Tony Bradley
Wireless,
BlackBerry,
iPhone,
Mobile,
wi-fi,
802.11,
WiMAX,
802.11n,
Mobile device
Wireless networks can be cost effective and help employees to be more productive, freeing them to move about while still maintaining access to necessary data and network resources. Since the inception of wireless networking though, corporations have struggled with the security implications. With compliance mandates such as the PCI Data Security Standards, or HIPAA, it is even more important that companies are aware of every possible vector of risk to their network resources and data assets. However, so many devices have wireless functionality now, and it is so easy for users to set up rogue wireless networks without authority, that it is extremely difficult to stay on top of the security issue. Mobile device security: Auditing the airwaves, by Lisa Phifer takes a look at these issues and some ways administrators can monitor for, detect, and proactively manage the wireless access to their networks.
Feb 27 2008 3:53AM GMT
Posted by: Tony Bradley
VoIP,
SIP,
BlackBerry,
Unified Communications,
Office Communicator 2007,
Office Communications Server 2007,
Mobile,
wi-fi,
802.11,
802.11n,
Mobile device,
UCC
One of the promises, or benefits, of unified communications is being able to communicate with people where they are when you need them. The concept of ‘presence’ in Microsoft’s UCC (Unified Communications and Collaboration) is designed so that you can tell if a person is available or not, the contact them by the most efficient, or convenient means possible. One potential gap in the communications is determining if a user is actually at their desk, available to answer their office phone, or if they are moving about the building or even off site, in which case you would contact them via their cell phone. Of course, the user can always set up various call-forwarding solutions to try and send the calls to where they will be, but that is cumbersome and most users don’t understand it and won’t take the time. Now, new solutions are emerging that leverage the converged wireless networking and cellular communications capabilities of mobile phones so that the land line can be ditched and the mobile phone can be the sole method of voice communication. For more details, read Wi-Fi cellular convergence can boost mobile worker productivity on SearchMobileComputing.
Jan 29 2008 6:26PM GMT
Posted by: Tony Bradley
Wireless,
BlackBerry,
Internet2,
Broadband,
iPhone,
Mobile,
wi-fi,
802.11,
WiMAX,
Mobile device
At some point in the future, maybe the next generation will simply see the rate of evolution of technology as a given. A normal way of life. On a day to day basis, I don’t think that much about it, but when I look back and realize just how much has been invented, and developed in just the past 10 or 15 years, and the rate that technology changes, it is somewhat mind-boggling. It wasn’t that long ago that 56Kbps modems were considered to be blazing fast. But, the extent of most users access to the Internet was from their employer’s network, or via dial-up on a 56k modem from home. Now, there are still some stubborn stragglers using dial-up, but broadband access with 24/7 connectivity is becoming the norm instead of the exception for home users. Notebook computer sales, even for consumers, have skyrocketed. Cell phones are PDA’s and mini-computers all rolled into one. From my cell phone, I can surf the Web, look up a phone number, click the linked phone number, and automatically initiate a call. While I used to have to be in my home or at my office desk to access the Internet, now I can access the Internet from almost anything and almost anywhere. This article from Computerworld takes a mort in-depth look at the trend of “hyperconnectivity” and what it means for the future of technology and communications.
Sep 18 2007 1:12PM GMT
Posted by: Tony Bradley
Networking,
Wireless,
Security,
BlackBerry,
Mobile,
Securitychannel,
wi-fi
When it comes to network security, the perimeter has traditionally been the primary defense. Organizations have invested a significant amount of time, money and resources into firewalls and other perimeter security technologies aimed at keeping unauthorized network traffic outside and sensitive company information inside. Lately, there have been a lot of pundits and analysts stating that the perimeter is dead. In this SearchSecurity article, Mike Chapple declares the obituary of the perimeter both premature and wreckless. Continued »
Aug 31 2007 2:45PM GMT
Posted by: Tony Bradley
Wireless,
Microsoft Windows,
BlackBerry,
AT&T,
Google,
Apple,
RIM
Actually, the rumor is that Microsoft might be in the market to purchase Canadian-based mobile device manufacturer RIM (Research in Motion), makers of the popular Blackberry communication devices. Microsoft may be feeling some pressure to stake a stronger presence in the mobile device market after their two biggest rivals have entered the fray. Apple recently rolled out the iPhone through AT&T (formerly Cingular), and Google is reportedly seeking to purchase airwave bandwidth and may be announcing a Google-centric mobile device of their own. Microsoft already makes the Windows Mobile operating system, used on a variety of mobile and handheld devices. The purchase, if it happens, would put Microsoft in a position to develop both the hardware and software, and could also allow them to potentially phase out the Blackberry OS, one of the biggest competitors for mobile device operating systems.
