BPM on the move !
I came across a Gartner report which predicted that Mobile phones will overtake PCs as the most common Web access device worldwide by 2013. Having read this, I was trying to realize how technology has evolved over a period of time. With major breakthroughs in technology space, world has started adapting towards smart phones, tablets and ipads. No wonder that it will soon start replacing PCs and laptops.
People have started using their mobile for surfing, networking with friends, checking mails, sharing their point of views on the move. I was just wondering if they are ready to do all these on the move, why they can't do business on the move. Does BPM be an enabler for such a cause? If so, by how and what means. Here are my view points
Mobile BPM would offer a solution by connecting people with enterprise processes on the move through tablets and smartphones. People will stay connected and are empowered to initiate processes, complete tasks and collaboratively make key business decisions regardless of where they are.
Let us consider a process wherein the person responsible for making key approvals travels often. The approvals which he makes are of prime importance say it's for new product launch. During his travel periods he will not be able to make approvals resulting in process bottlenecks. A delay in few days can cause huge differences in the results. Mobile BPM overcomes such cases thereby achieving competitive advantage as the process time is reduced no matter whether the person is on the move or not. This is one such case. There is plethora of cases where Mobile BPM can cause a turnaround in the process time.
Some of the challenges which will cause hindrance to growth of Mobile BPM are: availability of wide range of mobile devices each with defined set of specifications and platforms. Integrating and enabling the BPM features on all of them will be the biggest challenge. Secondly bandwidth is still slow which will result in performance issues. If these challenges are overcome Mobile BPM will definitely address new and urgent business requirement creating new business opportunities thereby driving business growth.
To conclude, the breathtaking growth of smart phones coupled with BPM will enable business users to turn on to their enterprise processes on the move initiating various processes, collaborating and completing tasks from anywhere in the world.
