Corporate liable is an increasing area of focus for the enterprise, especially as it pertains to mobility. According to industry experts, written policies addressing expense management of mobile devices can help mitigate risk.

 

Enterprises in North America will be supporting more mobile phones than desktop phones by 2011, according to IT research firm Gartner, Inc. Gartner (News - Alert) analysts said that although most users will still also have a desktop phone, mobile phones will become more prevalent and replace desktop voice hardware to become the primary device.


“The adoption and standardization of corporate liable mobile phones in the enterprise has been driven by the use of smartphones, wireless e-mail and the integration of these phones into IP telephony systems, while improved in-building coverage and lower mobile service costs have also played a part,” said Phil Redman, research vice president at Gartner.

 

According to Erik Eames of Wireless Analytics, most enterprises will find the best approach is to develop a clear written policy that establishes a framework to control mobile devices and their expenses and reduces security risk through a corporate liable plan. Eames said enterprises need to take into account both security and operational issues including:

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Danvers, Mass.-based company offers its Wireless CLEAN Platform a pplication to provide organizations with a “consistent and professional” way to set and communicate cell phone usage policies. Using the CLEAN Platform, mobile program managers have the visibility to monitor wireless phone usage that is wasteful or contrary to an organization’s mission, according to company officials.

According to Gartner, as the transition from fixed to mobile occurs, enterprises need to have a solid policy that addresses usage, costs, standards and security. IT working with the business groups should specify exactly who gets mobile services and how much will be spent in a thorough mobile policy.

“Whether organizations have or intend to implement company-wide mobile phone usage policies, we have found that when organizations implement the CLEAN Platform, users are more aware of their mobile phone use and often self police their mobile phone use,” Eames said.