The Impact of Mobile IP on Businesses and the Economy

By Shelley M. Latreille

This is a paper that I wrote for my Wireless Networking class on how Mobile IP is effecting businesses and the economy. 

Mobile IP is impacting the economy and businesses.  Smart devices are making the entire World mobile.  The first smartphones were introduced in 2007.  Smartphones became very popular, which led to the introduction of other mobile devices.  There are billions of smart devices currently in use, which drives the mobile app market.  There are mobile apps for almost every software program.  This causes data usage to continually increase each year.  Smart device sales are exceeding PC sales.  Mobile phone companies are attempting to keep up with the demand for more technologically advanced devices, plans that provide more data, and faster Internet access.  Due to this demand, subscription rates and innovation have increased in areas such as compression, streaming, caching, and other data-delivery efficiencies (Doherty, 2016).  

Mobile access can be classified as a commodity.  Some mobile phone companies give away data that used to be very expensive.  For example, unlimited music streaming is offered outside the data plan for free.  This helps mobile phone companies attract and retain lifelong customers.  Data providers have experienced massive growth, which has caused them to become media creators and hosts.  Users expect high-performance data over mobile networks.  This caused data providers to increase customer satisfaction by building large, high-performing data centers in many different regions.  This has provided economic benefits to switch and equipment providers and to the rural markets’ economies where the data centers are constructed (Doherty, 2016).  

All the advanced technology has given rise to cyber-criminals and has caused individuals and businesses to invest in security software to keep their devices and data safe from security threats.  IT Professionals must stay current with all the security threats so that they can find ways to stop these threats.  Software companies must continue creating new software and updating current software to help everyone keep their devices and data safe.  Purchasing this software can be expensive for individuals and businesses (Doherty, 2016). 

Mobile IP has had a significant impact on businesses and their environments.  Using smart devices, businesses can hold long distance conferences, keep track of employees in the field, make quick sales, decrease operating costs, much more.  Businesses are implementing BYOD (Bring Your Own Device).  With BYOD, businesses can keep staff informed on current events and receive instantaneous responses. Smart devices allow businesses to provide flexible working hours and remote working environments. Businesses can help the environment by becoming paperless (Gordon, n.d.).  They are obtaining higher productivity and collaboration rates from their employees.  BYOD keeps everyone connected 24/7.  The only investment a business must make is to purchase a smartphone and data plan.  The productivity and collaboration that a business receives in return, far outweighs the expense of the smartphone and data plan.  BYOD does bring security threats with it.  A business could risk getting data stolen if the BYOD devices are not properly protected against security threats (Doherty, 2016). 

Businesses use Mobile IP to track people and assets.  Businesses making deliveries can use the cameras on smartphones to provide delivery confirmations, which helps with delivery / drop off loss mitigation.  Businesses are also using smart devices to communicate with employees, vendors, customers, and anyone else that they are associated with.  Information can be sent and accessed in seconds and it can be available 24/7.  Businesses also have the benefit of using tools such as ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) and CRM (Customer Relationship Management) systems to help grow their business, meet business needs, access business information, maintain business records, increase sales, and enhance customer experience (Doherty, 2016). 

Smart devices can be used for banking and sending and receiving payments.  Most financial institutions have mobile apps.  Cash payments can be made through secure text messages or through direct mobile billing systems.  Businesses can use mobile apps to process payments.  Mobile commerce apps make it easy to connect with customers.  Mobile commerce apps provide mobile storefronts that have shopping carts and payment methods, which connect to the physical retail location (Gordon, n.d.).  

Many mobile apps are equipped with GPS, which assists consumers with locating restaurants, gas stations, stores, and other locations.  Smart devices also assist businesses with marketing, promotions, and social media campaigns.  Targeted messages can easily and quickly be sent to customers.  Smart devices allow managers and clients to interact with employees through text updates.  This helps ensure that there are no misunderstandings and / or lost messages.  Smart devices make direct communication simple and efficient.  In-person meetings are no longer the standard since smart devices allow meetings to be held anywhere 24/7 (Gordon, n.d.).

As technology becomes more advanced, Mobile IP will continue to impact the economy and businesses.  If proper security advancements are made and devices and data are secured, the benefits should outweigh the negative aspects of advancing technology. 

References

Doherty, J. (2016). Wireless and Mobile Device Security (1st ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett

Learning.

Gordon, J. (n.d.). The Impact of Cell Phones on Business Systems. Retrieved from Chron:

          https://smallbusiness.chron.com/impact-cell-phones-business-systems-78991.html