Gartner calls it the Nexus of Forces – the synergy of four platforms or movements that are happening all at once and depend on one another – Mobile, Social Media, Cloud, and Information. These forces are the future and the focus on which IT would be wise to devote resources and strategic thought.

The Unstoppable Force – Mobile Computing
Mobile Computing is at the heart of these forces, and arguably what matters most. Here’s why: Mobility today is becoming more often the first interaction a company or person has with a customer or individual says Gartner. Mobility is the gateway to the cloud, and mobility is a powerful enabler of social networking which is becoming the prevailing way people interact. 

What’s In Fashion
Interestingly, as Gartner says, staying on top of mobile trends is like “chasing fashion.” The leaders in the mobile space turn over quickly, and trends that are hot today are quickly replaced with new applications or devices. 

The network, like that of Sprint, is the jewel that is always in fashion. A company simply cannot maximize the advantage of mobility or access business applications without a powerful global network – one that seamlessly allows businesses to connect and collaborate anywhere, on any device. The converged network is indeed the foundation and enabler of these four forces. 

IT Strategy for Mobility
Chasing mobility requires a fluid IT strategy. This means a company has a good idea of the direction it needs to go, but allows for and is prepared for unseen changes or coming trends. To help manage change and prepare for the future, IT can focus on these five questions, says Gartner, when it comes to mobility:

First, how can mobility improve business? Second, what will the IT infrastructure look like that supports and integrates mobile computing? Third, how can IT create a strong security posture to protect the mobile environment? Fourth, which applications should IT build, integrate, or support within the organization? Finally, how will IT integrate mobility with the cloud and make sense of Big Data

In several previous blogs, I emphasize the strategic partnership between IT and business leaders, where IT contributes to the creation and implementation of solutions that drive revenue or lower costs, moving outside its traditional zone of network management.  You can read about these issues in these posts:  Business Intelligence is Big Business, Momentum for Mobile Payments, The Truman Show Effect