The availability of a wide variety of wireless technology options has resulted in an expectation for anytime, anywhere access to information. This raises the stakes for IT executives who are already overextended managing IT infrastructure, applications and data security in complex environments.

Adding mobile computing capabilities can drive significant business value by providing traveling executives, field and customer service personnel real-time access to critical data. It can also make the job of IT support and management trickier, especially for small to medium-size businesses.

Mobile users are higher-risk users. They are dependent on wireless data access, yet their computers are more prone to damage from drops, bumps and spills. Further, once an organization’s customers become accustomed to improvements in response times and service quality, reliable mobility quickly becomes business-critical. For these reasons, deploying mobile technology must be viewed as a strategic initiative with far-reaching impact on the health of the enterprise, and companies must factor return on investment (ROI) and total cost of ownership (TCO) into their decision making.

Buyers inside organizations usually prefer to deal with fewer vendors in order to simplify the procurement process, but in the case of mobile technology, a “best of breed” approach can actually be more advantageous in the long run.

While it is natural to assume that managing fewer vendor relationships can make life easier for IT departments, the fact is that there is no-one-size-fits-all computing solution. Therefore, for IT executives looking to both streamline operations and address the need for mobility, it is important that they not buy into the myth of simplicity, selecting laptops which are not built specifically for mobility. In the end, everything from the form factor (including size, weight) to the environment in which users will work will have a direct impact on the ROI and TCO of mobile computing solutions.

The secret to making good capital decisions is to manage risk and minimize unexpected lifetime costs. Keeping costs in control over time can be far more important than the initial purchase price. And as long as customers are better served, field teams are more efficient, information is gathered quickly and accurately, ROI will continue to accrue.

Buyers must ask the fundamental question: “What is the cost to our organization when the technology we rely upon fails?” Lost opportunities, damaged reputation and employee morale are all important considerations.

Panasonic Computer Solutions Company, manufacturer of rugged, wireless Toughbook® notebook computers, is focused on empowering the mobile workforce and has delivered reliable mobile computing solutions for nearly 15 years, ranging from rugged, industrial-strength notebook computers and tablet PCs to business-rugged thin and light and ultra-portable notebooks.

Panasonic controls the process of R&D, manufacture, testing, service and support of its mobile computing products. As a result, Panasonic Toughbook notebooks are known for having the lowest failure rates in the industry – at least five times more reliable than industry benchmarks. Because of this, companies rely on solutions from Panasonic to deliver a lower total cost of ownership and a high return on investment.