Wikipedia defines a mobile operating system as, “the operating system that controls a mobile device” —and is “similar to the operating systems that control your desktop computer or laptop, such as Windows, Mac or Linux”. Each operating system brings differentiation to the mobile device through preloaded native applications (apps) and app store/world/market that brings a variety of additional business applications to life.
With so many mobile devices on the market that support various operating systems, it’s often tough to know which will be the best tool to support you and your team. In the second part of our series, here we will speak with Canadian business leaders about how and why they chose not just the device that they did, but the operating system.
We all know the ability to work on the go is important. From individuals to small businesses to enterprise, everyone uses their smartphones as a way to keep productive and competitive.
According to comScore, 6.6 million people in Canada owned smartphones as of March 2011, representing one-third (32.8%) of the mobile-device market – a rate that was marginally higher than the U.S.
As part of our ongoing series exploring devices featuring the top operating systems (OS), we talk to James Won about why he’s most comfortable with his Windows Phone.
At Servant 4 Stewards, a financial planning and consulting firm with offices in Toronto and London, Ont., Won relies on his Windows Phone 7, calling the decision to go with that OS a “no-brainer.”
“The Windows operating system is the most logical extension for a Microsoft Office user,” says Won. “Aside from the obvious email, text and phone operations, the paramount functionality for us is the native integration with MS Office and synchronization with Windows Live.”
Won says he loves that he can accept, view and edit email attachments on the bright screen of his Windows Phone. And he uses the device’s camera to capture any other documents he was previously scanning in the name of portability, lightening his load – literally. “Now I leave both my laptop and mobile scanner at the office. The instant access to all my files at my fingertips is amazing.”
For Windows 7 Phone users, the interface is fast and easy to understand, allowing you to glance to your customizable start screen for updates without losing focus. The device is also often pointed to as being one that strikes the right balance between work and play, since it keeps all of your contact from Facebook, Windows Live and Outlook in one place. And integration with Bing also means smarter searching that delivers the answers you need fast.
Won says the biggest boost he gets with his Windows Phone is as simple as a little peace of mind.
“Since it synchronizes with the cloud, I never worry about backing up or losing information,” he explains, adding that he even takes an extra step to ensure his documents appear anywhere he is.
“It may seem redundant, but I also use the MS Outlook plug-in with my Hotmail account to provide seamless synchronization for my email, calendar and contacts. The exact same info is then in all three places – phone, Hotmail and Outlook – in real-time.”
Won now wonders how he ever did business without his Windows Phone, which he’d recommend to any on-the-go business leader.
“It’s an absolute must for a mobile professional,” he says. “I can’t wait to see the next generation of Windows Phones.”
TELUS offers a range of devices equipped with all the top operating systems, recognizing that there is no one-size-fits-all solution for every business.
