8.2 Mobile Enterprise Transition Phases

The five major phases of MET are diagnostics, innovation, integration, adaptation, and training.

	However, in practice, the adaptation and training phases in mobile adoption get merged into a single phase.

The five phases play a significant role during enactment. They are as follows:

8.2 Mobile Enterprise Transition Phases

Diagnostics

		MET undertakes the diagnostic activity to ascertain the current state of the organization with
		It is based on the demographics of the organization, together with its existing mobile maturity.
		This important activity can help an organization understand the amount of effort required and the possible timeline for it when it undertakes MET.
		The four different mobile maturity levels are the ad hoc, preliminary, advanced, and managed
		states.
		The next stage is the ad hoc use of mobility across the organization, followed by advanced use in
		all processes and organizational structures.

8.2 Mobile Enterprise Transition Phases

		As is evident from the figure in this phase the level of mobile maturity varies and is basically
		dependent on Goal and Demographics of the organization.

			The Demographics of an organization provide a major impetus to its goals in transitions. The
			organization can be small, medium or large. Its size plays a role in deciding the scope of its transition. Similarly, its location influences the scope of its transition.
			The Goals of the MET must be streamlined with the goals of the business. MET goals may
			may vary depending on the demographics and mobile maturity of the transiting organization.
			The known goals include: dynamic customization of products and services, cost reduction,
			profit enhancement, flexibility in organizational structures; value added, personalized customer services, and timeliness of services.

8.2 Mobile Enterprise Transition Phases

Innovation

		Innovation deals with new and creative ways of using mobility in all aspects of business.
		The focus of innovative activity of the organization undergoing MET is on the strategic thinking and
		strategy formation aspect of the plan for the transitioning business.
		Therefore, it considers both internal and external process requirements, studies the external
		environment in which the business exists, and also deals with the departments and similar organizational units in terms of prioritizing the effect of changes on them.
		As shown in figure the aspects of innovation is based on the strategic thinking and new business
		models.

8.2 Mobile Enterprise Transition Phases

Integration

		The integration activity of MET brings together internal as well as external business
		processes that would result in a unified view of the business to its users.
		The business processes and supporting systems in the current state of the organization are
		studied carefully to effectuate the necessary changes in those processes and systems due to mobility, as required by stakeholders and as demanded by the industry.
		Whereas existing processes can be merged together with the help of mobility, there are also
		completely new processes that need to be engineered. These are integrated internally and externally to achieve process objectives.
		Process modeling tools and techniques are used here to model new processes as well as
		anticipate changes to existing ones when mobile technology is introduced.
		Furthermore, the integration of mobile devices with the processes can be classified as a crucial
		factor for the success of MET.

8.2 Mobile Enterprise Transition Phases

		Changes to business processes are more robust and lasting when the effect of new mobile
		devices are considered together with them.
		Agreements with service providers and technology partners, enablers, and network operators
		need to be finalized during integration.
		Finally, the Content and corresponding Content Management Systems (CMS) also need to be
		integrated with the processes.
		The CMS database is also integrated with the existing technologies in the organization, such as
		software systems and applications, databases, and existing security mechanisms.

8.2 Mobile Enterprise Transition Phases

Adaptation and Training

		Adaptation and training activities are interlinked with each other, and they usually occur
		simultaneously during MET.
		Employees are trained during this activity on new and reengineered mobile business
		processes. At the same time, some existing, old processes may still be required by the business because of operational reasons, and they can be a part of the transition considerations.
		Therefore, depending on the complexity of the business processes, there can be a parallel
		execution of the old as well as new processes.
		The adaptation of technology and training of employees need to be complemented by
		potential training for business partners and even customers who have large and complex transactions with the business.
		Employees are trained to provide responses to customer calls for support with high level of
		personalization.