Mobile broadband 'creates opportunities for firms of all sizes'

The possibilities created by modern broadband-enabled mobile devices are open to even relatively small firms, according to a report from ABI Research.

In its study Mobile Enterprise Applications for Smartphones and Media Tablets, the analyst looks at the ways companies can profit from reaching their customers via mobile broadband devices.

Among the current app user base, for instance, business-to-consumer (B2C) applications are currently much more widely installed than business-to-enterprise (B2E) software.

Dan Shey, enterprise practice director, says: "There is no reason why most businesses could not offer B2C smartphone or tablet apps to their customers, regardless of business size."

However, some companies may be more interested in the potential of using B2E apps on their tablet PCs and smartphones in order to enhance their own business operations.

Among the potential applications in this area are remote access to inventory data, enterprise resource planning and customer relation managements, and the ability to view work or delivery order schedules.