What is the Smartphone to Support Your Mobile Initiatives?

You’ve found a product, identified a location and want to open up a new business venture. You know you need a way to stay connected with your customer base, but do you need to make the significant investment in the business phone system? Is it possible to run the operation by simply using your smartphone?

The answer in today’s digital world is yes, you don’t have to rely on the complex and expensive deployment of the in-house PBX (News - Alert) or the supported hardware to keep you tethered to a desk. But is your smartphone the best to use for what you hope to accomplish? Is there a better choice on the market that can keep you mobile and efficient?

Let’s take a look at a recent IB Times article to see the best business smartphones for 2013 and how a new purchase just may be in your future.

The BlackBerry (News - Alert) Z10: While we have all assumed the BlackBerry was dead in the water, the reality is this enterprise smartphone is still an innovative design that offers intense security measures. The smartphone is still king when it comes to mobile email. There may be a challenge on the horizon, however. While a number of companies are embracing the Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) strategy and allowing employees to select the kind of smartphone they want to use to access the corporate network, BlackBerry has decided it will focus its efforts completely on the corporate world.

This strategy may be very effective for those environments where the company is still dictating the type of phone employees should use while on the go. Its exit from the consumer sector, however, could limit the ability to reach out to that segment of the market that could still be profitable. It may be time for BlackBerry to consider collaboration with mobile device management providers so they can remain on the table for consideration when corporations are looking to third-party partners for advice.

The Blackberry Q10: Like its brother the Z10, this BlackBerry is ready to take on the multitasking duties of the mobile professional. It includes the QWERTY keyboard, battery life that lasts longer than a day and the same powerful email capacity BlackBerry built its reputation on more than a decade ago. And while the availability of apps doesn’t even come close to touching Apple (News - Alert) or Android, it’s still a great handset for delivering that best-in-class experience while driving efficiency for the busy professional.

The Moto G: If you haven’t heard the buzz about this phone, you haven’t been paying attention. This innovative smartphone is gaining a lot of attention simply because it costs very little, yet delivers a lot. The device includes solid hardware and a display that has the technology to actually be better – according to some – than the iPhone 5S. Perhaps the best part is that it offers all day battery life – essential for the professional on the go. The key here is that Motorola has maintained the essence of the Android experience, adding in very few homemade apps. The software instead is designed to make the phone leaner, faster and better performing.

Samsung (News - Alert) Galaxy Note 3: Some heavy advertising likely has this device at the top of mind for anyone considering the mobile piece of their business phone systems. It is often referred to as the workhorse among smartphones. With a display bigger than 5 inches, it actually suggests a tablet-like experience, yet it’s still a phone, and one of the most powerful Android phones on the market with the inclusion of 3GB of RAM (News - Alert) and Snapdragon 800 SoC. All-day battery life is provided, as well as a stylus that makes navigating apps, email and other tasks easier.

iPhone 5S: No smartphone list is complete without the inclusion of the iPhone. Positioned as Apple’s latest and greatest, the iPhone 5S offers 64-bit technology, which gives it a leg up on its market opponents. And this future-proofing means that users won’t have to make a switch to a different device for a few more years. The phone is designed to be extremely fast and powerful and the small design keeps it easy to hold and use. Notice we don’t say much about the battery – it is the iPhone, after all.

At the end of the day, the smartphone you select is not as important as the workflow you put in place. If you’re the mobile one or you’re hiring staff to stay on the road, you have to give them more than just access to the network and supported applications. Give them a process to follow and policies to adhere to. In doing so, you give them guidelines that allow them to achieve what they hope to achieve without focusing too much on the tools needed. This is the ultimate goal in any business phone system purchase.