Having access to information in real time is important. A study of mobile devices shows that users save time by having access to information at any time and in any place. When mobile devices are used, team efficiency increases by 29%. Direct cost savings are achieved through decreased RAS (Reliability, Availability, Serviceability), mobile phone and PDA (personal digital assistant) and pager usage.

This study shows that 94% of users improved their ability to manage their inbox and 93% were able to convert downtime into productive time. In fact, typical users recover about an hour of downtime per day by catching up on email or setting up other types of sessions while in a cab, waiting for a meeting to start or waiting for elevators. These users make use of snippets of time during the day to be more productive. Recovering an hour of downtime every day also gives users more free time in the evening.

While having access to information allows users to recover downtime, security is equally important. For example, suppose an organization expands its existing corporate network. As a result, instead of just being a fairly localized environment that network now spans the globe. There are public network access points (kiosks) to the organization’s network available anywhere in the world. These kiosks are unlocked and provide full access to the network. This means confidential information is being sent to kiosks located all over the world.

Now suppose this kiosk is small enough to fit in the palm of a user’s hand or wear on a belt. This kiosk works almost anywhere in the world, is constantly connected to the organization’s network and is outside the organization’s firewall.