Update 2010: Training And Recruiting Mobile Operations Professionals

Understanding mobile technology was a key priority for IT managers in June 2008 when Forrester originally published this report. Controlling cost was paramount and new investments were stagnated, but budgets have since opened up and mobile strategy is again a top priority for most infrastructure and operations (I&O) managers. Driven by increasing smartphone consumption, the promise of businesses applications, and loftier mobile workforce requirements, firms are exploring how they can leverage a mix of mobile devices to drive new and expanded business value. However, this innovation is also adding complexity to an already muddled mobile technology landscape. The mobile operations role — a subrole within IT operations — is emerging as a central point of expertise and control over the many parts of organizational mobility. Because it is a new function within IT, however, many firms are struggling to build skills around the role and to efficiently communicate to the business. With its Wireless Communication Engineering Technologies Certification Program (WCET), the IEEE now provides a core skill set and certification program that should serve as a template for the development and recruitment of mobile operations professionals.