Making a company mobile.

• Position: THE "HOW TO" GUIDE

As business becomes an increasingly global affair, wireless technologies are opening more and more doors for companies.

This means being able to watch a CEO making a speech from your cell phone several provinces away, or simply checking up on a project using little more than a laptop in an airport.

As a first step into the mobile realm, companies should consult a wireless professional and assess their needs. These types of professionals, frequently available through related service providers, can assist a company in determining how best to match their strategic plans and anticipated growth with available technologies.

However, not all service providers are created equal; some investigation into a company's reputation and history is suggested. A reliable company will make its references and successes available to prospective clients, allowing interested parties to follow up on contacts and inquire about their experiences.

Additionally, the realm of technology is one where the axiom "you get what you pay for" tends to apply.

Lower-cost technological solutions might not necessarily be better for business, as reliability sometimes comes with an appropriate price tag.

For instance, VOIP, or Voice Over Internet Protocol, can allow for phone calls to be made through the Internet at a considerably reduced rate.

However, providers who offer rock-bottom pricing for the service may not be able to guarantee that a call will not break up in mid-conversation.

As cellular technologies become increasingly widespread, companies can also consider the use of BlackBerries. These wireless handheld devices offer a variety of information...