This year in 15 countries around the world, including the US, UK, Canada, France and Germany, the majority of their citizens will be using smartphones, a trend with significant implications that are just beginning to be capitalized upon. In the business enterprise, the balance has tipped. Mobile isn’t just an additional feature, and the concept of a “mobile strategy” is outdated. Mobility is fundamental to the enterprise and its relationships with employees, suppliers and customers by dissolving barriers, streamlining operations and creating customer intimacy.
One place where majority mobilization is having an especially profound impact is on the company/customer relationship. Companies are leveraging mobility to move closer to the customer, with the obvious benefits for the customer of empowerment and convenience, and for the company of flexibility and lower costs of service. The convergence of mobile devices and the cloud services are accelerating this trend. Uber and Lyft are transforming the way we commute in cars, enhancing the overall taxi experience starting with locating a taxi nearby to completing the payment process.
Every sector is being impacted by the new mobile majority. Another fast rising segment is mHealth with mobile health solutions for clinical and fitness purposes. Now mobile devices track your diagnostic health indicators like weight, blood pressure, diabetic state and electronically update your medical records for your primary care physician. Fitness apparel provider, Under Armour is actively acquiring wearable fitness activity trackers like MapMyFitness, MyFitnessPal and Endomondo that interface with wellness programs.