The benefits of implementing mobile technology into a business are myriad. With the use of data capture devices, field agents can gain accurate results through electronic means instead of the old ways where they were bogged down with masses of paperwork and further administrative duties.

The data capture technology of today can save a lot of time and money as electronic forms can be filled in much more easily and effectively. The fast synchronisation of real-time data is another big plus point and means that the software allows for information to be sent swiftly back to the office.

As the data on the PDA can now be transmitted to a central server directly, this ensures a much faster turnaround of information, so it can be analysed right away. There are many more benefits of using mobile solutions including accurate reporting, device tracking, integrated photo capture capabilities and effective job allocation.

These benefits just go to show how a business can start to use this technology in streamlining their processes and by having a workforce that is much more productive when out in the field.

If you utilise a mobile workforce and think that your employees spend far too long on collecting and transferring data, you can now benefit from customised mobile solutions with handheld PDAs. These devices allow you to work more efficiently as real-time data can be quickly collected and delivered back to the head office to be analysed right away.

The data captured is accurate and saves your staff the time it would take to manually fill in a form and deal with huge amounts of paperwork.

These kinds of mobile devices can be of use to a wide range of businesses within many industries as you can effectively evaluate performance and there are many cost savings to be had. You can choose the functions and features that your business requires and integrate this software with your current systems.

It is no wonder then that so many firms are waking up to the fact that mobile working is the future, and these businesses are starting to plan ahead for a team of workers that are more productive than ever before.

This announcement means that the firm will gain further access to the ARM architecture which is used in Windows Embedded CE and Windows Mobile (and Phone) smartphone devices.

Mike Muller, CTO of ARM, explained in his statement:

“Microsoft is an important member of the ARM ecosystem, and has been for many years.

“With this architecture license, Microsoft will be at the forefront of applying and working with ARM technology in concert with a broad range of businesses addressing multiple application areas.”

ARM architecture is already licensed to Marvell, Qualcomm, and Infineon, with these firms also having extra access to the processor blueprints and instruction set of the technology.

Speaking about the extension to the deal, KD Hallman, general manager for Microsoft, revealed that it should allow the company to improve its “research and development activities for ARM-based products.”

Hallman also added that “ARM is an important partner for Microsoft.”

This is certainly good news for Microsoft as it bids to take on smartphone rivals Apple with its new Windows Phone 7 mobile system available later in the year.

However, Steve Ballmer still remains bullish about the prospects for Windows Phone 7 going forward and he promised over 14,000 partners at a recent conference that any wrongs in the past will now be put right.

He said:

“On the phone side we missed a generation with Windows Mobile. We really did miss almost a release cycle, but Windows Phone 7 which we had a chance to debut at the Mobile World Congress earlier this year has received really quite remarkable reviews.”

After falling way behind to rivals in the mobile phone stakes, Windows Phone 7 looks to give the industry leaders a run for their money with the innovative mobile platform, due out in October or November of this year.

These positive messages certainly make the end of the year look interesting as the smartphone market starts to hot up with many new products being released for both personal and business mobile users.

In other related news, Microsoft is offering incentives to developers to get them to build quality apps for its upcoming operating system. It hopes to quickly close the gap on Apple’s App Store and provide a genuinely competitive alternative.

This flagship smartphone from Nokia is set to be the most innovative and cutting edge device of 2010. The N8 boasts a host of multimedia and entertainment features including an exceptional 12-Megapixel camera plus capabilities for HD video recording. The long wait for this high-end mobile certainly looks to be worth it from what we’ve seen so far.

This news comes hot on the heels of the availability of the BlackBerry Pearl 3G on T-Mobile UK’s website. This new smartphone model from Research In Motion, which was announced back in April, can now be purchased for free on a £25 monthly contract.

The website statement reads:

“If you love the good old 12 digit keypad but you’d also love a BlackBerry smartphone, you’re going to love the BlackBerry Pearl 3G. Keep in touch with everything and everyone with BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) for instant real time messaging and the preloaded Facebook and Twitter widgets. Navigate easily around the screen with the trackpad and type the way you know with the 12 digit keypad.”

This small BlackBerry device is sure to be a hit with users thanks to its wide range of features and advanced capabilities.

It was only last Friday when the boss of the leading brand explained that the antennae issues reported by customers of the iPhone 4 were not unique, but something faced by the majority of smartphone devices.

Jobs explained:

“Phones aren’t perfect.

“It’s a challenge for the whole industry. Every phone has weak spots.”

Despite the fact that Jobs revealed test results on a selection of Samsung, BlackBerry and HTC handsets, the manufacturers have disagreed with the findings that all the three devices also had connectivity problems if held in a particular way.

In a joint statement, the Co-CEOs of Research in Motion’s BlackBerry replied to Apple’s claims:

“Apple’s attempt to draw RIM into Apple’s self-made debacle is unacceptable. Apple’s claims about RIM products appear to be deliberate attempts to distort the public’s understanding of an antenna design issue and to deflect attention from Apple’s difficult situation.”

RIM explained that they use innovative designs that reduce the risk of these kinds of issues and do not need to match Apple’s offer of a free case for those who purchase an iPhone 4 handset.

In fact, Samsung, Nokia and HTC have also since argued their own cases against the claims made by Apple. The mobile phone provider has now well and truly opened up a hornet’s nest over this issue. Who knows if they’ll live to regret these claims?

The purchasing managers’ index report for the north west revealed that there has also been a continued improvement in operating conditions, with the services and manufacturing sectors in particular experiencing growth and sharp increase in output.

The chief executive of the Northwest Regional Development Agency, Steven Broomhead, said:

“The latest PMI data provides further encouraging pointers for the north west economy. We should be optimistic as both output and new business continues to rise, however we need to remain focused and cautious as the rate of expansion was weaker this quarter compared to the first quarter of the year.”

Despite this note of caution in Mr Broomhead’s comments, the results have proved to be another positive sign for the region as a whole and the fact that businesses are continuing to show that they can tough out the current economic scenario.

Many companies are turning to the best in mobile solutions to streamline their operations and ensure that they remain competitive in their industry. By utilising modern technology and the latest data capture devices like smartphones you can gain an advantage over your rivals.

This is where mobile solutions can prove to be effective, as instead of devoting vast amounts of time and resources towards administration, the security team can be deployed out in the field.

The nature of byelaw enforcement can be aided by bespoke mobile technology with a streamlined data capture process. Through this practical solution, the identity of offenders can be validated instantly and their address can be found through access to the electoral role. You can also input detailed descriptions of the person too.

The benefits of this innovative mobile technology are many as penalties can be issued on the spot, all thanks to Bluetooth printer connections, plus the time employees spend carrying out these tasks can be effectively reduced. This gives the security company excellent value for money, with real-time updates accessible from these mobile devices.

All in all, this can lead to invaluable cost savings, the long-term security of data, a greater level of staff performance management and potential for the growth of the business.

You can find the handset on the mobile phone operator’s website and it can be bought for free by those taking out a £35 a month contract, and it comes complete with Internet Booster.

The mobile offers a great viewing experience, with amazing picture quality on its 4″ AMOLED screen.

The phone can also be customised using the thousands of apps now available from the Google Android Market.

Samsung have ensured that this handset model, which boasts a 1GHz processor, is perfect for those looking for mobile solutions with HSDPA and WiFi available.

This new Samsung phone is great for business customers looking for a super fast internet connection when working away from the office and a smartphone choice that provides them with plenty of features.

You can view PDFs and edit documents while on the go and A-GPS is handy in ensuring that you don’t get lost on a way to see a client.

All in all, the Samsung Galaxy S may have been made with entertainment users in mind, but it certainly offers so much to professionals who need to get online when on the move.

The new software tool, named as App Inventor, will even allow people with limited development skills the chance to create their own applications.

Google Labs has displayed a video of the beta version on the website, showing users how simple it can be to build an app, while offering ideas for people to create these themselves.

It explains on the site:

“To use App Inventor, you do not need to be a developer. App Inventor requires NO programming knowledge.”

The App Inventor software writes all the coding, giving users the opportunity to choose what is included in their new design.

This software has been in the pipeline for over a year, with a number of educational institutions involved in its conception.

Leader of the Google project, Hal Abelson [CQ], who is a professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, wrote in a blog post:

“Mobile applications are triggering a fundamental shift in the way people experience computing and use mobile phones.

“Today, smartphones let us carry computing with us, have become central to servicing our communication and information needs, and have made the Web part of all that we do.”

These new software tools will certainly give Apple food for thought, with regards to competition with Google’s Android handsets. On the iPhone all new applications have to be approved by Apple.