Friday, October 21, 2011

Mobile in the B2B World

David Proegler of Latitude Consulting Group illustrated the explosion in mobile web traffic and explained the current and future impact of mobile on B2B.  Proegler pointed to the I Phone as the device that changed everything for mobile.  


By making the user experience accessible for the average consumer, the I Phone drove the mobile smart device flood and the ensuing tidal wave of mobile web traffic.  According to Proegler, the I Phone created the expectation that access to information should be instant. 


Proegler noted that mobile devices in B2B are pervasive.  Based on research, he stated that over 50% of internet requests are from mobile smart devices.  Proegler used the example of traffic to www.mooreheadstate.edu as an example of the flood of mobile device internet usage.  


In a single year, mobile device traffic to that website increased 4000% and the number of OS increased from 3 to 15.  He explained that it’s not just students that expect full mobile access to information.  In the business setting, employees expect it as well.

Using the automotive sales context as an example Proegler called mobile device use “a new way to engage” for the sales person to be better able to meet the needs of the customer.  With instant access to model stats and inventory, the sales person would be more efficient in delivering information and sales.  He stated that all aspects of a car sales and service operation could benefit from mobile information access.

Proegler explained that there are generally four types of websites when analyzed in regard to mobile interface.  Those are: Mobile Failure, Mobile Focus, Mobile Friendly and Mobile First.  Mobile Failure is too complex for mobile device access.  Mobile Focus supports popular devices in the commonly used areas of a website but not when diving deeper in the site.  Mobile Friendly offers a site wide mobile experience which is optimized as well as concise.  Mobile First is a website designed from the outset with the mobile user in mind.

Proegler suggested that for businesses to migrate their website to a mobile friendly format they need to take some time and analyze their B2B site usage and user base.  A business should also review its application portfolio, work with maturing their site framework and plan their strategic direction for mobile.  He stated that mobile can change the way that business is done both with customers and within a business.

No comments:

Post a Comment