Consolidation for the mobile worker: How many phones do you carry?
Few can argue that carrying a cell phone is very convenient for both us and the people trying to contact us. For many of us it is an absolute necessity to be reachable for at least part of the day regardless of whether you are in the office, home, or on the soccer field with the kids. For many years IT Pros have been forced to carry multiple devices. Some were personal devices (cell, iPod, etc…), while others were work related (work cell, PDA). Luckily, now there are some new technologies which allow us to consolidate to one or two mobile devices.
For the first time in years, it is possible to consolidate to a single mobile device which is critical. I carry a Windows 7.5 (Mango) smart phone for work, an Android PDA phone, and several laptops. Because of technologies like
Google Voice and
Skype, I am able to use one device for multiple incoming and outgoing numbers. I can even install a SIP client which connects directly to my company’s VoIP phone system, which means I can be virtually in the office even when I’m working from home or on the golf course (the latter being more hypothetical). With the use of tablets and new PDA smart phones with multiple cameras, other functions are possible. These functions include: video conferencing, sharing documents and team collaboration. Now, you really don’t have to be tied to your desk. Windows 7 Phones also allow users to connect to multiple corporate Exchange email accounts simultaneously. As far as I know, no other phone can do this
yet. I don’t know if we’ll ever be able to put away the PC/laptop for good, but it is nice to know that we have other devices that can help free us from the chains of our desk from time to time.
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Robert Borges
About Robert...
I have been in the IT industry since 1993 focusing mainly on networking. Though I got an early start as an amateur computer enthusiast and wrote my first database app at age 12, I started my professional career working in the MIS department of one of the largest liquor distributors in the northeast. I started out there as a systems operator on the company’s two mainframe systems. From there I moved into PC support, and help design and implement the company’s first client-server network… This was back in the days of Win NT 3.51 when I worked on my first migration to Windows NT 4.0 server.
From there I went on to work with Novell 3.x and 4.x along with Windows domains and Microsft's brand new Active Directory. Working my way up from technician to specialist, to an administrator, and eventually all the way up to Sr. Engineer. I spent many years working for MSPs/consulting firms, 9 of which I owned and operated my own firm.
Over the years, I have worked with (at an expert level) various versions of Windows client and server operating systems (including Windows 11 and Windows Server 2019); various virtualization technologies (Hyper-V, VMware, etc.); MS-SQL server 6.5- 2014 R2; Exchange 4-2019, and much more. Over the years I have built a lot of experience around the Microsoft Azure and Microsoft 365 cloud environments.
I am now CTO at Infused Innovations where our team is focusing on helping clients build a Secure Intelligent Workplace through InfoSec (Zero Trusts Framework), Modern Workplace, and Business Intelligence.
I have been heavily involved in the IT user group community, including serving as president of the board of Boston User Groups, Inc., and president of IT-Pro User Group. In 2017/2018 Microsoft awarded me the Microsoft MVP (Most Valuable Professional) Award, with a focus of Microsoft Azure cloud, for my efforts in the IT community.
I am in a constant state of learning about new products, and new versions of products. Many of which we end up implementing in lab environments and sometimes for our clients. I have a very broad range of expertise and experience. It is my goal to share some of this experience on this blog to help enrich the IT community.
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