Originating Author: David Floyer
PC desktop storage devices are difficult to integrate into company governance, audit and disaster recovery storage processes. Laptops are more difficult. Small mobile computers (SMCs) will be the most difficult, whether the users are customer, partners or employees.
There is likely to be more than one model of support for SMCs as discussed in the alert “Will iPhones need a PC or docking station?”. Whatever the model, users will be highly dependant on data being held by the web application for both security and performance reasons. In addition, users of these devices will assume that “data tone” equals “dial tone” and will be available 24 by 7 with no break of service.
Application and storage strategies will need to move rapidly towards accommodating these requirement, as the iPhone and the devices that follow in its footsteps gain traction. These will need to include the assumption of zero backup, data administration or application maintenance window.
Action item: Storage strategies will need to evolve to accommodate the always-on 24 hour access requirements of a new breeds of mobile computer, and a new breed of user. Designing strategies round SMCs will have the positive effect of improving distributed support for PCs and laptops.