The Ubiquity of Email

In 2007, the masses spoke and demanded access to their email from anywhere. No longer could email access be limited to the desk at the office, the computer at home or an executive with a BlackBerry/Treo. In 2007, 24x7x365 email access from any device became the norm.

In early 2007 in the US, we saw the success of the AT&T Blackjack, T-Mobile Wing and BlackBerry's Pearl become available in fashionable colors. In June, we had the blockbuster success of Apple's iPhone launch. Clearly, the masses had decided that access to their email and the Internet on the go was mandatory.

Our role as service providers should be to foster access to email in any way possible. 2007 might go down in US technology history as the last year that the wireless carriers dictated not only the device, but also the accessibility and affordability of email on the device.

2008 brings many changes to the mobile device world – from Apple's promise of an SDK for the iPhone, to further enhancements and more device permeations in the Windows Mobile world, to the excitement around the Google Android devices.  In January 2008 the iPod touch was given the ability to send and receive email via WiFi.

While some argue that the iPhone is not a "business device," momentum seems to be moving that way as AT&T has recently created "business plans" for the iPhone. With a secure IMAP connection, business owners and IT administrators should rest assured that their users' email is being transmitted securely to an iPhone. While push email is always preferable and always part of the BlackBerry/Windows Mobile/Good Mobile – Microsoft Exchange combination, a business that has their employees connected to their corporate email 24x7x365 sees a giant productivity boost.

All of this is disruptive to Web hosts, IT Administrators and wireless carriers. It is important that we all strategize to create an unhindered email-connected world and making hosted Exchange available to your customers is the easiest way to get started.