It seems like every time a new gadget hits the market it create new opportunities and challenges to enterprise CIO’s and IT teams. The success of iPad created a whole new bring your own device (BYOD) stir and had infrastructure support teams figuring out security, access and supportability of these devices. Is Google Glasses the next killer application ?
Here are FIVE things for Enterprise CIO’s and IT teams to think of as Google Glasses become reality.
1. Will Google Glasses have an Enterprise Play?
iPad had an unprecedented impact on IT, imagine the last email to all the employees from fired CEO of Yahoo Carol Bartz came from a iPad. Will Google glasses have similar adoption rate in the executive suit of an enterprise? Glasses are personal and can intrude in the working culture of the organization. The adoption of Google Glasses by junior and younger executives may be high,that by senior executives and C-suit is a suspect. Board rooms have lower tolerance for gadgets that distract face to face contact. The internet generation will be at the fore front of this wave. Net net, net Google Glasses will find some place quickly enterprises.
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2. How will your Enterprise managing the intrusion of Google Glasses?
While executive suit may be shy of using these glasses, think of the young workforce in your backoffice, front office and operational roles. They are going to have a field day and it may become a craze to wear them to increase the “I’m Cool” factor. This generation already has integrated your corporate email and system to be accessed from their Android and iPhone. The glasses open a new channel of access and security risk.
3. Google Glasses can open New Markets, New Channel to reach customers/prospects
All the Enterprise CIOs that have a business need to engage directly with individual consumers, Google Glasses create an opportunity and challenge. You have spent a lot of time customizing your website for mobile access, writing new applications for iPhone and Android markets, get ready to customize your apps for Google Glasses. There could be new and innovative way to reach and engage your customers creating a larger customer base.
4. Expect New Risks and Security Challenges
A large number of enterprises restrict phones with cameras, if glasses become stylish, creative and mainstream – how do you manage security? Pictures can be taken and published on the internet and social media sites with an audio command. Enterprise information security can be at risk and can go viral with the new channel. Is your IT support team geared up to address the risks? How will policies and security measures you have for cellphones extended to google glasses?
5.Your Road Warriors, Insurance and Liability
The folks who bring business in and make it happen – your road warrior sales force is going to be an early adopter of the technology. The glasses have a potential to create significant risk on the road – data risks & physical risks. Increased road accidents? how will rental car agencies and auto insurance companies react to this? Will that create a cost and liability issue for your HR? Enterprise data at risk due to stolen or lost glasses?
More importantly Google’s influence on your enterprise is going to increase by the day, the amount of information about your company that ends up with Google is going to be immense. Glasses is a new channel for Google’s hunger for data. Like it or not, with change comes opportunity, is Google Glasses the next killer gadget after the iPad? If yes, its only a matter of time before it gets into the DNA of enterprise IT.
Authored : Sunny Awdal