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Selecting a mobile enterprise platform is a difficult process. The two main camps -- Palm and Microsoft -- have strengths and weaknesses and differing philosophies in regards to enterprise applications. Palm relies on its wealth of third-party developer support, while Microsoft uses its own products to fill customer needs. Following are questions to ask when selecting a mobile-device platform:

1. What is my company's back-end infrastructure?

2. How does this platform integrate with the existing infrastructure?

3. How will mobile devices access the network?

4. Is the infrastructure available to make this method of access work?

5. What changes (if any) will need to be made to accommodate mobile devices?

6. What software exists for the mobile platform? Will the software meet your organization's needs?

7. If I use multiple platforms (for instance, Palm and Pocket PC), what interoperability issues will I encounter? Will Palm and Pocket PC devices be able to communicate in the new system without major difficulties?

8. How will mobile devices be managed? Will users be responsible for management or will a centralized management system be put in place?