Paul’s Challenge: No Laptops Allowed!

Hi everyone – my name’s Paul. I’ve worked at Research In Motion® (RIM) for over eight years as a Technical Account Manager, and I’m now the Manager of Technical Services for the Enterprise Sales group at RIM. For the past few months, I’ve been making a deliberate effort to conduct all of my work on my BlackBerry® smartphone (a BlackBerry® Torch™ 9800 smartphone, to be exact). This project started very slowly, but with each week, I learn what I can do to keep my laptop at home.

I started while on a business trip to Chicago, and although I had my laptop present, I tried to keep it in my bag. The next trip was to San Francisco, and once again, I had my laptop with me – but this time it stayed in the hotel room. For all of my meetings, I relied on BlackBerry® Presenter.

Before the holidays I tried my first official week where my laptop didn’t even make it on the plane – I was able to do all my work laptop free! Through January, as I head off to a week-long conference, I plan to leave my laptop at home. Very liberating – and all thanks to my BlackBerry smartphone!

About Paul S.

Paul is Manager of Technical Services for the Enterprise Sales Technical Team at Research In Motion® (RIM®). Paul's teams of six technical managers are responsible for RIM’s largest global accounts in North America. He's presented to a wide range of audiences in the United States and Europe on the development options, benefits and strengths of the BlackBerry platform. Highlights from Paul's time with RIM include setup and support of the BlackBerry smartphone installation for the Office of President George Bush (41st), launch of the BlackBerry platform in Barbados, onsite technical training to global wireless carriers and partners, and presenting as a six time speaker at RIM’s Wireless Enterprise Symposium (now BlackBerry World). Prior to RIM, Paul worked for a small consulting firm that developed applications on Lotus Domino business solutions.

Lmerklin

Sounds good. Now lets do it with the Playbook!
Markus S.

It looks very nich and I’ve just the Blackberry Curve ist nice but I think it is better.
Anonymous

Good article Paul. I have long thought of the day when the sales reps in our organisation will no longer require a laptop anymore, no one likes to carry that bag on the plane with them. We all use Blackberry here but I do not think we are ready yet to only use those. The particular role you play in a company makes a big difference as to your requirements however I would hope that in a few months time the Playbook will be enough for me to give a new Sales rep a 9800 and a Playbook and they are done.
Almssafer1

Very Nice ,, It’s Useful 🙂
http://twitter.com/RyanMcGovern RyanMcGovern

Give me a Torch and Presenter, and I’ll try it too 🙂
Northface

Ya sure, anyone can use a smartphone to work, if all you do is call people and have other do all the work. Instead of telling us you can do all you work from you blackberry, tell us what you have done. Maybe then I will change my mine.
Northface

Ya sure, anyone can use a smartphone to work, if all you do is call people and have other do all the work. Instead of telling us you can do all you work from you blackberry, tell us what you have done. Maybe then I will change my mine.
Binuv

I agree and disagree. I found that having a Smartphone (Bold 9700) and a Tablet was more appropriate a match against using my laptop, than just my Smartphone.

Tried it for a week and time on laptop went down my 50%+. Ran to my Laptop only for concentrated work – PPT, Proposal, etc.

Your PlayBook should ideally work like this. I’d buy it if it fits the bill
Binuv

I agree and disagree. I found that having a Smartphone (Bold 9700) and a Tablet was more appropriate a match against using my laptop, than just my Smartphone.

Tried it for a week and time on laptop went down my 50%+. Ran to my Laptop only for concentrated work – PPT, Proposal, etc.

Your PlayBook should ideally work like this. I’d buy it if it fits the bill
aelaan

The Torch is without a doubt the best smartphone with smarts. I love it and use it daily, I am not at the stage where I can go totally without it…. I bet the Playbook will be a good business choice…. Let’s keep an eye on CES as well.