On the other hand, in return for the cost savings and convenience, add-on customers must be willing to give up control over the technology, including the ability to customize the software.

The Future: SyncML

Promising to make wireless device management less painful in the future is SyncML, a mobile-oriented data exchange language backed by Ericsson, IBM, Motorola, Nokia and other major wireless players. Based on XML, SyncML aims to pave the way toward the synchronization of all devices and applications over any wireless network.

With SyncML, any personal information, such as e-mail, calendars, to-do lists, contact information and other relevant data, will be consistent, accessible and up to date, no matter where the information is stored. For example, a calendar entry made to a mobile device on a business trip would be equally available to colleagues accessing a network calendar on other mobile and stationary devices.

Although SyncML looks like a step in the right direction toward improved wireless data compatibility, the technology isn’t likely to solve the most pressing wireless device management concerns, such as asset management, security and software distribution. "SyncML is mostly about making sure you get your new e-mail and that the inbox on your handheld device looks like the inbox on your desktop computer," says Summit’s Wilson.

In fact, wireless device management is likely to get more challenging before it gets easier. With hardware developers constantly dreaming up new wireless products, administrators are likely to find themselves in a tail-chasing race to get a handle on device management. "Think about PCs," says Gartner’s Colville. "They came out in 1981, and we’re still trying to manage those darn things."