Mobile solutions are already transforming the way we do business and interact with customers, partners and colleagues, but many organizations are still struggling to fully embrace the changes and opportunities. Today’s workforce wants mobile technologies that allow them to work when they want, how they want, and from where they want. (And not to mention using whatever device they want.) Here are 10 reasons to rethink your current mobile strategy and fully embrace the concept of enabling a true mobile workforce.

1. Your workers want lightweight, handheld devices.

Slim and lightweight tablets are making it possible for mobile workers to carry them virtually anywhere without burden. Who wants to carry ruggedized bulky laptops anymore?

2. Tap into tablet innovation.

Innovations are happening at a breakneck pace in the tablet world. Even warehouses are now manufacturing tablets. Fold-up, roll-up or paper tablet, anyone?

3. Simplified app acquisition.

The app economy is expected to grow to $150 billion by 2017. Users simply love the ease of acquiring (and disposing) apps. Most of them already rely on a collection of apps to get their jobs done everyday.

4. Battery life that can last the workday.

Battery life is a key consideration for any mobile worker. Who has the time to stop and recharge during a busy day?

5. Mobile devices allow for natural interaction (vs. keyboard and mouse).

GUI is out and NUI is in. Intuitive multi-touch, voice and motion sensing can help turn novice device/app users into experts very quickly.

6. Mobile devices work at the speed of business.

Manufacturers are in a race to make their tablets faster and faster, leading to better response times for apps.

7. Low-cost sensors for location, proximity, voice and directions.

From detecting shake, tilt, rotation, humidity, temperature, location, you name it:  the ever-growing set of sensors available on tablets are leading to more and more innovative apps.

8. Your workers can always work, even with no connectivity to the outside world.

Mobile workers may not always have connectivity. For such situations, offline capabilities of apps can come in handy. Data can be locally cached on the app and synchronized automatically when the tablet is connected again.

9. Like it or not, Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) is here.

75% of employees in high-growth markets bring their own technology to work. Rather than trying to curb or block the trend, use BYOD to your own advantage. Provide your workers with robust mobile solutions that work with the devices they already own.

10. You can utilize a low-cost, cloud-powered “backend in-a-box” with built-in notifications, workflows and security.

Cloud-powered, backend-in-a-box services such as Windows Azure Mobile Services and Mobile Backend Starter are making it super simple to build backends for apps. These services offer integration with cloud storage, user management, push notifications and social networking services at a very attractive price point.