With all the hype surrounding the iPhone and Android handsets, the latest smartphones sporting Windows Phone 7 have been released. The question now being asked is if this operating system is the essential companion for business travellers?

On its launch in Barcelona, Windows Phone 7 was up against some stiff competition. Apple had already stolen the limelight, Android handsets were appearing in droves, and RIM were sitting back and letting these new upstarts to the business smartphone market fight it out amongst themselves.

What was clear at the operating systems' launch was how Microsoft views its new mobile platform. The built in business features gave way to masses of information about its interface and consumer focused applications. The 'hub' interface is clearly a nod to Apple's operating system. For business users that simply want to access core applications and don't want too much razzle-dazzle, Microsoft's new user interface may be a little too much. Andy Lees, Microsoft's Mobile Communications Business president stating: "When you first get the phone, the stuff that's more obvious makes you smile."

Key Office applications are included such as OneNote and Outlook, which gives all the basic functionality that a business traveller would need. Terry Myerson, corporate vice president of Windows Phone engineering at Microsoft, led the development group for the new phone said: "We had this list of things we knew we wanted – e-mail, a browser, games and a music player. The team knew that they wanted the phone to be versatile and deliver exactly what the customer wanted out of a phone. But its greatest asset is something less tangible than a single feature or access to a program."

Another key application that is built in is SharePoint. During the keynote address that launched the new operating system Microsoft VP Joe Belfiore said: "SharePoint is a terrific experience, whether you're a company that has SharePoint Servers inside your firewall, or a small business or individual and you want to store documents in SharePoint as part of Windows Live. So, what we've tried to do is take that experience from the applications, and documents, through note taking to the service, and bring it together on the phone."

The business Apps are grouped together on the range of HTC handsets that are now available, but early business users may find that the operating system is aimed at the general consumer, with entertainment at the forefront with only a nod to business use. Certainly Microsoft has successfully moved into more consumer territory with the Xbox and the phenomenally successful Kinect; but when it comes to business, the jury is still out whether Windows Phone 7 can gain market share from other smartphones that perhaps don't place so much emphasis on the none business applications they run.

Enterprise credentials

Microsoft has, though, stated that they view Windows Phone 7, as the logical next step for business users. The ability of the new operating system to access Office Web Apps on the phone, as well as on desktop machines or laptop PCs, offers a level of integration that Microsoft is pushing hard.

SharePoint is gaining in momentum and forms the heart of the new mobile platform for business users. The phones also ship with support for Exchange ActiveSync, which should mean in practice that enterprises could integrate these handsets quickly and easily. The operating systems' business credential are clearly evident, but Microsoft have used the Apple way of doing things that is simply to design a phone that anyone can use, but that can be a specialised business device when the user needs these features.

Business travellers that have purchased a Windows Phone 7 handset for their own personal use that they also intend to use as their business machine are a core group of users. Enterprises are still sluggish when it comes to their wholesale adoption of smartphones into their companies. Business travellers it would seem can take their pick. If you're looking seriously at a Windows Mobile 7 phone, your experience will certainly be positive.

Security on this new operating system is good enough to protect sensitive data. However, there are issues with accessing the latest version of SharePoint, and if your company uses custom Apps, the installation of these onto your handset could be a tiresome exercise but one that Microsoft is looking at now.

The Office Hub area of the operating system is certainly feature rich. You won't feel you have to compromise on any of the applications you are used to using on other Windows platforms. However, business users should be aware that the current version of Windows Phone 7 only uses a subset of Exchange ActiveSync polices that could cause a problem for some users. Your IT department can outline whether these restricted policies are robust enough for you to use your handset in the normal way.

Business companion?

There is no doubt that Microsoft has delivered a capable smartphone. The use of 'hubs' to group applications together makes navigation very easy and intuitive and on par with other smartphones that have business credentials. The technical aspects of Windows Phone 7 for business users are solid if not inspiring. SharePoint integration is attractive, and Microsoft has done a good job with Exchange integration even if policies at the moment are restricted.

Joining a market that is awash with smartphones, Windows Phone 7 has a steep hill to climb if it is to gain significant market share and convince business travellers that this is the operating system to have in their pockets. Gartner recently released its forecast for smartphone market penetration. Current estimates place Windows with just under 4 per cent by 2014. This is miniscule when compared to the rivals.

If your company is already set up to support the core enterprise applications that place Exchange at their heart, then purchasing a Windows Phone 7 smartphone would give you seamless integration. But when you consider that the iPhone has had this functionality from day one, and has had time to improve its performance; newcomers may wonder whether waiting for the next iteration of Windows Phone 7 might be a shrewd move.

What do you think? Have you firsthand experience of Windows Phone 7 as a business traveller's tool? Get in touch and let us know what you think.

Business Applications

As well as the built in business applications that Windows Phone 7 ships with, there are now a number of key third party Apps you should consider.

Name: Handyscan
Supplier: http://handyscan.jdbp.mobi/
Price: $4.00
Description: Currently the best scanning App, you can take shots of any document and instantly create either a JPEG image, or scan multiple pages into a PDF.

Name: WinMilk
Supplier: http://winmilk.codeplex.com/
Price: Free
Description: Seamless syncing with the Remember the Milk service, if you want a fully featured note-taking App, look no further.

Name: My Trips
Supplier: http://acewidgets.com/my-trips/
Price: $1.99
Description: An essential App that syncs your travels plans to the popular Tripit.com website. Track every aspect of your next business trip with this excellent App.

Name: Pocket Translator
Supplier: http://mobiledev.pl/?p=463
Price: Free limited trial
Description: In essence this App places Google Translator onto your phone. Instantly translate between 50 languages.

Name: PushBI
Supplier: www.pushbi.com
Price: Free
Description: You can now keep a close eye on the business intelligence that your business is generating with this sophisticated and usable App.

	Windows Phone 7 includes a hub that groups all of the key Office applications together into one easily accessible area.
	With five new handsets from HTC, business travellers can chose just the right phone for their needs.
	The hub interface is clean and intuitive to use. Your businesses Apps are always just as easy to reach and use as your music.