With its ability to make our lives easier, mobile technology (mTech) has shaped various industries and processes including resolving problems and other conflicts. It is expected that there will be around 2 billion smartphone, tablet, and wearable users by 2015, 25 million higher than what was expected this year. As these devices become powerful in terms of reach and features, we are now looking at the current state of conflict resolution being addressed with just a swipe of a finger. If you’re not completely convinced yet, here are three reasons why mobile technology is the present and future of dispute resolution. 

1.) Working on the go 
Mobile devices have encouraged its users to continue their work on the go. As many companies support their own Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) campaigns, employees are now able to freely use their smart devices at work, access work-related files while away from the office, and continue working even while away from their tables. These devices have now become powerful by carrying almost similar features of personal computers. Today, we have gadgets that have 64-bit processor that allows us to run similar PC software and multitask without experiencing any lag or freezing screen.  
 
2.) Offices and companies have gone digital 
Most companies nowadays have gone mobile and online in resolving problems. Tech giant Intel has an ‘Open Door Program’ that allows their Senior Specialists to list down issues encountered by their staff where all employees can comment to get all sides of the concerned parties (management and staff). They created a website accessible via mobile where employees can interact publicly with how they feel about certain issues in the company. “In accordance with the Open Door policy, employees of Intel Corporation can raise issues about the Code with any manager, such as a department head, a division general manager, or another manager up to and including the Executive Office and can ask general Code of Conduct questions,” Intel’s Code of Conduct wrote. In the United Kingdom, O2 encourages anyone who wants to complain by providing details of their ombudsman for an open discussion. They also gave a contact number where complainants can send a text message about their concerns. “If we haven't been able to sort things out within eight weeks, the ombudsman can review your complaint for free. Unless there is a deadlock situation, they won't look at cases that are less than eight weeks old,” as written on their website’s how to complain section.  
 
3.) Mediator mobile apps are rampant 
Today’s mobile devices have gone more powerful with the help of applications that makes our digital tasks easier to handle even while away from home or PCs. In 2010, Jeff Thompson gave a list of iPad apps that mediators can maximize on their job. This includes Dropbox for data storage, NotePadPro for note taking, and Keynote for presentation purposes. But, here are other applications you can also use: 

1. SignNow (Free on iOS and Android) – Need to sign documents while away from your computer? The SignNow can assist you in filling and signing PDF and Word Document files on your smartphones or tablets. It is now being used by more than 40% of the Fortune 1,000 companies today.  

2. Evernote (Free on iOS and Android) – Apart from NotePadPro, Evernote has become one of the most popular note taking application on the market. With its ability to sync all data on any platform through its cloud storage system, users are able to retrieve the files they’ve created via their devices over their computers in an instant by only accessing their account. 

3. Skype (Free on iOS and Android) – To have a more open communication from both sides, you must constantly discuss it, not via email but through video calls. Skype is the highly used video and audio conferencing platform for mobile. We are certain that they have a Skype account ready or they won’t have any problem getting on their devices or PCs. 
Aside from these applications, there are built-in smartphone and tablet features that you can maximize such as the voice assistance and office suites. Apple’s iPhone and iPad have Siri as its virtual assistant, while Android has OK Google. Both features are able to organize files, create reminders, access the internet for quick searches. 
 
Although mTech has provided us with convenient ways to handle conflicts, it also brings a few drawbacks such as assurance with security. The technology is still unable to provide definite security to its users and the data it holds. This is an issue, especially since cases need to be away from public domains. However, with the constant change in the world we live in and as devices become as powerful as our personal computers, we are looking at smartphones and tablets as the present and future method in resolving conflicts.