The corporate embrace of mobile technologies continues, but new research released today by CompTIA, the ICT Industry Association, suggests many companies have yet to implement new policies and processes to tap into mobility's full potential.
Mobile devices are clearly changing the equation for workforce computing. Among companies that distribute devices to employees, 76 percent are deploying smartphones and 61 percent tablets, according to CompTIA's Third Annual Trends in Enterprise Mobility study. Over 70 percent of organizations have made some level of investment to build out mobility solutions.
But handling these devices – from procurement to management – is a major challenge for many organizations.
Small companies are hampered by a lack of resources. For example, device integration and remote support require a combination of specialized skills, infrastructure and bandwidth a small company may not have in house.
For medium-sized firms, the fact that there are more resources to deal with creates a different set of problems. Balancing the needs of end users and the requirements of the IT department tops the list of challenges for mid-sized companies.
Integrating devices is also the top challenge for the largest firms, but the issue is one of complexity rather than lack of resources. The sheer numbers of employees and devices makes integration a much greater undertaking. The same is true for support.
Only 30 percent of companies have a formal mobility policy in place. Just 8 percent have performed significant workflow changes as a result of mobility.
Perhaps the highest hurdle is raising the skill level of employees.
"Mobile devices get used heavily in employees' personal lives, but there are enterprise aspects such as encryption, proper security settings and enterprise apps that require further and ongoing education," said Seth Robinson, director, technology analysis, CompTIA.
To BYOD or Not BYOD
Fifty-five percent of U.S. firms have implemented some form of bring your own device (BYOD), with the majority still providing some devices while allowing employees to supply their own as well.
While smartphones and tablets have clearly seen tremendous growth over the past three years, PCs remain a viable piece of the device market. Rather than seeing PCs vanish at the same rate that smartphones and tablets are appearing, the overall market is experiencing net growth
"The new norm is quickly becoming one employee, three devices," Robinson said. "PCs, smartphones and tablets will all remain major components in the workplace for some time."
