Symantec survey shows surge in mobile apps, switching IT focus
Symantec's 2012 State of Mobility survey has revealed an uptake of mobile applications within enterprises across the globe.
Smartphones, once arguably frowned upon if used within the workplace by many employees, now appears to have become the latest catalyst in altering how corporations conduct business around the world. In order to increase the efficiency of business practices, access to required information and improve workplace effectiveness, mobile technology has the capability to push positive changes ahead.
Commissioned by Symantec, Applied Research spoke with 6,275 organisations in 43 countries from August to November in 2011.
The survey highlighted an expansion of both adapting and customising mobile software for business purposes across the board -- 71 percent of enterprises stating that there were at least current discussions concerning the ways in which custom mobile applications could assist their business, including the idea of custom 'stores' for employees to download authorised and corporation-related applications.
In terms of an improvement in business practices and increased efficiency levels, according to the survey, 73 percent of small and large corporations alike have enjoyed a positive result through the adoption of mobile technology.
Furthermore, 59 percent of respondents are now relying on mobile devices for line-of-business applications, another sign that mobility achieved mainstream status and its importance is rapidly rising within enterprise settings.
However, mobile technology also comes with a range of pitfalls. From the loss of data, devices becoming mislaid or viruses infiltrating corporate networks with severe consequences through mobile use, thousands of dollars can be lost annually in regards to adopting mobile technology. Therefore, its implementation can be a daunting prospect -- especially for smaller companies.
48 percent surveyed view mobile technology as 'somewhat to extremely challenging', wheres a further 41 percent identify it as one of their top three IT risks. Over two-thirds of respondents stated that attempting to reduce the cost and complexity of mobile technology is a current priority within their enterprise.
Whereas larger enterprises held the highest expectations, and therefore did not perform as well as they may have wished, smaller companies with more realistic predictions generally exceeded improvements in workplace efficiency that was deemed possible. The main difference concerning these two groups is that the larger corporations tended to place more faith within custom applications and 'stores' than SME's.
Symantec has recommended that enterprises who adopt and develop mobile technology should keep its use in-line with the level of security that the business can provide, and that mobile device should be regulated and managed to the same degree as computers connected to traditional company networks.
Image credit: Symantec
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