Many businesses are replacing desktop PCs with laptops, tablets, and smartphones. These mobile devices are contributing to improved efficiency and productivity. Although
the use of mobile devices in business is not new, the sheer number of devices
being used and the fact that the mobile devices are often owned by employees has
changed the technology landscape for businesses. There is an emerging trend called Bring Your Own
Device (BYOD) meaning that employees use their own smartphones or tablets
to conduct company business and access company email and databases.
The chart below shows the type of business activities in which employees are using their personal mobile devices.
Smartphones and
tablets are also changing where employees work.
Still most commonly used at the
desk or at home, employees also use these devices at work away from the desk,
in remote locations, or in transit. Mobile workers will continue to increase
the percentage of time these devices are used as technology advances at both
the device and corporate enterprise level enable greater functionality.
The rapid spread of mobile devices being used by employees has provided businesses with advances in productivity and customer service, but these advances come with many challenges, particularly for IT Departments because these devices typically operate outside of corporate IT architecture.
The flexibility and freedom to get business done anywhere, anytime, makes it much harder to maintain the security and control of corporate data when employees are accessing and storing business information on their smartphones, tablets, and laptops. The constant innovation of mobile devices makes it hard for businesses to stay in front of this technology.
This challenge has given rise to solutions called Mobile Device Management and Mobile Application Management software platforms. Mobile Device Management software enables an organization to track, secure, remotely update, and essentially manage mobile devices across all operating systems such as Mac/IOS, Android, and Blackberry. The recent launch of Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8 offer a new generation of devices that are all Windows powered for work. Mobile Application Management is more directed toward managing the applications on mobile devices.
Organizations need mobile device protection across a full spectrum of functions:
- Support of operating systems
- Set up of all devices with ease and simplicity
- Distribution of software patches, fixes, and updates
- Scan for malware
- Enforce security policies
- Locate devices, wipe their data, and deactivate them
- Provide encryption of corporate data stored on the device
Not all companies use mobile device management software at this time. According to Gartner, Inc., a marketing research firm, in 2012 only 1/3 of 300 companies surveyed had any security policies in effect or had implemented software systems to address the security issues associated with mobile device management. According to Gartner, however, 65% of companies will adopt these technologies over the next five years. An important consideration is that Mobile Device Management and Mobile Applications Management systems must be able to support divergent regulations or policies wherever a company operates from state-to-state or internationally.
The use of mobile devices in the business realm is very exciting and provides opportunities for companies to increase the effectiveness of their employees and increase efficiencies within their organizations. Also, this trend provides significant business opportunities to smartphone manufacturers and developers of Mobile Device Management and Mobile Applications Management software solutions. As long as companies mitigate the security risks associated with the use of mobile devices, I think this technology is a very effective tool for business. I absolutely wish I had it when I was working, traveling, and making client presentations!
No comments:
Post a Comment