Intelligent CIO Europe Issue 15 | Page 45

////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// With almost 80% of organisations believing that their employees cannot do their jobs effectively without mobile technology, it is imperative that organisations understand business mobility is about much more than just the device. It is intrinsically about recognising and appropriately responding to changing user demands and behaviours. The most successful business-critical mobile solutions consider all the key factors influencing performance – from mobile device and application capabilities to network performance and ultimately, user experience. Understanding and addressing the key challenges that affect the success of mobile solutions in the field – from application performance to network latency, data throughput, among others – is similarly important. In response to new mobility capabilities being introduced to the market, coupled with improved organisational awareness of the wider benefits associated with a more comprehensive strategy, organisations are increasingly looking beyond device management to gain competitive advantage. The demand for enterprise mobility solutions shows that the market has evolved significantly. From a capability perspective, enterprise requirements are evolving as organisations increasingly look to solutions www.intelligentcio.com that can help them not only manage a mobile workforce, but also empower users through mobile application management capabilities. Meeting the needs of a modern workforce Digital Transformation has had a profound impact on how organisations are operating. As customers continuously demand a better, differentiated experience and employees expect new ways of working that reflect the digital era we live in, the mobile device has been at the centre of this disruption. Improving employee productivity, enhancing service experiences, generating new data and insights, and transforming business processes are key to any Digital Transformation effort. It should therefore come as no surprise that mobility is a key component of many of the Digital Transformation initiatives global organisations embark upon. Not only does business mobility enable employees to be more efficient, it also gives them the freedom to multi-task and work creatively, improving productivity and meeting their appetite for cutting-edge tech in the workplace. However, as worker expectations evolve, organisations must recognise the impact that these demands will have on their workplace – and be ready to meet the needs of tech-savvy future workers who will comprise the workforce of tomorrow. FEATURE: BUSINESS MOBILITY As employee requirements can differ significantly, specifically for mobile workers who require access to critical customer or asset information in real-time, the reliability of their mobile solutions comes at a premium. It is therefore imperative that organisations embrace the technology that will facilitate the mobilisation of the modern workforce, striking the right balance between keeping staff happy and realising new productivity efficiencies. The nature of mobile and wireless technologies and the environments they are used in to support business-critical applications is not straight forward. However, there is an opportunity for businesses to place mobility at the heart of their workforce. And with correct planning and execution, it can elevate an organisation above its competitors. Organisations without a mobile strategy in place will soon be left one step behind and it’s important that businesses take a close look at ensuring they bridge their mobility management gaps. Business mobility combines people, processes and technology to not only manage mobile devices, but also derive true business value from the digital age. It allows businesses to rise to the occasion by becoming truly mobile. n INTELLIGENTCIO 45