TELECOMS & MOBILE
Firms warm to m-computing, skip training
20-01-2004
by
A new study has found that while a huge majority of firms back mobile computing as a productivity tool, few are making any investment in related training.
The research found that 84 percent of companies believe mobile computing solutions boost workforce productivity, but only 35 percent of organisations that have invested in wireless computing technology train their employees to use it properly.
The survey was conducted by the Economist Intelligence Unit, the research division of the popular current affairs weekly, and was sponsored by Canadian communications firm Nortel Networks. It explored the topic of mobile computing with 309 executives representing over 17 industries. For the purposes of the survey, mobile computing was defined as technology that enables people to access and exchange corporate data in transit.
The study's findings confirm that wireless technology is fast becoming a ubiquitous business tool, with 58 percent of senior executives using mobile computing technology at least several times a day. Thirty two percent of the companies with revenues exceeding USD8 billion intend to invest over USD5 million in the next two years, while 48 percent of respondents expect mobile computing to have a significant impact on their business in the next five years.
Executives see security issues and difficulties in integrating wireless technology as significant barriers to the wider adoption of mobile computing. Of the companies that had implemented wireless technology, 46 percent are not satisfied that their wireless networks are secure. Despite this, 45 percent of companies have no specific security policies in place for mobile computing.
Most of the companies surveyed were investing in mobile computing to support flexible and remote working solutions and cut back on "deadtime" while travelling. But although bosses want more of their employees to use wireless technology, they seem to recognise that mobile computing could impinge on employees' private time. The failure of many companies to offer specific training in wireless technology suggests that companies often overlook the needs of their employees when planning mobile computing projects.
"Mobile computing can have a huge impact on corporate productivity, but only when employees are motivated and trained to use it properly. The most successful solutions are designed with sensitivity to the needs of the end user," said Daniel Franklin, editorial director for the Economist Intelligence Unit.
Creating successful email surveys: Denise Cox of email specialist Newsweaver argues that you can tap into your readers' likes or dislikes by surveying them.
