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Enterprise IT eager for mobile control

As IT managers struggle for mobile data management control, comprehensive service alternatives could persuade users to switch providers, finds survey.

By Miya Knights, 12 Nov 2007 at 12:55

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Over two-thirds (65 per cent) of businesses would change mobile network providers if a competing operator could offer comprehensive mobile device management (MDM) services, a survey has found.

This eagerness to switch mobile providers reflect the difficulties highlighted by the findings of a new survey released today in which 79 per cent of 200 chief information officers (CIOs) questioned across the UK, Europe and the US said that managing mobile device usage was becoming increasingly difficult and complex.

Matt Bancroft, vice president of mobile data management (MDM) vendor and survey sponsor Mformation, said: "We know there is a growing demand from business users for more advanced functionality on mobile devices, such as VoIP [voice over internet protocol] and Salesforce applications."

As a result, he said the survey reflects the fact that the mobilisation of these applications is making management of corporate devices significantly more complex. "There is a massive opportunity here for mobile operators to offer an important value-added service, as well as retain valuable customers," he added.

The research undertaken by independent researcher Coleman Parkes also found companies are already taking action to address some of the issues created by growing mobile device usage.

The survey revealed a critical issue surrounding enterprise device management is the ability to provide a high degree of device and network security. Other key concerns are that users are effectively supported so any device problems can be quickly identified and fixed, that technology is kept updated and future proofed and that support costs are kept under control.

Nearly three-quarters (71 per cent) of companies said they have increased investment in data and system security, while 68 per cent said they have increased investment in staff training. A further two-thirds (66 per cent) of CIOs surveyed had implemented a strict usage policy for devices.

And a massive 91 per cent also believe that their mobile operator has a critical role to play in supporting the management of corporate mobile devices.

But the enterprise view according to the respondents is that the operator is not supporting these needs well at present. Some 60 per cent of enterprises surveyed did not have any positive opinion of current operator device management support.