IT managers are resisting consumer handsets

IT managers are resisting the push to allow consumer handsets to integrate with business functions, according to a report from analyst Datamonitor.

But as more and more people invest on their own devices - especially when hot consumer handsets such as the iPhone come along - such IT managers must offer some enterprise integration, the report said.

The report predicted that enterprise spending on mobile devices will grow from $6 billion today to $17 billion by 2012.

"Enterprises are fighting a losing battle against employees when it comes to mobile devices and they should consider supporting a limited selection of devices rather than banning them outright", says Daniel Okubo, technology analyst with Datamonitor and the report's author.

"Allowing a range of the most popular devices will improve employee satisfaction and encourage more of them to embrace mobile devices and improve their productivity when away from the office," he added.

Whether they want to our not, IT managers must create clear policies for mobile devices - be they approved or unapproved by IT managers - are now necessary, he said.

For example, the ability to remotely lock and wipe devices is a key security tool, but becomes complicated when it's a personal device which may hold family photos.

Okuba said: "The popularity of mobile devices in the consumer markets is forcing enterprises to consider how best to manage these devices in the workplace and they need to ensure they have clear policies in place to manage employee expectations."

Okuba added that much of it is simply fear of the unknown, and that vendors can help. "Enterprises question how security will be managed and whether mobility technologies will fit into their current IT infrastructure. Technology vendors have a role to play by properly addressing enterprise pain points. "

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