Enterprise mobility experienced significant changes in 2016 and these developments are even more rapid today. As the year begins, the impact of enterprise mobility in the B2E, B2C and B2B landscape is expected to be higher as more businesses discover the importance of mobile. More businesses now have their staff working remotely in order to cut operational costs and improve efficiency.
According to a study by Citrix, 61% of employees have reported working outside the office. The number of mobile devices under the enterprise increased by 72% from 2014 to 2015 and the number have continued growing. A Gartner Study in 2015 says that the rate of innovation in mobile technology, cloud computing is faster than the adoption of enterprise mobility. This means that businesses that do not adopt technology today will soon become irrelevant in their niche.
It is important to appreciate what trends are expected to reign in enterprise mobility this year in order to embrace them early. Below are some of these trends:
- Mobility Takes Centre Stage
This is the year that mobility goes mainstream. As more businesses appreciate the importance of having a mobile presence, developers will continue pushing boundaries and creating applications with a mobile first attitude. According to a study by IDC, 75% of consumer and employee facing apps will be developed with a mobile-first mindset. As a business owner, it is time to start investing in mobile apps, which will not only help you get noticed in the marketplace but also enhance user experience.
- Bring-Your-Own-Devices (BYOD)
This is a trend that has been picking gradually and it is expected to fully explode in 2017. This will become more than a trend as more businesses embrace the idea of BYOD. From the corporate world to hospitality, the benefits of BYOD are becoming apparent. There is a lot of productivity and efficiency, which a business gains through this practice and you can bet more investors will adopt the idea. It is expected that issues such as enterprise security for employee devices will be resolved to allow this to become more than a trend.
- Migration to the Cloud
Cloud computing has been an integral part of the enterprise mobility growth and this is expected to continue. There has been more rapid development in cloud services as major IT brands such as Microsoft and Google continue developing products that are not only aimed at large businesses but also startups. The evolution of big data has also made it critical for businesses to adopt technology that offers both functionality and easier accessibility.
- Artificial Intelligence Goes Mainstream
What initially looked like a futuristic gimmick is now reality with apps, such as Siri, Cortan and Google now making voice search a reality. No one could have foreseen the Star Wars idea becoming a reality, but it is now part of enterprise mobility and will continue to make waves in 2017. Digital personal assistants are great for employees working on the go. There is an app for almost everything an employee needs to do. However, there are still concerns about security but as more investment is made in this technology, you can bet more businesses will adopt the idea.
Why Invest in Enterprise Mobility Development?
With cloud computing taking center stage, it is now even easier for companies to leverage the benefits of their employees working remotely. Mobile apps and social media have also contributed greatly to enterprise mobility. If you are still fixated with the traditional working model, it is time to learn about enterprise mobility and the expected impact this will have on your business.
As a business owner, you need to appreciate what trends are causing waves in the industry in order to be at the forefront in adopting them. As a matter of fact, enterprise mobility should be considered a foundational component in your business’ IT strategy to guarantee you stay ahead of the competition. Here are some more reasons to embrace enterprise mobility:
- Efficient data collection
- Increased speed of operations
- More workforce productivity
- Reduced expenses and wastage.
- Higher profits due to improved efficiency
- Better and faster decision making
With enterprise mobility you leverage mobility and you will be able to access data in context. More importantly, you enhance customer service through faster communication. You will provide a better user experience, which is what every business owner is aiming for. Of course, there are more Mobility trends 2017 to be on the lookout for including the rise of citizen developers, location based services, rise of wearables, and growth of IoT.
Madhu Kesavan
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