Exclusive research for Computer Weekly reveals that IT directors
and chief information officers are interested in wireless
technology, but they are cautious about implementing it. Andy
Favell reports
The wave of enthusiasm for all things wireless has clearly not
passed by Computer Weekly readers. An exclusive survey of 700 IT
decision-makers has found that all but 13% have either already
implemented, or are planning to implement, wireless technology
somewhere in the business.
This implementation is taking its time, however. To date, only 25%
of companies have actually deployed the technology in the
enterprise, while a further 20% are running limited trials.
This knowledge should comfort the 40% of respondents who perceive
their mobile strategy as lagging behind their contemporaries'. In
fact, only 15% could confidently say that they were ahead of their
competitors.
Most respondents said they plan to deploy the technology only in
specific functions of the business rather than across the board,
and offer mobile functionality to between 10% and 50% of their
workforce.
For most IT decision-makers, the prime purpose of wireless
technology is to connect employees to the corporate network (68% of
respondents), followed by increasing employee mobility (65%) and
increasing staff productivity (51%).
Research isolates five key areas where companies plan to adopt
mobile technology: use by executives/management (35%); sales (28%);
customer services (26%); customer marketing/CRM (23%); and
logistics/supply chain (15%).
This approach is endorsed by suppliers, which advise customers to
mobilise one application at a time and learn from the experience.
To the 40% of respondents that plan to implement a wireless
architecture across all areas of the organisation, the message is
clear. "They should be more realistic," warned Geoff Hogg, European
marketing manager for mobile enterprise solutions at
Hewlett-Packard.
Readers voiced considerable concerns, which were led by security
risks, at 71%. Rosie Secchi, senior research analyst at IDC, said
this figure was higher than expected, perhaps reflecting a
preoccupation with wireless local area networks (WLans) rather than
with mobile technology as a whole. "Security is not as big an issue
as it was one or two years ago," she said.
The supplier community was at pains to point out that things are
not as bad as they might seem. "They are right to be concerned, but
security issues can now be addressed to everyone's satisfaction,"
said Hogg.
Other concerns highlighted by the survey included confusion about
standards (52%); cost of equipment (47%); cost of implementation
(35%); and justifying the business case for the technology (37%).
So what arguments should IT directors put to the board to build a
case for implementing wireless technology?
Under current budgetary constraints, it is hardly surprising that
return-on-investment arguments were picked out. Specifically, lower
running costs (65%), ability to generate additional business (53%)
and streamlining of business processes (51%) were more persuasive
arguments than staying ahead of the competition (35%) and improved
customer responsiveness (33%).
The fixed desktop is beginning to play second fiddle to both
laptops and mobile phones. While 68% of respondents use PCs, more
than 75% use laptops and 72% mobile phones, while 50% have issued
employees with PDAs.
Smartphones and tablet PCs have been rolled out by about about 5%
of respondents, while wireless peripherals such as printers are
being used by just over 10%.
Notably, 25% of companies have deployed a WLan. This was followed
in popularity by Wap, GPRS and Bluetooth, which are being used by
21%, 16% and 13% of businesses respectively.
Meanwhile, public-access Wireless Fidelity (Wi-fi) and Private
Mobile Radio (PMR) have been adopted in fewer than 5% of
enterprises, and iMode in less than 1% of businesses. There is no
evidence of 3G deployment to date.
Most of those companies that do not already use laptops, mobile
phones and PDAs are planning to do so in the future. Only 3% of
respondents ruled out laptops altogether, while 6% and 7% rule out
using mobile phones and PDAs.
More decision-makers plan to avoid than to adopt smartphones and
Tablet PCs.
Of the wireless technologies, WLans, Bluetooth and GPRS all get the
thumbs up. Of those IT chiefs who have not deployed these
technologies already, more plan to do so than not. A WLan is the
solution most would choose.
Technologies getting a cool reception included 3G, PMR, Wap, public
access Wi-fi and iMode. For 3G, 27% plan to deploy it when it
becomes available, while 35% have no plans to use it.
Secchi was not surprised that WLans met with approval while
Computer Weekly readers were less enthusiastic about 3G but she
said businesses should begin to adopt a more positive outlook to
3G. "Maybe they are thinking short-term," she suggested.
The research
The study was carried out among 700 senior
IT decision makers by Enterprise Wireless Technology. The
Enterprise Wireless Technology 2002 show, held at Olympia, London,
finishes today. For more details go to
www.enterprisewireless.co.uk/.