Business transformation is the main reason why companies
adopt mobile data and mobile applications, according to a survey
by consultancy Henley Centre.
Some 31% of the 550 businesses surveyed said "completely
transforming the business process" was the reason why they had
adopted mobile data technology, including bespoke mobile
applications.
A further 30% of companies had adopted mobile data technology to
improve communication between their off-site and office-based
employees.
Requiring employees to be "always on", improving the efficiency
of field workers, enabling flexible working and improving
office-based employees' efficiency were also cited as reasons for
adopting mobile technology.
The Henley Centre, which was commissioned by mobile operator
Orange for its Orange Future Enterprise Coalition, interviewed 150
companies with turnover of more than £5m, 100 companies with
between £1m and £5m of turnover and 300 businesses with turnover of
less than £1m.
The survey found that IT directors were the most important
decision makers for mobile technology in companies with more than
100 employees. In smaller companies, the business owner or most
senior manager was the person most likely to choose mobile
technology.
Relatively few companies are equipping their employees with
smartphones. Just 29% of firms said they gave smartphones to their
staff.