Small to medium sized enterprises (SMEs) are
using smartphones equipped with
mobile applications to increase business productivity according
to research from YouGov, commissioned by BlackBerry manufacturer
Research In Motion (RIM).
The survey showed that as the business landscape evolves, SMEs
are looking at new ways to differentiate their business by
mobilising desk-based operations. SMEs are recognising the need to
be able to service their customers and win prospective business
regardless of being in the office or not.
The research revealed that a quarter (25%) of SME decision
makers are already using or are considering using their smartphone
to access company systems such as accounting and Customer
Relationship Management (CRM) databases.
Nearly half (46%) of SME decision makers think they can
be more productive by using a smartphone, with 60% of young
entrepreneurs claiming they save up to two hours productive time
each day compared with 45% of older SME decision makers. These
findings are claimed by RIM to resonate with previous independent
research undertaken by Ipsos Reid that stated that a typical SME
end-user converts 60 minutes of downtime into productive time per
day.
Multitasking is a key trait of SMEs says YouGov who found that
the top five most beneficial mobile applications cited were banking
facilities, CRM tools or customer databases, conference calling,
instant messaging and satellite navigation.
Not surprisingly there are age and gender differences revealed
in the Survey. In the former case, 47% of 18 to 34 year olds are
currently using or wanting to use mobile accounting and CRM
applications compared with 22% of SME decision makers over 35.
Younger users were more likely (26%) to utilise social networking
on the move than those over 35 years (9%). In terms of gender,
over a third (37%) of male SME decision makers say that they use or
would like to use satellite navigation on their smartphones, 8%
more than their female counterparts.
Commented Rory O’Neill director of solutions and alliances
marketing at RIM, EMEA, “More and more SMEs are realising that
mobile technology is not just about communications and email on the
go – it can improve overall business efficiency. SMEs are
increasingly mobile and the ability to access the information and
tools they need, whenever and wherever they are, can result in
tangible business benefits. Whatever markets a business operates
in, there are applications that will help their business and make
the most of their mobile investment”.
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