Exponential growth in the use of smart devices has led to significant and increased demand for bandwidth across 84% of organisations surveyed globally, according to new research commissioned by BT and Cisco.
More than half (56%) of IT managers have also noticed a resulting performance decline in some applications, which impacts negatively the productivity gains promised by smart devices. Almost half (46%) of workers with WiFi access in their office have experienced delays logging on or accessing an application, while 39% have noticed they are running more slowly now than before.
The research, which surveyed attitudes towards workers’ use of their own smart devices (laptops, tablets and smartphones) in 13 regions, reveals 76% believe their organisations need to take further steps to fulfil the potential productivity gains that smart devices offer.
Increased use of cloud solutions (33%), greater use of specialist software (32%) and greater support for smart device users (32%) are what is needed to seize the opportunity.
Ubiquitous WiFi access over a better network is key to the development of Bring Your Own Device (BYOD), but 45% of employees still don’t have wireless access to their corporate networks.
Of those workers currently without WiFi access in their organisation, over two thirds (68%) believe it would have a positive impact on their work, for example, it would make them more efficient and productive (31%), help them work more flexibly (30%) and stay in-touch (26%).
The findings also indicate that network capacity is not the only challenge holding back benefits of BYOD. Despite overwhelming positivity among IT managers – 84% think adopting a BYOD policy confers a competitive
advantage – the research also highlights a lack of progress in adopting or articulating a consistent policy across wired, wireless and Virtual Private Network (VPN).
Trust in employees continues to play a large role in whether companies permit BYOD. Just over a quarter (26%) of IT managers think that all workers understand their access requirements or permissions for their mobile devices.
This figure has increased from 19% in 2012, pointing to an increase in confidence. Yet only 26% of employees that use a personal device for work recognise that this presents a risk to company security, suggesting IT managers are nervous with some justification.
Neil Sutton, VP Global Portfolio, BT Global Services, says: “With networks creaking under the demands of smart devices and more than three quarters, (76%) of users convinced that their organisation needs to step up to the opportunity, it’s clear that enabling BYOD in its many forms is about much more than simply cool devices and a mobile contract.
“Organisations need to consider elements of device compatibility, security, WiFi, network, application performance, with a focus on driving costs down.
“Behind every great device you need a great performing network. With the right control and connectivity you can deliver a great user experience on any device. At BT we are working with more and more customers to understand and implement this coming of age of consumerisation and turn it to business advantage, reliably, securely and cost effectively.”
Gordon Thomson, director, Enterprise Networks, EMEAR, Cisco, says: “We implemented a BYOD model internally, starting with mobile phones in 2009, and have managed to lower our costs per employee by 25%. Over the last few years, we have added 82% more devices to our base with 28% more users.
“Organisations looking to deploy a BYOD program should look at a comprehensive BYOD plan and think beyond just the device and operating system, but about the services delivered to that device, user experience and productivity gains.”
Adrian Drury, practice leader, Consumer Impact IT, Ovum says: “The growth in employee smartphone and tablet ownership is changing the ways we work. Implementing a BYOD policy is about enabling employees to work more flexibly, and be more productive.
“Draconian WiFi access limitations or failure to invest in sufficient WiFi coverage is a fast way to ensure a poor employee experience. However, this is not a mandate for open networks. Businesses still need to ensure that network security policies are maintained, and ideally they should take an integrated approach to network access control, device management and application management.”
