Smartphones and wireless drive productivity

Research conducted for Optus Business by Jones Donald Strategy Partners revealed that over the next two years, 73% of companies surveyed intend to increase the number of smartphones used in their organisation, almost double (38%) the number who plan to increase their use of non-email mobile devices. Meanwhile, 67% of respondents plan to increase the number of wireless datacards used in their organisation, providing staff with broadband access on the go.

While companies invest in mobile technologies for a number of reasons, improving employee effectiveness and productivity (97%) is the primary driver, followed by internal communications and information sharing (92%) and improved efficiencies in work processes and operations (85%).

Scott Mason, Acting Marketing Director, Optus Business, said, “As the economic slowdown takes its toll on corporate Australia, organisations are looking to mobile devices, in particular smartphones, to boost productivity. We also expect to see a sharp increase in the adoption of enterprise-specific applications on mobile devices, making it easier for staff to access corporate networks and systems away from their desk.”

From an applications perspective, the most popular applications accessed on smartphones today are mobile email (87%), web browsing (80%) and instant messaging/SMS (74%).

Among the other applications being accessed by corporate Australia are location-based services (29%), enterprise resource planning (24%) and mobile CRM (17%).

Over the next 24 months, 79% of companies intend to increase their use of mobile email, while mobile CRM (34%) and enterprise resource planning (32%) applications look set to take off.