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Work environments that support
mobile working deliver measurably
better levels of performance and
customer engagement claims The
Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) in a
new report commissioned by Hewlett
Packard Enterprise company Aruba.
The global study,
Mobility,
Performance and Engagement
, found
that companies seen by their employees
as ‘pioneers’ in the support of mobile
technology had higher levels of
productivity (by 16%), creativity (by
18%), satisfaction (by 23%) and loyalty
(by 21%) than businesses that were
poorly rated.
It also found that there was a clear
division in workplaces between early
adopters of mobile technology and
those who consider themselves to be
laggards.
Early adopters are significantly
more likely than laggards to report that
mobile technology makes them more
productive (72% vs 50%), satisfied (59%
vs. 48%), creative (52% vs. 40%) and
loyal to their employer (44% vs. 31%).
Key Benefits
The key benefits of mobile technology
are seen to be:
n
The ability to work anywhere, any
time:
This was thought to have most
impact on productivity, with 49% citing
it as the factor with the greatest impact.
More than one third (38%) thought
the freedom to work anywhere was
the most important factor in employee
Richard Cassidy, technical director EMEA,
Alert Logic:
“TheWhatsApp decision to encrypt
its data certainly heralds a big win for data privacy
advocates. However, in the current climate, where
data intelligence is key to assuring the security
of nations against nefarious acts by terrorist
organisations, there needs to be the capacity to
ensure data can be accessed where suspects are
identified. It is clear that well defined legislation
should govern access to any such data.”
Fred Touchette, manager of security research,
AppRiver:
“WhatsApp’s decision to offer full end-to-
end encryption is a great thing. If more companies
used, or provided, more encryption, even outside the
mobile market, we would certainly read far less about
breaches in which the data that was stolen was not
only easily accessible, but also easily readable.”
Cris Thomas, strategist, Tenable Network
Security:
“Extending encryption to the videos,
photos and communications of 1 billion users
is a strong statement byWhatsApp following
the Apple/FBI case, especially because the level
of encryption being used will prevent even
WhatsApp from accessing customers’ encrypted
data, effectively pre-empting any attempts by law
enforcement to force the company to compromise
the security of its products. Note that just because
you useWhatsApp doesn’t necessarily mean no
one can read your messages. If you’re using an
unencrypted iCloud backup or someone has access
to your Android device your messages are still
readable. Think of this as using an armoured truck
to deliver cash between two people who live in
a public park. The messages while in transit are
secure, but the endpoints are still vulnerable.”
satisfaction levels.
n
Collaboration:
56% of organisations
in the UK now use digital collaboration
tools that work on mobile devices.
Almost one third (31%) use mobile
messaging apps such as Whatsapp (see
story below). The ability to collaborate
effectively is seen as the most important
factor affecting creativity (38%); another
third said it had the greatest impact on
loyalty.
n
Remote information access:
54%
of companies now provide access to
company networks from mobile devices
in the office or remotely; 42% say the
ability to access information quickly and
easily has the greatest impact on their
productivity levels.
n
Wireless working in offices:
54% of
companies in the UK offer hot-desking
with mobile connectivity. One third
(32%) of employees cite being able to
work anywhere within the office as being
the factor that most influences their
creativity.
Commenting on the findings, Pete
Swabey, senior editor at The Economist
Intelligence Unit, said: “This report proves
that CIOs have the opportunity to use
their mobile technology strategies to
influence the employee experience – and
therefore the productivity, creativity,
loyalty and satisfaction of their workers.”
In addition to the EIU report, Aruba
has produced a CIO blueprint for
creating profitable mobile environments.
/
GenMobile2016
Mobile technology pioneers enjoy greater productivity and job satisfaction
Security experts react to
the news that WhatsApp is
providing full end-to-end
encryption for all content,
including voice calls, videos
and group chats.
New survey highlights benefits
of a mobile working strategy
What the experts
say:WhatsApp
and encryption
Tough enough
BigChange Apps has chosen the Samsung Galaxy
Tab Active as the hardware platform of choice for
its JobWatch service management app due to of the
tablets’ ability to withstand the knocks and drops they
are likely to experience in the hands of field workers.
One business to benefit from this partnership is Impra
Gas, the plumbing company set up by The Apprentice winner
Joseph Valente. It is using the JobWatch software and app as
an efficient alternative to manual planning and paperwork.
JobWatch software manages and schedules bookings,
automatically syncing with the associated app on service
technicians’ tablets so that they have job instructions and
health and safety and compliance instructions at their
fingertips. It also improves customer service by providing
clients with live updates of an engineer’s estimated time
of arrival.
The Samsung Galaxy Tab Active has an IP67 rating for
dust and waterproofing; an in-built stylus, which enables
it to be used even when field workers are wearing gloves;
and an HD camera that can be used to take photos for site
surveys or proof of work.
•
Mobile Working
