Businesses today are increasingly adopting bring your own device (BYOD) policies as a component of enterprise communications. In one recent survey by research firm Analysys (News - Alert) Mason, it was shown that 52 percent of respondents already use personal mobile phones for work.
That likely means more presence of mobile devices and apps for communications at enterprises and at smaller to medium-sized businesses.
The SMBs are actually seeing more use of enterprise mobility management services and mobile device management solutions, as well. They are used for apps, content, expenses, mobile devices, networks, policy and security, according to a recent report from CIO Insight.
That combined with the increased use of enterprise mobility solutions for larger enterprises is leading to an increased market worldwide. Global Industry Analysts, a market research firm, predicts expects the enterprise mobility solutions market to increase to $217 billion by 2018.
Looking at the current market, enterprises are developing apps to meet unique workplace needs. Apps are “revolutionizing organizational environments,” according to CIO Insight. Based on the Global Industry Analysts study, there could soon be more demand for in-application document managers, instant messaging, server administration and presentations, CIO Insight reports.
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In another study, it was documented by IDC (News - Alert) how mobile enterprise apps were a significant force that led to a 3.3 percent increase in the overall applications market in 2012, when compared to 2011.
Accenture (News - Alert) has found the initial use of enterprise apps at businesses often starts with apps used for employee lookup searches, time and expense functions, reports or a manager approving an employee’s request. All of these are specific uses. Later, the company will use apps that can handle more complex assignments, such as creating sales orders. And many companies are developing apps which can transform business processes, the study said.
Field service technicians, for example, now can use a mobile app mounted in a service van to head right to their first assignment rather than stopping in the office to pick up assignments for the day. Dispatchers use the app, too, to more efficiently send out assignments based on availability or proximity of technicians or the urgency of the call.
In another sign of the advancement of app development, businesses can build a portfolio of apps that can offer improved efficiency. Accenture recommends six elements for the portfolio. One is an enterprise app catalog, which will let employees locate and download apps more effectively. Another relates to governance of apps, so there are guidelines, standards, policies and procedures for the app. Still another element relates to the tools and approaches needed to build an app. Security is another concern so there is protection of apps and data. The app also needs to be explained to users, so they know when it would be useful. Similarly, usage metrics will help show if the app is useful, Accenture said.
Apps are clearly more essential in enterprise communications. More businesses will be using them this year and in the near future.
Edited by Alisen Downey