Wireless Management

Accenture’s (News - Alert) recently released global study, “Telecommunications Competitive Future Research: A Consumer Perspective,” reported that most tech-savvy consumers prefer a one-device networking option that can link their portable, home and automobile digital devices. The study’s report is not only challenging for communications carriers but also provides them with new opportunities.

 

“Our research found that consumers who juggle multiple devices and data services have already identified the need for a central control function to simplify the management of their personal technologies,” said Andrew Zimmerman, managing director of Accenture’s communications division, in a statement. “Given that some industry projections indicate there will be one trillion digital devices attached to networks within the next 15 to 20 years, a service that makes everything work together is both necessary and inevitable.”

 

The study surveyed roughly 600 consumers on the global level who used digital devices and services on a regular basis. While 87 percent of those surveyed were of the opinion that personal digital devices should be networked, more than 80 percent of the surveyed consumers wanted a single-networking solution for their control.

 

Almost 85 percent of respondents gave importance to customer support when selecting a company for the management of multiple devices and services. Further, 78 percent looked into a company’s ability to support standards across vendors. Security/privacy standards also ranked high in criteria, as cited by almost 80 percent of respondents.

 

The survey revealed that almost 49 percent of the consumers chose a ‘soft panel’ in the form of a single Web site for managing their connected devices, versus 32 percent who preferred an associated widget with each of their devices and 19 percent who preferred individual Web sites for individual devices.

 

The survey results indicated that most consumers prefer single-networked capabilities that can help simplify their lives either by monitoring and managing their homes or maintaining their automobile. There was also a strong belief among respondents that companies should be obliged to clearly state the use of customer data collected by them as well as inform and take permission of customers if their personal data is used for promotional or advertising purposes.

 

“Several years ago Accenture recognized that ‘user experience’ in a networked world comes down to the skilled orchestration of devices, data and controls — or ‘trivergence,’ as we call this phenomenon,” remarked Zimmerman. “This compelling new research confirms that trivergence is an important technology trend that is already apparent to tech-savvy consumers. The vast majority understand the concept, expect it to flourish, and believe that it will improve their lives.”