TMCnet News
Employees demand greater investment in mobile technology to boost workplace productivity; New research reveals widespread enthusiasm for extended smartphone use in UK mid-market businesses(M2 PressWIRE Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Almost two-thirds (62 per cent) of employees in mid-market businesses in the UK want to see greater investment in mobile technology to access back office systems in order to boost their productivity. This is the key finding of research carried out by Source for Consulting in partnership with leading software provider, Advanced Business Solutions (Advanced). The research findings have been published in a new white paper - Don't forget the back office: exploiting social and mobile to make mid-sized organisations more productive. The report is based on a survey of staff from 160 mid-market UK organisations in July 2014, carried out to gauge interest in using mobile technologies to access and manage information held on CRM, HR, finance and other business critical systems. The survey reveals that employee demand to use smartphone and tablet devices in a professional capacity is only partially being met. Only seven per cent of finance staff can access customer and supplier data via mobile devices and just nine per cent can retrieve key business performance data and metrics. Only one in five HR personnel can access their organisation's core HR systems via their smartphones. Fifty six per cent of respondents stated they would like to submit holiday requests via their smartphones whereas only twenty three per cent are able to do so. Fifty per cent admitted they would like to be able to report absences using a mobile device but this is currently an option for just 21 per cent of those surveyed. Approving expenses while on the move is a preferred option for forty four per cent of respondents. Simon Fowler, Managing Director, Advanced Business Solutions (Commercial division) comments: "Our research reveals that staff are keen to extend their use of mobile technology but many mid-market employers are not keeping up with their demands. "We believe the impact of mobile technologies on the back office is only set to increase, with the current application of these technologies by HR, Finance and IT only scratching the surface of what is possible." Mobile devices are increasingly being used by field-based staff to access customer information held within CRM systems and by finance managers to view and approve financial documents such as invoices and purchase orders remotely. HR and payroll processes can also be managed quickly and easily from any location to enable faster response times and minimise downtime. Advanced provides a number of mobile solutions, such as OpenMobile Expenses which is integrated with its OpenAccounts finance system and which won the Progress Best Mobile App award. Users are able to submit expense information, including photographs of receipts to evidence their expense claims via their smartphones, which are then are imported into the finance system for approval. This eliminates the need for manual data input and paper based record keeping, contributing to increased efficiencies. The company also provides applications such as MobileHR that provide smartphone access to its HR and finance systems. Advanced Business Solutions provides leading integrated business applications and services for the public, private and third sectors. The company is a division of Advanced Computer Software Group plc. About Advanced Business Solutions www.advancedcomputersoftware.com/abs Advanced Business Solutions (Advanced) provides leading integrated business applications and services that enable public, private and third sector organisations to retain control, improve visibility and gain efficiencies whilst continually improving corporate performance. Advanced prides itself on getting close to its customers by understanding their businesses and responding to their evolving needs. Advanced's software systems comprise core accounting/financial management, procurement, supply chain management, human resource and payroll systems, integrated with a range of collaborative, document management and business intelligence solutions to extend the value and effectiveness of the finance, human resource and payroll departments. Management information systems for school and academies are also provided through Advanced's subsidiary, Advanced Learning. Advanced also provides specialist vertical solutions for the not-for-profit and legal markets. All solutions can be delivered as a managed or bureau service. Customers are from both the public and private sectors and include Companies House, Newcastle City Council, NHSScotland, Norfolk Constabulary, Edge Hill University, WH Smith, Royal Bank of Scotland, Aer Lingus, National Express Group, DFS and RSPB. Advanced Business Solutions is a division of Advanced Computer Software Group plc, a leading supplier of software and IT services to the health, care and business services sectors. Press contacts: Angela Mycock and Nick Hardy, Advanced Computer Software Group [email protected] +44(0)1625 856 513 . (c) 2014 M2 COMMUNICATIONS |