Wifi Revolution

A new study finds that companies are increasingly deploying voice over WiFi (News - Alert) solutions in order to improve the flexibility of the workforce and become more mobile.

 

The benchmark report, “Voice Over WiFi in the Enterprise: No Wires, No Bars, No Problem,” from the Aberdeen (News - Alert) Group, found that Best-in-Class organizations achieved a 51 percent increase in workforce productivity by deploying voice solutions over the wireless network.

 

“Companies large and small face elevated levels of expectations both externally from their customers, and internally from their own workforces,” explains Michael Lock, senior research associate for technology markets at Aberdeen Group. “Achieving top-notch customer responsiveness requires arming the workforce with the flexibility to communicate and collaborate with colleagues and stakeholders anywhere, anytime.”

 

The study by Aberdeen, a Harte-Hanks company, collected data from more than 200 end-user organizations. Aberdeen is a provider of fact-based research and market intelligence that delivers demonstrable results.

 

As enterprise-wide usage of wireless LAN technology increases, companies are seeking new ways to drive value from this investment in infrastructure. Prior Aberdeen research revealed that beyond e-mail and Internet access, organizations are increasingly leveraging their wireless network for voice solutions. Poor cellular coverage in rural areas or working environments that inhibit a reliable signal are major barriers to some organizations looking to provide enhanced mobility to their organization.

 

“Weak or spotty cellular service is not an adequate excuse for not having this flexibility,” Lock said. “Lacking the ability to communicate seamlessly can hinder an organization’s productivity, and eventually thwart their ability to properly service customers in a way necessary for top line growth. Voice over WiFi technology is positioned to generate the type of mobility and employee flexibility needed to address these issues.”

 

By developing a holistic strategy for voice over WiFi – including a reliable wireless infrastructure, the appropriate tools to manage that infrastructure, and the proper wireless devices for the organization – top performing companies attained substantial improvements in workforce mobility and drove down cellular service costs.

 

Best-in-Class organizations were able to achieve these performance improvements through an efficient combination of organizational capability and technology enablers such as QoS (quality of service) tools and wireless intrusion detection and prevention systems. Drawing on a solid foundation of organizational capability, the Best-in-Class were able to realize a 26 percent year-over-year reduction in the cost of cellular service, a stark contrast to Laggard organizations that experienced a 12 percent increase in cellular service costs over the same period.

 

To obtain a complimentary copy of the report, visit: http://www.aberdeen.com/link/sponsor.asp?spid=30410182&cid=4889.

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