Large organizations struggle with end-user mobile computing

Large organizations are unsure of how to approach the concept of end-user computing as a cohesive strategy, and manage the proliferation of devices and their associated security risks.

This is among the findings of the 2015 Mobile Workforce Report published today by global ICT services company Dimension Data.

The study looked at 730 organizations employing 1000 or more staff in five regions, 11 countries and across 14 industries. The research was undertaken to understand the challenges that CIOs are facing when it comes to adopting a user-centric approach to doing business, and provide insights into strategies and habits influencing end-user computing.

Of those polled, 44 percent say they have incorporated enterprise mobility into a broader end-user computing strategy and have budget for end-user computing on multiple devices, while 13 percent have no end-user computing strategy in place.

On average, end-user computing accounts for 28 percent of the IT budget. The research indicates that almost two thirds (61 percent) of participants indicated that they are seeing return on investment from end-user computing initiatives, with a further 65 percent of organizations are seeing competitive advantage from their approach.

"The global workspace is changing along with where and how people work and perform their business functions," says Jaco Hattingh, Senior Vice President for Enterprise Mobility at Dimension Data. "We're seeing a growing number of organizations starting to embrace future forward working styles such as flexible time and ability to work remotely, which includes accessing the corporate network".

Among other findings are that mobile IT management and mobile applications are top initiatives for 2016. But many respondents do not have a comprehensive management solution for both phones and tablets (32 percent) or utilize a siloed approach to manage both PCs and smart devices (31 percent).

Security is the single top priority component of EUC among almost half (43 percent) of respondents, followed by IT Service Management. CIOs are the most prominent driver of strategic mobility initiatives within the business. However, they remain in a reactive state when it comes to end user computing, and are struggling to act strategically.

Meanwhile the modern worker expects access to anyone, anytime and anywhere, but 82 percent of organizations stated that a key obstacle facing end-user computing initiatives is protecting company data and providing a good user experience.

"It appears that the proliferation of employee-owned mobile devices has placed the IT department in a reactive state when it comes to management and enablement, leaving CIOs unable to respond strategically. Nevertheless, it's a vibrant and exciting time for end-user computing as organizations press ahead aggressively," Hattingh adds.

The full results of the study will be discussed at a virtual event on October 20th. You can find out more and register to attend on the Dimension website.

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