A new report lifts the lid on the top issues causing blocks to successful remote working – at a cost estimated to represent as much as $20,000 (£15,800) per worker for some firms.
The report, ‘Implementing business – critical mobility solutions,’ said more than 50 per cent of the workforce is now mobile. However, even one dropped connection or poorly performing application per shift can translate into almost $20,000 in annual support and productivity loss costs per mobile worker, according to research commissioner SOTI.
The consequence of each failure incident can result in up to 100 minutes in lost productivity or 23 per cent of a daily shift, a SOTI report states.
It said more than 50 per cent of the workforce is now mobile to some extent.
Leading causes of failures were said to be:
- Network/connectivity issues, 49.3 per cent
- Software issues: Application, 40.6 per cent
- Mobile battery failure, 36.8 per cent
- Software issues: Security and access control, 36.5 per cent
- Software issues: Operating system, 34.1 per cent
- Mobile hardware damage (non-battery related), 25.9 per cent
- Mobile peripheral/accessory damage, 20.2 per cent
- Unauthorized configuration changes by employee/end user, 18.3 per cent
It’s sobering reading not only for those who rely on remote working to create freedom for existing employees, but businesses who have recognized the benefits of mobile working in enabling them to spread into new territories and employ workers abroad.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, SOTI, a business-critical mobility solution creator, believes better enterprise mobility management (EMM) is key – that is, improvement in the processes and technology focused on managing mobile devices and wireless networks.
Shash Anand, SOTI Vice-President of Product Strategy, said: “If organisations are not leveraging an integrated mobile approach to improve the visibility, management, and support of their business-critical mobility solutions, they are limiting their ability to quickly diagnose and fix issues which directly leads to losses in revenue.”
The report, in conjunction with market research and consulting firm, VDC Research, stated that 30 per cent of respondents said they didn’t have mechanisms in place to determine return on investment from mobility.
Shash Anand added: “This suggests IT teams and their internal business partners need to do a better job of showcasing the role that mobility plays in driving revenue and increasing productivity.
“Once ROI (return on investment) has been determined, there should be no barriers to making mobility investments.
“EMM is key for enterprises with business-critical mobility.”
Respondents included senior business managers, IT directors and executives responsible for IT and business mobility from firms around the globe including those in healthcare, retail, transportation and logistics, manufacturing and services.
A majority of respondents (39 per cent) said they were developing business mobility, or remote working, to improve worker productivity.
Other common reasons were increasing sales/revenue, improving real-time decision making and improving competitive advantage.
Investment challenges to mobility were said to be:
- Data and file security
- Employee mobile training
- Interoperability with existing legacy systems
- IT leadership buy-in/support
- Lack of resources to fully support mobility objectives
- Lack of sufficient Return on Investment from mobility
- Lack of clear mobile strategy
All of these make for interesting points to consider, both for firms that already have remote staff and those considering branching out. Remote working is one of the great benefits provided by new technology – failure to capitalize on this is a huge missed opportunity for businesses that want to be flexible and feel these benefits in full.
About the Author
Debbie Fletcher is an enthusiastic, experienced writer who has written for a range of different magazines and news publications over the years. Graduating from City University London specialising in English Literature, Debbie’s passion for writing has since grown. She loves anything and everything technology, and exploring different cultures across the world. She’s currently looking towards starting her Masters in Comparative Literature in the next few years.
