Global enterprises are shifting to mobile-only communications faster than expected, and they’re adopting unified communications services more broadly, according to a BroadSoft-sponsored survey of high-level IT decision makers across 200 US and UK enterprises of all sizes. The transition to a mobile workforce is well under way and gaining momentum, according to the results of the survey, which was conducted by Cohen Research Group.
Twenty-five percent of enterprise IT decision makers surveyed believe mobile phones will replace desktop phones within two years, while 82% of enterprises have employees using mobile applications for communications and collaboration. Forty-four percent have at least 25% of their workforce operating exclusively on mobile phones for communications and collaboration. Thirty percent of enterprise respondents support tablets, 51% support BlackBerry devices, 40% support iPhones and 31% support Android phones, according to the survey results.
Enterprise Shift to Mobile Communications Accelerates
Sixty-two percent of survey respondents said they are expanding their enterprise’s unified communications capabilities, while instant messaging, Web collaboration and video conferencing were cited as the top UC services they aim to support on mobile devices over the next three years. Survey responses indicate that mobile network operators (MNOs) have a limited, and closing, window of operating opportunity to capitalize on the shift to mobile and unified communications, according to BroadSoft.
“Many enterprises believe their MNO is better positioned to deliver single voicemail, instant messaging, video calling, unified messaging, voicemail and email integration, extension dialing and video conferencing than fixed line providers,” according to the report summary. “‘My mobile service provider, Microsoft and Google” were cited when respondents were asked their top choices for best delivering “a complete, integrated set of unified communications services.”
“Enterprise end-users are demanding their IT department support a consumer-grade communications experience that includes access to advanced communications services and applications across their preferred mobile communication device,” said Leslie Ferry, vice president marketing at BroadSoft. Implicit in that statement is just how far the tables have turned when it comes to consumer vs. business and enterprise digital technology.
“More telling,” Ferry continued, “the survey revealed mobile network operators have a compelling, but closing window of opportunity to be the preferred provider of choice when it comes to delivering unified communications services that keep mobile employees connected via video, instant messaging, web conferencing and presence management, indicating MNOs need to act now, before competitors erode their customer base.”
A summary of the report with graphical charts is available at http://www.broadsoft.com/pdf/mobile-enterprise-of-the-future.pdf.
