According to VMware’s “State of the Digital Workspace – 2016” report, digital workspace first-movers are experiencing business, operational, and financial benefits, while those that don’t embrace it are falling behind.
This new report is based on the insights of 1,200 IT decision makers, IT influencers, and business decision makers worldwide into digital workspace initiatives, goals, drivers and barriers.
Based on their findings, digital transformation is now an executive priority for more than 62 percent of organizations. This is compared to 56 percent in 2015, proving the power that mobility is transforming business.
Here are five main takeaways from this year’s VMware report:
Increased Workforce Productivity is a Top Digital Workspace Goal
The 2016 survey participants reported that executives in their organization are placing a greater focus on streamlining processes, cost reduction and team productivity as they look to achieve business objectives through a digital transformation.
42 percent of participants stated that workforce productivity is the number one opportunity their organization envisions with a digital transformation. To reach this increase in workforce productivity, organizations spent 2016 upgrading infrastructure to support mobile and turned their attention to seamlessly accessing apps from any device.
With the implementation of mobile applications in the workplace, employees can now complete work from any location beyond the office, giving users the flexibility to get more done beyond the cubicle.
Digital Workspace Software is Mitigating Concerns
Digital Workspace Software is Mitigating Concerns
While challenges for organizations executing business mobility strategies still exists according to VMware, digital workspace software is now being seen as an effective way to address top-level concerns.
42 percent of respondents believe that digital workspace software improves mobile device control and security. IT management is deploying this software to achieve business mobility that delivers better security, reduced IT management cost and complexity, and enhanced data loss prevention.
Businesses That Execute Digital Workspaces Report Higher Mobile Workforce Effectiveness
Organizations that successfully executed digital workspace initiatives in 2016 reported higher mobile workforce effectiveness, user access to mission-critical applications, and user satisfaction with IT than companies that did not execute digital workspaces.
According to respondents, over 51 percent of companies that successfully executed a digital workspace initiative in 2016 have seen improvements in visibility and control over their mobile users, devices, and applications, compared to 36 percent of companies that have not executed an initiative.
The Financial Services Industry Leads Digital Transformation, While the Public Sector Falls Behind
It’s no surprise that the technology industry had the highest number of active business mobility initiatives in 2016, but what about other vertical industries? The financial services industry was more likely to execute successful initiatives in nine out of 14 surveyed when compared to the technology industry, including upgrading their infrastructure to support mobile, implementing new mobile customer-facing apps, and leveraging the cloud for file sharing.
On the other hand, the public-sector has been slower to embrace digital technologies. In 2017, many of these public-sector industries are planning to catch up with other verticals, with 36 percent stating they will embrace more digital technologies this year.
User Education is the Number One Key to Digital Workspace Success
User Education is the Key to Digital Workspace Success
The implementation of a digital workspace requires coordinated planning and execution according to respondents. Above any other advice that respondents offered, investing in user education is key to success when implementing software.
To improve productivity and satisfaction, users must be trained on the software and platforms that are being implemented in the workplace. IT and operations team must be willing and ready to train their users as soon as new platforms are deployed. When organizations invest in user education first, they can expect higher rates of adoption and satisfaction.
As organizations adopt a digital workspace that includes security and identity management as vital components, implementing a rapid mobile app development (RMAD) platform that give users access to applications they need, with the modern, intuitive user experience they expect on their mobile device’s and all without storing data on the device is a step in the right direction towards positive business outcomes. Platforms such as PowWow Mobile’s SmartUX gives users the same intuitive experience as they move from desktop computer, smartphone, tablet or Watch without compromising security or productivity.
To learn how PowWow Mobile is helping organizations reach their digital transformation objectives, click here to download Ovum’s “On the Radar: PowWow Mobile Helps Mobilize Enterprise Apps” report.
