European firms now spend 32% of their telecom and networking budgets on mobile applications, according to Forrester Research.
The analyst says more than 70% of enterprises are using some type of mobile app. A third of businesses say that setting mobile and wireless strategy and policy is a priority in 2006; for another 16%, it’s a critical priority.
Mobility provides the enabling technology for business practices like flexible working, with quantifiable benefits. But Forrester also notes that mobility projects raise cost and reliability concerns.
Says Forrester analyst Jenny Lau: “It’s good news that enterprises are strategically planning for mobility and benefiting from it.
“However, there is a risk that mobility will remain a strategic agenda point that doesn’t get realized. To turn strategy into reality, firms must devise a strategy and plan pilots with users, set handset policies early, and have contingency plans in place.
“In addition, it’s best to start small. Firms should see how mobility can give existing infrastructure a boost rather than planning for an ERP overhaul at the outset.”
Mobility provides the enabling technology for business practices like flexible working, with quantifiable benefits. But Forrester also notes that mobility projects raise cost and reliability concerns.
Says Forrester analyst Jenny Lau: “It’s good news that enterprises are strategically planning for mobility and benefiting from it.
“However, there is a risk that mobility will remain a strategic agenda point that doesn’t get realized. To turn strategy into reality, firms must devise a strategy and plan pilots with users, set handset policies early, and have contingency plans in place.
“In addition, it’s best to start small. Firms should see how mobility can give existing infrastructure a boost rather than planning for an ERP overhaul at the outset.”