Improved productivity is the biggest reason organizations are spending on mobile and wireless technologies, according to a survey of Canadian technology decision-makers conducted by IT World Canada with the Strategy Institute.
Forty-three per cent of respondents cited that as the biggest driver for their mobile investments, the study showed, far ahead of the second driver, increased use of hand-held devices by staff (15.4 per cent). Third was improved customer service (9.2 per cent).
The survey will be discussed at the institute’s Mobile Enterprise Strategies conference next week — Oct. 23-24 — in Toronto. IT World Canada is a sponsor.
Scheduled speakers include Attila Barta, head of architecture at BMO Financial Group, David Wallace, CIO of the University of Waterloo, Laurie Boulden, a program analyst at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, David Del Giudice, chief architect for enterprise information systems at Canadian biopharmaceutical company AstraZeneca and Sergio Jerez Rico, mobile and e-government director for the city of Barcelona.
Others who will speak come from the city of London, Ont., and Toronto’s SickKids Hospital, and GE Capital.
Conference co-chairs are Nicholas McQuire, CIO of the Global Enterprise Mobility Alliance, and Larry Klimczyk, a mobility consultant and community board member of the Enterprise Mobility Network.
Thirteen case studies will be presented.
Himania Dureja, the institute’s director of operations and marketing, said in an interview the conference was organized because many companies who want to expand mobile technologies face conflicts – staff want to bring their own devices into the enterprise, which raises security and operational problems. At the same time organizations see mobility as a growing opportunity.
Speakers will share their challenges and success, she said, with the goal of giving attendees tips on what works and doesn’t.
For details of the mobile study results, click here.
The biggest mobile challenge survey respondents said their organization faces is integrating with existing systems (26.2 per cent) followed by data security (13.8 per cent), ensuring a good user experience  and corporate strategic alignment (both with 9.2 per cent).
Almost half (44.6 per cent) of respondents said their organization is looking to invest in enterprise mobility solutions over the next two years.
Conference registration is still open at www.mobileenterprisecanada.com
