OK, we probably already know that companies who had invested in digital technology before the pandemic were prepared to ramp it up and survive—both commercially and with the sudden work-from-home necessity. This research report bears that out. It is also paid for by a mobility provider, so the research results showing potential growth in that market is hardly surprising.
However, if you are on the fence about technology investments, consider this research from Stratix Corporation, and VDC Research surveying North America-based IT stakeholders to better understand how they adapted their technology programs to rapid disruption due to the pandemic, and gauge the impact of these changes on their investment and larger strategic initiatives for their mobile and frontline workforces.
The survey’s findings establish that only those already ahead of the curve on IT investments were able to continue operating normally. Consequently, those same innovative organizations are now most aggressively expanding their mobile technology investments and capabilities in response to COVID-19. This leaves the trailing majority of businesses that were most impacted by the pandemic in dire need of establishing their own “new normal” of baseline mobile technologies to empower them with the flexibility necessary to remain productive and competitive.
Additional findings from the report include:
- Organizations using MMS were 36% more likely to continue to operate normally with no revenue impact from COVID-19, than those who did not use MMS.
- 55.4% of respondents invested in additional mobile technologies in response to the pandemic, and 47.7% added new mobile programs.
- More than 75% of respondents either agree or strongly agree that COVID-related disruptions have transformed the ways in which their organizations engage and do business with their customers.
- 33.2% say COVID-19 has aggressively accelerated the pace at which they pursue and roll out new IT/mobile technology projects.
- Amongst those who are aggressively accelerating IT investment, 61% are most likely to move to a 1:1 model of device deployment, a significant paradigm shift away from corporate-owned shared devices.
“This paper and the research done to support it both highlight the organizational characteristics that enabled successful pandemic pivoting – factors such as a flexible IT infrastructure and mature technology vendor partnerships proved critical,” said Pat Nolan, Analyst, Enterprise Mobility & the Connected Worker with VDC Research. “Moreover, this research leverages firsthand insights to provide guidance regarding the cross-industry accelerated focus on disruption readiness that will be grounded in increased mobile technology investments and partnerships.”
“The VDC findings showcase the need for flexible IT infrastructure and the substantial value MMS provides the enterprise,” said Stratix Senior Vice President Marketing Elizabeth Klingseisen. “It’s clear that a combination of innovative planning and expert IT partners well-versed in technology deployments and support for mobile workforces is a must-have to successfully navigate disruption.”
The full survey results and findings can be found in the Enterprise Mobility Outlook: Thriving and Amidst Disruption Through Mobile First Strategies research report.
