Sybase has released the results of a survey conducted by Kelton Research that it says highlights employee demand for, and impatience with, IT departments to support not only a growing list of mobile device types, but also the apps that will help improve mobility and productivity in and out of the workplace.
Sybase says the survey of more than 500 workers in the US and UK is a call to action for IT departments to be more agile and adaptive to mobile app deployment in the enterprise. The company believes this enterprise transformation requires a careful re-examination and rapid execution of mobile solution strategies to quickly and securely meet growing employee demand. Sybase adds that the survey also reveals that while security concerns highly resonate with both employee and employer, the need to host discussions about enterprise mobility solutions spanning multiple devices and platforms is imminent.
“Since not all mobile apps come with the same level of required security, IT managers must consider different application deployment and management strategies,” says Dan Ortega, senior director of product marketing at Sybase. “This is where a leading solutions provider like Sybase is facilitating the conversations for many enterprises around solvable issues, such as meeting employee demand for choice and convenience, while ensuring corporate security policies are met.“
The survey found that half of respondents would rather choose the mobile device they use at work, instead of the company making this decision for them. 59 per cent of those who chose their current mobile device believe that employee choice is the best option for companies, versus 44 per cent of those who are using a company-supplied device.
The demand for better work-related mobile applications is high, with 56 per cent stating that using these programmes on the job makes them more productive. Of that 56 per cent, 82 per cent of those who use more than three mobile applications for work feel this way, versus. 63 per cent who use less than three apps on the job. 
Many workers said they would be quicker to adopt more apps if they were easier to get. 45 per cent said that they would use an employer-provided online marketplace for downloading company-approved mobile apps, while another 40 per cent said they believed their co-workers would do the same.
71 per cent of respondents felt so strongly about using their own device over what IT offers that they are willing to give up at least one thing in the workplace to keep their preferred device. Free coffee (58 per cent) topped the list, followed by free food (39 per cent) and office supplies (30 per cent). Some were even willing to give up paid parking (26 per cent), or a vacation day (20 per cent).
“This latest survey is a wake-up call for enterprises to broaden and accelerate their enterprise mobility strategies,” says Ortega. “Employees are beginning to have a much greater understanding of mobility, resulting in greater expectations from IT. We’re seeing more demand for mobile-focused methods of productivity, such as being able to use a variety of devices in the workplace, or being able to gain access to corporate applications through an app store environment.”
