Disconnected? More Than One-Quarter Of U.S. CIOs Report Their Organization Has No Mobile Technology Strategy

MENLO PARK, Calif. , March 25, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Although mobile media has become an increasingly important channel for information sharing, roughly one in four companies (28 percent) surveyed by Robert Half Technology has no mobile technology strategy. These organizations have a little catching up to do: In the same survey, 70 percent of firms said they have implemented some type of mobile technology strategy, with the majority (56 percent) reporting they use a blend of applications and mobile-friendly web pages.

The survey is based on more than 2,300 telephone interviews with chief information officers (CIOs) from a random sample of U.S. companies in 23 major metropolitan areas with 100 or more employees. Robert Half Technology is a leading provider of IT professionals on a project and full-time basis.

CIOs were asked, "Which best describes your company's mobile technology strategy?" Their responses:

Among the specific industries represented in the survey, healthcare services had the greatest percentage of respondents (36 percent) reporting that their organization has no mobile technology strategy. The business services and retail industries had the highest percentages of respondents (65 percent and 63 percent, respectively) using a blend of apps and mobile-friendly web pages.

"To maintain competitive advantage, sectors such as business services and retail need to connect with customers anytime, anywhere, so it's logical to see them leading the charge in implementing mobile strategies," says John Reed, senior executive director of Robert Half Technology. "Compliance issues have made it difficult for the healthcare industry to move as quickly as other sectors, but as consumer demand for mobile health information grows, formal mobile strategies are a necessary next step."

There's (Not) an App for That (Yet)
The Robert Half Technology survey also found that while most organizations have a mobile technology strategy, many are not emphasizing the use of mobile apps to connect with customers and clients. Fifty-eight percent of CIOs polled said their company has not developed a mobile application for customers and clients and has no plans to offer one in the next 12 months.

CIOs were asked, "Has your company developed a mobile application for customers and clients, or do you plan to offer one in the next 12 months?" Their responses:

"As mobile device use continues to expand, businesses will want to make it easy for customers and clients to connect with them via mobile platforms," says Reed. "This will likely become a 'need to have' versus a 'nice to have' in the next few years."

About Robert Half Technology
With more than 100 locations worldwide, Robert Half Technology is a leading provider of technology professionals for initiatives ranging from web development and multiplatform systems integration to network security and technical support. Robert Half Technology offers online job search services at rht.com. Follow Robert Half Technology at twitter.com/RobertHalfTech or visit our technology blog at blog.rht.com.

SOURCE Robert Half Technology