Behind Every Great Device Is A Great Network

IRVING, Texas, June 6, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Exponential growth in the use of smart devices has led to significant and increased demand for bandwidth across 84 percent of organizations surveyed globally, according to new research commissioned by BT and Cisco. More than half (56 percent) of IT managers have also noticed a resulting performance decline in some applications, which impacts negatively the productivity gains promised by smart devices. Almost half (46 percent) of workers with Wi-Fi access in their office have experienced delays logging on or accessing an application, while 39 percent have noticed they are running more slowly now than before.

The research, which surveyed attitudes towards workers' use of their own smart devices (laptops, tablets and smartphones) in 13 regions, reveals 76 percent believe their organizations need to take further steps to fulfill the potential productivity gains that smart devices offer. Increased use of cloud solutions (33 percent), greater use of specialist software (32 percent) and greater support for smart device users (32 percent) are what is needed to seize the opportunity.

Ubiquitous Wi-Fi access over a better network is key to the development of Bring Your Own Device (BYOD), but 45 percent of employees still don't have wireless access to their corporate networks. Of those workers currently without Wi-Fi access in their organization, over two thirds (68 percent) believe it would have a positive impact on their work, for example, it would make them more efficient and productive (31 percent), help them work more flexibly (30 percent) and stay in-touch (26 percent).

The findings also indicate that network capacity is not the only challenge holding back benefits of BYOD. Despite overwhelming positivity among IT managers -- 84 percent think adopting a BYOD policy confers a competitive advantage -- the research also highlights a lack of progress in adopting or articulating a consistent policy across wired, wireless and Virtual Private Network (VPN).

Trust in employees continues to play a large role in whether companies permit BYOD. Just over a quarter (26 percent) of IT managers think that all workers understand their access requirements or permissions for their mobile devices. This figure has increased from 19 percent in 2012, pointing to an increase in confidence. Yet only 26 percent of employees that use a personal device for work recognize that this presents a risk to company security, suggesting IT managers are nervous with some justification.

Neil Sutton, VP Global Portfolio, BT Global Services, said: "With networks creaking under the demands of smart devices and more than three quarters, (76 percent) of users convinced that their organization needs to step up to the opportunity, it's clear that enabling BYOD in its many forms is about much more than simply cool devices and a mobile contract. Organizations need to consider elements of device compatibility, security, Wi-Fi, network, application performance, with a focus on driving costs down.

"Behind every great device you need a great performing network. With the right control and connectivity you can deliver a great user experience on any device.  At BT we are working with more and more customers to understand and implement this coming of age of consumerization and turn it to business advantage, reliably, securely and cost effectively." 

Gordon Thomson, Director, Enterprise Networks, EMEAR, Cisco, said: "We implemented a BYOD model internally, starting with mobile phones in 2009, and have managed to lower our costs per employee by 25 percent. Over the last few years, we have added 82 percent more devices to our base with 28 percent more users. Organizations looking to deploy a BYOD program should look at a comprehensive BYOD plan and think beyond just the device and operating system, but about the services delivered to that device, user experience and productivity gains."

Adrian Drury, practice leader, Consumer Impact IT, Ovum said: "The growth in employee smartphone and tablet ownership is changing the ways we work. Implementing a BYOD policy is about enabling employees to work more flexibly, and be more productive.

"Draconian Wi-Fi access limitations or failure to invest in sufficient Wi-Fi coverage is a fast way to ensure a poor employee experience. However, this is not a mandate for open networks. Businesses still need to ensure that network security policies are maintained, and ideally they should take an integrated approach to network access control, device management and application management."

About the research

This research was undertaken by Vanson Bourne for BT Global Services and Cisco in May 2013. 2,200 interviews were carried out with IT decision makers and office workers in medium to enterprise size organizations across 13 regions -- UK, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Benelux, Turkey, USA, Brazil, China, India, Singapore and UAE -- and in a range of sectors -- Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG), finance, logistics, retail, healthcare, energy, pharmaceutical and government.

A summary of the results can be downloaded from www.bt.com/beyondyourdevice.

About BT

BT is one of the world's leading providers of communications services and solutions, serving customers in more than 170 countries.  Its principal activities include the provision of networked IT services globally; local, national and international telecommunications services to its customers for use at home, at work and on the move; broadband and internet products and services and converged fixed/mobile products and services.  BT consists principally of four lines of business: BT Global Services, BT Retail, BT Wholesale and Openreach.

In the year ended 31 March 2013, BT Group's revenue was £18,017m with profit before taxation of £2,501m.

British Telecommunications plc (BT) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of BT Group plc and encompasses virtually all businesses and assets of the BT Group.  BT Group plc is listed on stock exchanges in London and New York. 

For more information, visit www.btplc.com

About Cisco

Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO) is the worldwide leader in IT that helps companies seize the opportunities of tomorrow by proving that amazing things can happen when you connect the previously unconnected.

For ongoing news, please go to http://thenetwork.cisco.com.

SOURCE BT