Frost & Sullivan: The Consumerization of IT Promises to Span All Industries, Generations and Technologies

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., Jan. 17, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Increasingly we find that employees are using their own technology—hardware, services and even applications—while on the job. This is known as the "Consumerization of IT," as it represents a shift in how technology is discovered and adopted. Historically, employees were introduced to new technology at the office, and only adopted it at home when its value to their personal lives became clear, and prices for the technology went down. But today, it is more likely that employees discover new technologies on their own, and bring them into the workplace as they see fit.

Frost & Sullivan's inaugural, complimentary, virtual IT event, ConNEXTions 2013, evaluates this fundamental trend, among others, January 28-29, 2013.  Participants will benefit from the opportunity to participate online, at no cost, in the interactive sessions, streaming live from the on-site event in San Francisco, Calif. The event's key marketing takeaways, based on Frost & Sullivan's Information and Communication Technologies industry research, include:

• Best Practices in Unified Communications and Collaboration
• Security in the Cloud
• Mobile Enterprise Technology Development
• Hosted & Managed Services
• "Bring Your Own Device" (BYOD)
• The Consumerization of IT

At first glimpse, the BYOD trend seems positive for businesses; however, it also leads to security and governance risks, due to the distinct lack of control over the technology and its use. To vet out the various challenges and solutions, Frost & Sullivan invites the submission of questions for the panel discussion on Bring Your Own Device and The Consumerization of IT. Selected questions will be answered live during ConNEXTions 2013.  To submit your question, please join the conversation on Twitter @FS_events, using #NEXT2013.  Inquiries can also be sent to [email protected].

Virtual attendees will also benefit from Ralph Loura's insight on how he solved the collaboration issue at Clorox (CLX). This is a common challenge for global organizations today, as many companies purchase and issue mobile devices for only a small segment of their employee population, mainly executives and other high-level managers. Knowledge workers are typically issued desktop or notebook PCs, in addition to a desk phone and landline connection, while collaboration services such as conferencing and video are delivered to only a small group.  However, as enterprises continue to support a growing number of virtual workers, these budgetary and deployment decisions must change.

Frost & Sullivan recommends companies look at IT consumerization as an inexpensive way to leverage advanced and/or mobile communications, and to consider implementing technologies such as an enterprise VoIP solution. They should also evaluate means to extend secure, reliable conferencing and social networking capabilities to employees who would benefit from real-time connectivity. Organizations should also rethink their mobility strategy to include more employees, while providing support for a wider variety of devices.

To learn more about these trends, ConNEXTions 2013 attendees have the opportunity to participate online in the interactive sessions*, streaming live from the on-site event in California, or attend in-person. Frost & Sullivan delivers a best-in-class outlet for benchmarking attendees' current programs through a unique interactive event format and debate. The takeaways executives receive at ConNEXTions 2013 are ready for immediate implementation, while the unparalleled access to IT analysts provides profound and unbiased insight on the latest technology and market directions.

Click here to access the virtual event agenda for full details on the hands-on, online workshops. To register for online event, ConNEXTions 2013, click here or visit http://bit.ly/V5gqE7.

*Specific interactive sessions may or may not be broadcast live, subject to speaker approval.

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SOURCE Frost & Sullivan