Enterprise mobility: everything you need to know about

‘Enterprise Mobility’ is the most common buzzword across the globe you might have heard about.

Digitalization has made things simpler for humans. So, they also got to think if the way they work can be changed on this line of modernity.

They want to work from wherever they are, using mobile devices given by their employers and access to business-specific information and resources.

If seen from the other side of the horizon, even employers can get benefited with this approach of work in terms of higher work productivity.

In the digital world, these two possibilities came to be called ‘Enterprise Mobility.’

Let’s talk more about how it is defined –

What does enterprise mobility mean?

As defined by experts, enterprise mobility is the ability of the hired workforce to do their work even outside their workplaces, plus the mobility of business-specific data through networks to them. This is how Techopedia explains Enterprise Mobility.

Just the thought of it seems amazing to both the employers and the workforce.

But why is it needed at all? Why does it matter?

Here’s the answer

1. Emerging mobile phone technologies have placed the world on its toes. The digital world is advancing at a good pace through the global Internet.

2. People are digitally-active in almost every corner of this world as well. They need to stay online to work or even otherwise.

Combining these two aspects, enterprise mobility can also be defined as having remote work platforms ready for individuals to work upon. They should be able to send work-related data from one place to another digitally.

If you look at the world around you, you will see that this type of enterprise mobility has already taken off.

It is important because the world looks at it as a newer, better way to work. There is the whole suite of tools and resources available to manage this trend of work.

Diverse small and big companies across the globe use Enterprise Mobility Management (EMM) tools to keep an eye on their remote workers, count their work hours, check their remote location, etc.

Similarly, there are tools that accommodate the mobility of corporate data. These include video conferencing platforms, cloud computing systems and similar others.

Take the example of BYOD or ‘Bring Your Own Device Model’ which you must have seen around you. Companies now easily allow their employees to use personal devices for work. This can be considered one face of enterprise mobility.

In simpler words, enterprise mobility is more like an advanced approach to work, wherein the employees do their work from anywhere using a variety of devices and applications.

An employee working on a presentation at home uploads it from his PC to cloud so that his colleague can access it at the client’s site – that’s another example to make you understand enterprise mobility.

Now coming to the next important question that you may be having in your mind –

Why is Enterprise Mobility Important in the Digital World?

Let’s give it a straightforward start –

It is essential as it gives the employees a higher level of flexibility to do the work. This is most likely to enhance job satisfaction and improved work productivity.

Even though the term ‘enterprise mobility’ is more pronounced in the contemporary world, it had started long back in time.

Remember the time when the employers provided PalmPilot personal digital assistants and Blackberry smartphones to the hired workforce. It was called COPE or Corporate Owned, Personally Enabled strategy (Source).

These were early stage enterprise-class mobile devices with personal information management capabilities, such as work email access, calendars, contacts, etc.

Then, the age of Android began in 2007. Google launched this unique mobile operating system to the world (Source).

Into this new age, the concept of app stores then came up by Android and Apple to the masses.

More and more people started to buy and use smartphones. Alongside, more and more apps were getting built by developers and mobile app development companies. For work-related needs, employees began using these smart devices for work to avoid delays in client communication, making sales, and much more.

Looking at the increasing need for smartphones among the employees for work, enterprise mobility came into the picture.

Here are a few precisely explained the benefits of using Enterprise mobile apps:

So, for an enterprise to become successful, it is vital to have an enterprise mobile app developed.

Top 5 challenges of enterprise mobility faced by employees

Enterprise mobility has been immensely put into use. True, as it has the capabilities to simplify the work processes.

Real-time access to business-specific information to people working from remote areas, it can give any organization a competitive edge.

Improved work productivity, enhanced customer support, money savings, etc., it all becomes possible as a result.

Developing enterprise mobile apps has become essential for enterprises. But, we also need to consider the challenges it has. But, these challenges can be worked upon and hence, here we discuss the challenges as well as their solutions:

1. Privacy compliance

Ask the IT staff in your organization about their view about BYOD, and you will find highly concerned about that.

That’s because getting the work done using a personal device may mess up the confidential data or information.

The risk of data leakage increases a notch higher, which is a severe issue for any organization.

To be on the safe side, a strict privacy compliance policy can be of great help.

For instance, you can limit the access given to your hired workforce to a certain extent. Similarly, you can limit their ability to forward, print, transfer or copy/paste information.

2. Data connectivity

If you want your employees to work without location constraint, you need to ensure the data they require is available for use at their end.

It is not just about emails or the Internet, but several business applications too.

With more and more people working on an enterprise network from office or remote locations, data connectivity may suffer.

3. Enterprise systems integration

To run an enterprise, you do not just need one or two software, but many.

CRMs, ERP, inventory database, etc., they all need to be interconnected to automate the workflow.

For an IT team, it becomes a big challenge to set up this interconnection. This will involve fetching data from multiple systems and sync it with all mobile devices it is made accessible to.

Lack of real-time communication amongst different enterprise systems and mobile devices may otherwise result in loss of work efficiency.

4. Evolution with Technology

The scope of the Internet is increasing with every moment passed. So, does the market of enterprise mobility.

There is a rapid evolution of technology happening in place all over the world. It is good news for organizations as it can give them a way to grow more.

Internet of Things (IoT), wearable gears, Artificial Intelligence (AI), etc., there is a lot to get an enterprise transformed around.

But if this transformation won’t be made to occur, businesses may fall behind time and technology.

5. Security threats for enterprises

Maximum IT professionals consider security as one of the most significant concerns related to enterprise mobility. That’s why it needs to be discussed in detail here.

Think of it this way –

Corporate data, as it travels can be vulnerable to breaches or unauthorized access.

How can you maintain data security needs then?

Well, you will need EMM security technologies, plus a stronger policy to be followed by your employees for the success of the enterprise mobility strategy.

If you utilize the advantages of enterprise mobility within your enterprise, here are some of the most common security threats you should know about

– Loss or theft of devices given to employees

Following the BYOD trend, you might give mobile devices to the employees who work for you.

It is obvious that you give him access to corporate work-files he needs as well.

Let’s say the device has access to corporate data, and with the storage capacity of 32 -64 GB. Now, just imagine the amount of data that will be placed at stake if the device gets stolen or lost.

On average, the loss of just one corporate file equals a loss of around $100, which is much higher in terms of security breaches.

As an owner of an enterprise, you just can’t control the loss or theft of a device that one of your employees handle or work with.

However, you can build protocols to minimize possible losses in such situations, such as installing applications and file management software, etc.

– Use of mobile applications

Mobile apps have become a fundamental part of people’s lives. That’s true.
Check your phone for the number of apps you have installed in it for regular use. Then, extrapolate the count for people around you, the employees who work for you.

On average, a person has around 20 mobile apps or more installed in his mobile device, be it those for business, work, gaming or entertainment.

Just because they exist in a user’s phone, they pose a possible threat to your enterprise app.

How?

Let’s dig deeper-

You install an app, and what you will be first asked for?

That’s Permissions.

They ask for permissions to access the camera, the contacts inside, emails, location and much else.

Any of these permissions can give malicious parties a way to access your enterprise’s mobility infrastructure. They may also inject malware to your enterprise network.

As a solution, there is MAM, or Mobile Application Management to secure your enterprise app on your employees’ personal device.

– Inability to control network access

That’s true.

It is not easy but challenging for enterprises to keep track of all the devices that are accessing their network.

But it is also essential to prevent security breaches. For that, you will think of allowing some specific professionals to access critical data only on your premises. But this will hinder the work productivity.

What else, then?

Well, stringent identity authentication of an employee even when he is working from a remote area can do the needful.

That’s why you need to choose the right enterprise mobile app development company that will share such challenges and also the solutions to the same.

So, looking at the challenges enterprise mobility has, there is a strong need for the quickest and most reliable solution. And, that’s where we need to discuss the enterprise mobility best practices:

Enterprise mobility best practices you should follow in 2019

Consider enterprise mobility as a driving force that pushes businesses to utilize the evolutionary strength of mobile devices for higher productivity at work.

Your employees must have asked you for such facilities when at work while the competition is also increasing at the same time.

Not giving enterprise mobility the importance it deserves in modern times may make you lose your market share.

If you have not yet started, you need to explore different ways to stand out in this game. These include mobile device management, enterprise mobile application development, etc.

Let’s discuss in detail about what you can do to improve upon enterprise mobility management in 2019-

1. Get an enterprise mobile app developed for android & iOS

Having an enterprise mobile app is crucial for your business. But what kind of app do you need? Which technology is the best one for your business needs?

If you are from a technical background, you may find it easy to understand the best programming languages, frameworks, etc. to be chosen for your app.

Some people prefer native app development, which is getting two separate apps built for Android and iOS platform. You need to think if it would be cost effective for your business to choose this mobile app development approach.

Otherwise, opt for cross-platform app development. Choose React Native framework to get a high performance, secure enterprise app built by a renowned agency.

Similarly, you can think of NativeScript, one of the trendiest technologies for mobile app development.

Pro Tip:
Make sure you have a clear idea of what you want your business app to work for before you discuss the app development project with any company.

2. Invest in data, network and app security

Believe it or not, but consistent use of mobile apps and devices across your enterprise increases privacy and security related risks.

For instance, one of your employees who use personal mobile devices to access your company’s data can make its network vulnerable to virus attacks, data leaking, and unauthorized access.

You should also know that cybercrimes related to enterprise security are mostly associated with three aspects –

a. Mobile devices used
b. Enterprise networks
c. Mobile applications in use

As Gartner shared, 75% of mobile security breaches are the result of misconfigured mobile apps.

How?

They say developers must be in a hurry to launch the apps. They get its functionality built and paved their way into the global app market.

But where’s the flaw, then?

It can be lack of thoughts given towards the security aspect. As a result, mobile threats could be expected.

Keep this in mind while you choose an app development company.

3. Keep the end users in mind while getting app’s UI built

The number one reason why it is essential is that all the efforts will go in vain if the targeted users won’t like using it at all.

So, you should first recognize what are the urgent needs of your hired workforce, the issues they face when at work.

You should think about how the mobile application will ease their pain points, while also making them more productive.

So, ask your employees about the common problems related to work. Interact with them to understand their needs.

This will give you the right direction to get the mobile app development started.

Know these best practices to build a scalable enterprise mobile app

Enterprise mobility solutions can help your business grow further provided you completely follow the best practices shared above. They can help you overcome the enterprise mobility challenges and enhance your business operations for better results.

Also, choosing the right enterprise mobile app development company makes a fully-functional and robust app for you and your employees that helps you receive a justified ROI.