Based on data in a Forrester research report published today, businesses that never expected to support personal consumer devices, seem to be changing their minds. Forrester’s data shows that 59 percent are now supporting employee-owned smartphones in various ways. This was unheard of in I.T. just a few years ago. This article highlights the changes employees are making and the tools they use to get the job done.
In terms of Windows itself, there’s a mobile aspect worth considering which highlights a broader opportunity: mobile virtualization. As employees shift from desktops and laptops to smartphones and tablets for work, there’s still a need for desktop-grade software access. That can be handled on mobiles through remote desktop solutions such as
LogMeIn Ignition or Citrix Receiver, allowing for secure desktop access from a tablet or smartphone, for example.Remote desktop access is just one piece of the enterprise puzzle when it comes to consumer devices, however. Personal smartphones and tablets could be used to carry enterprise data, so secure methods are needed. And employees don’t want to see their work software in the way of games, social networking apps and other personal software. Virtualizing a work environment on the phone or tablet can keep the two worlds apart on the same device.
It looks as if businesses can either embrace consumer devices or suffer unhappy employees that are forced to carry multiple mobiles for both work and personal use. It will be interesting to see where this goes.
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