PRESS RELEASE

New Research Shows Nearly Two-Thirds of SMB Tablet Users Demand Expanded Access to Business Applications and Data

 

Survey Findings Identify Delivery of Windows Applications and Data Security as Major Challenges for IT to Meet End User Requirements

SANTA CLARA, Calif. – March 19, 2014 NComputing, a leader in client virtualization solutions, today announced the results of an independent, global survey of 300 IT professionals from small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs) on trends and challenges of tablet adoption. Sponsored by NComputing, the research was conducted by Dimensional Research. The report shows that while SMBs – defined as 100 to 2,000 employees – see considerable business benefits to tablet adoption, they also state that tablet users demand additional access to business applications and data beyond what they have today. Compounding the problem, respondents acknowledge they face challenges in meeting this demand, particularly with the delivery of Windows applications to employees using tablets and securing business data.

SMBs worldwide are experiencing a rapid expansion of mobile device use in the workplace, thanks to an on-the-go workforce and today’s Bring-Your-Own-Device (BYOD) trend. Seventy-five percent of those surveyed have employees that use tablets for work. The benefits of tablet adoption were widely acknowledged, with 83 percent responding that making business applications and data available on mobile devices would have a high or medium impact on their business.

Despite overwhelming enthusiasm to support employee tablet use, IT professionals agreed that there are many issues to sort out to make this a successful move. Sixty-three percent of respondents report that tablet users have requested additional access to business applications and data beyond what they have today. Eighty-six percent acknowledge challenges with giving employees access to Windows applications on their tablets. Further, concerns over security are heightened with the widespread use of BYOD, as seventy-five percent of those surveyed acknowledge they worry about the security of business data on personal tablets.

All in all, the results of the survey demonstrate a present need for IT solutions that “fill the gap” by allowing users to securely access all the applications and files they need – including legacy Windows applications - from their device of choice. More and more organizations are realizing that in a world of hybrid devices, hybrid applications and hybrid file locations, they need a simple, secure and user-friendly way to organize and deliver essential assets to both BYOD and corporate-owned devices.

Summary of key survey findings:
Tablet adoption for business purposes among SMBs is gaining traction.

  • 75 percent of survey respondents have employees that use tablets for work;
  • 97 percent say anytime, anywhere access to data and applications makes employees more effective;
  • 83 percent say making business applications and data available on smartphones and tablets would have a high or medium business impact.

IT faces difficulties delivering legacy business applications to tablets.

  • 86 percent of survey respondents say they face challenges giving mobile employees access to Windows applications on tablets;
  • 41 percent say they struggle with compatibility between Windows applications and mobile devices;
  • 34 percent say that users have a poor experience when accessing Windows applications from tablets.

IT professionals are concerned when employees use BYOD tablets for work.

  • 56 percent worldwide have employees using BYOD tablets for work, in North America this increases to 64 percent;
  • 75 percent say they worry about the security of business data on personal tablets;
  • 43 percent say they have user privacy concerns related to use of personal tablets.

To access a free copy of the Dimensional Research report, “Business Applications and Tablets: A Survey of IT Professionals at Small and Mid-Sized Organizations,” visit http://bit.ly/1gEi7Eu.

NComputing Announces NComputing oneSpace™
On February 25, NComputing announced NComputing oneSpace, a solution that meets many of the needs identified in the research report. NComputing oneSpace is a new unified workspace solution that enables IT to unify and securely deliver applications and files as a service to a variety of devices, including iPads and Android tablets.

NComputing oneSpace greatly enhances productivity by allowing users to securely access the applications and files they need through a unified workspace from their device of choice, while giving IT complete, central control over the workspace environment. This solution is currently in a select customer private beta. NComputing will open access to a public beta in early Spring of 2014. For more, visit: http://www.ncomputing.com/products/onespace.

Supporting Quotes
“This research underscores that the use of tablets in both BYOD and company-owned scenarios, while beneficial, is creating real challenges for IT. Today’s IT professionals need to fulfill ever-increasing demands to support the modern work environment by ensuring secure, easy access to all the applications and files they need – including legacy Windows applications – from their device of choice. Announced last month, NComputing oneSpace provides the simplicity, productivity and secure access that SMBs need to compete and thrive in today’s a world of hybrid applications, files and endpoint devices.”
- Raj Dhingra, CEO, NComputing

“While small and mid-sized businesses continue to witness rapid tablet adoption, the research shows IT professionals still face daunting challenges in securely delivering legacy business applications to new, modern tablets. Survey respondents widely acknowledge that tablet adoption provides considerable business impact, but more work clearly needs to be done in order to address their needs and fulfill the business promise.”
-
Diane Hagglund, Senior Research Analyst, Dimensional Research

Survey Methodology
In January 2014, IT professionals with responsibility for their company’s desktops and mobile devices were invited to participate in an online survey. A total of 300 individuals completed the global survey. All of the 300 participants supported employees that used tablets for work purposes. Additionally, all worked for companies with 100-2,000 employees and had responsibility for corporate desktops. Participants represented a wide range of IT functions, vertical industries, and global geographies.

Resources:

Tweet This: New research from @NComputing reveals #SMB tablet users demand expanded access to business apps http://bit.ly/10McYAA #BYOD #mobility

About NComputing:
NComputing, Inc. is a leader in client virtualization solutions. Through a unique formula of simplicity, performance and value, NComputing’s integrated solutions serve global enterprise and mid-market companies in key verticals such as education, healthcare and government. With over 20 million daily users in 140 countries, the company is fueling the adoption of desktop virtualization faster than any other in the world. To learn more, visit http://www.ncomputing.com.

Media Contact
Scott Lechner
Kulesa Faul for NComputing
(530) 521-3095
scott@kulesafaul.com