What are the Challenges with Mobile for Enterprise?

Device Proliferation is Taxing IT Team Resources

While enterprises are embracing mobile solutions, they're having trouble keeping up with all that they've deployed and want to deploy. Seventy-five percent of respondents told us they're at least somewhat overwhelmed by the increasing number of mobile devices, with 41 percent putting it at very or extremely overwhelmed (see Figure 4.1).

75% of IT workers feel overwhelmed by the number of mobile devices

Digging into those numbers, we found two of the biggest challenges with deploying mobile solutions in-house are endpoint security and cost controls/reporting. Fifty-four percent said they've experienced new security concerns related to mobile in the last three years. With so many devices—and often associated data plans to manage—visibility is difficult. Managers often don't know where everything is, or unexpected costs can blindside them. 54% can't see their entire mobile device environment from a single pane of glass—meaning they're juggling multiple endpoint management platforms—which adds to the complexity they're struggling with (see Figure 4.2).

54% of IT professionals said they've experienced new security concerns related to mobile in the last 3 years.

The lack of visibility means IT leaders don't have a good understanding of the well-being of their mobile infrastructure. When asked which analytics would be most helpful, the top responses centered around conditions and use (see Figure 4.3).

Resources are also an issue. Nearly half said they're struggling with staff shortages. Even with economic uncertainty, the challenge of finding enough qualified employees is likely to continue.

Big Picture Strategy is Missing

As enterprises have adopted mobile solutions, it's often been done piecemeal and within the various business units that need them. Our research found 57% of organizations don't have centralized mobile solution management decision-making (see Figure 4.4).

The lack of a holistic mobile strategy across the entire organization means organizations often don't see where there are opportunities for scale, potential savings, and increased efficiency. For example, many mobile devices today can be multi-use. The same equipment—perhaps loaded with different applications—can be used across multiple workflows in multiple business units. That simplifies and streamlines deployment and support. There may be volume discounts to be had in purchasing. A piecemeal approach often creates unnecessary expense and complexity that exacerbates IT burnout.

High-level and centralized decision-making on mobile solutions ties IT closer together with broad business strategy and goals. You get better buy-in for proactive planning, management, support, and the forecasting of future needs. Our research found that organizations with centralized decision-making are reaping a host of significant benefits (see Figure 4.5).

Challenges are Many

The 2023 Enterprise Mobility Outlook shows that IT leaders and their teams juggle more now than they've ever had to, and the task is growing. Whether decision-making is centralized or not, companies often lack the internal expertise and resources to adequately manage all the mobile solutions they're now expected to design, deploy, and support at scale.