Don’t Be Fooled By These 3 Mobile Myths

Mobility is an important part of the modern workplace. The industry juggernauts, Apple and Microsoft, have endorsed mobile devices so much that they may believe the desktop PC is now obsolete. While this might be a good marketing strategy for them, how have mobile devices really transformed the workplace?

Can these mobile devices keep productivity at an all-time high, both in and out of the office? Maybe not. Here are three myths about what mobile devices are capable of.

Myth #1: Mobile Devices Aren’t So Mobile
One particular marketing approach that is seen all too commonly these days is the idea that anything is within your reach with a mobile device. “You can work anytime, anywhere.” According to a study by the University of Virginia School of Engineering and AOL Networks, the convenience presented by the smartphone isn’t merely due to its mobility. In fact, nearly three-quarters of all smartphone activity occurs from the comfort of a user’s own home.

When you think about it, this isn’t so surprising. Humans typically spend most of their lives underneath a limited canopy and only travel so far from home. Smartphones might have originally been designed for on-the-go productivity, but have since evolved into devices that can easily and conveniently be used for just about anything (within reason, of course). In fact, over 50 percent of mobile device users will use them while watching television, and it’s easy to see why. It’s clear that mobile devices are being used for every aspect of life.

Myth #2: Mobile Devices Are Effective for Work
Your mobile device might be a great way to stay in touch with your team while you’re out on a business trip, but they’re not so great for getting good, quality work done. The reason this is such a common misconception is that marketers go out of their way to suggest to consumers that these mobile devices are like having a computer in the palm of their hand. Granted, they aren’t entirely wrong. Smartphones do possess impressive computing power; but the idea that a mobile device can be as productive as a computer isn’t realistic. It might be great for playing a game or writing an email, but that’s about where its usefulness stops.

This hasn’t stopped manufacturers like Microsoft and Google from implementing productivity apps for their devices, though. Microsoft has recently revealed their new Windows 10 OS for mobile devices, which comes fully equipped with MS Word, PowerPoint, and Excel. Yet, it’s not certain how useful these mobile apps will be. It’s safe to say that the desktop applications are more functional than their mobile counterparts. Smartphones are still great for sharing documents and sending email, but they’ll continue to operate in the shadows of that which came before: The desktop.

Myth #3: Mobile Devices Aren’t Secure
For some time, mobile devices have been labeled as less secure than the average desktop PC. In fact, 71 percent of the respondents of a Forrester survey said they were somewhat or strongly concerned about the security of mobile devices, and believe that the desktop is superior. However, this is a false assumption. Most modern mobile devices take advantage of secure operating systems which are easy to use, while PCs are more complex, and therefore require more complex security systems.

The extreme growth seen in the use of mobile technology for retail and medical industries is proof that mobile devices are secure enough to comply with industry security standards. Not only are individuals using these devices at home, but also in the office. A quality BYOD policy can augment the innate security procedures built into your mobile devices.

While it’s true that mobile devices are far more useful and secure than is believed, mobile technology should always be considered carefully before being added to your IT infrastructure. A mobile device management solution can help your business guarantee maximum security procedures are being practiced by your Internet-connected devices. Give Computerware a call at (703) 821-8200 for a mobile technology consultation.