The
challenge. More
than half of the workers in midmarket enterprises require access to company
data. A survey says that on an average 14 types of mobile apps are in use in
small and mid-size businesses but only 13% of such businesses are fully
prepared to handle security challenges especially related to mobility. This has
resulted in an increase of 23% of the cost of a data breach on an average. And
the average price tag per breach is nearly $3.8M.
The
reality. Empowering
enterprise with mobile and cloud technology is essential to survive in this
cut-throat competition economy. Productivity increases exponentially when
people work together in teams seamlessly. A well-connected enterprise is bound
to lead digitally by bringing people and information closer and making them
easily accessible to stakeholders by breaking geographical and traditional
boundaries. Setting up multiple communication channels to improve connectivity
between individuals and data sources increases the potential of the decision
makers to arrive at informed decisions.
Freedom to
connect to the enterprise information from anywhere anytime boosts the
confidence of the staff. Many enterprises see faster sales closures because the
employee on the field is able to connect real-time with their colleagues and
access information about products that tend to get updated dynamically.
With the
increase in the number of devices handled by people, it would only be wise on
the part of the employers to allow them to use one or more devices of their
choice to connect with enterprise data. Connecting on the go would give
them an added advantage to participate in strategic discussions and
decision-making session from remote locations. Mobile apps would help them
focus on their work anywhere they are. Visualization of data and interaction
with the data models would help them dig deeper into the relevant data points
would provide them a clear advantage while negotiating deals.
With the
advent of the cloud, employees don’t have to get stuck to their work cubicles.
Cloud empowers them with mobility and freedom to move about and get closer to
their clients and customers. Cloud has thrown open possibilities of reaching
out to customers breaking geographical and market boundaries.
Inherent
with the increase in mobility is the risk of exposing enterprise info in user
devices which might be pilfered or mishandled carelessly. So, it is essential
to protect business data wherever it goes and safeguard it from unauthorized
access and modern threats. Governmental regulations also require customer data
to be kept confidential and that only for a certain period of time until the
purpose for which it is collected and stored is met.