Adoption of mobile devices expected to shape several support strategies

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

According to a recent study by research firm Gartner, the consumerization of devices such as smartphones and tablets are leading to several mobile device management styles.

This year, Garter projects smartphone sales to reach nearly 462 million worldwide and 645 million in 2012. Also, the research firm expects the combined sales of smartphones and tablets to be 44 percent larger than the PC market in 2011.

As a result of the rapid adoption of devices, Gartner expects new mobile device management strategies to include control-oriented, which will guarantee security, service and support. Choice-oriented approaches focus on user satisfaction without the restrictions on application and service needs.

"The goal [of innovation-oriented] is to empower users who want substantial autonomy and are often in roles over which IT has little or no control," said Gartner.

The other strategy expected to be used by IT officials is the hands-off approach, which rarely provides mobile devices and offers minimal support, according to Gartner.

With an estimated 3 billion smartphones and tablets expected to ship worldwide between 2010 and 2015, cyber criminals are expected to target these devices more frequently, placing a greater emphasis on security, according to an Infonetics Research study.