Small Business Turns Mobile

According to a report released by CDW earlier this month, 94 percent of small-business mobile users believe their mobile devices make them more efficient, while 67 percent feel their company would lose competitive ground in the market without such devices.

However, the benefits of mobility extend beyond those just to employees. Sixty percent of users said mobile devices lead to improved communication between themselves and supervisors -- as well as between themselves and customers.

As with most business strategies, there also can be potential pitfalls. The survey found 89 percent of employees use personally owned mobile devices for work, thus making it difficult for small businesses to secure and manage those devices. Barely half, just 51 percent, of IT managers said their company has an effective strategy to manage mobile devices.

"CDW's report says that small business users consider productivity and business apps on mobile devices to be game changers that make them more efficient and competitive," said Jill Billhorn, CDW vice president for small business. "They want still more apps to help them manage unique aspects of their businesses, and the prospect is for dramatic growth in tablet use. That expanding demand, though, also means growing need for solutions to manage and secure mobile devices."

With the challenges of mobile device security and the risk these devices pose to company networks and data, the survey recommends small businesses look into both mobile application and device management solutions -- adding some providers offer cost effective management of both devices and apps.

The survey also illustrated the push of many small businesses to use mobile as a way to increase business, with 28 percent of small businesses saying they have mobile web sites. The report also found 23 percent of small businesses offer text message marketing, 17 percent offer mobile coupons and 14 percent offer mobile apps.