Workplace: Modernization increases productivity many times over
After IT security, workplace modernization is one of the most important requirements in a company. Unfortunately, modernization fails or falls by the wayside for years. This is counterproductive. The leading market research and consulting company International Data Corporation (IDC) has presented a current study on the topic of IT workplaces; the study was supported by Matrix42, among others.
The market survey was conducted in June 2016 in 281 organizations. The IT managers and responsible knowledge workers surveyed for the study indicated that modernization would have a significant impact on productivity (+38 percent), costs (-26 percent) and shadow IT (-22 percent). Unified Endpoint Management (UEM) solutions such as those offered by Matrix42 would play an important role here.
Simplification thanks to better strategy
After all, 45 percent of respondents see Matrix42 solutions as simplifying user support and access rights, and 41 percent as lowering costs, for example through tool consolidation.
According to the IDC study, an investment backlog has built up in IT workplaces in recent years due to other pressing issues, and companies are now increasingly looking to reduce this backlog. A forward-looking workplace strategy should help to increase employee productivity, cut costs and make the employer brand more attractive to technology-savvy young professionals.
Offices adapted to lifestyle
For 35 percent of respondents, the modernization of IT workplaces is the most important area for action in the next two years; only IT security was assigned more urgency (55 percent). Modernization is particularly strongly demanded by Generation Y young professionals, who want to see their "always on" lifestyle reflected in their work environment (46 percent).
"The way knowledge workers want to work today is fundamentally different than in the past and is also subject to constant change. A modern IT workplace holds enormous potential for productivity and savings. In order to leverage this potential, companies should now release the necessary investments that have been held back until now, otherwise they will be at a competitive disadvantage, especially with regard to the digital transformation," says Mark Alexander Schulte, Senior Consultant, IDC.
Today's business consumer wants access to corporate IT at any time and any place - with the best performance and availability. At the same time, IT must be relieved in view of the growing diversity of devices and operating systems," says Oliver Bendig, CTO Matrix42.
Avoid increasing fragmentation
45 percent of respondents each want to simplify user support and access rights through unified workspace management. This is closely followed by the expectation of lower costs, for example through tool consolidation (41 percent). Overall, the requirements for corresponding offerings are high. Matrix42, for example, offers a comprehensive unified endpoint management suite that also includes asset and license management. Another new feature for users here is that the solution is licensed per user, not per device as is common with other solutions.
In view of the results, IDC recommends pushing ahead with IT workplace modernization and not putting investments on hold. In doing so, managers should keep a close eye on the preferences of current and future employees, especially with regard to young professionals, who will make up the majority of employees in a few years' time. In addition, IT managers should focus more on expanding device- and location-independent applications and data and look into the possibilities of unified workspace management.
