Build Optimized Operations and Reduce Costs with Mobile Computing. Build a Better Business Special Report. Authored By BizTechReports

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1 Build Optimized Operations and Reduce Costs with Mobile Computing Build a Better Business Special Report Authored By BizTechReports

2 Table of Contents Using Mobility to Optimize Business Operations 3 High-Growth SMBs More Likely to Invest in Mobility to Improve Business Processes 4 Mobility Investments Reduce Cost, Increase Efficiency 5 Conclusion 6 Build a Better Business with Softchoice 7 2

3 Using Mobility to Optimize Business Operations Not that long ago, many small and medium businesses (SMBs) were on the wrong side of the digital divide, unable to invest in expensive, high-end technology and applications that have driven cost savings, productivity and other competitive benefits for large enterprises. Mobility initiatives in particular laptops, tablets and advanced mobile applications are rapidly levelling the playing field for SMBs by enabling a better cost management strategy. In fact, surveys show that there is a direct correlation between an organization s investment in mobility and revenue growth. One of the most powerful IT trends in play now is the move by SMBs away from simply using computers at a fixed office location to adopting mobile devices that can access applications and extend business process improvement and boost productivity -- two factors that directly drive cost savings. SMBs are discovering that mobility lowers the cost of IT investment by reducing actual device costs, making business operations more efficient and making employees more productive. All of these factors are key elements in growing revenue and increasing profitability. The cost management benefits of mobility not only have a significant impact on business process improvement for small to medium businesses, but mobility also is a key contributor to a company s revenue growth, according to two executive surveys on mobility in the small and middle market in the U.S. and Canada conducted by BizTechReports an independent reporting agency on behalf of Lenovo and Softchoice. The objective of the survey was to compare and contrast the mobile computing attitudes and plans among high-growth, low-growth and median organizations. To that end: BizTechReports U.S. survey of over 100 executives identified 46 SMBs that were experiencing revenue growth of at least 5 percent to more than 10 percent; 23 companies were experiencing declining revenues of at least 5 percent to more than 10 percent. In the survey of 55 SMB executives in Canada using the same criteria, BizTechReports identified 25 high revenue growth companies and 14 companies with declining revenues. The data in both surveys reveals a significant correlation between greater use of mobility and improved cost management. Survey Results: Mobile computing devices (laptops and tablets) may improve our business processes: Agree Disagree Don t Know Answered: 55 Skipped: 0 Answered: 14 Skipped: 0 Answered: 25 Skipped: 0 4% 5% 9% 4% 9% 91% 82% 96% 3 BUSINESS A BUSINESS B BUSINESS C

4 High-Growth SMBs More Likely to Invest in Mobility to Improve Business Processes SMBs are well aware that high-performance mobile devices like laptops and tablets carry a lower total cost of ownership than the legacy desktop investments that have been so popular in the past. Simply put, high quality, low-maintenance mobile devices cost less and do more for businesses than traditional fixed IT assets. In the U.S. survey there was broad agreement that the percentage of the workforce using laptops and tablets instead of desktops is growing 90 percent of the 103 respondents agreed. When it comes to mobility there is a significant disparity between high-revenue growth companies and SMBs with declining revenues. Among the top 46 companies reporting high revenue growth, 96 percent agreed that laptops and tablets are supplanting desktops, while only 83 percent of the low revenue growth companies agreed. When asked whether their organizations planned to increase investments in laptops next year, 75 percent of the 100 respondents agreed; 81 percent said they planned to increase their investments on tablets next year. Survey Results: Mobile computing devices (laptops and tablets) may improve our business processes: Agree Disagree Don t Know Answered: 55 Skipped: 0 Answered: 14 Skipped: 0 Answered: 25 Skipped: % 3.64% 7.14% 8% 21.43% 83.64% 71.43% 92% BUSINESS A BUSINESS B BUSINESS C These same trends are impacting SMB s in Canada. When asked whether their workforce will be more mobile this year than last year, percent of the Canadian respondents agreed, percent disagreed and 9.09 percent said they didn t know. But when broken down further, it became clear that there is a correlation between high-revenue growth companies and mobility: 84 percent the 25 high-revenue growth companies said their workforce would be more mobile next year than it was this year. Among the bottom 14 companies, only percent of respondents agreed that their workforce would be more mobile next year. 4

5 Mobility Investments Reduce Cost, Increase Efficiency The mobility surge among SMBs in the U.S. and Canada comes as no surprise. The worldwide tablet market is forecast to grow by 47 percent in 2014, according to the IT research firm Gartner. That growth is set against the backdrop of a continued decline in traditional PC sales, although growth in Windows ultramobiles is offsetting lower desktop sales. It is clear that the move to laptops and tablets reduces costs. When BizTechReports asked whether laptops reduce costs, 86 percent of the Canadian companies said they deliver significant, strong or extreme value. When asked about whether tablets reduced costs, 77 percent of Canadian respondents said they delivered significant, strong or extreme value on that metric. According to Gartner, the rapid adoption of mobile computing strategies is also being spurred by the continuing consumerization of IT. Consumers are buying tablets as an additional device that they carry everywhere and use these personal technologies in the workplace to access networks and applications. Further growth in tablets and laptops is certain to fuel the already explosive Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) trend. Survey Results: My organization has a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policy in place: Agree Disagree Don t Know Answered: 103 Skipped: 1 Answered: 23 Skipped: 0 Answered: 46 Skipped: 0 4% 4% 4% 28% 26% 20% 68% 70% 76% BUSINESS A BUSINESS B BUSINESS C BYOD is an obvious cost benefit for SMBs after all, if employees purchase their own devices, that s an easy means of saving on workstation investments. BYOD does create complexities for businesses of all sizes, however, and the right vendors can help them adopt policies that ensure security and mitigate other concerns. 5

6 Survey Results: My organization has a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policy in place: Agree Disagree Don t Know Answered: 55 Skipped: 0 Answered: 14 Skipped: 0 Answered: 25 Skipped: % 21.43% 8% 21.82% 35.71% 67.27% 42.86% 76% 16% BUSINESS A BUSINESS B BUSINESS C The good news: SMBs are adopting BYOD policies. That was confirmed in the BizTechReports survey percent of the 103 respondents said their company had a BYOD policy in place. Among the 46 companies with increasing revenues, 76 percent have a BYOD policy in place; 70 percent of the 23 declining revenue companies agreed. Conclusion A new generation of highly functioning, yet affordable mobile devices like laptops and tablets is helping small and medium businesses reduce costs. But the cost benefit extends far beyond the actual price of the laptop or tablet device, particularly as high revenue growth SMBs are evaluating mobility in the light of total cost of ownership. Mobility s cost benefits also are gained through the increase in employee productivity, business process improvements and operational efficiencies. Mobility does more than simply help SMBs avoid being left in the competitive dust by organizations with large IT departments and heavy legacy investments in desktop technology. Indeed, when it comes to deploying mobility to build a better cost management strategy, SMBs can see the direct correlation between these investments and revenue generation. Bottom line, the new generation of laptops and tablets -- as well as leadingedge near enterprise-class mobile apps -- is helping SMBs to leapfrog desktops and gain greater functionality with far less investment and the ability to do more with less is a compelling business case for SMBs. 6

7 Build a Better Business with Softchoice At Softchoice, we don t just view ourselves as an order desk for your technology needs. Rather, we strive on being a trusted partner for our clients. We work closely with our vendor partners, such as Lenovo, to provide clients with the right technology to solve for their business needs. We don t just see laptops, tablets, and 2-in-1 devices as a piece of hardware, but rather a tool that when strategically used, has the potential to transform the way you do business. What you ll get from us At Softchoice, we add value in a number of critical areas for our clients. 1. Product Sourcing: We provide access to thousands of software and hardware manufacturers, offering fast and reliable delivery through North America s largest virtual supply chain. 2. Vendor Consolidation/Asset Management: This is where we help our clients reduce risk and costs. This includes access to our award winning IT asset management and contract management services and business technology reviews to help optimize IT spending. 3. IT Solutions: We offer complete IT solutions for key areas of technology - from consultation, solution design, implementation and ongoing management. 4. Managed Services: This area of business is all about providing extra support for your technology, people and business needs. Offerings here include managed services for UC&C, Microsoft Office 365, and networking and industry first for things like FlexPod. 7

8 How we do it Our focus is building enduring relationships by helping clients realize the potential of technology. Whether it s getting you the right product right away, reducing the cost and complexity of managing technology assets, or implementing a new solution, we use a consistent approach: First, we Bring Clarity to the complexities of IT by providing the expertise to drive the business outcomes you need. In some instances this could include engaging with a licensing or product specialist to help you rationalize a technology investment, or for more complex projects, a formal engagement with our consulting team. Second, we Deliver Holistic Solutions by connecting you with a community of technologists and other experts. This includes multi-disciplinary practice leads, solution architects and professional services engineers to help design and implement complex solutions. Lastly, we help clients optimize efficiency and maximize the value of new and existing IT investments throughout the technology lifecycle. This includes unique offerings like Softchoice Technology Deployment Services. Connect With Us If you are an existing client of ours, connect with your Softchoice Account Manager to discuss your current mobile and PC refresh needs. For non-existing clients, connect with us directly today to get set-up with your new Account Manager Connect with us today facebook.com/softchoice