Budget allocations for mobile apps solutions for the enterprise are continuing to grow alongside the use of mobile devices in the workplace, according to a global study conducted by Enterprise Mobility Exchange.
The survey, which included responses from mobile tech investment decision markers and direct influencers, found that 60% of businesses invested in mobile app development over the past 12-18 months.
Security and mobile connectivity were the next two most invested-in mobility solutions in the past 12-18 months. Around 45% of companies noted investing in each of these solutions. As more businesses make the shift to mobile, it will become increasingly important that they ensure that sensitive data for both employees and the business alike are secure. Investment in mobile device management (44%) and mobile devices consumer (36%) rounded out the top five mobility solutions most invested in.
Investment in mobility solutions is expected to continue to grow through 2016. However, businesses have been slow to allocate more of their budgets to mobile technology. This is likely due to the fact that it is difficult, expensive, and time consuming to integrate legacy systems with newer mobility solutions. It can also be hard to convince senior decision makers to embrace the changes mobility introduces to an organization.
But the increased investment in mobility solutions is promising amid growing concern that demand for mobile app development services is happening much faster than organizations are able to deliver them. Businesses are finding it challenging and costly to develop, deploy, and maintain mobile apps as rapidly as demand dictates, according to Gartner.
One way that businesses can aim to overcome these issues is by turning to mobile enabler companies to increase the efficiency of their app platforms. Mobile enablers (like Salesforce and IBM) offer solutions to streamline mobile app platforms provided by developers for the enterprise.