Telecom & Technology Consulting
With mobile now an essential tool for employees, IT departments are quickly fostering the digital workforce while securing company apps and data. But as it goes with any technological shift, things are never that simple.
The combination of the cloud and the Internet of Things (IoT) are starting to affect the mobile experience for employees. Forward-thinking IT teams recognize this convergence, and are developing policies that include governance across all platforms and devices. Meanwhile, they’re providing employees with a universal interface to ensure maximum productivity.
These IT adaptations are critical, as the mobile workforce is necessary to keep in step with the mobile consumer. After all, employees are consumers as well, and expect the mobile experience to be equally helpful whether they’re in the office or at the grocery store.
IT departments understand that in order to meet this expectation, they have to deliver a seamless experience. In practice, this means that employees can go from their laptop to smartphone without a hitch. They get the same functionality, the same intuitive experience, and the same level of productivity no matter the device. And to realize this objective, IT teams are taking into account the breadth and depth of users, work preferences, and the apps employees may need to access.
But as all experienced IT professionals know, it can be challenging to support various types of users. That’s why many are choosing to go with the cloud and single-sign on. An employee logs on and just like that, they have access to all of their data and apps no matter the device. This system is extremely helpful for sales people on the road, and for technicians who often share devices among their teams.
Every company wants a seamless experience for their employees, but they can’t offer it without assurances about security. Whatever solution the IT staff develops for the general workforce, they have to integrate security and mobility management into the platform. Security is no place to cut corners, especially with sensitive data on the line. So when it comes to their mobility plan, IT departments should restrict access to trusted users, devices and applications.
The good news is that airtight security doesn’t mean you have to hinder employee productivity. That’s another reason to go with single sign-on, which provides universal access without users having to recall passwords.
With this level of security, companies can rely on multifactor authentication for the initial log in. After that, a specific employee may not have to re-enter their credentials for the remainder of a specific time period, which boosts productivity even more.
In what seems like only a few years, the digital workspace has gone from a futuristic fantasy to a reality for companies around the world. IT departments, by combining governance and seamless user experiences, are making this happen for employees everywhere.
