According to a recent survey, 7 in 10 respondents in Malaysia value technological mobility in their role and 85% bring their personal computing devices to work. However, 74% say their IT departments do not provide them with relevant support to use these devices effectively in the workplace.
Commissioned by VMware and conducted by Acorn Research, the New Way of Work Study surveyed over 2,100 people in 12 countries across Asia-Pacific, including 150 responses from Malaysia.
According to the 2013 study, Malaysian employees who are empowered to use the technology of their choice at work say they are faster to respond to change (76%), more productive even when outside of the office (75%), and more efficient (71%).
Consequently, 64% expect corporate IT to provide fast network access anytime, anywhere; and nearly half of respondents (48%) say they desire guidance on how to integrate their personal computing devices into the corporate IT environment.
However, 92% of Malaysian respondents are restricted from connecting their personal portable device to their corporate network. This in turn leads end users to find their own workarounds (68%), or turn to Google for answers (64%) on how to use their personal devices for work.
“The annual VMware ‘New Way’ study in 2013 focuses on the changing consumer technology lifestyle and the expectations that the younger generation bring when they enter the workforce,” said Laurence Si(picture), country manager, VMware Malaysia. “The results present a strong call to action for companies to adopt a more open technology policy and enable flexible – yet secure and compliant – policies that enhance employee productivity and job satisfaction.”
“I speak to CIOs and IT decision makers daily who say managing the challenges that arise from the influx of personal computing devices into the workplace can no longer be neglected. That is why VMware is delivering cloud solutions that can empower organizations and IT to meet end-user demands in this new way of life,” added Si.
The 2013 study also continues to identify a strong link between IT freedom and job satisfaction. Nearly seven in 10 respondents (69%) in Malaysia deem their employer to be more progressive and dynamic when allowed to use their choice of Web-based/customized software applications to do their work.
The full presentation can be viewed below:
In a separate announcement, VMware unveiled the VMware Horizon Suite, designed to be the industry’s most comprehensive platform for workforce mobility. The suite, consisting of VMware Horizon Workspace, VMware Horizon View and VMware Horizon Mirage promises to simplify end-user computing and empowers workforce mobility that connects end-users to their data, applications and desktops on any device without sacrificing IT security and control.
