By Telecom Lead Team: Small businesses are rapidly using
emerging wireless solutions, including tablet computers, 4G devices, and GPS
navigation mobile apps. 96 percent small businesses surveyed use wireless
technologies in their operations, according to AT&T poll.
43 percent small businesses surveyed report all of their
employees use wireless devices or technologies to work away from the office, a
nearly 80 percent jump from three years ago.
The survey revealed that two-thirds (67 percent) of small
businesses indicated that they use tablet computers, up from 57 percent a year
ago.
The survey found that by end of 2012, some 50 percent of
small businesses surveyed expect to have all their employees using wireless
technologies to work away from the office.
“More than ever, we’re seeing small businesses
leverage the benefits afforded by wireless technologies, whether they be
smartphones, tablets, mobile apps, or 4G speeds,” said Ebrahim Keshavarz,
vice president of small business product management at AT&T.
85 percent of small businesses reported using smartphones
for their operations, up from 80 percent last year and more than double the
usage five years ago (42 percent).
One third of smartphones used by small businesses for
business purposes are 4G. Nearly nine in 10 (86 percent) of the businesses
using 4G smartphones are satisfied with the speed.
Of those who don’t have 4G devices, more than one-third
(35 percent) report that they expect to purchase 4G smartphones within the next
year, and more than half (54 percent) within the next two years.
Almost one-third (30 percent) of small businesses
surveyed use mobile apps for their business, with key reasons being to save
time, increase productivity and reduce costs.
Of small businesses using mobile apps, GPS navigation and
mapping are by far the most popular with 80 percent of business owners using
them, followed by location-based services (44 percent) and social media
marketing (42 percent).
Recently, AT&T announced new Unified Communications services
for businesses of all sizes as a simple, reliable, carrier-grade service. Its
Unified Communications Services helps organizations control costs and eliminate
unpredictable expenditures.
