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BPM Can Help Organizations Get Proactive About Mobility

Joshua Hoffman
August 17, 2015

The mobile device revolution is having a real impact on organizations, and business process management software is evolving to give companies an application development platform where they can quickly customize apps and services to meet their needs. This functionality has been of growing importance as businesses get more intentional about embracing mobile device strategies. A recent EnterpriseAppsTech report set out a clear pathway for organizations to achieve maturity in their mobility plans, and the ability to customize apps is a key sign of maturation.

A new model for mobility maturity

The news source established a clear, three-tiered maturity model to explain how organizations develop strategies to deal with smartphones and tablets.

Tier one is labeled "aware," and the report explained that the vast majority of organizations have achieved this stage. Companies that are aware of widespread mobile device use have come to the realization that employees are using smartphones and tablets in the workplace, and they know there is potential involved in the process. They still don't have IT controls and management plans in place, but they are achieving productivity gains because users are taking advantage of mobile device functionality.

The right mobility strategies can empower your users.The right mobility strategies can empower your users.

The problem with the "aware" phase is that it exposes companies to significant security risks. As organizations recognize this, they enter tier two of mobile maturity, as defined in the report, and get "reactive." A reactive business has started putting IT controls and procedures in place to keep data safe when users are leveraging mobile tools. They are also controlling what apps and services employees can leverage.

Going reactive can lead to productivity losses, as employees now have to fall in line with IT limitations rather than use flexible consumer tools. Companies can evolve to a "proactive" strategy to overcome this problem. An organization that is proactive has evolved to create custom mobile apps, refine business processes to support mobility and take an intentional approach to empowering users, the news source explained.

Taking advantage of application platforms

BPM tools that can also serve as application development platforms serve a key role in empowering mobile users. They allow business and IT personnel to quickly customize apps to align data and process workflows within user interfaces, ensuring that apps and services work well regardless of which device a person is using. In the end, enterprise mobility maturation boils down to enabling productivity without creating risk. Custom applications make that possible, and BPM software sets the foundation for rapid, simple development.