More pragmatism please!

Let's be clear: Yes, rules are important in an environment where more and more employees are using their smartphones and tablets to access business-critical data and applications.

And yes, it is good that German companies are presenting themselves as pioneers in the implementation of rules for the supply of mobile devices and for the handling of mobile data and content.

And again, yes, it is good news from a German perspective that Germany is one of the pioneers in implementing technical solutions for mobile device, application and content management (MxM).

But

Rules and prohibitions are out of place if they are out of touch with the reality of life, inhibit the productivity and motivation of employees and therefore cannot be enforced.

You don't have to like bring your own device (BYOD) - but it's impossible to permanently prevent employees from using their own fancy tablets, bypassing IT and defying all prohibitions.

And why shouldn't employees download an app or two themselves if they find it useful for their job?

Can't?! It works! You just have to look across the borders:

Not only the liberal Britishbut also the supposedly so conservative and security-oriented Swiss companies are Germany both in terms of BYOD acceptance and in the implementation of practicable rules for the use of mobile applications.

In order to implement rules and prohibitions effectively and individually, three quarters of companies in this country rely exclusively on the servers and staff in their own Data center.

A rethink is required here, because in view of the increasing complexity, many companies feel overwhelmed by the operation of MxM solutions.

From this perspective, it is positive that many companies in this country have Cloud, but native!-The new technology will not completely close the minds of consumers, but they will be able to imagine using it in the future with certain restrictions.

After all! Perhaps the MxM magic potion will succeed at some point - made of German precision with a dash of pragmatism.

The Switzerland shows itself liberal

responsible in Swiss companies as well as sales representatives with a focus on the Switzerland will feel confirmed. Because the results of the study also clearly show:

When evaluating IT trends, it is worthwhile to consider the Switzerland separately - and not as an appendage Germany - to consider.

Nor should planning figures for the Swiss Confederation be derived across the board from any DACH or EMEA strategies. Firstly, there are country-specific peculiarities when it comes to mobility management, especially in comparison with our large neighbor north of the Alps.

Second, they clear up some blanket judgments à la conservative Swiss companies.

This is how the Switzerland not only as the country with the highest smartphone density in companies, but also shows itself to be liberal with regard to the business use of private devices as well as the use of mobile applications by employees.

This is where the Swiss (similar to the British) on pragmatic solutions rather than strict regimentation or bans.

Conversely, Swiss companies have to ask themselves why they are lagging behind in the implementation of technical solutions for mobile devices, applications and content management in comparison with the rest of Europe.

The fact that MxM solutions are not relevant - as almost half of Swiss companies believe - is simply not comprehensible given the importance of security.

Also hardly comprehensible are the Cloud, but native!-deniers, when - Prism or not - even in Germany many companies are willing to do, Cloud, but native!-to accept solutions with limitations.

Our credo:

Looking beyond the country's borders is worthwhile - for both sides.

Nicole Dufft has been analyzing market developments and trends in the ICT industry for more than ten years, with a focus on the following topics Cloud, but native!, Collaboration and Mobility. As a member of the management team at PAC Germany, she heads the PAC/Berlecon business unit in Berlin as well as the PAC market research team in Hamburg.