93% Cos Will Implement Workshifting Policies By 2013

According to a survey of senior IT decision makers, organisations across the globe are widely embracing mobile workstyles as a way to empower business innovation. The Citrix Global Workshifting Index, indicates that by the end of 2013 ninety three percent of organisations will have implemented workshifting policies, up from 37 percent which currently offer workshifting for part, or all, of their workforce.

Mobile workstyles are enabled when people have access to the technology and policies that allow them to be as productive when they are outside the office – connected wirelessly using public networks and often times personal devices – as they are in the office using a company network and device. Workshifting is a type of mobile workstyle in which work is moved to more optimal times, locations and resources. For people, this means moving work to a place where they find inspiration and can be their most productive. For organisations, it means reducing business and IT costs while providing flexibility to allow people to work anywhere, anytime and on any device.

Survey respondents confirmed that organisations are recognising the benefits of mobile workstyles and workshifting including improved business productivity and agility for the organisation and greater freedom, mobility and flexibility for users. They are implementing workshifting policies to reduce business and IT costs, provide greater workplace flexibility for people and improve support for an increasingly remote and mobile workforce.

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Workshifting Benefits Both The Organisation And People

Organisations are recognising that giving people the ability to work from anywhere can benefit both parties. The business reaps the rewards of a highly mobile and agile business with increased productivity and lower costs while people have the flexibility to choose the ideal time, place and device for their work. According to IT decision makers, the benefits of workshifting include:

• Giving people the flexibility to choose the ideal time, place and device for their work. Seventy one percent of respondents indicated that they are using workshifting policies to enable people to work from anywhere and 63 percent to enable people to work from home when required.

• Providing people with uninterrupted access to desktops and apps during business disruptions of any kind. Ninety four percent of senior IT decision makers agreed that the need for comprehensive business continuity is very important with 93 percent of those surveyed agreeing that desktop virtualisation was a very effective foundation for business continuity.

• Reducing real-estate, travel and labour costs through flex-work, telework and alternative workplace strategies. Cost savings are among the main drivers for workshifting with the reduction of HR-related costs at 45 percent, improved ability to recruit workers in lower-cost regions at 39 percent, reduction of real estate costs at 38 percent and contribution to environmental sustainability at 26 percent.

• Attracting and retaining the best people through flex-work, telework and alternative workplace strategies. Fifty one percent of IT decision makers indicated that have implemented workshifting policies to help attract and retain top talent. Nearly half of respondents also indicated that workshifting enables organisations to tap into a broader labor pool by facilitating collaboration with and among outsourcing partners, contractors, business partners, temporary workers and consultants.

Desktop Virtualisation Is Primary Enabling Technology For Workshifting

Desktop virtualisation is emerging as a key technology for creating a more flexible workplace with 91 percent of organisations planning to implement desktop virtualisation by the end of 2013. Of those implementing desktop virtualisation, 57 percent indicated they are implementing or will implement it to enable workshifting. Desktop virtualisation enables organisations to access full desktops, applications and data from wherever they are, whenever and from any device a worker chooses. In addition, the security benefits of desktop virtualisation ensure that confidential business information is protected from loss and theft in order to meet privacy and compliance standards. According to those surveyed, 92 percent of organisations have adopted or are adopting desktop virtualisation to improve information security. People can also take advantage of online meetings and file-sharing services which allow teams to collaborate effectively regardless of the location of every individual.

Mick Hollison, Vice President, Integrated Marketing & Strategy, Citrix said, “Workshifting enables organisations to be more productive and agile, and provides people with added mobility and flexibility to move work to the most convenient and productive times, locations and devices. We’ve long believed that workshifting is a key part of a solid business and IT strategy and these survey findings are an indicator that this trend is going mainstream. Organisations around the globe are moving from traditional work environments and realising real-estate, travel and labor cost savings by enabling mobile workstyles.”