Why Wearable Tech Needs Killer Business Apps
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Budget Item
86% of survey respondents said their companies expect to increase wearable tech spending within the next 12 months. -
Biggest Wearable Tech 'Impact Makers' on the Enterprise
Smart watches: 49%, Digital badges: 37%, Smart glasses: 36% -
Key Asset
79% of those surveyed said wearables are (or will be) strategic to their company's future success. -
Impactful Execution
76% said implementing wearable devices in the enterprise has resulted in business performance improvements. -
Top Enterprise Uses for Wearable Tech
Workplace security access: 23%, Employee time management: 20%, Staff communications: 20% -
Autonomous Adoption
54% of survey respondents said their organizations currently support a bring-your-own-wearable (BYOW) model and another 40% plan to in the future. -
Top Wearable Tech Products of Interest Within Enterprise
Apple Watch: 56%, Google Glass: 55%, Samsung Galaxy Gear: 49%, Android Wear: 48%, Fitbit: 48% -
Future Glimpse, Part I
36% said they will pilot or implement wearable tech to track workplace productivity within the next two years, and 35% will do so to provide real-time access to customer data. -
Future Glimpse, Part II
33% said they will pilot or implement wearable tech within the next two years to deliver hands-free instruction or guides for field service, and the same percentage said they will do so to deliver "see-what-I-see" coaching via live remote tech or a trainer. -
Consumer Focus
29% plan to invest in wearable tech in the next two years to improve device integration to better connect to customers, and 27% will do so to enhance loyalty/rewards programs.
The vast majority of organizations plan to increase spending on wearable tech over the next year, according to a recent survey from Salesforce.com. The resulting report, "Putting Wearables to Work," reveals that IT leadership and other company decision-makers consider wearable tech as critical to future success, given that such implementations have already positively impacted business performance. For starters, these technologies are currently helping departments better manage employee time and communications. In fact, the entire trend has created what's sure to be a new tech buzz phrase–"BYOW," or bring your own wearable. "Wearables are the next phase of the mobile revolution," said Lindsey Irvine, global director of strategic partnerships for Salesforce. "Like smartphones before them, the key to success for wearables in the enterprise is all about the killer business apps. (There's a) tremendous opportunity for wearable use cases to drive significant business value." An estimated 500 professionals who are currently using, piloting or planning to implement wearable tech in the enterprise took part in the research.