Following a year of unprecedented change, it’s predicted a quarter of Brits will work from home full-time by 2025, compared to just 5% in 2019^[1]. With mobile technology becoming essential for remote productivity, organisations now face a wave of challenges to deploy a mobility strategy that is controlled, effective and secure.

The study run by Samsung Enterprise Edition – which surveyed decision-makers and employees in the Finance and Professional Services sectors^[2] – aimed to identify where businesses experienced the most troubling tech challenges when forced into the sudden reality of remote working. Most notably, over a quarter (29%) respondents experienced increased security threats and three in ten (30%) businesses admitting to not having enough mobile devices to offer to their remote workers.

Consequently, seven out of ten employees admit to having used their personal device for work purposes – either exclusively or alongside a work device – with 18% noting that they haven’t felt confident in the security of their device for the last 12 months. With UK businesses now incurring more frequent security threats than ever before^[3], decision-makers now face a race against time to ensure their operations are secured for a hybrid working model.

According to the study, Enterprise Management Mobility (EMM) – technology and software that enables businesses to securely manage employee use of mobile devices and applications – has become an increasingly popular solution to addressing these issues, as more organisations look to simplify and secure their mobility strategy.

Samsung Enterprise Edition is one example of an EMM solution, combining a complete suite of mobile technology and services with Knox security from the chip-up, enabling businesses to integrate end-to-end security and remote configuration into their fleet of devices.

Six in ten (60%) organisations either started or expanded their use of EMM within the last year, with nine in ten adopters planning to invest even more in 2021. With every adopter (100%) experiencing benefits, the most positively impacted areas we revealed as:

• Tightened security: Over half of adopters (55%) selected enhanced security as a key benefit. Additionally, nine in ten of those using the solution feel confident in the security of their company’s devices – significantly higher than those who don’t (78%).
• Performance boost: Over a third of respondents reported improved levels of collaboration (34%), productivity (35%), and quality of work (36%) as direct results from deploying the solution. With a third of respondents admitting to suffering employee productivity issues this year, these are invaluable benefits.
• Device control: Four in ten decision-makers said it simplifies the management of individual devices, notably with software updates (46%), and over a third (34%) enjoy easier configuration and management of large mobile fleets. With 87% respondents saying that device longevity is crucial for their operations, EMM is a key enabler of a longer lifespan.

Following the accelerated transition to remote working in 2020, and the increased mobility challenges that came with it, the survey found that 40% of businesses who have not previously considered EMM solutions, now plan to invest throughout 2021.

Joe Walsh, director of B2B at Samsung UK & Ireland, commented: “The last year has shown us that we can never be too prepared when it comes to the steps we can take to secure our business. Mobile phones have become more critical than ever for productivity, but the acceleration of remote and hybrid working models has made the management and protection of large mobility fleets even more challenging – particularly for those who have not previously considered it.”

“It is encouraging to see that Enterprise solutions are becoming a popular and effective way for businesses to boost security, and we continue to listen to our customers to develop integral solutions that address their day-to-day challenges. With Samsung Galaxy Enterprise Edition, we provide organisations with more choice, more control and more protection when managing their mobile fleets, so they can do less work and more business.”

The survey also asked decision-makers to outline where their mobile technology priorities were for 2021. Leading areas in included, key upgrades across security platforms (45%), outdated software (37%) and hardware (35%), with 5G also a notable inclusion. A third of respondents (33%) said they’re preparing to integrate 5G-ready devices into their organisations this year with the same number saying they will become an essential factor in the future of hybrid work.

From flagship devices, such as the newly launched Samsung Galaxy S21 5G Series, to A Series and Rugged models, Samsung offers a wide range of devices within its Enterprise Edition portfolio. For more information, please visit: https://www.samsung.com/uk/business/enterprise-edition/

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About Samsung for Business:

Samsung is committed to developing devices and solutions that are built for the way businesses are evolving today. By understanding the needs of organisations large and small, Samsung for Business provides innovative mobile-first technology that solves their challenges and brings new opportunities.

Backed up by Samsung’s unique defence-grade security platform, Knox, businesses can choose from a wide portfolio of devices knowing their company is in safe hands. Ranging from industry-ready and award-winning rugged devices, to top-spec Galaxy Enterprise Edition smartphones with full-service support, Samsung strives to deliver technology that powers business success.

For more information, https://www.samsung.com/uk/business/.

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[1] https://www2.deloitte.com/uk/en/pages/consumer-business/articles/consumer-tracker.html

[2] The research was carried out by Ketchum Research and Analytics, on behalf of Samsung. A total of 1,000 people aged 18+ were surveyed in the UK, including 600 employees and 400 decision-makers across the following industries: Financial Services and Professional Services. Fieldwork ran from 10^th February – 16^th February 2021 and was conducted by Vitreous World.

[3] https://www.beaming.co.uk/cyber-reports/2020-cyber-threat-analysis/

With many businesses managing large, disparate workforces or teams in the field, the new Galaxy Enterprise Edition makes it easier to configure, update, deploy and run mobile technology across organisations at scale — ensuring customers are always securely connected with the latest reliable technology to keep teams working and on the move.

Unique features of the Galaxy Enterprise Edition include:

• Knox Configure: more control over settings, restrictions, apps and other mobile content, allowing businesses to configure devices remotely and get the workforce connected faster.
• Enterprise Firmware-over-the-air (E-FOTA): easier-to-manage mobile firmware and security updates as well as the ability to remotely update the OS across the entire Samsung fleet.
• 4 Year Security: 4 years of regular firmware updates^[1] so businesses can be sure their fleet of devices have the latest Android and Samsung security patches.
• Extended Product Lifecycle: all Galaxy Enterprise Edition devices come with an extended product lifecycle, ensuring users have the same device, bringing continuity to a mobile fleet^[2].
• 3 year enhanced support: Galaxy Enterprise Edition devices give users 3 years of an enhanced service maintenance, including fast response, next business day swap and on site Samsung repair vehicles throughout the UK, ensuring the mobile technology continues to perform.
• Superior Protection: All of our devices are protected by Samsung Knox, our defence-grade security platform built from the chip up. Business users can rest assured, knowing that their data stays secure.

Conor Pierce, Corporate VP at Samsung Electronics UK and Ireland commented: “More business, less work; that’s the commitment we make to businesses when they sign up for Samsung’s Enterprise Edition devices. The fact is, workforces are becoming more fluid and flexible and mobile technology solutions are becoming ever critical to maintain team connectivity and communication. We’re so excited to bring the new Samsung Galaxy Enterprise Edition to market at a time when businesses are looking to drive down costs and drive up productivity. Our out-of-the -box solutions mean customers can easily set up and run an enterprise mobile ecosystem without hassle.”

The Galaxy Enterprise Edition will be available on the Note10, S10, S10e, A50, A40 and XCover 4s variants first, via https://www.samsung.com/uk/business/smartphones/all-smartphones/ and selected partners.

The Galaxy Enterprise Edition will also be available on further variants throughout the year. Details of which will be announced in due course.

For more information about the Galaxy Enterprise Edition, visit www.samsung.com/uk/enterprise-edition

^{[1] S Series, Note Series, A50 and XCover 4s updates are available monthly for the first three years, then quarterly for the final year. A40 updates are available quarterly for the full four year term.}

^{[2] Devices will remain on sale for a defined period of time after first global market release. The defined period will differ according to each specific device. Subject to change without notice.}