Hande Bolukbasi,
Director of Global Ecosystem
& Channels Product Marketing
Group, SAP
Smartphones have become a big part of our personal lives and have changed the way we communicate with our friends, shop, or entertain ourselves. New McKinsey research highlights that nearly 50% of U.S. online consumers are now advanced users of smartphones, social networks, and other emerging tools -- up from 32% in 2008. This is a dramatic increase in the intensity with which people use these devices and platforms.
Smartphones are becoming the device of choice for e-mail, Web browsing, and product research. A third of smartphone owners prefer using mobile devices even when they are near PCs for Web browsing or e-mail.
Over the past two years, iPhone users have spent 45% more time e-mailing on their smartphones and 15% less time e-mailing on their PCs. More than 60% of smartphone users would consider buying goods with it or have already done so.
Clearly, such a preference in use of mobile technology over traditional devices is expected to spill over into our work environment and influence the way we interact with our colleagues, customers and suppliers.
The use of smartphones in business environment will only accelerate. Historically, most executives have used their smart phones for email and calendaring. After all, many of us are addicted to our 'crackberries.'
