Mobile convergence contributes to economic transformation.
The growth of the mobile technology space and convergence with core business systems has contributed significantly towards economic transformation. Human resource specialists say businesses must help position the worker effectively in order to benefit from a knowledge-based economy.
A knowledge-based economy, loosely defined, is one in which the role of knowledge resource technologies is highly relevant and directly linked to economic growth and job creation. Companies focused on people development believe mobile technology has a significant role to play as a knowledge resource.
A statistic quoted by the DTI during a recent presentation stated 90% of South Africans surveyed own or use a mobile device.
In 2011 IDC Research predicted that 330 million smartphones and 42 million media tablet devices would be sold. At the same time, it was anticipated that app-capable non-PC devices would out-ship personal computers. Furthermore, one half of 2,1 billion people connecting regularly to the Internet will access the net through non-PC mobile devices.
This points to the rise of ubiquitous IT and the strength of penetration and proliferation of the mobile market. It also signifies the advent of unified communications and empowerment of a new breed of worker say HR and recruitment specialists at Accsys.
The development of a knowledge worker within a knowledge-based economy represents an exciting growth phase for the country says management.
“We operate in an information-driven market that expects the knowledge worker to be multi-skilled and have an understanding of technology. This means that anyone entering the job market today has to be PC literate and should understand the role of information and data management in business,” explains Teryl Schroenn, CEO at Accsys.
Many of the positions being offered in today’s market, across various industries and sectors, require that candidates possess the ability to manage multiple different disciplines daily. This is because businesses are being economically forced to do more with less and sustain higher levels of productivity in order to keep costs down.
Mobile solutions, like smartphones and tablet PCs, continue to be brought into the workplace to access multiple resources and see to daily responsibilities at anytime, from any place.
In the past, decision makers were dubious about the rise of mobile solutions and peripheral devices in the workplace. Today, the relevance of social networking and the increase in knowledge of mobile and wireless technology means a radical change in perspective and approach, says Schroenn.
There are challenges to this convergence, including the security and integrity of data as well as access, cost and training and skills development. However, decision makers agree that the introduction of mobile solutions may well be an effective way to increase productivity and contribute to the knowledge-based economy, but there also seems to be concern from business leaders around the effective management of successful outcomes in the workplace, where workers are constantly connected.
However, those within the people development and recruitment business are confident that this knowledge based economy will continue to gain momentum going forward, as will innovation within mobility.
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