Mobile cloud computing changing behaviour of business users

Researchers had been screaming from the rooftops about a ‘mobile revolution’ for a number of years, and, in early 2014, it was widely documented that mobile usage had for the first time exceeded PC usage.

Statistics outlining the increasing popularity of mobile devices for browsing the web quickly encouraged business owners to start catering for a new mobile-savvy demographic, resulting in significant changes to the way that consumers search and shop online. 

But as technology has improved to cater for an increasing consumer demand for mobile services, the way in which we are able to work has also undergone a significant transformation. The increased desire to ‘go mobile’, plus the rapid development of cloud-based services and applications, have led to a shift in business user behaviour as professionals flock to keep up with all the new, exciting technology that’s now available to them.

How mobile is changing the behaviour of business professionals

Up until recently, smartphone users have tended to use their devices to search, browse and research, often fleetingly. If they wanted to commit to a purchase, they’d typically use their PC or laptop. But this trend is changing. Business users expect to be able to use their mobiles to work, so demand more functionality from them. These stats from the IDG Global Mobile Survey 2014 speak volumes about this shift into mobile usage:

• •92 percent of executives own a smartphone used for business.
• •77 percent of executives use their smartphone to research a product or service for their business.
• •86 percent use their tablet and 72 percent of executives use their smartphone to conduct research for products or services for their business.

As a result of this change in the way we’re using technology, services and applications that were only previously functional from desktop devices are being developed for mobile. All the major tech brands, from Microsoft to Google, are now competing to produce business products and services that are not just compatible with mobile devices, but fully functional from them.  

What role does the Cloud play in the development of mobile?

Cloud computing lends itself well to mobile development. In fact, without the concept of the Cloud, data couldn’t be shared and accessed across mobile devices the way it is today.

Apple was the first company to start pushing cloud services into the market by creating apps for its iPhone and iPad devices back in the late noughties, and since then, it’s safe to say that mobile innovators have become dependent on this technology.

All of our favourite apps are now based in the Cloud, ensuring the latest version of the software is always available and making sure that data is accessible from anywhere, at any time – elements to the service that are attractive for individual users and business users alike.

Case in point: Dropbox is leads the way in mobile editing

Cloud vendor Dropbox has always led the way in cloud computing, but its latest development has made it even easier for mobile users to take advantage of its free storage service and work effectively on the go.

Mobile Dropbox users are now able to edit their Microsoft documents on their smartphone or tablet, then re-save them back in the Cloud for later access. This is big deal for two reasons. Firstly, it marks a departure from desktop culture and improves provision for mobile working. But interestingly, too, Microsoft’s choice to work in collaboration with one of its cloud rivals speaks volumes about how important it deems the mobile shift to be; Microsoft already operates a public cloud storage system, OneDrive, and most industry commentators were surprised to see it working so openly with a direct competitor in this way.

A new way of working

Ultimately, developments in mobile cloud computing have enabled business users to work with the kind of technology they prefer. Professionals are no longer chained to a desk – as well as being able to access important data in the Cloud, they’re able to do so on the go, from their favourite device. Without expansion into mobile cloud computing, business professionals would struggle to work as flexibly, efficiently and as intelligently as they can now in 2015.

Gary Gould is the Co-Founder of Compare Cloudware, one of the leading cloudware comparisons websites. Gary wants to help small business owners and start-ups to enter the world of cloud computing that will help them grow, including cloud-based financial tools, project management and CRM.

You may also be interested in:
Improve Your Business With Payroll Services


We would love to hear from you about your experience with Cloud Computing.