A few recent studies have shed some additional light on the impact of wireless mobility and battery life on productivity. The common thread is that smartphones provided significant productivity benefit to the user and workforce. Additionally, battery life remains the #1 concern, shaping usage and purchasing decisions.

pew research center survey

Pew Research Center conducted an online survey in September 2014 studying workers’ use of technology. From the survey, 46% of respondents feel more productive because of the availability of internet, email and cell phones. 24% of respondents specifically indicated that smartphones are very important for doing their job.

Additionally, respondents highlighted specific productivity benefits of internet, email and cell phones:

  • 51% of internet-using workers said that technology expands the number of people outside of their company they communicate with
  • 39% indicated technology allows them more flexibility in the hours they work
  • 35% of online workers say that this increases the amount of hours they work

Blackberry STUDY

Blackberry conducted a study on Canadian smartphone usage in 2014. Some key findings from the study:

  • One-third of respondents indicated that their smartphones provided them with more than 5 hours in gains in productivity per week
  • 46% of Canadians identified battery life as a major challenge to productivity

In terms of productivity gain:

  • 63% of respondents said that smartphones provide assurance to their customers and clients that they are getting the best possible service
  • 49% indicated smartphones improve their availability
  • 39% mentioned that mobile technology helps them manage personal life more effectively during work hours
  • 66% of those surveyed agreed that smartphones enable flexibility to work whenever and wherever they want

Battery life concerns

Fortune-SurveyMonkey survey at CES 2015 highlighted battery life as the primary concern of smartphone users. 33% of smartphone consumers indicated battery life as their #1 concern; almost double that of secondary concern – processing power. This echoes IDC’s 2014 study indicating that battery life is the top-level concern when purchasing a smartphone.

Taken together, these studies are strong indicators around how smartphones are providing a workplace substantial productivity gains. Battery life remains an issue as our use of these devices at work increase and battery capacities are insufficient to last us through the workday. New iPhones have a battery life of 5 to 5.5 hours (real world use) compared to 8 to 12 hour workdays. In order to ensure maximum productivity, organizations need to consider power solutions that enable their employees to conveniently access power whenever possible.

Find out more about how ChargeSpot wireless charging solutions can help you keep your employees charged and productive: http://www.chargespot.com/for/offices/