Andrew Brown, Director of the Wireless Enterprise Strategies service, commented, “Spending on wireless solutions is expected to grow by 23% in the UK alone over the next two years, despite flat overall IT budgets in two-thirds of companies. In France and Germany, wireless spend per employee is expected to approach 100 Euros within 2 years”.

David Kerr, VP of the Strategy Analytics global wireless practice commented, “Wireless Security (23%) and Wireless Applications (18%) are the top solutions where increased spend is expected in the next few years. However, there is also a strong focus on in-building wireless infrastructure as an area for increased spend; while remote device management is also on the radar screen with 8% planning increased wireless spend here in 2008. “

Other key findings from the study:

* After email (54%), shared contact/address book is the second largest base of installed wireless applications (40%);
* FIRE (Finance Insurance and Real Estate) is the leading edge vertical with 14% of IT spend committed to wireless solutions in 2008;
* Top Management most influential in over 50% of cases for deciding wireless spending. IT Department most influential in 30% of cases;
* RIM (hardware and middleware), Microsoft (software & middleware) and Nokia (hardware) best positioned for priority spend by business in 2008;
* FMC for voice is the best opportunity in medium and large business as well as FIRE but FMC less than 3% of wireless spend in 2008;
* Professional Services companies expect increased deployment of wireless Groupware/Calendaring/Scheduling in 2008;
* Enhanced Responsiveness To Customer Needs and Increased Employee Productivity remain the table stakes drivers for wireless adoption;
* Reliable Solutions, Security and Flexibility are the top three factors of importance for IT Managers when evaluating wireless Solution suppliers