NEW YORK … Sept. 17, 2003 – Finding a company that’s 100% wired isn’t as easy as it seems: 92% of IT executives said they’re using or planning to use wireless LAN technology either in the office or at public hot spots, according to a 110-page Nemertes Research report released today. But most of them are running trials or limited deployments, and a few key factors are preventing expanded rollouts.
“Security is the No. 1 area IT executives want vendors to improve,” says Robin Gareiss, Nemertes’ principal research officer. “They want new products, improvements to existing gear, and additional security information available through monitoring tools.” Products that bolster detection of rogue access points, intrusion detection, and standards-based encryption are among the wish-list items.
Nemertes detects a gap, however, in perception vs. reality. Stand-alone and integrated security products already can lock down wireless networks to a level that is acceptable to enterprises, although many IT executives don’t know how to properly do so. “Vendors must get the word out about their products and how they work,” Gareiss says. Cisco’s LEAP protocol is the most widely used security measure, being deployed by 46% of the businesses surveyed, followed by VPNs at 31%.
Nearly one quarter of the IT executives want vendors to do a better job proving a return on investment for their products. Nemertes Wire Cutters’ Cost Model shows a $360 savings per employee in a typical rollout, and the Nemertes Meeting Cost Model shows a $5,667 annual savings in IT support when WiFi is used for training and conferences.
The report, which draws on five months of research with 60 IT leaders and 100 vendors, also found:
• The CIO usually makes the ultimate purchasing decision, but increasingly, business-unit managers sign WiFi deals.
• Improved mobility and productivity are IT executives’ top WiFi goals
• Although WiFi makes individuals more productive, it can decrease group productivity if the right policies are missing.
• Nearly half of the IT executives plan to add voice to their wireless LANs; 29% are considering it. But, quality degraded among those who have added voice to 802.11b.
• Seven in 10 say they’re interested in integrated devices that can use WiFi and cellular data technologies.
• Nearly one third use hot-spot services; 47% plan to.
• Participants spent on average $688 per access point; $1,247 including labor.
• Cisco is the most oft-evaluated vendor (90%), followed by Nortel and Symbol (27% each)
• There’s no clear runner-up to Cisco in terms of actual usage for WiFi products. But many Cisco customers plan to reassess the market before expanding their rollouts.
As with all Nemertes research projects, we provide detailed recommendations for vendors and IT executives based on direct input from IT executives who assess their best practices and pain points. The report contains input from organizations across a range of industries; 64% have revenue in excess of $1 billion.
Founded in 2002, Nemertes Research specializes in analyzing the business value of emerging technologies for IT executives, vendors, and venture capitalists.
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