Reducing Complexity, Reducing Cost: Sprint Biz 360 Helps Small Business Go Mobile

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1 November 2011 Reducing Complexity, Reducing Cost: Sprint Biz 360 Helps Small Business Go Mobile We Accelerate Growth

2 Most small businesses realize it s time to incorporate mobile solutions into their day-to-day operations. The problem is that they don t know what type of solutions to adopt, and they struggle with justifying the actual expense. The value-add of mobile technology has certainly become clearer to small business owners. For example, according to a recent Frost & Sullivan survey, 63 percent of North American small businesses recognize the business necessity of adding mobile enterprise software applications to employee mobile phones. However, a significant drop-off persists between what is desirable and what is actually being accomplished. Only 47 percent of the small business survey respondents have actually deployed one or more mobile apps. And half of these implementations were only partial rollouts. Another 26 percent of respondents are planning to implement but are still sitting on the fence, delaying their purchase. This same dynamic is taking place with mobility management solutions. 1 We know we need it, but. The hesitation to adopt is understandable. U.S. small businesses enjoy a precarious existence where every purchase decision must be ruthlessly evaluated. When it comes to mobile technology, a first challenge is obtaining the expertise necessary to knowledgeably evaluate alternative products and services. It s difficult to determine just what type of mobile solutions to adopt if one knows little about the technology. It is a rare small business that has the resources to maintain a dedicated IT staff, so a low level of internal expertise regarding mobility vendors and products can act as a natural brake on adoption decisions. A second challenge is cost. Even after the small business decides on a mobile solution, it has to be able to afford it. Frugality is essential to small business success. Any new expenditure must offer a quick, hard-dollar return on investment, so affordable pricing is a must. Small businesses view wireless carriers as their preferred partner in helping to neutralize these adoption challenges North America SMB View of Mobile Enterprise Applications, Frost & Sullivan, November Frost & Sullivan Page 2

3 North American Small Businesses: Preferred Mobility Solution Partner 50 48% % 14% 13% 10 5% 0 Wireless Carrier Corporate Software Vendor Application Mobile Developer Device Mfr. Value- Added Reseller 1% Other Source: Frost & Sullivan 2011 Mobile Enterprise Applications Survey. Sprint and its Biz 360 small business program offer a good example of why wireless carriers are ranked significantly higher than other potential mobility partners: Understand needs: Sprint has built a long-standing, direct relationship with the small business sector. Based on years of day-to-day interactions, the carrier understands the needs of smaller establishments and recognizes the importance of offering simple, easy-touse products and services. Single source: Sprint is comfortable acting as a single, centralized source for an end-to-end selection of mobile business solutions including any necessary hardware, software, network connectivity, service and support. By partnering with other stakeholders and acting as a single 2011 Frost & Sullivan Page 3

4 point of contact, Sprint makes the purchase and implementation process significantly easier for the small business owner. One throat to choke is an attractive proposition for harried small business managers who do not have the time to interact with multiple vendors. Best-in-class products: In a still very fragmented marketplace, there are numerous mobility vendors vying for share. Only a sub-set of these are designing to small business needs. And only a further sub-set are doing it right. Sprint evaluates and identifies top-tier, out-of-the-box solutions that provide the mobile capabilities small businesses need, while also avoiding costly customization and integration requirements. Affordable prices: Anticipated cost is the number one purchase barrier for small businesses. As a major service provider, Sprint can negotiate and pass on price discounts on various mobile components, including mobile devices, apps, and network plans. It also offers hosted solutions that are billed on a per-user/per-month basis, helping the customer avoid capex spending. The carrier recognizes that a clear, hard-dollar ROI is imperative for any major purchase. Comprehensive service and support: Without an internal IT staff, small businesses can feel technologically vulnerable. Savvy providers like Sprint have trained up a network of small business experts to work closely and directly with customers to identify needs, choose the right products, and avoid any launch difficulties. 24/7 technical support keeps post-deployment headaches to a minimum and offers an easy-to-reach source of information and guidance. The Sprint Biz 360 portfolio is divided into four straightforward solution categories: Phone Solutions: These include mobile devices that are specifically vetted for small business use, including smartphones, tablets, ruggedized devices, and notebooks from major vendors. The carrier takes this category one step further by including solutions like Sprint Phone Connect, which allows the business to plug its existing phone hardware into a fixed wireless voice terminal that connects to Sprint s 3G network. Sprint Phone Connect can move with the employee when he or she needs to relocate. The solution allows the user to port an existing home or office phone number to Sprint or activate a new one. Productivity Solutions: These software and hardware products focus on enhancing profits by increasing worker productivity and capturing sales opportunities right at the customer location. Easy-to-download applications include employee location tracking technology and a wireless forms solution both available on mobile phone or tablet. Another current offering is a small peripheral piece of hardware that turns the mobile phone into a wireless credit card machine, all on the customer s doorstep. Each of these productivity solutions performs its task in a simple, user-friendly way. Connectivity and Back-Up Solutions: Network connectivity difficulties can be a major time-waster out in the field. Sprint provides a focused set of tools that includes mobile hot spot devices, broadband cards, and network redundancy solutions Frost & Sullivan Page 4

5 Customer Support Solutions: The carrier has programs that specifically assist small businesses in choosing, deploying, and managing their mobile technology. The Sprint Business Advocate program provides specialized care representatives who monitor solution set up and circle back for periodic account reviews. 24/7 support is available online and by phone. Add in discounts and device upgrade deals, and the Sprint Biz 360 program provides all of the elements a small business owner needs to make informed and affordable mobile technology decisions. sprint.com/biz360 About Frost & Sullivan Frost & Sullivan, the Growth Partnership Company, enables clients to accelerate growth and achieve best-in-class positions in growth, innovation and leadership. The company's Growth Partnership Service provides the CEO and the CEO's Growth Team with disciplined research and best-practice models to drive the generation, evaluation, and implementation of powerful growth strategies. Frost & Sullivan leverages 50 years of experience in partnering with Global 1000 companies, emerging businesses and the investment community from over 40 offices on six continents. To join our Growth Partnership, please visit CONTACT US 877.GoFrost ( ) myfrost@frost.com