The research was carried out by Source for Consulting in partnership with software provider, Advanced Business Solutions (Advanced) and found that employee demand to use smartphone and tablet devices in a professional capacity is only partially being met.

The survey of staff from 160 mid-market UK organisations in July 2014 found that only 7% of finance staff can access customer and supplier data via mobile devices and just nine% can retrieve key business performance data and metrics. Only one in five HR personnel can access their organisation's core HR systems via their smartphones. 



A total of 44% of respondents would like to approve expenses using their smartphones while 56% of respondents stated they would like to submit holiday requests whereas only 23% are able to do so. And 50 cent admitted they would like to be able to report absences using a mobile device but this is currently an option for just 21% of those surveyed.

Simon Fowler, managing director, Advanced Business Solutions (Commercial division), commented: ‘Our research reveals that staff are keen to extend their use of mobile technology but many mid-market employers are not keeping up with their demands. 



‘We believe the impact of mobile technologies on the back office is only set to increase, with the current application of these technologies by HR, Finance and IT only scratching the surface of what is possible.’