Seven Mobile Predictions for 2013 and Beyond

Authors: Jim Lundy, Mike Anderson
Date: December 28, 2012
Topic: Workplace
Research Note Number: 2012-49


Issues: What are the trends impacting mobile computing?
What are the technologies and architectures that make up a mobile ecosystem?

Summary: Mobile remains a top enterprise priority as it continues its high-intensity assault on enterprise computing. The shift from PCs to the tablet era and leveraging mobility for business transformation are predominant in the predictions for 2013.


The mobile revolution continues to transform computing in 2013. The implications are felt across the entire mobile environment, including the devices, ecosystems, enterprise strategy and consumer use.

Enterprises are poised to accelerate their mobile investments. Much attention has gone into managing the mobile environment; that will shift away from managing devices toward exploiting mobile to transform processes, fuel new growth and drive revenue. Many pilots will shift from evaluation to implementation, and sales organizations will be even further transformed as mobility changes how sales interactions are optimized.

As enterprises more fully embrace the tablet era, competition in the mobile ecosystem arena is also heightened. Android is staking out a stronger presence in the enterprise, with Samsung leading that charge against Apple’s early lead with iOS. Microsoft and RIM have just entered the battle, leaving such a huge lead to iOS and Android as to appear irrelevant, at least for the moment. Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8 must establish a presence as startups, and RIM must leverage is sizeable enterprise base with stellar execution of its late-to-market BlackBerry 10 strategy.

Aragon Mobile Predictions for 2013 and Beyond

  • Given the direct impact of tablets on productivity and close rates, sales organizations will aggressively shift their sales executives to tablets and shift selling strategies to integrate inside and outside roles in 2013.
  • Microsoft will spend most of 2013 expanding its app network and competing for third place in mobile.
  • By the end of 2014, more than 80% of businesses will have defined “bring your own technology” programs.
  • RIM will sell at least part of the company in 2013 even as BlackBerry 10 begins to re-establish its smartphone credibility.
  • In 2013 enterprises will focus more on securing the content on mobile devices than the devices themselves.
  • By the end of 2014, more tablets than laptops will be sold annually.
  • MDM market consolidation will accelerate in 2013, fueling the emergence of integrated EMM offerings.

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