83% of NHS trusts ‘unprepared’ for the impact of wearable technology
Confusion over wireless devices on the network and a lack of planning demonstrate an acute lack of readiness for wearable technology in the workplace
NHS trusts are totally unprepared for the growth of wearable technology, according to new research.
A Freedom of Information Act request by Ipswitch has revealed that, when asked specifically about managing wearable technology entering the workplace – from Google Glass to smart watches – an overwhelming 83% of NHS trusts admitted to having no plan in place.
Many cash-strapped NHS trusts are spending on network management tools offering features that they either don’t need, or will never use
The information request was designed to identify whether public sector organisations, including 122 NHS trusts, were adopting effective approaches to the widespread challenge of managing a growing number of devices on the network.
It looked at whether they were using network management tools effectively to manage challenges, and whether they were looking ahead to plan for fresh challenges, such as the security and network bandwidth issues that can be expected, as employees rapidly adopt wearable technologies for personal and professional use.
It also found that, despite the rich feature set offered by these tools, only 38% of trusts across the UK are able to differentiate between wired and wireless devices on their network.
The request also revealed that despite 100% of trusts having invested in network management tools, only a small proportion – 26% - bother to review network performance regularly during office hours.
Finally, even though performance was cited as a key priority by 97% of NHS trusts, 43% review network performance on a weekly basis or less frequently. 7% admit to not reviewing network performance at all.
Stephen Demianyk, director for UK and Ireland at Ipswitch, said: “Many cash-strapped NHS trusts are spending on network management tools offering features that they either don’t need, or will never use. Meanwhile, they appear unable to easily gather fundamental data about the growing number of devices on their network. It’s a perfect storm of device overload and performance degradation that they’ll struggle to manage.”
NHS trusts should ask themselves what they really need to understand about their network and ensure they’re using a solution closely aligned to this need
He believes that as ‘bring your own device’ and its various adaptions continue to gather momentum, and the adoption of wearable technology gathers pace, many organisations risk losing control of their network, their devices and the bandwidth needed to function.
He told BBH: “NHS trusts should ask themselves what they really need to understand about their network and ensure they’re using a solution closely aligned to this need.”