fingertip access to the latest trends in professional apps · an emerging trend for vr/ar and ai...

Fingertip access to the latest trends in professional appsFifth annual survey on mobile apps

Fingertip access to the latest trends in professional apps2

Contents

01 Towards a more structured way of adopting apps .........03

02 Key findings of the survey ...04

03 Survey results in detail ........05

04 Extent of mobile app use ....06

05 Use of cloud-based apps ...08

06 Expectations of new technologies.......................10

07 Pushed or downloaded ......11

08 Devices used with mobile apps .......................12

09 Which devices are being considered?..............13

10 External accessories ...........14

11 Plans to introduce new apps ............................15

12 Use cases with the most potential .....................16

13 Identifying potential apps ....17

14 Criteria for selecting an apps vendor .......................18

15 Most important decision makers ...............................19

16 Most important app characteristics.....................20

17 Biggest challenge related to mobile apps ....................21

18 Survey methodology ...........22

19 Fueling a transformation ......23

Fingertip access to the latest trends in professional apps 3

01This report details the findings from the fifth Airbus survey of user requirements in the professional mobile apps market. The survey was widely supported by participants from the critical communications community and across the world. A record number of people responded, not only indicating an ever-growing interest in professional mobile apps, but showing that the survey itself has become a trusted source of information for users.

As the fifth in the series, this report adds to the wealth of data being accumulated by the survey, providing Airbus with the unique opportunity to identify and analyze market trends in the field of professional mobile apps. The report gives all stakeholders a high level of confidence about the future direction of the professional app market.

Trends show organizations are better prepared through more planningThe responses to this year’s survey show that users are increasingly ready for secure, professional apps to be part of their operations. Responses also show that, compared with last year, organizations are taking a more structured approach to app adoption.

Interestingly, the survey identifies an emerging trend of user organizations becoming open to cloud-based apps/services,

although they still have concerns about security, costs and service availability.

Towards a more structured way of adopting apps

Key lessons

• Public safety and other professionals are increasingly ready for secure, professional and even cloud-based apps to be part of their operations. While app store downloads remain popular, a more structured or controlled approach is increasingly favored.

• App developers - ease of use is expected, but making apps highly intuitive calls for different approaches. Data security and service availability continue to be priorities for professional apps, with the demand for new technologies, particularly cloud services, growing.


02A special use case for professional adopters of mobile apps is field commanding and situational awareness in the field.

Apps adoption becoming more structuredAlthough data from both this year’s and last year’s survey shows that most users download their applications from generic app stores, there is a clear trend identifying a more structured or controlled approach to adopting apps.

Today, downloading from proprietary organization app stores and via IT/IM departments, is on the rise. Also, professional users/organizations now have more plans to introduce new apps than last year, which might indicate that the market for professional mobile apps is becoming more mature.

Professional users are open to cloud-based apps/servicesA new question in this year’s survey asked how organizations use, or plan to use, cloud-based apps. The results show that even though professional users/organizations are open to cloud resources and see a lot of potential in such services, they have concerns about security, costs and availability.

An emerging trend for VR/AR and AI The survey reveals a gradually emerging trend of users appreciating the potential of the latest technological developments, such as virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR) and artificial intelligence (AI).

Professional users expect the latest technology advances to open up many new opportunities. At the same time, however, expectations extend to data security, high service availability and ease of use – characteristics that have been important throughout the survey’s history. Those adopting professional mobile apps also expect interoperability (between humans and machine interfaces, and between new technologies and existing systems/devices), as well as reasonable prices.

The need for consumer-like, yet secure and professional appsThis year’s responses show growing demand for secure apps. Professional users continue to require security and data confidentiality, reliability, and ease of use from their applications – in that order. The first two criteria on this list are completely different from what mass market consumer apps are expected to deliver.

Professional users understand that consumer apps intended for entertainment will not cut it when the going gets tough. And although ease of use is an expectation, the principal elements of intuitive functionality are different in the professional marketplace because apps are deployed in a contrasting way to those for the general public.

Key use cases: same, but with a differenceAccording to the survey, the most potential use cases are group messaging and email/calendar, which are also the most widely adopted consumer apps. However, professional users want their apps to go further, offering higher security, protecting against the loss of data ownership, and providing high service reliability and availability.

Key findings of the survey


03

Profile of survey participants

57% of the respondents, being police, rescue and fire brigade, ambulance and paramedic etc.

brigade 39% and ambulance and paramedic etc. 12%). Other participants included those working in sectors such as general industry, transportation, app development, consultancy, service provision, MNO (mobile network operator), and energy.

A record number of 544 people responded to the latest survey. The largest group (39%) comprised firefighters participating in the survey’s German version. In total, 57% of respondents were members of public service organizations (police 6%, rescue and fire

Survey results in detailDemographic of respondents

Application developer / Solution provider / Service provider / Service operator, Consultant, Mobile Network Operator MNO

26%

7%10%

12%

6%

39%

Police

Rescue & fire brigade

Ambulance & paramedic / Defence or border guard / Other governmental organization

Energy sector / Transportation / Industry

Other


04The survey asked if user organizations were already using apps in daily operations, and what type of apps? Some 90% answered ‘yes’ to the first question, which is a 20% increase on last year.

Email and/or calendar continues to be the most common type of application used on an everyday basis (55% of respondents), while group messaging is used by 54% of participants. Around 47% of respondents said they take advantage of web browsing.

Another result of note shows that approximately one fifth (21%) report the use of a ‘video streaming type of solution’, which was a new response option this year.

Key findingsA higher percentage of respondents this year said they use mobile apps.

Email and/or calendar, group messaging and web browsing continue to be the most commonly used apps (for the past three years), while video streaming (as a new response option) is quite popular.

Extent of mobile app useBreakdown of app use in professional organizations

Using group messaging

Using web browsing

Using video streaming type of solution

Using field commanding / Situational awareness in the field

Don't know

Not using

Other

Using Email and/or Calendar

Using ID checking / authentication

Using biometric type of application (face recognition, fingerprint, iris scanning, document scanning, authentication, ...)

Using real-time objects recognition (vehicle registration plates, firearms, ...)

Using Virtual Reality VR / Augmented Reality AR (training, new technology demonstrations, ...)

Using image recognition

Using Artificial Intelligence5%

5%

6%

8%

12%

19%

19%

21%

14%

10%

5%

47%

54%

55%

202020192018

100%0%

90% of the respondents use apps in their daily operations.


05follow-up question: How likely did they think their organization would use mission or business-critical cloud-based applications (SaaS) in the future?

Around half (52%) thought that their organization was likely to use cloud-based apps in the future (11% extremely likely, 25% very likely and 16% somewhat likely), while only around one-fifth

(18%) thought it unlikely (13% not so likely and 5% not at all likely).

Key findingsOrganizations are open to the potential of services provided by the cloud. However, concerns remain about the security, costs and availability of cloud-based apps/services.

As a new question, this year’s survey asked if organizations were already using mission or business-critical cloud-based applications (the so called software as a service, SaaS, model). Notably, more than one fourth of respondents answered ‘yes’.

The respondents who answered ‘no’ or ‘don’t know’ got a

Use of cloud-based apps

Today...

Organizations using mission or business-critical cloud-based applications (SaaS)

Yes

No

Don’t know24% 27%

49%


...in the future

“ “

What the respondents said...

Cloud-based services are the future, without which it will soon be impossible

It is a very convenient setup to start using professional application

It is a necessity for the company to have non-physical backups

Connection failure is always there

Connection to the cloud services is deemed less secure

Extremely likely

Not so likely

Not at all likely

Don’t know

Very likely

Somewhat likely

11%

30%

5%

13%

25%

16%

The likelihood of organizations using mission or business-critical cloud-based applications (SaaS) in the future


06As a new question, the survey asked respondents what they expect from the apps industry with regard to AI, the Internet of Things (IoT), data analytics and/or 5G, and to give one or two examples of potential use cases for these new technologies.

The survey found that professional users expect new technologies to open up opportunities such as:- Better utilization of video/

image/data (thanks to real-time streaming and analysis)

- Operational efficiency (resulting from automated workflows that can streamline processes and eliminate failures, as well as positioning, remote guidance, and real-time reporting and templates, for example)

- Interoperability (due to human-machine interfaces - HMIs - and integration with other/existing systems)

- Security of data- Ease of use- High availability- Reasonable prices

Key findingsRespondents expect new technologies to open up many new opportunities.

However, further expectations include security of data, high availability of the service and ease of use – characteristics that have been important throughout the survey’s history – as well as interoperability (between humans and machine interfaces, and between new technologies and existing systems/devices) and with lower/not so high prices.

Expectations of new technologies


07Although the majority of participants (69%) personally downloaded apps to their device (either from Google Play (37.5%) or Apple AppStore (31.2%)), this shows a 7% decrease from last year. Around a third (30%) reported using the

organization’s app store (11.6%), or that their organization pushes applications into devices (9.5%), or that their IT/IM department takes responsibility (8.8%) for downloads – an 8% increase on last year.

Key findingsAlthough most users download apps from generic app stores, there is a trend outlining a more structured approach to adopting apps.

Pushed or downloaded?

I download the apps from Google Play for Android myself

I download the apps from Apple AppStore myself

I download the apps from my organization's application store

My organization pushes applications into my device

My IT / IM department downloads them for me

I don't know

1.4%

8.8%

9.5%

5.4

11.6%

31.2%

37.5%

5.882.9

26.4714.3

0 60

20202019

69% downloaded apps into the device themselves – 6.5% lower figure than last year.

How apps find their way to user devices


08In terms of the types of device in use, consumer smartphones continue to be the most popular at 66% (although with a slight decrease), with laptops the next most favored at 42%.

Consumer tablets are also used, as indicated by 33% of respondents, although the use of rugged handheld computers, is in decline.

Hybrid PMR-broadband devices are used by around a fifth of survey participants. This option was a new introduction for 2020, so comparison with previous surveys is not possible.

Key findingsConsumer smartphones and tablets may be popular choices because of their large screens that allow users to operate apps effectively.

Devices used with mobile apps

Rugged handheld computers

Rugged tablets

Hybrid PMR+broadband devices (TETRA and smartphone, for example)

Rugged smartphones

Consumer tablets

Laptops

Consumer smartphones

Other

8%

15%

18%

22%

33%

42%

66%

2%

0 90

20202019201820172016

In terms of the types of device in use, consumer smartphones continue to be the most popular this year, the figure was around

66%.

Devices used with mobile apps


Consumer smartphones continue to be popular, but 30% are acting on their need for more rugged devices.

09When asked about their plans to adopt new devices, more than half (around 52% (23.2% don’t know, 28.7% no plans)) of respondents have no plans, or do not know of any plans. However, 12% say they plan to adopt hybrid PMR-broadband devices (TETRA and smartphone, for example), while 9% are considering the adoption of rugged smartphones.

Key findingsAlthough consumer smartphones and laptops continue to be the most commonly used devices with mobile apps today, this year’s survey indicates a decreasing trend (see page 12). In addition, more professional organizations are acting on their need for more rugged devices, such as those offering hybrid PMR-broadband capabilities (TETRA and smartphone, for example) and rugged smartphones.

Which devices are being considered?

Yes, consumer tablets

Yes, rugged handheld computers

Yes, laptops

Yes, rugged tablets

Yes, consumer smartphones

Yes, rugged smartphones

Yes, hybrid PMR+broadband devices (TETRA and smartphone, for example)

Don't know

No plans

Other3.2%

28.7%

23.2%

12.2%

8.7%

7.9%

6.3%

4.7%

2.8%

2.4% 2020

35%0%

Devices being considered by organizations for use with mobile apps


10The most popular accessories to use with mobile apps continue to be an earphone and a headset, with around a third of respondents mentioning either one or the other. A printer remains the third most frequently mentioned peripheral (21%).

Compared with last year’s survey, remote speaker microphone has replaced ‘remote speaker’ and ‘remote microphone’. Since the same participants were able to select both of these options earlier, it makes comparison misleading.

Key findingsThe continuing popularity of earphones and headsets indicates that respondents still use voice much of the time, including with mobile apps. This factor is pertinent as the nature of tasks performed by professional users often requires the use of both hands, other than simply pushing buttons.

External accessories

Biometric scanner (fingerprint, iris, face, ...)

Barcode reader

External PTT

Drones

Remote speaker microphone

External/Body camera / Video camera

Printer

Headset

Earphone

Other

None

5% 9.5%

10.5%

10.9%

12.3%

13.7%

17.5%

21.4%

33.3%

35.4%

34%

1.4%

2020201920182017

60%0%

External accessories/peripherals used with mobile apps

35% Earphones continue to be the most popular accessories.


24% have decided to start a small-scale trial project, or introduce new mobile apps, in next 12 or 24 months – an 8% increase compared with last year.

11The survey asked respondents about their organization’s plans to introduce apps in the future.

Around half of participants (48.9%) reported either no plans to adopt new apps, or no knowledge of plans. However, almost a quarter have decided to start a small-scale trial project, or introduce new mobile apps, in next 12 or 24 months – an 8% increase compared with last year.

Approximately 15% of participants are considering the adoption of apps, but have no concrete plans, which is some 15% less than the year before.

Key findingsIn comparison with last year, more organizations report having plans to introduce new apps. Together with the increase in the percentage of respondents who report downloading their apps in a more controlled way, this finding is an indication that the professional apps market is becoming more mature.

Plans to introduce new apps

We have made a decision to introduce new mobile apps in next 24 months

We have just brought a new app into use

We have decided to start a small-scale trial project

We have made a decision to introduce new mobile apps in next 12 months

We are considering using mobile apps, no concrete plans yet

No plans

Don't know

Other

8% 6.3%

7.9%

8.7%

9.4%

15.3%

28%

20.9%

3.5%2%

0.0 40

20202019201820172016

Plans of organizations to introduce new mobile apps


12People were asked to choose three use cases for mobile apps that had the greatest potential. Group messaging, email/calendar and field commanding/situational awareness in the field received the most mentions – as they have done throughout the survey’s history.

As a new response option this year, ‘video streaming type of solution’ was selected by 29% of respondents.

In the group of use cases that received fewer mentions, VR/AR was selected by 10% of respondents, while 7% mentioned it last year – representing a slight increase in popularity. Image recognition was at 9% this year, versus 0% the year before.

Key findingsAlthough group messaging, email and/or calendar and field commanding/situational aware-ness in the field continue to provide the most potential use cases for mobile apps (since 2018) – new technologies, such as VR/AR and AI, are gradually emerging.

Note: Personal identity management was renamed as a type of biometric application this year.

Use cases with the most potential

Other

Group messaging

Email and/or Calendar

Field commanding / Situational awareness in the field

Video streaming type of solution

Real-time objects recognition (vehicle registration plates, firearms, ...)

Biometric type of application (face recognition, fingerprint, iris scanning, document scanning, authentication, ...)

Virtual Reality VR / Augmented Reality AR (training, new technology demonstrations, ...)

Artificial Intelligence AI

Image recognition

9.1%

9.1%

9.8%

10.2%

16.9%

28.7%

33.9%

42.5%

44.5%

9.5%

0 1 2 3 4 5 6

202020192018

60%0%

Use cases with the most potential for mobile apps


13The survey asked respondents how they identified potential apps to adopt.

Learning about new apps by reading reviews, or attending conferences or events, were by far the most popular. ‘My IT/IM department identifies’ was the third most indicated method, a 6% increase from last year.

Slightly fewer participants searched for apps in a commercial application store than last year, a trend that has been decreasing throughout the survey’s history.

Interestingly, identifying apps via social media received fewer mentions, but the trend is increasing slightly.

Key findingsSearching for apps in AppStore/Google Play is in decline, while identifying apps through IT/IM departments is increasing. A more structured or controlled way of adopting apps is therefore gaining in popularity.

Identifying potential apps

49% Learning about new apps by reading reviews was by far the most popular.

Other

I read reviews

I learn about new apps at conferences or events

My IT/IM department identifies

Recommendations from application vendors

Friends recommend apps

My management identifies

I search for apps in AppStore / Google Play

I see new apps in Social Media

22%

25%

27%

29%

30%

36%

42%

49%

6%

202020192018

60%0%

Ways of identifying potential apps


14People were asked to select up to three of the most important criteria when choosing a vendor of mobile broadband solutions. This year’s survey results show that proven experience in critical communications, apps that work end to end, and apps that can be used on the latest smart devices/platforms, are appreciated most.

A large offering of different apps continues to be of little importance for respondents, which has been the least appreciated requirement throughout the survey’s history (chosen by only 5% of respondents).

Key findingsUser organizations increasingly appreciate proven experience in critical communications solutions, apps that work end to end, and apps that can be used on the latest devices/platforms. Long solution life-cycle is acknowledged less than last year.

Criteria for selecting an apps vendor

The most important vendor-selection criteria

Large offering of different apps

Uses agile methodology in application development

We prefer in-house development

Demonstrated long-term partnership

Experience in working with governmental organizations

Long life-cycle of solutions

Experience in mobile apps

Apps can be used on the latest smart devices/platforms (Android, iOS, Windows)

Vendor can deliver apps which work end to end

Proven experience in critical communications solutions

Other

5%

9%

12%

17%

17%

32%

32%

37%

37%

42%

2%

0 60%

20202019201820172016


15People were asked who makes the decision about new apps in their organization/company.

Making decisions centrally was the most popular answer, mentioned by around 40% of respondents (25% top managers and 15% central IM/IT), while taking decisions locally was the second most frequent (32% (25%

local organizations and 7% local IT)). Around 12% said they have no policy.

Key findingsDecision making is mostly undertaken both centrally and locally, which could indicate that organizations have a single decision-making point for investments, for example, while

local organizations/departments/teams/IT personnel have authority over what services are delivered.

A smaller percentage of respondents said they have no policy or they make the decision themselves, which might suggest that the adoption of apps is mostly organized professionally.

Most important decision makers

Who makes the decision about new apps?

Local organization / department / team decides by themselves

Top management /Headquarters /Federal level decides

Our service operator decides which apps they offer for us

The local IT department decides

Central information management IM or central IT decides

I decide

No policy, depends on the case

Other, please specify:

25%

25%

11%

12%

3%

15%

2%

7%


16The following are the three standout characteristics of mobile apps that professional users value most – these have been the top three choices in all five surveys. Security is becoming ever-more important as a critical characteristic for professional apps.

• Security and ownership of data - control in own hands: 71% (highest percentage in survey history)

• High reliability and availability of the service: 63%

• Easy to use: 41%

Interestingly, ease of use has been trending towards a lower priority in the last three years: from 59% in 2018, to 44% in 2019, to 41% this year.

Integration with control rooms has also been following the same downward trend: from 46% in 2016, to just 25% this year.

Key findingsThroughout the survey’s history, the top three characteristics have remained constant. The top two – which are on the rise – differ from the requirements of consumers in the mass market, who as a

rule do not think much about data ownership. Consumer apps, therefore, do not meet the two most important needs and are not currently suitable for adoption in the professional marketplace.

Most important app characteristics

The most important characteristics of mobile apps

Solutions support existing operational models

Solutions are integrated with command and control rooms

Service is provided by a trusted partner

Easy to use

High reliability and availability of the service

Security and ownership of data - control in own hands

Other

23%

24.5%

29.6%

41.3%

63.3%

71.4%

1%

0 80%

20202019201820172016


17The survey asked respondents to name their biggest issue related to apps.

The word ‘cloud’ generated from all the free-form responses shows that security is the major concern. Many responses also mentioned that apps should be easy to use, and that a challenge was to find applications that solve real problems or meet targets, while also being secure. Finding good value for money (benefits versus costs) was another challenge indicated by many.

Key findingsSecurity continues to be by far the major concern for survey respondents. ‘Easy to use’ was another popular term, as was ‘benefits versus costs’, followed by ‘availability’.

Consumer apps intended for entertainment will not cut it when the going gets tough. However, professional apps should offer the same benefits that people are accustomed to finding in consumer apps.

Biggest challenge related to mobile apps

Some example responses to the question of identifying the biggest challenge related to mobile apps, included:

“…To find applications that really help us with daily work, and are safe and secure when there is patient-related data”

“…The actual need of end users”

“…Needs regarding the user in the field should be recognized faster”


18Survey methodologyAirbus conducted this fifth annual survey on mobile apps over a two-month period between 12th December 2019 and 3rd February 2020. In total, a record number of 544 people responded from across the world, with the biggest representation (around half of respondents) being rescue and fire brigades, and other government/public body organizations. The survey was made available online, with participants able to pre-subscribe to this report as an incentive to answer the questions (no other incentives were offered). Promotion of the survey was through the Secure Land Communications website, via the Secure Comms blog, and through Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and email.

Executive sponsor: Tapio Savunen

Survey creation: Tapio SavunenJarmo KiveläMinna KuronenTapio MäkinenRahim Zaknoun

Survey implementation: Minna Kuronen

Data analysis: Tapio SavunenJarmo KiveläMinna KuronenTapio MäkinenTiina SaaristoRahim Zaknoun

Report design: Minna KuronenRoss Edmonds of Armitage Communications


19Fueling a transformationThis year’s responses to the survey show growing demand for secure apps. In addition, professional users continue to require security and data confidentiality, reliability, and ease of use from their applications – in that order. The first two criteria on this list are completely different from what mass market consumer apps are expected to deliver. For example, the principal elements of intuitive functionality are different in the professional marketplace.

Modern apps are fueling a transformation in critical communications. This survey reveals what public safety and other professional organizations need and how apps must evolve to meet the changing demands of users.

Tell us how you have applied the survey results into your operations, if you have – by emailing at

[email protected]

“ “ “ “

Let’s listen to what users need – apps with uncompromised security and data confidentiality, reliability, and ease of use.

Tapio Savunen Director, Strategic Marketing Secure Land Communications Airbus

The public safety community is the catalyst for evolution in critical communications, so they should take an active role and not just watch the development of professional apps from a distance.

Rahim Zaknoun Head of Innovation & Applications Ecosystem Secure Land Communications Airbus

The contents of this document are copyright © 2020 Airbus. All rights reserved. This is not a contractual document. A license is hereby granted to download and print a copy of this document for personal use only. No other license to any other intellectual property rights is granted herein. Unless expressly permitted herein, reproduction, transfer, distribution or storage of part or all of the contents in any form without the prior written permission of Airbus is prohibited.

The content of this document is provided “as is”, without warranties of any kind with regards its accuracy or reliability, and specifically excluding all implied warranties, for example of merchantability, fitness for purpose, title and non-infringement. In no event shall Airbus be liable for any special, indirect or consequential damages, or any damages whatsoever resulting from loss of use, data or profits, arising out of or in connection with the use of the document. Airbus reserves the right to revise the document or withdraw it at any time without prior notice.

For more information please visit

www.securelandcommunications.com

Airbus Defence and Space

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00380 Helsinki, Finland

T: +358 10 4080 000

e-mail: [email protected]

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