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Backup and Storage

More than two-thirds of communications are digital, says study

More workers are carrying plugged-in devices.

Research has shown that UK adults now carry two-thirds of their communications with them on a smartphone or tablet device – meaning more and more adults are plugged firmly into the cloud.

And with the ubiquity of such devices becoming more and more widespread, user’s familiarity with cloud services combined with the Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) trend means employers can take real advantage of the practice with electronic document storage.

According to research published this week by Docmail, the average adult now carries 65 per cent of their communication electronically at all times, and sends 140 texts, 72 Facebook interactions and 40 e-mails per month to friends and family.

And the survey of 2,000 participants between the ages of 18 and 35 found that the average young worker maintains their friendships electronically ahead of phonecalls and even face-to-face contact – meaning they are more at ease with the idea of digital paper storage and the concept of a paperless office.

"It’s clear to see that there is a heavy reliance on digital communication and that for the most part enhances and adds value to our friendships," said Docmail’s Dave Broadway.

With more and more users carrying tablet PCs and smartphones with them at all times to keep in touch with friends and family, the BYOD trend is becoming more widespread – in fact, new figures from an Insight poll of 232 IT managers in the UK shows that 21 per cent have taken the leap and allowed users to plug their own devices into the network.

And the vast majority of those who had implemented the scheme reported a boost in staff productivity and even morale as a result.

A further 18 per cent of IT managers reported that implementing a BYOD policy would help cut hardware overheads, in much the same way as outsourcing record management would do.