VMware: 66% of Malaysians Prefer to Work for Companies that Allow Technological Freedom

Work-style preferences of an always-on generation raises call for organizations to change IT policies or risk lower productivity and job satisfaction

KUALA LUMPUR, 28 February 2013 — VMware, Inc. (NYSE: VMW), the global leader in virtualization and cloud infrastructure, today announced the results of the VMware New Way of Life 2013 study which highlights the work-style and lifestyle habits of an increasingly mobile workforce in the post PC era.

According to the survey, seven in ten respondents in Malaysia value technological mobility in their role and 85% bring their personal computing devices to work. However, 74% say their IT departments do not provide them with relevant support to use these devices effectively in the workplace.

Laurence Si, Country Manager, VMware Malaysia.

“The annual VMware ‘New Way’ study in 2013 focuses on the changing consumer technology lifestyle and the expectations that the younger generation bring when they enter the workforce,” said Laurence Si, country manager, VMware Malaysia. “The results present a strong call to action for companies to adopt a more open technology policy and enable flexible – yet secure and compliant – policies that enhance employee productivity and job satisfaction.”


Commissioned by VMware and conducted by Acorn Research, the New Way of Work Study surveyed over 2,100 people in 12 countries across Asia-Pacific, including 150 responses from Malaysia.

The Good and the Bad of IT
According to the 2013 study, Malaysian employees who are empowered to use the technology of their choice at work say they are faster to respond to change (76%), more productive even when outside of the office (75%), and more efficient (71%).

Consequently, 64% expect corporate IT to provide fast network access anytime, anywhere; and nearly half of respondents (48%) say they desire guidance on how to integrate their personal computing devices into the corporate IT environment.

However, 92% of Malaysian respondents are restricted from connecting their personal portable device to their corporate network. This in turn leads end users to find their own workarounds (68%), or turn to Google for answers (64%) on how to use their personal devices for work.

“I speak to CIOs and IT decision makers daily who say managing the challenges that arise from the influx of personal computing devices into the workplace can no longer be neglected. That is why VMware is delivering cloud solutions that can empower organizations and IT to meet end-user demands in this new way of life,” added Si.

In a separate announcement today, VMware unveiled the VMware Horizon™ Suite, designed to be the industry’s most comprehensive platform for workforce mobility.  The suite, consisting of VMware Horizon Workspace™, VMware Horizon View™ and VMware Horizon Mirage™ promises to simplify end-user computing and empowers workforce mobility that connects end-users to their data, applications and desktops on any device without sacrificing IT security and control.

Mobility a Source of Satisfaction
The 2013 study also continues to identify a strong link between IT freedom and job satisfaction. In fact, nearly seven in 10 respondents (69%) in Malaysia deem their employer to be more progressive and dynamic when allowed to use their choice of Web-based/customized software applications to do their work.

“The Malaysian findings of the VMware New Way of Life study reflect the growing difference between employee expectations and the availability of corporate IT support. As a leading global Human Capital solutions firm, we have observed that empowering mobile employees to be productive through flexible workplace and IT policies does play a key role in attracting and retaining the best talent. Organizations that do not recognize and embrace this trend stand to lose out,” said Sam Haggag, Country Manager of ManpowerGroup.