Federal managers see significant potential from mobile technology in improving productivity and saving taxpayer dollars, but express concerns that current investments are inadequate to achieve much of that potential and that security remains a major barrier to progress.

That’s according to findings from an extensive survey commissioned by AOL Government of 300 federal managers involved with agency mobile technology strategy, policy, purchasing, design, deployment initiatives, or support.

The study examined the impact mobile technology is having on the productivity and operations of federal government agencies. It also explored areas federal managers believe offer the greatest potential for cost savings. And it looked into the primary barriers in moving forward with mobile strategies and what could be done to enable faster adoption. (Click the Download button above left to get a PDF of the full study results.)

Nearly two thirds of federal managers involved with mobile technology say their agencies have deployed a mobile website or application in the past year. And a third of those managers now describe their agencies as “walking” or “running” when it comes to enabling their employees with mobile technology.

Among the study’s findings, the research found:

• About half (49%) of federal managers surveyed said “government employees like themselves” could redeploy at least 7 hours per week toward more productive work if fully enabled to work mobily; 19% said they could redeploy more than 12 hours per week.

• Three out of four respondents (75%) said “productivity” and “cost savings” will result from mobile technology by making it easier to complete work from the field (rather than waiting to submit work back at the office.)

• More than eight out of ten (82%) said mobile technology would make it easier to telework, while 67% said providing immediate access to agency data through mobile devices would facilitate decision making.

• Among areas offering the greatest potential for savings by transitioning to mobile technology: 57% anticipated lower real estate/facilities costs; 49% anticipated reduced net computer hardware costs and 42% anticipated lower software licensing costs; 35% anticipated lower help desk/support costs.

• In terms of overall department IT savings, while about one-third of respondents were unsure about what savings could be expected, 43% or respondents believe a shift to mobile technology could result in savings of at least 10% – and as much as 29% – annually over time. While that may be overly optimistic, even modest savings would still be substantial. The White House Office of Management and Budget, in its most recent budget request, expected to spend $78.9 billion on IT products and services in fiscal 2013.

The study also explored the expected use of laptops, smartphones and tablets over the next 12-18 months; how agencies build and measure mobile applications and websites; and what steps agencies could take to accelerate the adoption of mobile technology.

A portion of the study’s findings were first released May 24, to coincide with the release of the White House Office of Management and Budget’s Digital Government Strategy. The full study was made available July 31.

The study is based on a survey conducted in late March by Market Connections to pre-qualified federal government decision makers who are involved in mobile technology policy, strategy, deployment, purchasing, system support or mobile application or website design. About 60% of respondents (178) work for federal civilian agencies, intelligence and legislature; about 40% of respondents (122) work for various branches of the military and the Department of Defense. The results are considered reliable plus or minus 5.7 percentage points at a 95% confidence level.