There’s been a lot of talk recently about BYOD; employees love it, IT staff dreads it, and management wonders if they really need a BYOD policy. Many companies and employees are wondering if they should start looking into allowing or bringing personal devices, and while I’d like to give a simple yes or no answer, followed by a list of reasons why, the reality isn’t that simple. Each business’s mobile strategy needs are different, and must be considered before deciding whether or not to adopting a policy.
Now, as discussed before, there are many benefits to BYOD. Not only is it more convenient for employees, but it can save money on company devices, boost productivity, and allow employees to keep connected with work wherever they are.
However, there are some drawbacks. For example, large companies with more than a thousand mobile devices may have to spend around $170,000 to employ and distribute a BYOD strategy, and keeping a large number of devices connected and sharing the same systems and files can prove difficult. Security is also a concern, although many companies offer BYOD solutions to keep devices safe.
The business in question and the needs of the employees also need considering. For customer service, where agents are expected to be reachable by their clients at any time, having a personal device that contains work information is essential. If an employee is off the clock and out of work the second 5:00 rolls around, though, a personal device might not be that necessary.
Also of importance is data security. While there are many solutions designed to keep company and personal data safe, there is always some risk, however small. Sensitive information is probably best kept in the office, but those with replaceable data can carry around their own devices without fear.
In short, there are several factors to be considered before adopting a BYOD policy. It’s not right for everyone, but in many cases, the benefits outweigh the negatives. Having a mobile strategy is important, especially for SMEs.
For that, Alcatel-Lucent (News 
- Alert) and FVC are hosting a Round Table discussion on Monday, September 17th. It will discuss the importance of adopting mobile strategies for SMEs, the key factors in mobile strategy decisions, and the role BYOD plays in it. Those interested can contact mita@themarketbuzz.net for information.
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Edited by
Peter Bernstein
