Bring Your Own Device (BYOD)

Mobile technology has changed the workplace with the Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) phenomenon becoming an increasing trend in business. Employees are requesting to use their own devices at work, blurring the lines between their professional and personal lives. But whilst employees are happy to blur the lines between their personal and professional lives and the devices they choose, it raises concerns for IT departments across the UK who are tasked with the management and security issues that an array of personal devices brings, coupled with the implementation of policies and clear guidelines for device usage in the workplace. In this article we explore the BYOD trend and showcase how Interm IT Essex and our partners Cablers can help you to implement a successful Bring Your Own Device strategy.

BYOD: Should you leave your employees to their own devices... The trend for Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) or IT consumerisation is here to stay, with the expectation set that the number of businesses allowing their employees to use their device of choice for work is growing each year. This brings many benefits to the company, including flexible working options, increased productivity and better employee engagement with those who are afforded the opportunity of choosing their own technology devices. But whilst employees are happy to blur the lines between their personal and professional lives and the devices they choose, it raises concerns for IT departments across the UK who are tasked with the management and security issues that an array of personal devices brings, coupled with the implementation of policies and clear guidelines for device usage in the workplace. A BYOD strategy will need to be considered in order to make BYOD a success within your business environment, with a specific focus on security, device management and the delivery of enterprise applications to your workforce. There are many security implications, which unless handled correctly can compromise your business. IT departments have a responsibility to ensure that business data is protected on their employee’s devices, by developing and maintaining a mobile device policy for compliancy and peace of mind should the worst case scenario happen. This coupled with remote access to the device and also the ability to remote wipe a device in the event of loss or theft will further protect sensitive business data. The policy should make clear to employees the boundaries between corporate and personal use and which activities and applications are supported by the company so that there can be no blurred lines or ‘grey areas’ when it comes to usage. Interm IT Essex and Cablers  are experts in the BYOD phenomenon and our team can offer professional advice, address your concerns and help you to implement a successful BYOD strategy for your business.

BYOD: The benefits:

·         Increased Productivity: If your employee is empowered to use a device of their choosing, they are more likely to use the device for work purposes when they are not in the office

·         Save Money: There is a potential cost saving on the cost of each device to your business with employees contributing to some or the entire purchase price of their own device.

·         Employee Satisfaction: If your employee has chosen the device they are using, the knock-on effect is a happier employee and potential for staff retention in the long-term

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brett@intermitessex.co.uk