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Seven years ago, Apple (News - Alert) introduced the first iPhone and changed the world forever by enabling such game-changers as mobile VoIP. Since then, iOS and Android-driven smartphones and the apps they run continue to transform enterprise mobility.

Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) is now the norm for employees at all levels, not just executives. This challenges IT managers tasked with protecting corporate networks and sensitive company data.

A majority of CIOs list BYOD as one of their most pressing IT security concerns.  It’s a common misperception that developing and enforcing BYOD policies is the best way to protect corporate networks and sensitive company data.

So, IT managers are taking control back from the end user, setting stricter requirements around approved devices and how they can be used. But, rather than focusing on control, IT managers would be better served by looking at how to better serve enterprise users and their very real need for service like mobile VoIP.

Why?

Put simply, with mobile VoIP and unified communications being solidly mature aspects of mobility, we’re now witnessing a new revolution: the consumerization of enterprise communications.

BYOD now also means Bring Your Own App, unless the enterprise offers a usable, compelling alternative.  Fortunately, flexible, on-demand cloud services and associated developer ecosystems give enterprise IT organizations the tools to do just that.

The goal for IT manager shouldn’t be “make a better BYOD policy.” Instead, it should be transforming into a better service provider for enterprise users. The way to reach that goal: provide services like mobile VoIP that work on any device, in a secure way compliant with corporate policies. Delivering a great end-user experience doesn’t require sacrificing security.

Beyond security, enterprise-developed mobility offerings have another benefit: they can potentially make unified communications really work, unlike non-customized, vendor-specific solutions that are notoriously expensive and under-utilized.

Enterprise users won’t put up with anything less than services that actually fit into their workflows and function in a similar way to consumer mobile apps.  Luckily, enterprise-ready cloud services can play an effective role in closing the gap between the promise of UC and what it actually takes to deliver on that promise.

What’s the payoff for embracing cloud and mobility capabilities to better serve enterprise users? Productivity and cost savings that translate to compelling ROI.