In the workplace, implementing BYOD is becoming more and more common. BYOD is meant to increase productivity and efficiency in employees, and reduce the cost of having separate devices for work and play.
Yet implementing BYOD in the workplace isn’t as easy as simply connecting an employee’s iPhone (News - Alert) to the work line. There are many ethical and technical issues involved with executing BYOD. IT departments usually struggle finding a line between security and privacy.
Dell (News - Alert) has decided to find a solution for this problem.
Dell has created a Virtual Smartphone app that provides users with secure calls, texts and apps for iOS and Android (News - Alert) users. The app, which is also known as Dell Business Phone powered by Vonage Business solutions, has VoIP services that will be provided by Vonage.
The cloud-based solution offers smartphones a separate business line; the idea is to help companies easily switch to BYOD without breaking the bank with IT expenses.
Employees can download the app from the Google Play or Apple (News - Alert) store. Once the app is downloaded, each user will be assigned a virtual Vonage Voice over IP (VOIP) phone number that is automatically added to contact lists of colleagues through both Active Directory and Microsoft (News - Alert) Exchange.
The applications main goal is to separate business and personal applications. For example, there is a prompt before making phone calls asking which number to use personal or work, which is one of the key features that many similar apps do not offer.
In regards to workplace control, admins have the ability to manage the employee’s communication, setting policies to ensure that their employees are being as productive as they can on their own device during work hours.
Dell also responds to another aspect of BYOD issues, respecting employees’ privacy. The app will respect personal use, like messages and photos on employee’s phones, not allowing them to interfere with business applications.
The Virtual Smartphone is said to be available in October, with various plans available, starting at $19.99 per month.
Edited by Alisen Downey