What's Your Stance on BYOD?
August 09, 2013
By TMCnet Special Guest
Justin DiSandro
Bring your own device, or BYOD is a hot topic for many companies. The idea is simple, but comes with many deep discussions. Whether you allow your employees to bring their own devices, or supply devices for them, it can impact both your bottom dollar, as well as increase the risk of losing private company information. So where do you stand?
Each of those points is worth consideration. But as the mobile market grows, more tools are available to help your employees work efficiently on the run. Consider the influx of iPads and other tablets.
The cost of these devices is great, but that may not outweigh the benefits they offer to your employees. The question is no longer whether you will allow employees to use mobile devices. Now, the question is: do you allow your employees to purchase their own product and expense it, or do you supply the item for them?
Each side has pros and cons. If you supply your employees with the device, you are spending more money up front. In the end, you still own the device if the employee parts ways with your company.
In the same regard, this allows you the ability to easily monitor the security and software of the device, thereby greatly increasing the effectiveness of your mobile device management, and expense management.
In a survey by TEKsystems of 3,500 tech professionals, over 25% had concerns about putting sensitive data at risk through a BYOD policy. The major drawback to BYOD is that you open your company up to a variety of security issues and viruses.
The surveyed tech professionals were adamant on keeping mobile devices in house. Add to this the worry about how to handle the loss of a phone or device, or the potential scare of turning over trade secrets, and you have a big decision to make.
On the other hand, allowing the employee to bring their own device can reduce your short-term spend. Because the employee purchases the device upfront, you don’t cover any of the initial costs.
Many proponents of BYOD stand firm in support of the policy, claiming it offers greater accessibility, as well as improved employee productivity and satisfaction. Supporters may be right, as most employees already own a mobile device, and will be proficient in its use.
What are your thoughts on BYOD? Has your company adopted a policy in favor or against it? Let us know!
ISI (News - Alert) Telemanagement Solutions Inc. is committed to providing solutions designed to increase organizations' efficiency, productivity and profitability, by providing reporting and recording tools for enhanced telecom management. We understand that each company's needs are unique and, therefore, we provide a robust set of tools to address every situation.
ISI's Solutions portfolio brings together time-proven technologies to report and record on your voice and video communications, including real-time wireless and landline Call Accounting & Reporting,Telecom Audit & Optimization, Voice & Video Call Recording, Invoice & Inventory Management, and Wireless Management. ISI's facilities, processes, and data security comply with ISO 9001:2008, SSAE 16, HIPAA, Safe Harbor and other important standards.
Edited by Blaise McNamee