Mobile device usage within businesses has been steadily growing for well over a decade now. In 2022, it is almost inconceivable that a business wouldn’t be utilizing mobile technology; but the biggest question is whether to instigate a BYOD policy, or provide staff with business-owned devices. We spoke to a provider of managed IT services London businesses have been using for more than a decade, in which time, they have seen the growth in use of mobile technology. They weighed in on whether BYOD or business devices are better:
Bring Your Own Device (BYOD)
Definition – BYOD is where a business allows employees to use personal devices for business communication, and to access work resources. It is an increasingly common practice.
How it Works – Setting up a BYOD policy is not necessarily as simple as it sounds. A business can’t just let their staff any mobile device they want for work. Beforehand, the business needs to establish strict policies around using personal devices – including best practices, outlining security precautions, etc. Nowadays, it is recommended that mobile device management technology is used to remotely control the corporate data that resides on a personal device (this type of technology is designed to only recognise company data, and cannot be used to read personal data, messages, or browser history).
Benefits – The primary benefit of BYOD policies is that it is much more cost effective than other options. It also means that the business is not responsible for the repair or replacement of the mobile devices their staff use.
Challenges – The primary challenge of BYOD policies is the security risks. Employees accessing both corporate data and personal data on the same device might inadvertently create data leaks, or make the business vulnerable to cyber-attacks. The most trusted IT support services London businesses use often include mobile device management to make sure that BYOD policies are implemented with maximum security in place.
Standardized Company Device
Definition – Companies can opt to purchase mobile devices that they own, and give them to their staff to use for business communications, and so access work resources.
How it Works – A business would purchase mobile devices in bulk, from a vendor that specialises in provisioning businesses with technology. The business can then set up and configure these devices however they want. The business will then be responsible for insurance, repairing or replacing devices, and managing updates on the devices.
Benefits – The main benefit of using company devices is the level of control you have over the devices. It is much easier for an organisation to ensure that all their mobile devices are compliant and secured.
Challenges – The challenges of using company devices include the costs incurred by it – if a device is broken, the company is responsible for repairing or replacing it.
Importance of Mobile Devices for Business
- Efficiency
Whether your staff are working from home, in warehouses, on a shop floor, a factory floor, or even out in the field, having a mobile device on hand can improve their work efficiency in several ways. Staff can remain in contact with their managers, and vice versa; and team-members can collaborate more easily.
- Employee Engagement
A challenge to employee engagement used to be situations where staff were out of office, and had difficulties communicating with work. However, mobile devices negate that problem entirely.
- Productivity
It used to be that the apps and software that employees use to complete their daily tasks were only available on desktop or laptop computers. Now, however, most modern productivity software is supported on all platforms. This means that employees can access their apps and software on their phones.
- Collaboration
As mentioned in the previous point, modern mobile devices usually support the same software businesses would use on a computer. On top of the fact that mobile devices enable employees to communicate much more quickly and spontaneously, it means that collaboration is made easier.
- Staff Autonomy
When individuals feel that they are always connected to work, it means they are more confident about working autonomously. Lots of professionals feel empowered to achieve more when they’re able to work in a more mobile way.
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