4 Reasons Companies Are Implementing BYOD
A growing number of businesses are embracing bring-your-own-device initiatives, commonly known as BYOD. A 2015 study by Cass Information Systems found that 85 percent of respondents across 175 enterprises said their organizations offered BYOD. What’s motivating employers to embrace this model? Here are just some of the reasons so many firms are jumping on the BYOD bandwagon.
BYOD is Cost Effective
Image via Flickr by mikecogh
BYOD initiatives are cost-effective for businesses because they don’t need to spend money buying and distributing hardware, such as laptops and smartphones, or upgrading them as the technology becomes obsolete. BYOD policies also don’t require the dedicated infrastructure that traditional information systems do. Employees know their devices and feel comfortable using them, so businesses don’t need to invest so many resources in training them. The potential financial savings are significant for any business on a budget.
BYOD Suits Remote Workers
Thirty-seven percent of American workers telecommute at least some of the time, according to a 2015 Gallup poll. That’s four times more than 20 years prior. With the rise of remote workers, BYOD schemes make a lot of sense. Employees can access company files from their personal devices, rather than needing to take computers or paper files from the workplace. They can also work remotely from their own devices when they’re feeling ill, rather than risking the health of their colleagues.
BYOD Drives Happiness and Productivity
One of the greatest barriers to BYOD adoption is the perception that workers may become distracted by the programs and apps on their own devices. However, studies show workers in BYOD environments are actually more productive. According to a Cisco study, BYOD workers in the United States save around 81 minutes every week working from their own devices. CIO.com reports that they also tend to work for an extra two hours a day, with many checking work emails before and after traditional working hours.
Various studies also show workers are much happier when using their own devices. This makes sense, because personal devices are the ones they’ve selected and enjoy using. Bringing them into the workplace is bound to have a positive effect. Some research suggests BYOD policies may help businesses attract and retain top talent.
Business Owners Know More About Minimizing Risks
Businesses were initially slow to embrace BYOD, as they worried about data security. However, information about security systems and good BYOD policies has become increasingly accessible.
For example, information about mobile application management tools, which give companies control over specific employer apps without impacting personal ones, is readily available. A business using a mobile application management tool can require that its workers use a password to access company apps, but not gaming apps. These tools have helped educate business owners about ways to make their business applications more secure without compromising the freedom of their employees. The more business owners educate themselves about BYOD best practices, the more confident they typically feel with the new tech arrangement.
Businesses may have been slow to embrace the BYOD trend. However, today organizations of all sizes are seeing the benefits of letting their employees bring their own devices to work.