Remember when laptops began replacing desktop computers as the tool we use to do business? Now the day has come that laptops are giving way to smaller, more mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets.
Many companies expect their staff to be readily available via their mobile devices, even when in transit to a conference or meeting. Recognising this change in working habits, an increasing number of business owners implement bring your own device (BYOD) policies, which allow their staff to use their personal mobile to carry out their work.
Studies show that 60% of businesses already have BYOD policies in place and that is expected to reach 75% within the next 12 months. Most IT decision makers believe it’s a positive development for an organisation, a viewpoint backed up by the average saving of 37 minutes in a working week through the use of personal devices. Indeed, 1 in 5 BYOD users said that they could even save as many as four hours in a week.
Let’s explore why businesses are embracing BYOD:
Staff can be more efficient
49% of employees using BYOD say that they like to use their own devices at work because they are familiar with the interface and know the device inside out. As a consequence, the business enjoys greater productivity as employees complete tasks more quickly.
Better work/life balance
Employees like to use BYOD so that they can combine their working and personal lives, while employers favour it because it gives their staff more flexibility and makes them more accessible outside of regular office hours.
Company devices are insufficient
Many employees find that the hardware provided to them by the organisation isn’t adequate for every aspect of the job. Their personal devices might have functionality which is lacking in the company’s alternatives.
Cost-cutting and new revenue opportunities
Employers might not need to spend as much on installing hardware in the office if they allow their staff to use personal devices at work. Also, this Cisco study shows that companies can gain as much as £900 a year for each BYOD user as new revenue opportunities emerge.
Keep up with competition
It is possible that your competitors are already using BYOD to improve their productivity and you don’t want to fall behind. Plus if you can adopt BYOD before your competitors you may be able to steal a march on them.
Taking all that into account a bring your own device policy seems like a win-win for everyone in the organisation. However, there remains opposition to its usage from some business owners.
One of the most commonly raised concerns is maintaining data security. Cyber crime, viruses and loss of the device are just some of the potential threats a business needs to be prepared for. Setting out a clear BYOD policy will help your business mitigate the risks, for advice on this take a look at this guidance from the Information Commissioners Office.
Another reservation is that employees will be tempted to use their mobile devices for personal usage during working hours, so ensure your BYOD and social media policies provide guidance on what apps are permitted during working hours..
Conclusion
While the concerns raised about BYOD are perfectly legitimate, it is common for any new technological ‘craze’ to have a level of opposition at first. If business owners take a step back and look at BYOD as a whole, they will see the myriad of opportunities that it presents.
Ultimately, the goal of most businesses is to make as large a profit as possible and improving efficiency within the workplace will help achieve this.
BYOD is a stepping stone towards creating an efficient business enabling employees to get more work done, and to get it done quicker. It also improves employee morale as workers feel empowered by being permitted to use their own devices, and a happy employee is naturally more motivated to increase their output for the good of the company.
Take a look at the gov.uk website for more bring your own advice guidance.
About the author
Orla Forrest is Business Development Executive for Neon SMS, a bulk SMS marketing company based in Ireland and the UK. She has been working with Neon SMS for five years and has more than a decade’s worth of experiences in the telecommunications sector.
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