IT managers are currently facing challenges throughout the course of the mobile device "invasion". Hoards of employees are invading the IT department desperately trying to connect their unsecured virus ridden devices to the companies network. With the security risks alone, IT Managers must be ready to make an escape from their office while encouraging their fellow staff members to keep moving forward.
No Escape
Unfortunately, there is no escaping this invasion. According to Gartner, two-thirds of the mobile workforce will own a smart phone in 2016 and 40 percent of the workforce will be mobile. So what does that mean? It means that mobility in the workplace is here to stay! Now we must ask ourselves, are we going to let it stay or are we going to take a stand? Now that we have decided that we must protect our networks, how do we go about doing so? Here are the necessary survival tools below:
Identify Your Goals, Potential Risks, and Benefits
Congratulations, you are on now on your way to building a successful BYOD deployment. Just like any plan, you must decide what you hope to achieve once your blueprint is in place. I have listed some standard goals, risks, and potential benefits to help you get started below:
- Prior to implementing a BYOD program, you need to make a list of goals and expectations. Here is one goal that all IT Managers must incorporate into their strategy: My goal is to create a set number of mobile devices that can access the network per user. The best way to identify that number is by taking a company survey. All you have to do is ask, I guarantee they will be more than happy to share. According to the security company Sophos, the average American carries three mobile devices on them at all times.
- Before considering a BYOD solution you must identify the potential risks that your network may face once your employees begin to connect their wireless devices. One of the most common risks found today are Network Security breaches. In the case of Network Security Protection, wireless LAN solution companies such as Meru Networks, provide Security and Compliance applications that are designed to protect wireless network data.
- There are many benefits to be had by enforcing a BYOD program within your organization. In order to deploy a successful solution you must determine how BYOD will benefit you and your employees.
Here are a three key benefits that are generated from the adoption of BYOD in the workplace
Increase in Overall Employee Production
As the consumer market unveils a new mobile device every week (at least it feels that way), employees become eager to crossover these products from their personal life into their workplace. With the amount of time spent on these devices, they almost act as an extra limb on the body. They can be used and navigated with little or no effort at all. Now if there were only a way to use this to your advantage. Enter BYOD!
Employees work more efficiently and tend to be much happier when working with a personal device that they are familiar with. According to the Evolving Workforce Research, 60% of employees feel work would be more enjoyable if they had a say in the technologies they used.There is nothing more lucrative for a business then happy, motivated employees. So how do we keep them happy and motivated? By empowering them with necessary tools and resources to make them successful. For instance, if my employer told me that I can use my Android device at the workplace as long as I follow the companies policies, I would feel comfortable, confident, and motivated due to my familiarity of the Android OS. On the other hand, if I was forced to use an iPhone or Macbook to compose my work, I would be lost, confused and irritated. So before we start to calculate the dollars and cents of BYOD, let's focus on how it can increase employee production. And in there lies your answer.
ROI of BYOD
Many businesses save money by no longer having the need to supply and maintain company issued devices. It is stated in Good's 2nd annual State of BYOD market research report, that employees cover all costs in 50% of BYOD environments
Before any conscious business owner makes an investment towards their business they must first calculate the potential ROI of the product or service in which they are shelling out the big bucks for. In the case of implementing a bring your own device (BYOD) program, estimating the benefits in dollar signs can be a bit tricky.
Sure the initial thought would be the obvious cost cut on corporate devices but security concerns have led companies to spend money elsewhere such as purchasing mobile device management (MDM) applications. So is BYOD a double edged sword? Are we really saving money or just shifting our budgets from one area to another? Although, it may be too early to tell how a BYOD program can save your business money, let's take a look on how it can help increase your revenue.
In conclusion, I believe that with the proper preparation and deployment, implementing a BYOD policy to the workplace is a major win for employees and employers alike.
Do you see BYOD as a way to boost employee productivity? Contact TTI to get your BOYD solution set up.
