Mobile device management does not have to be as tricky as it seems. Sure, it is super simple if you just buy everyone an Apple device and use a special program designed for iphone security and iPhone management. But maybe it is not in the budget to buy the most expensive phone on the market for everyone in the office.
Instead, another option for mobile device management is just allowing everyone to use their own phones and just implement a BYOD, or Bring your own device, policy. This type of mobile device management lets you get an agreement from all of your workers protecting information, promising that the phones will only be used for work purposes during hours, and even getting a program on their devices for better security and tracking of information.
BYOD can be a great boon to the company under the right circumstances. Read on for some more details.
- Cons
- Pros
- What To Do
One of the biggest problems with letting your employees use their own phones is that they are actually more likely to do work outside of regular business hours. This puts them in danger of hitting overtime, or working unrecorded, unpaid hours. You also have more of a security risk. There is a chance of electronic discovery, exposure to malware, providing support across a variety of platforms, and the mixing of personal and work data.
Having employees use their own phones increases employee availability, as they are more likely to keep their own phone on them at all times. It increases productivity for the same reason. Another cause for increased activity is the higher overall employee morale. And, of course, a BYOD policy is certainly the more cost-effective option.
To decide whether BYOD is your best bet, you should consider a few things first. Look at the pros and cons listed above. Does it seem worth it? Even with the pros, would it still be too much of a hassle? Weigh in with your employees. See how they feel. Look up common BYOD policy agreements so that you have a framework to use for your own. Only then should you issue the okay for employees to use their own devices.
In some situations BYOD may be an absolute no-brainer. And there are times, in certain industries, where a BYOD policy is not even needed. But then there are times when buying the entire office their own work phone is the most logical, and safest option. What fits for yours, though? Read more blogs like this.