Cutting expenses is a key focus of business, and the money saved in a number of areas can be funneled into more beneficial company projects, such as continuing education programs for employees or investing in newer technologies to boost productivity. Many workers have their own cell phones, tablets, and/or laptops, and some companies are taking advantage of this fact by encouraging workers to use their own electronics for business purposes. The idea of Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) to work is certainly appealing—but is it right for your business?
Accentuating the Positive
For many companies, especially small startups, there’s a lot to love about a BYOD policy. For example, the employer is not responsible for paying for devices, managing their upkeep, or keeping tabs on them. The average phone and data service bill for a single device can cost around $60 a month, so a BYOD policy can result in significant savings for the business. Unlike devices supplied by an employer, the cost for replacing or repairing a damaged or lost device is entirely the responsibility of the employee. Another positive outcome of a BYOD policy involves the continuous access to critical, work-related issues that may not be able to wait until the following business day. Since most employees who own smart phones carry them around with them all the time, they frequently check email after business hours; this can be especially useful for clients in different time zones or emergency situations. Employees who chose their own devices tend to be more familiar with how they operate, which results in workflow efficiencies. Employees who own a laptop, phone, or tablet also generally own higher-quality devices than the company can afford to provide; for example, a Gallup study showed that about 44% of people who own cellphones try to upgrade about every 2 years.
And Now the Downside
There’s a reason why not every company maintains a BYOD policy. Since an employee-owned device does not belong to the business, the IT department cannot monitor or control what employees view or have on their devices. Company-owned devices are subject to monitoring software, corporate policies, and various government regulations, all designed as layers of protection for the company, its customers, and its employees. Employee-owned devices are not subject to any of these—and the company can run into privacy issues in demanding access to an employee-owned device. The issue of unsecured data is quite serious. Company devices are typically behind a firewall and have at least some type of antivirus/malware protection. Employees may not have any protection on their devices at all. There are significant corporate and legal dangers involved in allowing employees to have sensitive customer or company data on their own devices. Besides the security and legal risks, managing all those disparate devices on a network is a headache, as well. BYOD can also damage the company’s culture. ZDNet’s Steve Ranger noted that since some employees will be able to spend more on their devices (and be able to get their work done more quickly), they can create a feeling of animosity among other workers, making the BYOD policy “bad for morale”. Finally, some employees may simply resent using their own electronics for work, and feel that it is the company’s responsibility to supply all of the materials and devices needed to complete the necessary work.
There is certainly some room for a BYOD policy at work, but employers may want to approach this issue with some caution. For small companies and startups, it may make sense to encourage employees to use their own devices. However, the company should set guidelines for how the devices can be used and what types of information can be stored on employee-owned devices. More established businesses may choose to forego the BYOD policy in favor of standardized equipment. Business owners need to carefully weigh the advantages and disadvantages of a BYOD policy before developing their own approach.
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