BYOD, or Bring Your Own Device, is a policy that allows employees to use their mobile devices (i.e. personal cell phones, laptops and tablets) for work-related activities - including corporate network connectivity. Over the past couple of years, this policy has become a major trend within the business world and in many cases, it is now the norm.
So what took so long? Well, originally there was a lot of resistance due to corporations worrying about the security of the data, documents and communications transmitted through these devices. However, companies decided to attack that head on by developing clear policies and requirements to be used when accessing corporate data with a mobile device, coupled with new security software applications specifically designed to protect and secure mobile devices. As security was no longer presenting an issue, the BYOD movement became seen as a good alternative and was proving to be a practical and cost-effective way of working. Even the demand for internal IT departments assistance with mobile device issues decreased as employees themselves were taking on that responsibility, as they have ownership of the device.
Employees also generally prefer BYOD because they can use their preferred devices that they are already accustomed to, whenever needed, therefore making them more efficient. The evolution of unified communications via the cloud has also drastically changed the landscape in which employees can interface with their co-workers. With a virtual PBX, employees can have their office phones easily forwarded directly to their mobile device. If on the road, the user can use their smartphone to log into their PBX extension and set up an unconditional forward, so that they never miss an important call.
The usage of a mobile device allows employees to work outside the office, after-hours, more easily. With mobile VoIP, employees can access their virtual PBX through simple applications (like Bria) by merely connecting through their cellular network or WiFi which automatically registered the extension on the PBX. This allows the employee to not have to make costly cellular calls (domestic and international) since they can call extension to extension without any usage fees since the call is being communicated via the Internet.
According to FierceWireless, a recent Juniper Research report predicted a huge increase in mobile VoIP users, more than 1 billion by 2017. This will no doubt change the way users communicate while on the go or through BYOD practices.
With all these benefits for both business and staff, it seems clear that the BYOD phenomenon is here to say. In fact, Gartner has predicted that by the year 2017 at east 50% of enterprises will require employees to supply and use their own personal devices for work purposes. Will you and your business be a part of this?
