Instituting a Bring Your Own Device policy in the office is a smart choice all the way around. You save money by not purchasing expensive mobile devices for your staff, and they’re happier using their personal smartphones and laptops. It gives them more freedom, which will increase their productivity, and that, in turn, will increase your profits. It sounds like the best idea in the world, particularly in office environments where employees can work from home. There are several valid concerns to address before taking the plunge, however.
Before you announce your policy, think about the things you will and won’t allow during working hours. For example, many employers feel the need to restrict access to certain apps while workers are on the clock. Games, social networking apps, and other time-suckers are strictly prohibited. Many companies don’t want their staff to access their smartphone cameras while they’re on company property, either. You also need to decide which devices you want to support. After your IT department does some research, for example, you might opt for the security of the Apple iPhone 7over that of a Windows phone.
Research shows that employees prefer to separate their personal data from the professional information on their devices. How can you make that a reality? Establishing clear rules and boundaries is one way. Let the staff know when and why IT may need to access their phones and what data you need to see.
On the whole, introducing a BYOD policy into the workplace is advantageous for everyone. Find out more about how to prepare your employees to bring their own devices in the following infographic.