The adoption of bring your own device (BYOD) policies is increasing among small businesses as they discover the many benefits it offers. in fact, up to 59 percent of U.S. based businesses and organizations today allow their employees to use their own devices for work purposes.
Clearly it’s safe to say that BYOD is here to stay. The reason is that most business owners fully understand the implications related to BYOD and have figured out how it works best for their employees, as well as their bottom line. If you have not yet adopted a BYOD policy in your workplace, it may be to time to consider making the change.
To see what has made this such a popular option for businesses of all sizes, here are some specific benefits you can enjoy when you decide if implementing your own BYOD policy makes sense for you.
Cost savings
One of the biggest and most appealing benefits of BYOD for business owners is the cost savings it offers. When you supply each of your employees with a device for work, you have the initial purchase price of the devices, as well as the ongoing costs related to support, software releases, and hardware upgrades.
When you allow your employees to bring their own devices to the office, they cover the cost of the device, along with any improvements like upgrades or new software. Of course, you can offer a small stipend to cover these costs or reimburse your employee but that is entirely up to you.
Your company also benefits from a reduced number of calls and a minimal burden on the IT staff. After all, employees can handle their own support services using their device manufacturers help desk rather than taking time from your IT department.
Familiarity
In terms of productivity, an employee is going to be much more proficient due to their familiarity with their own device and the software it uses. They may have even customized their device and software in a manner that isn’t possible with a company provided device to better suit their needs.
Access to newer technology
When employees are allowed to bring their own devices to work, they will also be responsible for keeping up with the latest technology that’s available. This is true regardless of if they are using a tablet, laptop or a mobile device. Updates to company software and hardware would typically be subject to the upgrade or refresh cycle that has been put in place according to the IT policy of the company. However, the ability to use the latest technology, without more costs, provides benefits to businesses of all types and sizes.
Employee care
If an employee has purchased a device with their own money, they will also have to take proper care of it. Since it is the device that an employee is using while they are at work, they will be required to take care of the device, no matter where they are.
Security
One concern that most business owners have when deciding to implement a BYOD policy is security. While there are multiple ways to safeguard data and information while taking advantage of all the benefits BYOD offers, you should be sure to provide proper training at regular intervals to ensure all employees keep their devices updated and secure.
More information about these policies can be found by reaching out to the professionals who can help you develop a customized plan. They can help you implement a policy that will work for you and your employees.