EN-CA
Computer Daily News (e-newsletter only) recently reported on a new study by the Australian Consumerisation of IT, which found 42 percent of Australian employees admitting they had downloaded unauthorised mobile apps or PC software.
Take a walk around the office and I’m sure you will find many employees who will slyly admit to downloading unauthorised mobile apps or PC software to their work devices. What’s surprising is the most common reason for doing so is because people need apps for work purposes and employers aren’t providing a suitable alternative.
It is essential Australian businesses identify the appropriate Bring Your Own Apps (BYOA) approach that will meet their unique organisational needs. CIOs and IT managers are rushing to embrace the BYOA trend, without taking into account the industry they operate in as well as their different staff roles and requirements.
With many businesses offering smart phones but not putting restrictions on app downloads, this leaves staff in an uncertain position where they don’t know what is permitted and what is not. It is a new era and so it’s important to set up new systems and policies to ensure a smooth transition. It seems simple; however, it’s surprising how many people are overlooking these crucial factors when developing their IT policy. Take it back to the basics and first consider these key questions:
- What are my competitors doing? What can I learn from them?
- What roles in my organisation would benefit most from BYOA?
- What restrictions do I need to have in place?
- How can I integrate BYOA with my existing unified communications systems to ensure a consistent process for my employees?
After considering these simple yet crucial factors, organisations will be in a good place to create an effective and efficient BYOA policy for their employees.
