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Now more than ever, workers are demanding the flexibility to bring their own tech device to the workplace. As Millenials enter the force bringing with them their own devices, this poses a new challenge for the IT department – how do you find the balance of having a flexible approach with bring your own device (BYOD) whilst maintaining control?
According to a whitepaper published by Mitel in the UK, two in three workers surveyed are using their personal devices in the workplace, and one in three believe that their personal devices are more advanced than those provided by their employer. Furthermore, 40% of workers resort to using their own devices because their IT department cannot give them what they need. This trend can potentially become an administrative or security headache for many IT managers.
It comes as no real surprise that Jetstar Australia are embracing this trend by announcing the company will give each employee up to $1650 to buy a computer of their choice under a new bring your own technology (BYOT) scheme, to be rolled out in the next three years.
Bring Your Own Technology (BYOT), or Bring Your Own Device (BYOD), is a movement that is picking up pace on Australian shores and the question is not whether it is happening, but rather, who is obliged to provide what? If a company like Jetstar is providing a fixed amount to each employee to buy a computer of their choice, are they then obliged to provide it every 2-3 years to meet with changing demands and new advancements in technology? Do the IP and contacts belong to the company?
IT managers need to look to put in place an agile communications architecture that provides end users with the freedom to use the technologies and devices they want, whilst keeping the IT department in complete control. And whilst the end-user experience is important, it should also be coupled with a concrete BYOT/BYOD strategy that will not only meet the expectations of the workforce, but will also meet business requirements and objectives. After all, the real question is: is the entire workforce aligned to your business objectives?
