Many UK businesses have a BYOD policy and are now inviting employees to work from their own mobiles, tablets and laptops as a way to improve flexibility and cut costs.
These schemes, known as Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) raise a number of questions about security, ownership and insurance. So what do you need to know if you’re thinking of introducing one at your firm?
Allowing employees to bring their own IT to work can extend the workplace beyond the office and free up a great deal of time, now that they’re not solely chained to an office PC.
It can also make it cheaper to run your business, as there are fewer upfront hardware costs. But it brings a new set of considerations that have to be dealt with.
“First up, you need to do some planning,” explains Carl Enser of IT experts Delta Comtech. “Introducing a BYOD scheme can’t be rushed. We always advise clients to put together a comprehensive strategy before doing anything else.”
The BYOD Strategy
A BYOD strategy can take many forms but usually comes together as a single document, compiled after a consultation. It covers a number of issues that arise from having data and files available outside of the office, including:
- What operating system, devices and apps are to be used?
- What form of security is going to be applied?
- Clear boundaries between business and personal use
- Insurance for the devices
- Policies on theft or loss
- What happens to the device, access and any data should an employee leave the firm?
- Who pays for repairs?
“It’s a complicated business,” continues Carl. “But it needs to be done. It may be best to get everyone involved to chip in their thoughts and make sure that everybody is comfortable with the result.”
If you would like to learn more about BYOD and how cloud computing solutions can help make planning the process easier, call Delta Comtech on 01625 443 110 or visit their website here
