Bring your own device – Is this the right direction

It wasn’t long ago when employees knew exactly which tools they would be using to get their work done. Their information technology department gave them the standard-issue BlackBerry / Nokia / Windows Phone – etc, a standard workstation password and perhaps a dedicated laptop, and then sent them off to work.

Now, due to the “Consurmerization of the market” a new trend have raised, Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) – which is supposed to be the brand new future of IT-Technologies that we have to support (in Corporate IT).

So what is included – in this new approach ??

The Pro’s

• Works better with to days Digital Natives – they are used to be always on.
• Strengthen the employees morale – of hiving the tools they desire
• Flexibility – get the best quality for the $$ (in regards to hardware)
• Best tool for the tasks – supposed that employees will be more efficient using the tools they are best at using.
• Wider scope of Networking, adding additional resources to skills set – as a friend for advice.

The Con’s

• Integration and Standardization of Platform is more difficult
• Enhanced need for Integrations of Services to Tools
• Security and Loss of Control
• Support of “multiple platforms – multiple tools” does extend the end users to become their own support / helpdesk team

And my opinion

To take the positive notes on this conversation – do we get more happy working behind the MacAir flavored Notebook, than a standard HP (insert own brand) Laptop. Does the tool (laptop) actually make us more productive, i have my doubts.
If Employee’s morale is Low – then you would be naive if a new gadget / tools would resolve the matters; Talk to your HR Manager, he/she is not doing his/her job.

The “Digital Native” do have a more extensive network, but are they not also the ones that are taking away working time to do other actions – Yes you can get advice from an Wider Audience, but this audience will also take your team members time.

I am a big fan of looking into one’s organisations way of doing business, The tools itself es should never make the decision if the Order can be booked, nor should the quality of the Word Document / Excel Spreadsheet stop our procedure, so any tool that can make the flow better, is welcome by me. But lets assume (just for a second) that the working procedure is ok – but supported by tools like (terrible thought) Microsoft Office / or Similar tools -> why in the world should we spend time make them integrated with different obscure services and functions in a number of “alternative solutions” – And please, i am no way near a fan of MS-Office.

Hello this is help-desk – is a gone story – if we need to support a gazillion of devices are more.. Some of the conversations around this subject is that the end user will become his/her own support channel, not sure where i see the value – the office employees should spend their time making $$ for the organisation- not supporting upgrades to the latest facebook application on the IOS.

Do i think (BYOD) is a good idea ?? Hell no, would i like to have my own devices – hell yes..

 

Advertisement