BYOD allows employees to use their devices for work, eliminating the need for businesses to supply electronics. This can reduce infrastructure and management costs and save money on employee hardware replacements.
Security
BYOD policies help businesses save on security expenses by allowing employees to use devices they already own and are familiar with. Additionally, employees will likely keep their devices updated with the latest technology and protections, which can also cut down on a company’s costs.
Outfitting employees with the latest tech takes time-days, or even weeks can go by without projects being completed while IT installs and tests all the new equipment. BYOD policies allow companies to skip this step and save on labor hours, a significant benefit for any business.
Similarly, businesses with a BYOD policy can save on devices by eliminating the need for a company to produce new ones. While the benefits of a BYOD policy are clear, implementing this strategy can be tricky and require careful consideration. It is essential to consider all aspects of the program, from ensuring your business’s safety and security to addressing potential concerns and issues. It is also a good idea to provide training to ensure your employees understand the policy and how to utilize their devices for work purposes. An effective BYOD strategy can save your business money and improve employee satisfaction, but it requires careful planning to ensure its success.
Cost Savings
Whether it’s the cost of hardware or software, BYOD can save business money by eliminating the need for company-owned devices. This can translate into hundreds of dollars saved per employee and significant person-hours for mobility managers.
In addition, the BYOD environment eliminates the need for companies to spend time and money on device repair, maintenance, and support. This can lower IT costs and free up IT teams for more critical projects.
However, implementing a BYOD program has its risks. Without careful planning, hidden costs can quickly swallow any hardware-related savings. For example, if an employee’s device gets lost or stolen, it could lead to the loss of company data. To avoid this, an employer may need to implement software that can wipe devices of all sensitive information if they are lost or stolen.
It’s also essential to consider the impact of an employee leaving the company. Employees who leave the company with a BYOD device may have access to private information such as contact lists and emails.
Time Savings
BYOD reduces the time spent on device setup, organization, and troubleshooting because employees are already familiar with their devices. This can lead to a quick, smooth onboarding process and a decrease in employee frustration when they face challenges with their work devices. It also helps to reduce the training budget since employees can learn independently instead of attending scheduled classes or seminars.
Outfitting employees with their own devices saves on IT expenses as well. Companies can avoid the costs of purchasing, repairing, and supporting equipment and software updates. Additionally, employees upgrade their own devices on average every 22 months, while companies can expect to wait years before upgrading corporate-issued equipment.
The most critical component of any BYOD strategy is ensuring that employees’ devices are secure. This requires investing in security software that prevents unauthorized devices from connecting to the network, which hackers often use as a portal into the company’s private information and systems.
When creating a BYOD policy, getting input from all stakeholders is essential. Employees, executive management, human resources, IT operations, and IT security should all be represented on the policy development team to ensure that the resulting program benefits all parties. This also helps to avoid a policy that’s overly restrictive or unpopular among your workforce, which could quickly backfire.
Flexibility
Employees can work on their preferred devices, updated more frequently than company-issued equipment. This increases productivity and morale. It also eliminates the need for IT to spend time and money upgrading corporate phones and laptops, which can be costly.
This can help save a significant amount of money over an entire year. This is especially true for smaller companies with fewer employees that can benefit from lower phone and tablet costs.
BYOD policies can make telecommuting more accessible and convenient for employees, improving job satisfaction and reducing turnover. In turn, this can lead to savings in hiring and training costs.
Additionally, BYOD allows employees to access important information on the go, whether at home or on the road. This can be a significant advantage for businesses that require constant travel or work from remote locations. In addition, if an employee’s device is lost or stolen, the company can remotely wipe the data and get them back up and running quickly. It’s essential for companies to establish a firm BYOD policy and to train employees on its benefits. This can be done during the initial onboarding process and reinforced throughout an employee’s career.
