As 2017 winds down, it is time to forecast the workplace technology trends for 2018 and anticipate how these trends can impact your small business. We are in the business of making sure you are prepared for what the changing technology environment will throw your way.
One of the biggest trends is Bring Your Own Device, or BYOD. These policies allow employees to use their own tablets and smartphones in the workplace. Today’s workforce is accessing more shared documents and files through the cloud, making BYOD policies even more relevant as work gets done away from the office
What are the benefits of this kind of system for your business?
Your team may not be in the office from 9-5 Monday-Friday (remote work and telecommuting is another big 2018 workplace trend).
There can be many benefits to BYOD policies. There is a cost saving element associated with this type of policy as your company does not have to shoulder the burden of purchasing each piece of hardware your employees use. Your staff may even like being allowed to use their own preferred devices. After all, as so many people already own a smartphone, providing a company may be unnecessary, even cumbersome as users need to switch between their work and personal mobile devices.
Concerned that a BYOD policy might leave employees without access to the files they need? We can help you implement a file sharing solution like Autotask Workplace so that your team can get what they need whether they are on the company laptop or a personal tablet. Having your team set up to access files remotely through these types of tools can be another major benefit to having a BYOD policy, as projects become accessible even when they are away from the office.
In many ways, BYOD policies seem like a win for everyone involved, but BYOD workplaces also bring particular risks.
What are the risks of BYOD policies?
Your employees are not all going to be IT professionals, and that means that BYOD policies leave more room for user error and security risks than if every worker is using devices selected and maintained by your IT department. You will need to set specific security policies, and look at providing a secure network for your employees to access from home, rather than accessing unsecured WiFi networks. When you implement a BYOD policy, you necessarily give up a level of control. When an employee transitions from your company that tablet, smartphone, or other device goes with them, along with potentially sensitive information like company passwords.
Your next steps
We have outlined some of the general productivity, cost and convenience considerations. BYOD policies are becoming more and more common, but is this new approach right for your company? It will depend on many variables specific to your company. You may even want to consider implementing a BYOD policy only for certain devices, like smartphones and tablets, while still requiring the use of company computers.
We can also help you assess the costs and benefits of a BYOD policy for your unique business, and create a cybersecurity strategy for you. Contact Anchor Network Solutions today!