I just read several articles discussing the bring your own device (BYOD).

Bring your own device (BYOD) is an IT policy where employees are allowed or encouraged to use their personal mobile devices — and, increasingly, notebook PCs — to access enterprise data and systems. There are four basic options, which allow:

  • Unlimited access for personal devices.
  • Access only to non-sensitive systems and data.
  • Access, but with IT control over personal devices, apps and stored data.
  • Access, but prevent local storage of data on personal devices.

Benefits of bring your own device

Increased productivity and innovation: Employees are more comfortable with a personal device and become expert using it — making them more productive. Personal devices tend to be more cutting-edge, so the enterprise benefits from the latest features. Also users upgrade to the latest hardware more frequently.

Employee satisfaction: Your people use the devices they have chosen and invested in — rather than what was selected by IT. 83 percent of users considered their mobile device more important than their morning cup of coffee. Allowing employees to use personal devices also helps them avoid carrying multiple devices.

Cost savings: BYOD programs sometimes save budget by shifting costs to the user, with employees paying for mobile devices and data services. However, this often results in little to no savings, so do not base your decision primarily on anticipated savings.

Beyond BYOD — are we headed to BYOC or BYOA?

So are we headed to Bring your own Cloud(BYOC) and Bring your own Apps (BYOA) ?   With the API Economy, we may well be off in these directions as well!!!