There is a lot to be said for allowing your employees to bring their own mobile devices to the workplace. However, many executives worry that BYOD presents a threat to business integrity, and in some cases are outright banning the practice, regardless of the benefits.
Additionally, a lot of employees aren’t fond of the idea of further blurring the line between their work life and home life, even if they are more familiar–and thus more efficient–with their private mobile devices.
There are security risks with BYOD, but there are great benefits too. The key is to adopt a system that can ensure that confidential information remains separate from personal data. This will bolster a win-win outcome in which employees are more productive at work and execs don’t have to compromise safety. Here are some tips for making BYOD work:
Integration with Existing Office Technology
If you’re seeking a unified business communications model, you must utilize a system that can hand off between your business phone system, desktop or mobile interfaces. This way, there won’t be a disruption in concentration when you need to go mobile. In addition, the system should work both ways; you should be able to switch from mobile to your desk phone with the same fluidity.
Non-Intrusive Mobile Device Support
When integrating a BYOD policy, you don’t want an application that interrupts normal mobile device function. No matter which platform you are using, users should have full access to the full suite features from their smartphone or tablet, all from one account.
A Complete Mobile Office
While it is certainly convenient to use a single device for your work and home needs, you don’t want an application so lacking that certain office features are sacrificed to make it work. If you go the BYOD route, you should still be able to view vital business related contacts on the go. You should also be able to record calls from your mobile device and store them on your company’s network for full access. Furthermore, everyday call functions such as transferring, parking, placing, forwarding or Do Not Disturb, should not be sacrificed with your mobile platform.
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