Bring Your Own Device, or BYOD, to work is an idea that is becoming a reality quickly. To use your smartphone, tablet, or laptop for work seems increasingly natural. Employees are embracing this concept without any serious reservations. As more and more business activity becomes technology-driven, to have electronic gadgets right by your side all the time makes sense. According to a survey conducted by Logicalis, about 75% of employees in high-growth markets such as Brazil and Russia bring their own devices to work. While 44% in developed markets follow this concept also.
Why people want BYOD.
- Familiarity: This may be the most relevant reason for bringing their tablet or laptop to work. It may be the operating system, web browser, or other apps on their devices that they know so well and feel comfortable using.
- Convenience: Companies have been providing their employees mobile phones for business use for a few decades. Now those employees have to carry two phones since everyone also has a personal phone. This duality is a nuisance. It is hard enough to care for one mobile phone, and now they have to worry about two of them. The reality is that companies expect employees to be in contact 24/7, so they can’t just use company devices at work. They have to be carried home, out to the store, etc. If the employees choose, they would much rather carry just one phone, their own, enabling them to be reachable by family and friends anytime. Also, it could be cheaper if their company offers to share the cost of using their device for business.
- Productivity: Convenience can also result in better productivity. Having fewer devices means fewer distractions. Then fewer distractions equal less wasted time, and saving time is always good for productivity.
- Personal contentment: It makes employees feel good to be able to use their own devices at work. Higher employee morale is very important for any organization. Happier employees are more likely to work hard. A positive environment is also a factor in lower turnover. So, if an employer gives its employees the liberty to bring their own devices to work, it may have more satisfied workers.
- Conclusion: People in the workplace like the bring your own device model. They are using their own devices to accomplish more in less time. It makes them happy to have their devices at work, and it makes them feel good about their job if they are allowed to use the devices they are familiar with.
