Does Your Company Have A BYOD Policy? Cisco Survey Shows 90% Of Corporations Do

BY: 

Dave Forde
May 22, 2012

These days, as a consumer we have wide variety of smartphones and tablets that we can choose from as manufactures continue to pump out new devices every quarter.  The race devices into consumers hands by manufactures such as Apple, HTC, Research In Motion, Sony, and Toshiba is just beginning.  Cisco recently released some data from a survey on “bring your own device” or BYOD and how corporations are now treating employed owned devices.  They survey interviewed 600 U.S. IT and business leaders and shows IT is accepting, and in some cases embracing, “bring your own device” (BYOD) as a reality in the enterprise. The study shows some of the quantifiable benefits and complexities associated with allowing employees to use their own mobile devices on their employers’ networks. Coinciding with the publication of the study, Cisco also highlighted “Smart Solutions” for the enterprise and opportunities for service providers to help customers, and end users, make the most of mobility experiences in the office, at home, or on-the-go.

A surprising 95% of respondents saying their organizations permit employee-owned devices in some way, shape or form in the workplace. This study also concluded that the average number of connected devices per knowledge worker is expected to reach 3.3 by 2014, up from an average of 2.8 in 2012. IT managers are balancing security and support concerns with the very real potential to reap significant cost and productivity benefits from the BYOD trend.

Over three-fourths (76%) of IT leaders surveyed categorized BYOD as somewhat or extremely positive for their companies, while seeing significant challenges for IT. These findings underscore that BYOD is here to stay, and managers are now acknowledging the need for a more holistic approach — one that is scalable and addresses mobility, security, virtualization and network policy management, in order to keep management costs in line while simultaneously providing optimal experiences where savings can be realized.

Cisco’s Bring Your Own Device Survey Findings:

  • 95% of organizations allow employee-owned devices in some way, shape or form in the workplace.
  • 84% of respondents not only allow employee-owned devices, but also provide some level of support.
  • 36% of surveyed enterprises provide full support for employee-owned devices. In other words, they will provide support for any device (smartphone, tablet, laptop, etc.) the employee brings to the workplace.
  • Mobility and device use are on the rise: 78% of U.S. white-collar employees use a mobile device for work purposes, and 65% of white-collar workers require mobile connectivity to do their jobs. By 2014, the average number of connected devices per knowledge worker will reach 3.3, up from an average of 2.8 in 2012.
  • On average, mobility initiatives will consume 20% of IT budgets in 2014, compared to 17% in 2012.
  • Most IT leaders (76%) consider consumerization “somewhat” or “extremely” positive for their companies.
  • Among respondents, the top two perceived benefits of BYOD were improved employee productivity (more opportunities to collaborate) and greater job satisfaction.
  • Employees want to work their way: Employees are turning to BYOD because they want more control of their work experience:
  • 40% of respondents cited “device choice” as employees’ top BYOD priority (the ability to use their favorite device anywhere).
  • Employees’ second BYOD priority is the desire to perform personal activities at work, and work activities during personal time.
  • Employees also want to bring their own applications to work: 69% of respondents said that unapproved applications — especially social networks, cloud-based email, and instant messaging — are somewhat to much more prevalent today than two years ago.
  • Employees are willing to invest to improve their work experience.
  • According to Cisco IBSG, Cisco employees pay an average of $600 out-of-pocket for devices that will give them more control over their work experience.
  • Benefits of BYOD add up: The benefits of BYOD vary based on an employee’s role and work requirements. Cisco IBSG estimates that the annual benefits from BYOD range from $300 to $1,300 per employee, depending on the employee’s job role.

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Dave Forde


Dave “The Connector” Forde has been involved in the marketing, public relations and technology industry across Canada for over 20 years in various sales and marketing roles, he launched The Connected One network of business sites which connects buyers to the right sellers. Profectio and PR In Canada covers news about the marketing and public relations industry each day helping professionals advance their career and businesses. He also serves as an advisor to a number of businesses across the country. Find Dave on LinkedIn and Twitter.


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