Technology is everywhere, bringing with it a shift towards the mobile. According to Cisco’s Visual Networking Index, by 2020 more people will be using mobile than use desktops. Businesses can take advantage of this by leveraging the use of mobile devices to improve and increase productivity and flexibility.
Ways to Use Mobile
Mobile allows great flexibility in the workplace, including through the use of:
- Bring your own device (BYOD) policies
- Cloud-based telephony
- Cloud networks
- Mobile apps, both in-house and from outside sources
The Benefits of a Mobile Workplace
Any business interested in making the move to a more mobile workforce needs to know how this shift will benefit the organization. The biggest benefit is flexibility, which leads to an increase in productivity. Employees using mobile devices, especially their own, have the flexibility to connect to the network and complete their work no matter where they are, whether that’s at the office, at home, or out meeting with clients.
Mobile also benefits clients and other outside partners who can use their own devices to access the business’s network. Visitors to the office can also hotdesk rather than having to be set up to use their own station, improving their efficiency during their visit.
Possible Issues
Security is the biggest issue facing businesses looking to move to a mobile workplace. While a BYOD policy improves productivity, it also means that the business can’t ensure that all devices are set to the same security measures and standards. If a network isn’t safeguarded properly, cybercriminals can take advantage of outdated OSes to gain access.
Fortunately, there are two major strategies to maintain a mobile workplace without sacrificing security: replacing BYOD with a company-owned, personally-enabled (COPE) policy, or ensuring that employees receive proper training to keep their devices updated and secure.
Using COPE
Using COPE instead of BYOD means the business has more control over the devices employees use. While these devices are owned by the company, they are also enabled for the employee to use as a personal device, which allows for standardization and the ability for the business to remotely wipe the device. However, there is a small drawback in that the business will also need to ensure they purchase a device for each mobile employee.
Using BYOD
For companies who choose to go with BYOD, the first step is always research and planning. The three major aspects to consider are:
- Cloud hosting: Allowing employees to access the network through a single portal
- Customer continuity: Allowing customers to contact employees no matter where they are through the use of call routing capabilities
- Network capacity: Ensuring that the network can handle increased traffic without dropping the connection
A mobile workplace can bring great benefits to a business that puts the research into it and ensures support for employees while maintaining security of the network. As mobile and the cloud become more ubiquitous, businesses will need to consider their mobile options in order to increase productivity and remain competitive.