Survey on use of devices in workplace

Allowing employees to use their own devices for work purposes may offer companies the chance to save money, but it is bringing a number of challenges for businesses, a new survey claims.

Some 84 per cent of IT professionals here said a growing number of employees wanted to access business files and email through their tablets and smartphones.

However the survey said remote working was putting pressure on IT managers, with almost 77 per cent saying they would need to change how their organisation handled data. Data protection also figures high on the list of concerns.

The survey was carried out by technology publication ComputerScope in association with telecoms operator O2, and questioned more than 300 readers.

Allowing employees to bring their own devices could also help attract and retain good staff, with 45 per cent of respondents believing the approach will help keep employees happy.

“The vast majority of IT professionals agree or agree strongly that a professional enterprise mobility plan can save money and increase productivity,” said Nicola Mortimer, head of business product portfolio management at Telefónica Ireland, “but it is also clear . . . businesses must adapt in order to enjoy these benefits.”

The survey backs up research from Ovum analysts which claimed the BYOD – bring your own device – practice was now mainstream.

Its research found almost 70 per cent of professionals with smartphones used personal devices to access corporate data, but close to 80 per cent of such activity was “inadequately managed by IT departments”.

The study, which surveyed more than 4,000 full-time staff, found almost half of IT departments were unaware or ignored it BYOD, while 8.1 per cent discouraged it.