Workplace trends for 2016: what you need to know about Bring Your Own Device

BYOD, or Bring Your Own Device often refers to bring mobile devices such as laptops, tablets and smartphones, but it may also involve complete desktop computers used for business, but are paid by the employee. BYOD improves worker productivity and morale and allows companies to reduce their spending on technology.

It isn’t really a new trend, but it is one that’s becoming more and more widespread. In the last few years, BYOD (check here for more info) has been driven by the rise of smartphones and tablets, often smarter, better and faster than the devices provided to employees by companies. Using a smart phone or tablet on the corporate network has been the biggest trend over the few years.

However, this has also required employers to be cautious about sensitive and confidential company information, which needs to be protected from unauthorized access. On that note, companies may be looking to partner with digital forensics and fraud advisory companies similar to Eide Bailly, so that they can provide advanced security solutions as well as aid them in case of any data breach or information theft/misuse.

56% of companies have changed their BYOD guidelines to be more accommodating to personal devices in the past year.
17% of the mobile workers use their tablets either before or during the morning commute read the headlines on the way to work or to go through e-mails.

58% of mobile workers believe that they will rely more on their tablets this year than they did last year.

72% of mobile workers want to be able to use their personal mobile devices for work.

65% of emplyees name smartphones as their most-relied-upon device.

36% mobile email growth from November 2009 – November 2010, while web-based email declined 6% for the same period.

3 out of 5 workers say they don’t need to be in the office to be productive.