BYOD & Mobile Phones in BPOs

Bring Your Own Device
Business operations in many organisations are taking a new turn and getting revolutionized by the increasing use of mobile technology which is popularly known as ‘Bring Your Own Device’ or (BYOD). With this strategy, organisations are being able to save costs, improve business efficiency and empower staffs to work proficiently. Since mobile phones are portable, an individual is able to turnaround his work sitting from any corner. Usage of these devices have been widely supported by people who are inclined towards advanced technologies in their personal lives and wish to include the same convenience at work by using them which often include smartphones, tablets etc. Apart from all the above mentioned advantages that BYOD has to offer, one should consider the following points before BYOD is implemented.

a. Bandwidth hogging: With BYODs, there are more chances for bandwidth hogging. Mobile phones these days are advanced and work with great speed when connected to mobile data or wifi connections. Hence, there is more streaming of audios and videos. This has an adverse effect on corporate bandwidths as they often tend to get clogged. There is more usage of data through personal mobile phones than the corporate devices. To challenge this problem, there should be policies incorporated that would limit the types of traffic download.
b. Device security: Securing the personal device has become imperative since phones are used to a great extent to execute many important works such as emails, chats, downloads etc. Since, there is no line between the professionally and personally owned devices with the implementation of BYOD, the user often tends to misuse them. These devices should therefore be secured with strong passwords which will not permit its usage for any downloads from unverified sources or connections. Another issue that often arises is the mismanagement of data. Since the device used here is personal, there is often no tracking or monitoring of data. Therefore, it becomes important to secure devices in order to secure and protect information.
c. Limited data usage: Since BYOD allows a person to use the same device for his personal and official use, he is often allowed an unlimited mobile data usage. This means the more access to data, the more chances for downloads and storage of files. There lies a symmetry between bandwidth hogging and limited data usage which should be restricted to a certain point of time keeping in mind the security reasons of organisations.
One of the main advantages BPOs gain from using BYOD is that it diminishes the cost of investing on laptops and desktops since users bring their own device. Therefore there is a fall in the cost of infrastructure. However, BPOs should be wise in implementing BYOD keeping in mind the following points that have been mentioned which may erupt as challenges to the normal functioning of BPOs.