BYOD policies are about more than just phones and tablets

Businesses often keep an eye on industry trends when planning a significant communication or infrastructure investment. One of the more popular industry movements encountered recently by many companies is the bring your own device (BYOD) policy. The growing trend has some IT principals hesitant to invest in a substantial phone or networking system. However, these solutions are just as important to the success of BYOD as the latest smartphone or tablet.

Most companies feel that BYOD policies replace IT infrastructure and connectivity solutions. Unfortunately this is not entirely true. Permitting employees to bring and use their own devices does save on hardware and software budgets, but without an integrated VoIP or unified communication option, network security and strong wireless signal, a BYOD strategy is not a viable business tool.

“BYOD may not necessarily be cheaper to implement and maintain than a ‘traditional’ environment made up of desktops and laptops,” wrote Paul Mah in a July 18 article for IT Business Edge. “This is not to say that tablets and smartphones have no place in the modern workplace, but merely a caution that BYOD is not the catch-all solution to the IT woes that it’s being made out to be.”

Best practices have a BYOD policy integrated with a robust cabling and communication system to form an effective business network. A strong wireless signal keeps all devices connected, while a VoIP or unified communication option allow employees to answer emails, instant messages or phone calls as easily from the field as from the office.

Partnering with a phone and cabling provider like CTI Technology will allow businesses to procure the best solutions to support personal devices and create a complete business solution.

The growing trend has some IT principals hesitant to invest in a substantial phone or networking system. However, these solutions are just as important to the success of BYOD as the latest smartphone or tablet.