BYOD.....so last season?

Historically, bring your own device implementation was met with mixed results. Some businesses embraced it whilst others inevitably (and to some extent justifiably) pushed back due to concerns over security and the cost of having to cater for different devices and platforms accessing network information. Indeed, even Apple took until the launch of IOS 13 to introduce changes to enable the segregation of work and personal profiles and despite Google introducing similar provisions earlier, the fragmentation of the android system made it difficult to widely endorse.

There are many other reasons for the lacklustre update on BYOD, with some arguing that the focus should have been less on the “device” but more on allowing users to bring their own applications (BYOA) to their workplace so that they could tailor their preferences to align with how they operate personally (for example, using apps such as Trello, Slack or One Note).

One of the unexpected impacts of the current pandemic is that it has forced many businesses, irrespective of their reservations, to adopt some form of BYOD. Personal laptops, printers, monitors and phones have all been used by businesses as they have sort to move from an office to a work from home environment. This enforced adoption has resulted in businesses adapting at break neck speed to the new environment we are all now in. But as much as BYOD is now an integrated part of business operation and just another risk to be managed, where will this cross over between our personal and work life go next?

In October 2019, Gartner released its annual tech “look forward” report. This was obviously pre-Covid and it will be interesting to see how their insights have been accelerated or binned as a consequence of the pandemic. The Gartner report sets out its expectations for technology and business and includes some fascinating insights such as expected rapid growth in business opportunities for disabled people as technology allows obstacles to be overcome and the formation of review counsels aimed at resolving liability for driverless cars.

It also envisages an extension of the current BYOD environment to include, what Gartner coin as, BYOE (bring your own enhancements). The “enhancements” that Gartner refer to include greater integration of wearables such as smart watches, gesture identifying devices, augmented reality headsets etc. This next generation of smart tech provides an opportunity to revolutionise the way that businesses operate from improving efficiency, assessing and analysing data to integrating and collaborating with the customer base.

Before we explore the pros and cons of BYOE, it is perhaps worth taking a step forward and imagining how this area could be used in practice. For example:

a. Smart watches that identify the bio-rhythms of an individual can be used to replace smart card entry and cafeteria payment systems. A simply scan of your watch will give you unique and secure access to buildings and your work network;

b. Gesture based devices and improved audio translation systems will allow those with disabilities to more easily enter and integrate into the mainstream workforce;

c. Smart gloves (think Minority Report) will enable you to review information quicker and easier;

d. Augmented reality head-sets will take the work from home experience one step further by allowing you to don your HoloLens or smart glasses and join client and internal meetings in a much more immersed experience;

e. Virtual reality headsets can be used to interact and share data with clients and workers in a real time (and possibly fun) environment;

f. Smart glasses will enable information to be accessible in a personal environment, enabling us (for example) to be able to see real time translations of different languages, up-to-date information on clients and contacts etc.;

g. Lone workers can be tracked and monitored so that any issue or danger can be identified quickly and help sent.

The above is just the “tip of the ice-berg” and is not part of science fiction. They are already available albeit that main stream buy-in is not there yet. Certain sectors such as medical and energy are already adopting and using enhanced technology but the opportunity for businesses in general to think beyond BYOD and start to look at how enhanced technology can assist their business is upon us. If the pandemic has shown us one positive thing – it is that business can adapt to meet challenges and that a fear or reluctance to embrace technology is often misguided.

What does all of the above mean in practice? Well, BYOD is, at last, integrated into the way we work even if businesses do not always fully endorse or even recognise its involvement. As we start to move back to a more balanced combination of working in offices etc and working from home, the BYOD environment will be an integral part on how successful it is. However, this should just be the start. BYOD helps facilitate the way we work, BYOE will bring with it much more opportunity to integrate and collaborate with not only other workers but also customers. It enables employers to streamline processes, employees to collaborate and share information irrespective of location and customers to have a much more tailored service.

There is no disputing that the expansion of BYOE will bring with it risk. There will inevitably be concern over the privacy rights of individuals especially with the amount of data that can be harvested on an individual and their activities. In addition, any technology that could undermine or further discourage real social interaction can have mental and physical side effects that it may take years to understand. Businesses will need to work proactively with their local regulators and engage and collaborate with their employees and clients on what it is they are happy to adopt and what benefits it would bring and ensure that policies, procedures and security measures are consistent with this. Too often the process starts with legal fears being considered in isolation rather than legal and commercial being considered alongside each other.

Finally, technology is not the panacea solution for everything and it is important that social interaction and face to face engagement is not dismissed in the drive to adopt technological solutions. However, the last few months has shown that technological advancement, when used right, can help businesses grow and extend their horizons. BYOD is now with us and BYOE is on its way.