SMBs Embrace BYOD in Greater Numbers in 2014

Five Predictions for the Connected Enterprise in 2014

A new IDC study titled “U.S. 2014 SMB Corporate-Owned and BYOD Mobile Device Survey” confirmed that small to midsize businesses (SMBs) are now the driving force behind the rise in BYOD adoptions. The study predicts that BYOD will continue its strong presence in the workplace, with SMBs leading the way.

IDC Analyst Chris Chute, who co-authored the study, also sees SMBs introducing good BYOD management programs in a short amount of time:

“Small businesses have seen the most growth in BYOD device uptake and have responded by implementing policies that govern how those devices are used. This is a marked change from only a year ago when close to half of small firms cited having a zero-access BYOD stance. Now, with the availability of hosted software and easy-to-implement mobile solutions, SMB IT managers feel much more comfortable allowing personal devices access to internal IT resources.”

Implementing successful BYOD programs will be key to building strong unified communications plans for any business since it seems that personal device usage in the workplace is here to stay. According to a post at Cloud Tweaks:

Given that BYOD has shown no signs of slowing down, it is certain that more SMBs – not to mention major enterprises – will both have and need to manage personal smartphones and tablets in the office. This is especially true given that a new wave of devices is already on the horizon – wearables.

Wearables are the new, up-and-coming form of personal devices that have yet to really take off as well as tablets and smartphones. But in the coming year, we’re sure to see more of these types of devices included in the BYOD initiatives that many businesses are attempting to manage.