When it comes to the consumerization of IT, there general perception is that IT professionals are very resistant to allowing the use of so-called consumer technology like the iPhone and iPad along with various personal cloud services. While it is true that many IT departments are hesitant about some aspects of this movement, they aren’t as fully resistant to consumer technology in the workplace as media reports would make you believe.
In fact, the results of a recent study looking at the use of personal computing technologies in the enterprise indicate that many IT departments are actively embracing the iPhone and iPad and the entire consumerization trend. The study, being reported by Business Computing World in the UK, included more than 600 senior executives around the world and turned up some surprising results – including how much money goes into managing employee-owned devices.
While the results weren’t broken out in categories like mobile platforms (iOS, Android, and so forth), they definitely apply to Apple’s iPhone and iPad along with other technologies.
- 73% of executives surveyed reported growing use of employee-owned technology is a top priority in their business
- 88% of executives state that employees are using personal technologies for business purposes
- 60% of companies are adapting their IT infrastructure to accommodate employee-owned devices instead of trying to resist their use
- 91% of C-level executives and 75% of IT decision makers believe that their IT department currently has the staff and resources needed to manage the use of consumer technologies
The study also indicated that IT departments are actively investing either employee-owned devices or services that can be viewed as consumer-oriented. On average, respondents are spending about one quarter of their overall IT budgets on mechanisms to support and manage personal technology including the iPhone and iPad as well as other devices and various consumer-oriented services.
This certainly paints a picture that IT professionals are fully aware that the consumerization of IT and bring your own device (BYOD) programs are not simply a passing fad. It also tends to indicate that IT departments are trying to be as proactive as possible in supporting and managing employee-owned iPhones and iPads as well as Android handsets and other devices. The average cost being dedicated to accomplish that support and management, however, makes it clear that the consumerization of IT and BYOD aren’t going to be a free ride.
