CYOD vs BYOD. If you want to design an enterprise mobility program, you'll inevitably come across these terms. But how do know which one is right for you?
Choose Your Own Device (CYOD) is a device provisioning model. Employees browse a pre-defined list of devices and choose the one or ones they'd like to use for work. It offers greater control and security.
Bring Your Own Device (BYOD), on the other hand, is a provisioning model that allows staff to use their personal devices to handle company data and make calls. BYOD is ideal if you're looking for flexibility.
Successful enterprises strike the right balance between control and freedom in the workplace. But there are other things to consider when evaluating CYOD and BYOD. And chief among them is how can a managed mobility services (MMS) provider support a CYOD or BYOD program?
CYOD vs BYOD
First and foremost, it’s important to remember that neither approach is “better” than the other. CYOD and BYOD tackle different business problems. And, in truth, a combination of the two is sometimes the best fit.
Cost
BYOD is often seen as a more realistic and pragmatic model. Even in a “CYOD-only” enterprise, staff may still elect to use their personal devices for work purposes anyway.
At the same time, BYOD is more cost-effective. A famous Cisco report found that U.S. companies save an average of $350 per mobile employee by implementing a BYOD program. But there's a trade-off. BYOD programs typically lack the oversight and support of their CYOD counterparts.
Control and Security
CYOD provides enterprises with more control and is inherently more secure than BYOD. By only offering a limited set of devices, it reduces the burden on IT managers, as they don’t need to support the whole range of devices employees can procure online or in-store.
Android fragmentation (the scores of different Android versions existing on different phones) is less of an issue with CYOD, too. A CYOD program can easily limit employees to devices with the latest and most secure versions of the operating system.
However, the great compromise of CYOD is that employees have less freedom of choice. Employees won’t necessarily be able to use the device that suits them best, which can lead to dissatisfaction.
Tech
Employees rarely have access to the most current devices.
Manufacturers release new phones and tablets constantly. No matter how nimble the MMS provider or in-house telecom team is, it will always be difficult (and costly) to keep up with early adopters in a CYOD program.
The extra approval processes in CYOD bring their benefits but necessarily slow down employee access to the latest and greatest.
How MMS Providers Support CYOD and BYOD Programs
Managed Mobility Service providers help with CYOD and BYOD programs in six key ways.
1. Provisioning and Deployment
Under a CYOD program, employees have access to an online portal. This allows them to self-serve devices and plans from a corporate catalog. Catalogs are usually role-based and let users choose from a list of corporate-sanctioned devices and plans.
2. Device Staging and Setup
Before delivery, vendors set up devices with the apps, software, and settings that each worker needs. For example, setting up Microsoft Outlook and Calendar with the employee’s user credentials, so they can get going instantly.
3. Device Security and Policy
A robust enterprise BYOD policy is essential if you want to reap the rewards of a mobile workforce. MMS providers work with you to help your enterprise implement the latest mobile ownership best practices, such as:
- Adding virus protection, encryption, network access controls, and authentication.
- Implementing data wipes and remote locks, in case devices are lost or stolen.
- Establishing policies with employees to ensure they understand the responsibilities that accompany network access.
4. Maximizing Mobile Plans
MMS providers regularly review mobile plans and identify employees who frequently go over or under their monthly call or data allowance. Providers have complete visibility into all carrier plans, so they can then advise you on a more cost-effective plan to adopt.
5. End-User Help Desk
Under a CYOD program, you benefit from the provider's experience and expertise in resolving any mobility issues that might crop up. A dedicated help desk, staffed by operatives that know your specific policies and needs can help with:
- Device and service troubleshooting
- Activating and deactivating devices
- Managing vendor service requests
The best help desks become an extension of your team, rather than a generic call center.
6. End-of-Life-Services
The responsibilities of an MMS provider aren’t over when a device reaches the end of its life. A good MMS provider should support you with:
- The refurbishment of working devices and components, setting them up for reuse.
- Complete sanitization of devices and data.
- The recycling of damaged or broken devices.
- The sale of any devices you no longer need, so you can recover as much of the original costs as possible.
CYOD vs BYOD: Choose Your Path
Whether you're considering a CYOD program for the first time or you're looking to refresh your BYOD policy, an MMS provider can help.
MMS providers have unparalleled industry knowledge and experience. Working side-by-side, they can help you find the best approach for your enterprise and enable you to unlock all the benefits of a successful CYOD or BYOD program.
