When Is BYOD Not BYOD?

I have had a lot of conversations about BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) in the last few weeks.  I have been amazed at just how strongly people feel about the issue.  Almost universally people tell me that BYOD will not work in the corporate enterprise, local government or central government.

It has been a topic of debate amongst colleagues and customers alike.

BYOD is not BYOD if all you are talking about is the device. 


BYOD is not about a piece of plastic, but rather it is about ubiquitous access to consumer or business information anywhere and at any time.   It has been said that giving employees remote access to your enterprise systems via VPN is in effect allowing them to BYOD.  Hard to argue... they are after all using their own computer device to connect.

BYOD is not just about your employees, but it is also about your customers.  

Governments and businesses used to provide kiosks for citizens and customers to access the internet.  Some still do, but more and more just provide free WiFi.  They do this because people walk in the door with their own devices - smartphones, tablets, laptops and even gaming consoles.

Move away from a device centric discussion people - move it to being about your customers (not just your employees) being able to access information or transact at any time, from any place, in any way.

Here's a prediction.  Schools and universities will start to phase out computer rooms and labs in the next 2 years.  They will never disappear, but there will be less of them.  You heard it here first!

Cheers!