Wait…are employers encouraging employees to bring their phones, iPads, and other devices to work? Yes! The BYOD movement has taken hold of companies both foreign and domestic, and for good reason. Most companies are struggling to keep up with annual technology updates, support calls, and learning curves. Not only does BYOD save companies money and time, but employees are happier! The best part for logistics companies? BYOD is revolutionizing SCM.
What is the BYOD Movement?
The Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) movement is the all-encompassing patriarch of the adjacent Bring Your Own Technology (BYOT), Bring Your Own Phone (BYOP) and Bring Your Own PC (BYOPC) initiatives. All of these initiatives now “empower workforces through the so-called ‘consumerization of IT.’” According to a Cisco study, 69 percent of IT decision makers in the U.S. believe that embracing and implementing a well-constructed BYOD initiative is a positive move for their company. Let’s see why.
Benefits of the BYOD Movement
There are numerous benefits to the BYOD movement for both companies and employees. To start, employees want more access to business information systems wherever they are. It gives them greater flexibility in accessing data and responding to queries in a timely fashion. By purchasing their own devices and equipment, employees can choose devices that are most familiar to them, resulting in less of a learning curve and more overall productivity. Having a choice also reportedly makes employees happier.
Employers also see a benefit in a BYOD initiative. Employers save valuable capital by eliminating the need to purchase devices and upgrades for each employee and support a help desk for all company-provided devices. Employers also benefit from the previously discussed boost to productivity. Happy employees also mean less turnover which materializes in even greater cost savings for businesses. Doubt it? A Cisco study has the numbers to back it, saying, “For mobile users, basic BYOD delivers an average annual value of $350 for companies. With a comprehensive, reactive BYOD program, that gain jumps to $1,300 per mobile user per year.” For companies that have 100 employees, that comes to a cool $130,000 back in company coffers.
The Rising Popularity of SCM Apps and BYOD
The consumerism of technology hasn’t stopped with devices. Enterprise software systems, such as Logistimo Plus and Scandit, have created apps that have figuratively unchained supply chain experts from their desks and increased speed and efficiency. These SCM apps also are less clunky than other devices and more familiar to employees which reduces errors as well as the need for potentially costly equipment training sessions. They’re also very mobile and provide data real-time.
While not every company is ready to embrace BYOD, many are slowing making the move. Logistics providers know that greater access and mobility improve effectiveness and result in greater satisfaction for customers and greater profits for their business partners. Talk to JIT Services today about how we’re helping clients improve their SCM and bringing valuable insights to their businesses with technology.