Unique Circumstances with BYOD and MDM in the SMB Market

The rise of BYOD programs and subsequent need for end point management and security through the use of Mobile Device Management (MDM), Mobile Application Management and Enterprise Mobility Management (EMM) are not issues reserved for the enterprise. These needs and concerns have trickled into the SMB market and in looking at most of their structures, BYOD presents unique benefits and issues for the organizations.

One topic that makes BYOD appealing to SMBs is the issue of Budgets. By nature these companies just will not have the same budgets which can be allocated towards company-wide device distribution. The idea of allowing employees to utilize the devices they already own which they are comfortable and familiar with not only can increase productivity but alleviates budget issues. These BYOD programs can allow for the proper level of mobility need to realize the full benefits which that mobility can offer.

BYOD seems perfectly tailored to the SMB allowing for cost savings on the devices themselves. However just because they are smaller does not mean they are not affected by the same security and risks concerns BYOD presents in the enterprise. These means budget still needs to be found in order to bring in the proper MDM, MAM or EMM solutions that fits their needs. The variety of device type and operating systems now available to the consumer makes the security concerns that BYOD does present an even larger issue for the enterprise and SMBs alike.

More cost effective solutions that do not carry with them all the bells and whistles of the larger solutions should be considered. Even cloud based solutions such as Fiberlink’s MaaS360 the recently announced MDM made Easy from Telus should be considered.

So does that mean SMBs need to sacrifice and open the door to breaches and data lost if they want to implement a BYOD program? Maybe, if that is all the budget allows for. However, SMBs hold a unique advantage over the enterprise and it addresses a large issues companies face when rolling out mobility strategies. It is the idea of employee adoption and adherence to mobility strategies and policies set to secure the devices. A lot of this adherence comes through communication and laying out a clear understanding of what is allowed and what is not and due to the size of your typical SMB this task is just simpler.

While BYOD programs can help SMBs in rolling out adequate mobility strategies they do not alleviate all issues around budgeting and security concerns. Communication and employee participation in set policies is where these companies can really shine and make mobility successful and beneficial.