Did you know that, according to research firm Gartner, more than 19.5 million million tablet PCs sold in 2010, and McKinsey reveals that tablets, and other mobile devices, currently account for up to 44% of worldwide computing? Mobile devices are literally everywhere, and this fact has hardly escaped employers’ notice. In fact, an increasing number of today’s employers ask employees to work from personal tablets and smartphones. Why are companies excited about bring your own device (BYOD) models, and what should they know before implementing them?

What Is So Great About BYOD?

Across the globe, over 1 billion people own smartphones. Asking employees to use personal phones for work-related use, then, is not altogether surprising. What is surprising, however, is that half of all companies using BYOD structures ask employees to provide for all technology costs, and most go right along with it. Why are employees and employers alike embracing these systems?

First and foremost, BYOD models are inexpensive. Businesses can dramatically reduce costs by utilizing these models, and, according to CIO Insight, costs savings is the number one reason for 47% of BYOD-friendly companies. Additionally, employees enjoy working more from their own tablets or iPhones, and BYOD employees will, on average, devote an extra 37 minutes to work per week, according to Cisco research.

Are BYOD Models Safe?

Many businesses implementing BYOD systems do not realize that they can come with a certain amount of risk. In fact, up to a third of employees working at businesses allowing some form of BYOD use reveal that company data is not encrypted. In order to work well, BYOD models depend on mobile device management (MDM), including iPhone security and management. MDM monitors, encrypts, and otherwise protects data, especially in the event of loss, theft, or product damage. Desktop Management Interface (DMI) programs, for example, keep track of all software and hardware in a BYOD system. All mobile device management systems, including iPhone management, help curb costs and keep sensitive data safe.

BYOD systems cut costs and make projects more enjoyable, appealing to employers and employers alike. Companies should approach these systems carefully, however, and keep in mind that some form of mobile device management, including iPhone security, is absolutely necessary.