BYOD: Bring Your Own Device to Work

Devices such as smartphones and tablets have become major players in the workplace particularly in healthcare organizations. The integration of medical applications has changed the way we work, from standard uniform platforms to a more evolved, proactive route. The challenge of incorporating personal devices to the workplace, BYOD (Bring-Your-Own-Device) network has circulated many healthcare organizations in terms of cost and time effectiveness. BYOD further questions the matter of security for organizations considering this option. Brent Lang, president and COO of Vocera, shares some suggestions for a robust BYOD policy.

• Understand the real costs. The cost of smartphone integration into the workplace network transcends further than cost of purchasing the devices, but the cost of managing and securing them as well. It seems like the more cost-effective option to just rely on personal devices since they would bring them in as well. The question though is whether or not the system can accommodate each one of them into the network. It becomes a challenge for the IT area to maintain a reasonable cost for managing content and security, and ensuring HIPAA security piece.

• Work out reimbursement. If the healthcare organization provides a BYOD scheme, it is expected that a reimbursement is in place for the employees. Usually compensation for the device itself is justified, and sometimes the plan that the device is subscribed to is included. However, when an organization has deep roots to devices as a key player in keeping the workflow, a BYOD mechanism is not to be expected. The organization will provide the devices. 

• Say goodbye to standards. Expect that when accommodating a BYOD plan, there will be adjustments here and there of the standard layout of everything in the workflow. Common sense would tell you that because different devices work on different operating systems, there will be different layouts and applications working on each. This will present quite of a challenge to the development side of healthcare organizations. “You have to deal with the acoustics of the device. What’s the roaming capability? With a realtime app like voice, voice communications require continuous realtime connectivity,” says Lang.

• Workflow, workflow, workflow. “Create a workflow that is independent of the device,” Lang says. Mobile devices have become necessary to keep the workflow progressive and efficient. The important thing to take note in BYOD applications is to maintain a versatile workflow that will accommodate as much as it can. Perhaps a single workflow route is becoming a thing of the past what with the continuous evolution of demands especially in healthcare. At the end of the day, devices are not the central element in keeping a healthcare organization afloat, method-centered set of procedures, but if devices will help the workflow improve, a BYOD route is the best way to go.

Do you have questions about creating or implementing a BYOD policy in your healthcare organization or general business?  Vertical IT can help.  We have successfully implemented BYOD strategies for many organizations in New England.  Call (888) 505-8215 or email us at info@verticalitcorp.com.  We would love to hear from you.