79 pc of IT pros say personal devices better than company devices

DALLAS, USA: CompuCom, a leading technology infrastructure services company, today announced the results of its recent website poll, revealing that 79 per cent of IT professionals say their personal devices are more powerful than the devices provided to them by their employers to perform their roles.

The poll collected 300 responses from IT professionals across multiple industries from October 15, 2013 through November 5, 2013.

Advances in technology have made tablets and smartphones easier and more convenient to use than the desktops and laptops typically found at work. Personal devices also tend to be upgraded at a faster pace than typical 24-month cycles for corporate equipment, further strengthening their appeal.

"Employees want the latest and greatest devices, so why not let them have what they want to aid productivity, within company policies and guidelines? With BYOD programs, companies are learning how to create a win for both sides," noted CompuCom chief marketing officer Jonathan James.

"Employees use the equipment they prefer, while employers can reduce costs since it becomes a matter of support and security versus provisioning of equipment, a big difference in overall cost," said James.

Respondents to CompuCom's poll were asked, "Are your personal devices more powerful and user friendly than those provided at work?" The results:

79 per cent - Yes

12 per cent - No

9 per cent - About the same

In discussions with Fortune 1000 companies during the last six months, CompuCom found that organizations are increasingly incorporating employee-owned devices, consistent with a recent Gartner survey showing that 38 percent of companies expect to stop providing corporate devices to workers by 2016; only 15 percent will never provide any Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) option; and the remaining 40 percent will offer both styles of programs.

Another recent CompuCom poll found that 67 percent of IT professionals, including C-suite executives, agreed that BYOD programs increase employee productivity.