The Consumerization of IT: A Major Shift in Enterprise Mobility

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The Consumerization of IT: A Major Shift in Enterprise Mobility

Today we’re going to explore a movement in enterprise IT known as the “consumerization of IT.” Basically, the “consumerization of IT” represents a shift in the enterprise where IT departments are beginning to allow and incorporate consumer devices and simpler, more design-focused applications in the workplace. From using their own consumer-grade smart devices, employees are beginning to expect the same focus on design and simple user experience from enterprise applications and devices.

Another key trend in enterprise mobility that is aiding this shift towards “the consumerization of IT” is known as Bring Your Own Device (BYOD). Basically BYOD is exactly what it sounds like, the notion of allowing your employees to bring their own personal smartphone, laptop and tablet devices to work. Companies are discovering there are many benefits to adopting a BYOD strategy, most notably reduced hardware costs, enhanced mobility of workers and increased device familiarity that results in lower training costs. In this way, BYOD is acting as a major force in reshaping the face of mobile hardware in the enterprise. Interested in learning more about best practices for implementing a BYOD strategy? Check out this excellent whitepaper CIO magazine recently released.

To understand how these trends play out in the enterprise let’s take a look at the example of a mobile data capture technology like barcode scanning. Traditionally, barcode scanning was only possible through using dedicated scanner or mobile computer hardware. In today’s ecosystem, enterprises can design smartphone-based mobile apps that provide the same functionality. With a smartphone app-based solution in mind there are two options IT managers have for replacing traditional hardware. On the one hand, they can now issue company-owned ruggedized smartphone devices as direct replacements for expensive dedicated handheld scanners.  Another option is to leverage the BYOD trend and provide a cross-platform barcode scanning app that can be downloaded to employees’ personal smartphone devices. In environments where specific employees scan items frequently, for instance in the case of package delivery, companies continue to be best served by providing a dedicated ruggedized smartphone to the respective employee. Conversely, in environments where employees scan items less frequently or only occasionally, it is much more advantageous and cost-effective for a company to simply issue an app that employees can then download to their personal devices. In addition to saving time and money, the BYOD-based scanning approach has the added benefit of allowing the entire mobile workforce to interact with critical business processes in a light-weight and flexible manner via a smartphone-based barcode scanning app. Both of these strategies support the shift towards the “consumerization of IT.”

How Scandit Supports Mobile Data Capture in the Enterprise

To understand how Scandit supports mobile data capture in the enterprise let’s take a look at the latest release of our Barcode Scanner SDK. Our Barcode Scanner SDK delivers enterprise-grade data capture technology to smartphones and tablet devices, making it easy for enterprises’ to design the apps needed to effectively replace traditional mobile barcode scanning hardware. Our technology also provides amazing full-screen barcode scanning capabilities, scans all major barcodes and works even at extremely skewed, pitched and tilted angles. Topped off with a slick scan screen, it offers a phenomenal user experience. In this way, Scandit’s technology is designed to support this shift towards the “consumerization of IT”.

We’re watching closely as these trends shift and take hold, and we’re thrilled to be a part of such a disruptive force that benefits both companies and employees alike.  Stay tuned to our blog for more discussion about enterprise mobility trends and the “consumerization of IT”!