January 9th 2018

BYOD vs COPE vs CYOD

We have already covered BYOD in one of our previous #bizfit blogs, but what are COPE and CYOD schemes and how do they all compare with each other? Let’s go through them one-by-one so you can determine which one is best for your business in our #bizfit blog: BYOD vs COPE vs CYOD.

WHAT IS BYOD?

BYOD stands for ‘Bring Your Own Device‘ and is the process of allowing your workers to bring their own devices, such as their laptops or smartphones, in to use for work purposes. These devices are employee owned so employees can use these devices for both work and personal use if they so wish.

ADVANTAGES OF BYOD

• One of the main advantages of BYOD is that businesses can save large amounts of money as employees will bring hardware for themselves to use
• Another advantage is that employee-owned hardware is sometimes more advanced than the bare-minimum hardware leading to more satisfaction and increased productivity
• Additionally, employees are already familiar with their own devices so they won’t have to go through a learning period to get comfortable with their hardware
• Since employees own the hardware they use for work, they can take it back with them when the workday has finished and can continue to work during out-of-work hours or sick days

DISADVANTAGES OF BYOD

• One big disadvantage is the risk of security as employee’s devices will hold valuable and sensitive company data and you won’t know what employees are doing with their devices out of the workplace
• It will be harder for your IT Staff to maintain hardware as it will be unlikely for employees to all have the same devices
• Your employees will have to agree with the BYOD policy and will need to sign some legal documents to ensure they understand they will be held responsible if data is lost or stolen

WHAT IS COPE?

COPE stands for ‘Corporate-Owned, Personally Enabled‘, and is where employees are given hardware that the company owns, for use in both the workplace and in their personal life. The device is given back to the company after the employee has left the company.

ADVANTAGES OF COPE

• The company will have a much easier time making sure that devices are secure as devices can be easily maintained. Before being given to employees, devices could be preloaded with anti-virus and mobile device management software
• Employees will essentially be given a free device to use throughout their work duration which will increase morale and could attract job seekers
• Lower risk of data loss as easy maintenance will lower the risk of viruses and hackers, and lost or stolen devices can easily be wiped remotely
• Employees can work from home

DISADVANTAGES OF COPE

• Much greater cost as the hardware is bought and owned by the business
• Employees may be annoyed by having to ask the company’s IT staff for permission to download certain apps they may use in their personal life
• Either the employees or the company will have to replace damaged devices
• Employees may need training if they are unfamiliar with their given device

WHAT IS CYOD?

CYOD stands for ‘Choose Your Own Device‘, which is where companies will allow employees to choose hardware from a number of devices that the company approves of for use in the workplace. Either the employee will pay for the device and have ownership, or the company will provide a stipend where the employee will keep the device during the duration of their employment.

ADVANTAGES OF CYOD

• Businesses can save a large amount of money compared to COPE
• Companies can more easily keep devices secure and maintained compared to BYOD as the list of approved devices may all be compatible and preloaded with the same anti-virus and mobile device management software
• Employees can work from home
• Employees are given the choice to choose from a list of devices, rather than being forced to use just one

DISADVANTAGES OF CYOD

• As devices will need to be chosen from a set number of approved devices, some employees may not be satisfied with the choices
• Doesn’t save as much money as a BYOD scheme
• Employees may get annoyed by restrictions set to devices and having to ask for permission to download apps and software
• Either the employee or company will have to replace damaged devices
• Employees may need training if they are unfamiliar with the approved devices

SUMMARY TABLE - BYOD VS COPE VS CYOD

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