Do Tablets and Smartphones Mark the End of Desk Phones?

When considering the next generation of “extremely-mobile” employees, you won’t find a desk phone in anyone’s carry-on bag. You will, however, find a smartphone, tablet and laptop computer – devices that might even serve as extensions for more than one company.

As many workers are constantly wired into multiple mobile devices, it’s a safe assumption that the height of the traditional desk phone has passed. In fact, a recent Infonetics (News - Alert) Research survey noted that one billion smartphones and 300 million tablets are expected to ship in 2013 alone.

This rising demand for constant (often costly) connectivity begs a vital question: How can companies increase employees’ productivity while reducing telephony expenses?

As the desktop phone heads into obscurity, the most profitable solution for a generation of employees opting for mobile connectivity is a transition from corporate to individually-owned mobile devices.

Installing communication software such as email service, sales numbers, calendars, agenda and other secure data to employees’ mobile devices can increase employee productivity and reduce telephony costs.

Personally owned, individual liable (IL) devices are becoming commonplace in corporate environments for financial and usability reasons. Let’s explore why the transition from corporate to individually-owned can ensure more bang for any company’s buck, as well as heightened productivity:

1. Reduce mobile costs. | A strong IL program – one with employee-owned devices – can cut enterprise mobile costs and avoid the tax compliance tracking requirements associated with company-owned or corporate-liable (CL) mobile devices.
2. Heighten productivity. | In addition to telephony, mobile devices can run an infinite number of useful business applications. With the recent proliferation of mobile apps, pros within almost any industry want industry-specific apps that allow them to carry their offices in their pockets.
3. Ensure usability. | Usability is an especially important driver for individual ownership of mobile devices in the workplace. In the era of social networking and heartbeat communication technologies such as Twitter (News - Alert) and texting, many workers see little to no distinction when it comes to business and personal use on mobile devices.
4. Provide complete mobility. | In today’s business world, it has come to be expected that all employees will be available for consultation at any time throughout the day via cell phone. As complete mobility has become the norm, installing software like email or calendar capabilities onto individual users’ mobile devices adds proficiency to communication while on the road.

As many professionals – especially the young and tech-savvy – can attest, personal devices have become increasingly intertwined with employees’ professional lives. In light of mobile technology trends that don’t appear to be slowing down any time soon, the transition from corporate to individually-owned mobile devices is a long-term investment for both companies and individuals.