Executing BYOD programs

There are as many opinions about how to effectively launch a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) program as there are devices in the pockets of today’s increasingly mobile workers. Still, there is one thing everyone agrees on, the drivers of adoption: increasing productivity, employee retention, device selection, and enhancing security. What needs more analysis and consensus is the implementation path of a solid BYOD strategy.

Customers need to consider the following four variables when executing a successful BYOD program: device management; best-practices for securing data; development and modernization of applications; and infrastructure optimization. Although there is currently no single approach that integrates all four activities, Dell has been building a portfolio of solutions that bring a comprehensive and compelling answer to each one.

Let’s start with a common use case of an enterprise customer enabling remote and internal employees to access company resources through various devices and provide more than simple e-mail; they need access to a variety of corporate applications.

The first variable to consider, Device Management, ensures that governance and policies are applied to all end points. Dell KACE offers a practical device management solution deployed as an appliance or SaaS offering. Additionally, Dell can provide BYOD consulting for organizations that need a more customized solution.

The second variable, Secure Data, is mission critical because it safeguards the integrity of corporate information. Dell’s SonicWALL ensures secure access to intranet resources with secure SSL/VPN technology to manage encryption across all corporately-managed mobile devices. For a higher level of enhanced security Dell SecureWorks can be added to account for threat management.

The third variable, Develop and Modernize Applications, helps organizations optimize applications for deployment into BYOD environments. Dell offers AppDev services that provide image optimization and application rationalization services. With PocketCloud, Dell also offers a comprehensive application delivery solution to remotely connect to your desktop with your iOS or Android device.Here’s a quick video on PocketCloud:

Finally, Infrastructure Optimization is the variable over which my team, Dell Wyse, has the most influence. Infrastructure Optimization is about providing the backend infrastructure to host and manage your desktops and applications by centralizing data and applications in the cloud or the data center. Dell Desktop Virtualization Solutions (DVS) provides the datacenter infrastructure, including preconfigured networking equipment, storage, and Dell 12G servers to accelerate the adoption of VDI and application virtualization. DVS also offers virtual desktops in Simplified or Enterprise “as-a-service” configurations where virtual desktops are hosted and managed in the Dell Cloud. Finally, DVS offers an assortment of services to help you asses, plan, and roll-out desktop virtualization deployments.

BYOD is more than a trend, is a reality heading into its next phase of adoption and end user integration. Today the conversation is moving from “is BYOD for me?” to “how do I implement BYOD, to leverage the power of consumerization in my business?” For this second conversation Dell has the best answers built over a period of intensive research and development and M&A activity. Dell’s answer to BYOD is broad and comprehensive with desktop and application virtualization providing a portion of Dell’s broader BYOD portfolio of solutions. Our ultimate goal is to enable organizations to maximize their productivity while providing users with the freedom to choose their own devices and maximize their productivity. 

About the Author: Rafael Colorado

Rafael Colorado is a product director in Dell EMC’s Extreme Scale Infrastructure division. Rafael leads a group responsible for defining and managing products and solutions for scale-out markets that are rapidly shifting towards cloud-based architectures. Rafael earned an Industrial Engineering degree and holds an EMBA from the University of Illinois. His previous experience includes Motorola where he led a product marketing and strategy team and Colgate Palmolive in different marketing roles. He also funded a successful technology startup company.