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Dec 2012
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bring your own computer The concept of employees using their own hardware for company business is a worrying one for firms concerned about the security of their sensitive data – but Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) could be the future By Pete Bryant
pete.bryant@trinitymirror.com
Robert May from ramsac after the Windows 8 Surrey launch.
AN IT solutions consultancy based in Godalming was chosen by Microsoft to host the launch of Windows 8 and Server 2012 products in Surrey. As one of Microsoft’s top ten partners in the south east, ramsac hosted the evening launch at Guildford’s Holiday Inn on November 28. During the event, Microsoft representatives spoke of the advantages that come with the latest software, plus their vision of how the company’s hardware will develop. It was a chance for business delegates in Surrey to hear from experts on how the features could be incorporated into their workplaces as well as solving problems they currently face. Despite traffic problems on the A3, around 100 people arrived at the hotel to watch the presentations. A main focus of the talk was the theme of bring your own device (BYOD), whereby employees prefer to use their own computer tablets and smartphones at work due to them being familiar and, often, superior to what is provided at work. Windows Intune will allow companies to manage and secure PCs through the cloud, meaning other devices can be incorporated more easily.
IT’S FINALLY TIME TO PUT ON YOUR BEST TIE We would like to wish the Surrey business community a very happy Christmas and a prosperous 2013
Richard Maybury, who runs Hindhead-based company Priority Management, said BYOD was something he already implemented in the business. “It is increasingly a demand in the workplace and employers must recognise that,” he said. He also said that the work Microsoft was doing to rival Apple for applications to allow Windows users to interact more efficiently was appealing to him. He said: “We have got Macs, we have got Droids and we have got Windows. “Most of my clients use Microsoft products, so I drive everything through that.” Of the launch, he added: “The
“ A lot of IT managers are fighting BYOD, but you cannot get away from it.” guys who will find this really good are the IT managers. “Consumers like me want a nice clean experience. “A lot of this would be of more use and would be really interesting and exciting to the people who deal with IT in companies.” Windows 8 is the biggest change in user interface since Windows 95. Microsoft’s designers are also attempting to build on the
company’s reputation of offering practical hardware, and are launching products that combine the receiving and enjoying of media, that Apple’s iPads have done so well, with the ability to create data through word documents and spreadsheets, traditionally a strength of Windows. Microsoft’s Jonathan Griffin, speaking at the launch, described it as ‘adding functionality to beauty’. Partner at Godalming-based Shipleys LLP Simon Robinson said the biggest issue at his company was one of security. “People do want to bring their own devices and phones, but we need to make sure it is secure for them to do so,” he said. “There could be confidential financial data on people’s devices. That is massive.” Robert May, managing director of ramsac, said this was an area that his company was able to support people in. “A lot of IT managers are fighting BYOD, but you can’t get away from it,” he said. “If you are working remotely, it is possible to limit access to the data so it can be very secure.” He added: “The fact Microsoft chose us to do the launch in Surrey is great. “The demand for people to come along shows the interest, and there was a good mixture of current clients and potential new ones.”
Merry Christmas
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