Equanet: Only one in seven UK firms allows BYOD

But 72 per cent of employees are using personally owned devices in the workplace, finds research

Just one in seven mid to large-sized UK firms has an established a bring-your-own-device (BYOD) scheme, research from VAR Equanet suggests.

The Dixons Retail-owned reseller spoke to 1,004 IT managers and directors of mid- to large-sized UK firms in April and May.

Nearly three quarters (72 per cent) of employees are already using personally owned devices in the workplace, the research found. Some 76 per cent of those quizzed felt that personal devices increase productivity in the workplace.

Despite this, only 14 per cent have an established BYOD scheme. Sixty-two per cent said their business did not have a BYOD policy while 24 per cent were unsure.

According to analyst TechMarketView, UK firms' spending on BYOD-related technologies will mushroom from £176m in 2012 to £675m by 2016.

Equanet managing director Phil Birbeck said personally owned devices are often faster and better than their employer's own IT equipment.

"We have found that 29 per cent of businesses have actually saved money from their IT budget by implementing BYOD policies," he said. "A structured BYOD scheme, integrated by IT solutions experts, is vital for modern businesses as it standardises the equipment used in the workplace, keeps employees happy and harnesses the array of technological innovations found in smartphones and tablets for the business."

The most popular personal devices in the workplace were iPhones (81 per cent), followed by iPads (71 per cent), laptops (34 per cent) and BlackBerrys (19 per cent).