To repeat an old slogan: a device is a device is a device.

It should fit the users needs in terms of performance, mobility and features. That’s it – knowing very well that this isn’t as easy as it sound. Users may need very different devices. This have to be provided by the company, respective it’s IT department. The BYOD discussion is often misused by companies to escape from their responsibility. This leads to another interpretation of “who is it to bring the device”:

The customer is to bring their own devices. more precisely: The internal customers – business units and local units – may bring their own devices. Not the users.

This solves the VAT and insurance issues. I know the discussions at our customers between the internal IT departments and the business units about the hardware devices. The IT has to provide the IT clients. And if the required devices are too many to provide an appropriate standard hardware client as well – then the virtual desktop is the way out.

I agree, Buy your own device is a good step forward, but still not the situation skilled people are seeking for. They really want to bring in their own device, and expanding the selection of available devices would be leading to “but, what about this and that device – I am missing it on the list”.
Furthermore, all listed cons are more than valid.

However, in case companies go for “Buy your own device” they shouldn’t allow any device. In case of low quality devices the amount of time people are not productive might be increasing due to replacing not working devices (however, there is no statistics available, yet).

A device consultancy could be an option there:
In order to get from a long list of potential devices to a short list of really useful devices a consultancy could help, i.e. an employee must seek consultancy from someone, who understands the employee’s job and also provides best practices. This consultant also can rate the employee’s experience and knowledge on choosing what’s best for him.

In case of providing users with cash the company shouldn’t be too narrow-minded in terms of “loosing” money. Differences between devices or left cash over the years is rather low compared to the time spend setting up rules and money transfer mechanisms.

VDI seems to be THE option.
Only, a stable and fast internet connection is required, e.g. drawing a PowerPoint presentation requires bigger bandwidth than just typing emails.
Furthermore, storage and exchange of large file information are two things to be thought through.

Anyway, from an overall company’s perspective a preferred way of IT consumeration.

danke für die Blumen!

Dein Ansatz ist sehr charmant. Den Werkschutz einzubeziehen wäre mal eine neue Taktik, um den eh nicht standardisierten IT-Dschungel noch ein bisschen mehr aufzumischen.

Ich hoffe du hast dich in deiner neuen Aufgabe gut eingelebt. Ich freue mich immer, von dir zu hören!
Lieber Gruß und ein schönes Weihnachtsfest.

Beste Grüße – schöner Text