The IT team and, in fact, the entire industry are buzzing about BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) and what it means to businesses. Users are demanding company systems with the same anywhere, any time access that their personal mobile phones, tablets and devices offer. So far, there has been little or no discussion about using personal devices on the shop floor, but maybe companies should think twice before deciding it doesn’t make sense. Here’s a look at a few pros and cons of the idea. 

The Pros

Speed

Mobile devices and applications are readily available and easy to use, so a company could get its projects up and running quickly. There’s no waiting for complex installation processes to get started, and employees don’t have to line up at a single time or reporting station at breaks and lunch to physically get set up with a new system.

If employees have a mobile device with them—wherever they are on the shop floor—it’s fast and easy to request spare parts when a machine breaks down. No long walks to the maintenance department are needed. Checking priorities is also a simple matter, and employees don’t waste time clustered around a single terminal waiting their turn to check jobs in or out.

Easier training

The ease of use of most mobile applications means that most employees will be comfortable right away. There would be very little training required, and even the most techno-phobic employees would be productive quickly. Many shop floor projects struggle because employees are poorly trained or uncomfortable with the system, so using a device they are already comfortable with might alleviate that issue. 

Flexibility

It’s a simple matter to fit a mobile device with a variety of applications and readers or scanners for all manner of reporting from bar codes to QR codes. The company wouldn’t need to have extra devices on hand for crunch times like month-end shipping blips or physical inventories.

The Cons

Expense

If a company asks production workers and shop management to use their own devices, it may be obligated to pay some of the bill if employees incur data or roaming charges. In addition, many plants are harsh environments, and delicate equipment may be damaged or broken, potentially leaving the company with an unexpected expense if they have to reimburse the employee.

Liability and risk

Especially in regulated industries, companies must take care that employees properly sign off on inspections and completed work. This is difficult to do with any system, whether it’s software or paper, but it may become impossible to police if employees can sign off on work using any device from any location. 

BYOD is definitely here to stay for executives and front office workers, but the jury is still out on production. However, consider these pros and cons and think about whether or not it makes sense to try a pilot program in your plant.