As bring your own device (BYOD) gains momentum in workplaces worldwide, a new trend seems to be emerging: bring your own apps (BYOA.) Reports indicate that a large percentage of small and medium businesses (SMBs) are actively supporting BYOA despite security concerns. Consequently, this new trend is expected to introduce a brand new set of IT challenges because businesses have not yet heard a great deal about the risks of apps residing on BYOD devices.

A recent MaaSters blog post suggest that the SMBs have yet to pay attention to managing and securing the influx of applications in the workplace. The blog presents a joint study by Edge Strategies and LogMeIn (News - Alert) that sheds light on this growing BYOA trend as employees introduce their own apps into the workplace. Plus, it investigates the impact of BYOA on SMBs.

In a survey of 1,200 IT professionals, the joint study found that only 22 percent believe their companies are fully prepared to address BYOA movement. In fact, the study shows that though many SMB IT pros are concerned about the control and management of the influx of new applications, but they are not worried because employees are tapping such apps to perform better.

According to the study, 52 percent of employees have brought cloud storage apps into the workplace. Thirty-eight percent are using productivity apps, while another third have introduced apps that improve collaboration. Consequently, by embracing the BYOA movement and recognizing that employee-introduced apps can actually be a boon, the study indicates that the SMBs would do well. In essence, as per the study, the BYOA movement can also help companies discover new apps needed in the workplace. 

Even though BYOA is new, the study shows that there are tools available that allow employees to embrace BYOA and still stay protected. One such tool is mobile application management (MAM). Although, it may not have received the same level of attention as its counterpart, mobile device management (MDM), it is no less important. It is bound to gain momentum as BYOA trend increases.

In essence, as per the study, MAM tools will enable SMBs to gain greater control over the apps being used on their networks, ensuring security and compliance with industry regulations.

Fiberlink has simplified the search for a right MAM solution for your environment by creating an easy-to-use enterprise apps catalog with full operational and security lifecycle management of apps across mobile device platforms like iOS and Android (News - Alert). Called MaaS360, it provides an intuitive enterprise application catalog for iOS and Android devices. According to Fiberlink, it can instantly view apps available, install apps, and be alerted to update apps.

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