The CIO of Tait Radio Communications (the firm used to be called Tait Electronics) here in Christchurch talked a few days ago about the approach they’re taking to mobile devices and smartphones at work. Basically, they’ve stopped trying to control what people use, and allow them to bring in anything they want – with some conditions:

“New staff can bring in any mobile device they want, but they have to sign the number over to Tait to go onto a corporate account. Depending on their role they are given a subsidy to buy the device, a voice call allowance, free text and a data allowance. If the staff member loses or breaks the device, then it’s their responsibility to buy a new one.

He uses both an iPad and iPhone, and says the latter is fast becoming the smartphone of choice for Tait executives.

In addition to email and calendar functions the IT department will enable staff to access the company intranet. They might also suggest a few helpful apps to download, and if the staff member travels frequently they will ensure the phone has wi-fi capability and are aware of tools that offer free text worldwide and facilitate cheap calling rates.“

Tait uses Google Apps for mail and calendaring, so they have Google’s strength on their side (as well as an ecosystem of other vendors that help make mobile devices work with Google Apps).

Read more: Christchurch IT Scene: CIO’s Perspective