Ownership

One of the key cost saving components in a BYOD strategy is the transfer of cost, and therefore ownership to the user. Some companies will choose to provide a set monetary value they will contribute toward the cost of the device based on a 2-3 year lifespan (and considering applicable tax laws). This enables simpler budgeting for the IT department and removes the burden of depreciation and disposal at the end of life for the device. It also allows the user to choose a device within the budget or opt to pay extra for a higher spec device to suit their personal preferences as well as any accessories to improve productivity. Either way, the device is theirs to keep at the end of the 2-3 year lifespan.

This is the key difference between a personally owned BYOD device and a company sponsored BYOD device. A user may be entitled to expect that their personally owned BYOD device is within their full control, if they have paid for it, and therefore should not be managed by the company, whereas a company sponsored BYOD device does not fully belong to the user until the end of any agreed service period to cover the cost of the device (consider what happens if the user leaves the company within 12 months of receiving the allowance).

By contrast, CYOD devices are purchased and owned by the company. They may choose to allow the user to keep, or buy back, the device at the end of its life cycle, but otherwise it is handled the same way as any other company asset.