Why “Bring Your Own Device” Can’t Be the Strategy for Frontline Work

"Digital transformation" has been a popular buzzword for a while. Now it's being talked about for frontline operations. It’s a worthy goal. After all, frontline employees are the ones moving the product, fixing the equipment, helping the customer, and keeping the business running. Giving them better access to communication, updates, and tools is a no-brainer.

But too often, the plan sounds like this:
“We’ll just send it to their phone.”
“They can use their own device.”
“We’ll have them download an app.”

This approach—bring your own device (BYOD)—may seem easy and inexpensive. But it’s not a strategy. It’s a shortcut. And for many companies, it’s standing in the way of true frontline digitization.

BYOD Isn’t a Universal Solution

To be clear: mobile phones aren’t the problem. Texting can be useful. Apps can be powerful. But relying on employees to use their own phones as the primary way they access work communication is a mistake—because it assumes a level of access, comfort, and consistency that just isn’t there for everyone.

Some workers don’t have smartphones.
Some don’t have unlimited data or storage.
Some don’t want to mix work and personal life.
And some simply don’t want to download another app.

When BYOD is the only option, you’re not digitizing your workplace—you’re asking your workforce to digitize it for you.

Expecting Personal Devices Creates Inequality

Here’s the reality: when your connection to the workplace depends on your phone, it’s not an even playing field.

It favors workers who have newer phones, more storage, and more comfort with downloading and using apps. It quietly leaves out those who don’t. And it asks every employee to be responsible for something the company should be providing: a reliable, accessible way to stay connected at work.

Imagine giving office workers the option to “just bring your own laptop” instead of issuing them one. It would never fly.

So why is that okay for the frontline?

True Digitization Means Multiple Access Points

The right approach is to offer options:

• Shared devices in break rooms or on the floor

• Wall-mounted screens with real-time updates

• Kiosks where workers can check schedules, submit forms, or watch training

• Text messages for quick alerts and notifications

• Mobile-friendly access for those who do want to use their phones

This isn’t about overcomplicating things—it’s about meeting people where they are. Digitizing the frontline shouldn’t mean pushing the burden of connection onto employees. It should mean removing barriers, not creating new ones.

Communication and Access Are Company Infrastructure

The tools employees need to do their job—whether it's PPE, equipment, or information—are part of the company's responsibility. Access to communication is no different.

If you want workers to be informed, aligned, and accountable, then they need to have consistent access to the systems that power your workplace. That access needs to be simple, dependable, and built into the environment where they work.

It can’t be based on what kind of phone they have.

A Better Future for the Frontline Starts with Smarter Access

We don’t have to accept “bring your own device” as the default.
We can build workplaces where connection isn’t optional—or conditional.
We can create systems that are inclusive, not exclusive.
We can stop asking employees to solve for problems that are the company’s to fix.

Because when you build better access, you build a stronger workforce.