BYOD market set to expand as benefits for both schools and EdTech players emerge
The demand for bring-your-own-device (BYOD) is set to increase as public institutions seek to reduce the costs of 1:1 PC deployment across K-12 schools. Futuresource Consulting's latest report sizes the BYOD phenomenon in six core markets, including the UK, USA, Germany, Australia, India, and Japan.
“BYOD has enjoyed success in private institutions for a number of years, but the pandemic demonstrated the true value of BYOD for the wider education market,” says Claire Kerrison, Principal Analyst, Futuresource Consulting. “The benefits aren’t just confined to EdTech channel specialists, who can capitalise on an enduring revenue stream by providing BYOD services, but schools and students too. Schools can provide their students with the benefit of a more personalised learning experience without impacting their ever-tighter IT budgets.”
A varied picture across schools and regions
While BYOD is gaining traction across the board, the precise picture shifts between private and public institutions and by region.
“The Indian BYOD market is dominated by private institutions and there are very few BYOD specialists. Asking parents of children attending public schools to fund devices is a tall order considering the very low household income levels.
“In the US, schools are restricted by law from requiring parents to purchase equipment for their children. Meanwhile, the UK has no such restrictions and has seen considerable growth in the BYOD market, accounting for 59% of the total K-12 mobile PC market by the end of 2023. Futuresource predicts a 17% increase in unit shipments over the next five years.”
Guidance required to maintain student safety
While BYOD is becoming an increasingly attractive prospect, a lack of consistency regarding BYOD student agreements could curb the trend.
“Schools need clear guidance on what to outline in BYOD student agreements,” says Kerrison. “Keeping students safe online should take precedence going forward. Otherwise, issues with both classroom management and student safety and wellbeing could take hold.”
These concerns, coupled with a desire to reduce the burden on IT departments, are pushing public secondary schools in the UK, Japan and Australia towards managed BYOD deployment. This will help ensure the appropriate safeguarding tools are loaded onto each BYOD solution.
“The benefits of BYOD are manifold, but services require a lot of investment. Resellers and new entrants will need a firm understanding of the complexities involved in the BYOD space if they want to succeed in the market.”
To enquire about Futuresource’s BYOD Market Sizing report, please contact ben.thrussell@futuresource-hq.com.
About the author
Claire Kerrison leads the Education team, overseeing Futuresource’s quarterly K-12 PC tracker and end-user research programs. Claire is closely involved in the formation and delivery of custom projects covering the EdTech sphere.
Claire joined Futuresource in 2011 from the University of Birmingham where she collaborated on a broad range of market tracking and strategic projects covering the Displays industry. Claire went on to lead the Displays team, with a focus on developments in the Front Projector market.
About the author
Olivia Lowden is responsible for the long-form content, press, and partnerships at Futuresource. Prior to her career at Futuresource, she completed an MA in Creative Writing at the University of East Anglia, demonstrative of her lifelong love of words.
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