SA: own device or firm device? Forum

[Anonymous User]

Hello all - got an email from my 2L SA firm this week about mobile devices over the summer and I'm not quite sure which way to go. Either we can put an app on our current phones (I have an iPhone) that gives us access to firm email, address book, etc. but doesn't access any of our personal device info, or we can take a firm BlackBerry.

On one hand, it would be much easier to only carry around one device, and I wouldn't have to worry about forgetting my firm phone at home, in the office, in cabs, etc. On the other hand, the battery on my iPhone is terrible (lasts maybe half a day maximum at this point, dies almost immediately once it hits 20%), and doing more things on it would probably make it much worse. Upgrading is not currently an option, because I am waiting for the 7.

I've talked to a few people about this who have said that it is kind of nice to not have access to work stuff when going out/doing non-work things where you don't need to be available, but that it can also be stressful knowing that you might be contacted and not have your work phone on you. That being said, I will be a 2L SA, so I'm not sure how much I will actually be needed at times like those. Any thoughts from the TLS community?

[raptors_delight]

I'd recommend using the firm device for the summer so you have an opportunity to decide whether you like it or not. As you noted, there are pros and cons to both arrangements. At my firm, it turns out that if you choose to use a separate device when you come on as a new associate, you're stuck with that arrangement until the data contract ends (so probably at least a year?). I assume other firms have similar rules, so using a separate device for the summer is a good way to do a short-term trial run. Personally, I didn't like having two devices, so I'll be using the firm-approved app, even though it sounds like it's terrible.

[Anonymous User]

I'd recommend using the firm device for the summer so you have an opportunity to decide whether you like it or not. As you noted, there are pros and cons to both arrangements. At my firm, it turns out that if you choose to use a separate device when you come on as a new associate, you're stuck with that arrangement until the data contract ends (so probably at least a year?). I assume other firms have similar rules, so using a separate device for the summer is a good way to do a short-term trial run. Personally, I didn't like having two devices, so I'll be using the firm-approved app, even though it sounds like it's terrible.

firm device for sure. IT department is going to install all sorts of security crap on your phone that you can't remove (for obvious reasons) and won't be cleanly removed after you leave.

[Avian]

I'd recommend using the firm device for the summer so you have an opportunity to decide whether you like it or not. As you noted, there are pros and cons to both arrangements. At my firm, it turns out that if you choose to use a separate device when you come on as a new associate, you're stuck with that arrangement until the data contract ends (so probably at least a year?). I assume other firms have similar rules, so using a separate device for the summer is a good way to do a short-term trial run. Personally, I didn't like having two devices, so I'll be using the firm-approved app, even though it sounds like it's terrible.

My firm does not have such a rule. I would recommend using your own device because it is a big hassle to carry two phones all the time. Although it is unlikely that you will have urgent emails as an SA at most firms, leaving the phone at home when you go out to make yourself unavailable is not a good excuse for missing emails. If you needed another reason, do you really want to have to use a BlackBerry all summer?

[glitched]

I had a firm device for a year and then switched to my own device. No regrets. Shit is so annoying carrying around 2 phones. Plus having to go get your firm phone to log onto citrix is annoying too.

[kellyfrost]

I carry two phones. Work phone and personal phone. They are both iPhones. This simply comes down to a matter of personal preference. I never really minded carrying two phones. I get a lot of weird looks or comments when people notice, but honestly I really enjoy having two phones. I've carried two phones for so long that now I feel weird only having one phone on me.

You mentioned bad battery life on the iPhone. Very true, but you eliminate that when you carry two devices.

The only way to know if you love it or hate it is to actually try it. I can't find anything there isn't to like about carrying two phones.

Good luck.

[sublime]

..

[Poldy]

I would never use two phones. My old job required the extra security software and it wasn't a big deal at all. The only thing it changed from a user standpoint was that I couldn't use a four character password to unlock my phone.

[kellyfrost]

I would never use two phones. My old job required the extra security software and it wasn't a big deal at all. The only thing it changed from a user standpoint was that I couldn't use a four character password to unlock my phone.

Why wouldn't you use two phones? I really enjoy having two phones.

[Poldy]

I would never use two phones. My old job required the extra security software and it wasn't a big deal at all. The only thing it changed from a user standpoint was that I couldn't use a four character password to unlock my phone.

Why wouldn't you use two phones? I really enjoy having two phones.

Is this a real question? Isn't it obvious? I wouldn't use two phone because it makes you carry an extra device, makes you switch back and forth between devices depending on what you are doing, and provides literally zero benefits. All negatives, no positives.

[kellyfrost]

I would never use two phones. My old job required the extra security software and it wasn't a big deal at all. The only thing it changed from a user standpoint was that I couldn't use a four character password to unlock my phone.

Why wouldn't you use two phones? I really enjoy having two phones.

Is this a real question? Isn't it obvious? I wouldn't use two phone because it makes you carry an extra device, makes you switch back and forth between devices depending on what you are doing, and provides literally zero benefits. All negatives, no positives.

Positives: Two phone numbers to use, twice the minutes on your plan, twice the data, twice the battery life, two chargers, two sets of headphones. Those seem like basic positives to me, which aren't even taking into account any personal preferences. I'm not sure how you overlooked those obvious ones. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Nothing wrong with carrying two devices.

[Poldy]

I would never use two phones. My old job required the extra security software and it wasn't a big deal at all. The only thing it changed from a user standpoint was that I couldn't use a four character password to unlock my phone.

Why wouldn't you use two phones? I really enjoy having two phones.

Is this a real question? Isn't it obvious? I wouldn't use two phone because it makes you carry an extra device, makes you switch back and forth between devices depending on what you are doing, and provides literally zero benefits. All negatives, no positives.

Positives: Two phone numbers to use, twice the minutes on your plan, twice the data, twice the battery life, two chargers, two sets of headphones. Those seem like basic positives to me, which aren't even taking into account any personal preferences. I'm not sure how you overlooked those obvious ones. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Nothing wrong with carrying two devices.

The only one of those things that is a positive is the extra charger but it is pretty ridiculous to get an extra phone for the charger, assuming the company phone charger is even compatible with your personal phone. Just pay the $10 and get a second one if that matters to you. Who the hell has minutes on their plan that they need to worry about? Having two phone numbers is just more of a hassle. If you have a company phone, you shouldn't be using it to stream music/netflix anyway so the data doesn't matter (checking emails isn't going to drain your main data plan). Why would you need two sets of headphones?

[kellyfrost]

I would never use two phones. My old job required the extra security software and it wasn't a big deal at all. The only thing it changed from a user standpoint was that I couldn't use a four character password to unlock my phone.

Why wouldn't you use two phones? I really enjoy having two phones.

Is this a real question? Isn't it obvious? I wouldn't use two phone because it makes you carry an extra device, makes you switch back and forth between devices depending on what you are doing, and provides literally zero benefits. All negatives, no positives.

Positives: Two phone numbers to use, twice the minutes on your plan, twice the data, twice the battery life, two chargers, two sets of headphones. Those seem like basic positives to me, which aren't even taking into account any personal preferences. I'm not sure how you overlooked those obvious ones. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Nothing wrong with carrying two devices.

The only one of those things that is a positive is the extra charger but it is pretty ridiculous to get an extra phone for the charger, assuming the company phone charger is even compatible with your personal phone. Just pay the $10 and get a second one if that matters to you. Who the hell has minutes on their plan that they need to worry about? Having two phone numbers is just more of a hassle. If you have a company phone, you shouldn't be using it to stream music/netflix anyway so the data doesn't matter (checking emails isn't going to drain your main data plan). Why would you need two sets of headphones?

Why would you get a company cell phone that wasn't the same model or at least charger compatible with your personal phone?

You can stream video and music on a company cell phone, unless your company sucks.

Two sets of headphones in case you lose, forget, or one set breaks.

Minutes are good. On your personal phone you purchase the lowest amount of minutes and just talk on the company phone.

Two phone numbers is pretty nice. You don't have to give out your personal number to everyone, such as car salesmen, women, doctor office, ect. I honestly enjoy having two numbers.

Maybe I'm in the minority, but I love two cell phones.

[zhenders]

Kelly, you can be annoying as hell, but you really do troll the best. Props.

[Avian]

Kelly, you can be annoying as hell, but you really do troll the best. Props.

I worry it's too subtle at times. There's going to be some poor SA carrying around a BlackBerry all summer. When asked why they didn't just use their own device they say, "Someone on the internet told me it would be really great to have two sets of headphones."

[kellyfrost]

Kelly, you can be annoying as hell, but you really do troll the best. Props.

Come on! I'm not annoying!

[kellyfrost]

Kelly, you can be annoying as hell, but you really do troll the best. Props.

I worry it's too subtle at times. There's going to be some poor SA carrying around a BlackBerry all summer. When asked why they didn't just use their own device they say, "Someone on the internet told me it would be really great to have two sets of headphones."

This would actually be incredible if this happened. If buy the poor bastard a set of headphones of his choice and dinner/drinks at the place of his or her choosing for following my great advice!

[lurklaw]

I had a firm blackberry for my sa and also think it is a good idea to try it out. I'm going to use my own device when I go back though.

.

[rnoodles]

You need two phones. One for the plug, one for the load.

hth