The bring-your-own-device (BYOD) phenomenon is being fueled by the growing popularity of operating systems like Android and iOS and their vast networks filled with mobile applications devoted to all sorts of uses. Employees can now use their personal smartphones, tablets and PCs to access work-related content anywhere with a steady Internet connection.

A recent report by Gartner suggested that at least 60 percent of information workers will interact with video applications using mobile devices by 2015. Whit Andrews, vice president and distinguished analyst at the research firm, said supporting and creating new management apps will be a challenge for businesses moving forward. However, the popularity of mobile gadgets for work-related purposes requires the capabilities of video.

"The challenge is more than just mobility," Andrews said. "It also concerns heterogeneity, as Gartner predicts that by 2014, 90 percent of organizations will support corporate applications on a variety of personal devices, from conventional laptop PCs, media tablets and mobile phones to hybrid or other kinds of devices that have yet to be made widely available."

Gartner noted that much of the operating system growth has been centered on Android and iOS, but other platforms should be taken into account as well. The research firm encouraged businesses to study viewership to identify which devices consumers are using and which are rising or declining.

Mobile Aplications are Changing the IT Landscape in a Number of Ways

The evolution of devices like smartphones and tablets has sparked innovation rarely seen before throughout the entire IT industry. Mobile applications have become not only popular among consumers, but companies as well. These offerings are such hot commodities that businesses are searching for employees with backgrounds in creating a variety of mobile apps to support their own workforce and operations.

An ITCareerFinder.com report said that the IT industry will add nearly 300,000 mobile application developer positions between 2010 and 2020, growing 32 percent during this period. The ever-growing popularity of smartphones and tablets is fueling this career.

"Mobile application development is home to one of the largest skills gaps ever seen in IT employment; there are simply more job openings than skilled and educated mobile developers to fill them," said Daniel Greenspan, founder of ITCareerFinder. "This is especially true for Apple iOS and Android application developers, as just under 90 percent of mobile devices in circulation in the U.S. run on these two platforms."

Android and iOS have asserted themselves as the undisputed leaders in both the smartphone and tablet markets. Both networks offer users vast amounts of mobile applications for both personal and business uses. Companies that want to create their own apps to support unique operational requirements may not want to wait until more employees are trained. Luckily, there are options for businesses that want to leverage both Android and iOS.

Some service providers offer easy-to-use tools like Android controls and iOS controls that work with these burgeoning platforms. These solutions allow users to create mobile applications that support performance that are native to their operating systems.