This week’s Twitter Tuesday #MobileBizChat  session focused on the impact of the “c-word” – namely, consumerization – on enterprise IT. While opinions varied as to whether consumerization has been, on balance, a positive or negative factor in the enterprise, there was broad consensus that it's at least been a very effective agent of change.

The consumerization of IT means “accountability shifts from meeting your manager's expectations to exceeding your business's needs,” tweeted @bmkatz. “All these things like mobile, consumerization of IT, BYOD, are all about enablement of the business through partnership, not dictatorship.”

@jayfry3 tweeted to @DanShappir that formal corporate policies regarding consumerization are “often about trying to put the genie back in bottle. It's at least needed to get IT in the dialog.”

So while there was general agreement that consumerization has served IT departments with a much needed wake-up call, the actual impact on the business has been a mixed bag.

On the positive side, @bitzermobile tweeted that the consumerization of IT “is force to reckon with...Smart devices, social tools and enterprise apps can create a huge business advantage.” However, “Consumerization has brought security concerns front and center,” cautioned @Framehawk.  “Now IT needs to explore workable solutions, not just say no.”

QUESTIONS DEBATED:

Q1: What are the biggest  impacts consumerization has on the enterprise IT?

Q2: Specifically, what has consumerization done to impact data security in the enterprise?

Q3: How has consumerization affected user productivity (positive & negative)?

Q4: Has consumerization made managing mobile devices more cost effective or less -- and why?

ADDITIONAL HIGHLIGHTS FROM NOTABLE TWEETS:

@tcrawford #CoIT has forced IT organizations to focus on securing the data/ app rather than the device.

@bitzermobile #BYOD and #CoIT policies need to be robust, balanced and well-communicated. Not an afterthought.

@swarnapodila if you know the what and why and how to support Mobile in Enterprise, you wouldnt need damage ctrl for most part

@pcalento While some mgrs may embrace #CoIT, the paradigm shift may be difficult for IT staffers to get. Turnover possible

@DanShappir What do you think: is corporate #CoIT policy primarily about enablement and productivity or about damage control?

To follow the entire transcript, just go to Twitter.com and follow hashtag #MobileBizChat.

Enterprise Mobile Hub’s Twitter Tuesday chats take place every Tuesday, starting at 11am PT/2pm ET. Join the conversation!