At least until data loss and other security issues are fully resolved, Rowsell-Jones advises CIOs to follow a strategy of 'managed diversity'. This means breaking up employees up into different categories and supporting their use accordingly.

"Establish a way to segment your users," he says.

"The top category, like knowledge workers and the sales force, deserve the time and effort it takes to get the devices and applications working effectively, because the benefits are worth it.

"At the other end of the scale, there will be workers to whom you say, 'I'll tolerate you bringing your tablet to the office, but I'm not going to connect you to anything beyond the e-mail system'."