I wish I had mod points. This is exactly it. Nail on the head.
The money and resources that go into locking down technology, disabling features, and making the hardware and software easy and repeatable and predictable for IT folks is mostly money that is WASTED, and usually worse, spent to a harmful effect. Why? Because IT isn't there to help the IT guys. Call it a flame or troll but it's the straight truth. For most companies IT is there to help the company sell shoes or bread or tires or whatever and make money. That's it. And it's an expense.
I understand the chaos that comes with all these devices, but the solution, a locked down laptop that is "company property", takes 5 minutes to log in to, doesn't let people upload their photos or connect USB devices, takes another 3 minutes to log into any app., requires a SecureID card, doesn't let users network via linked in or facebook or whatever... doesn't sync contacts to a home pc, or google, and won't let the users load anything fun. It all destroys productivity, sucks away time, and makes the users hate the tech. "Get a personal laptop, this one is for work." Yeah! 2 bricks to carry that won't talk to each other! AWESOME! Then you throw in Windows and a learning curve, and the weight of the damn thing, and the horrible ergonomics and what you have is a big giant albatross in everyone's shoulder bag. You tack on a blackberry that feels like it was made in 1997 and works about as well and your users are just about ready to hang you. And remember, IT is a COST. IT is costing the company money, not bringing it in. And the users hate it and avoid it. Then they pick up an iPhone or Android and it's like an epiphany. No tutorials, no weight, no wait, no crazy lock downs, and just about every software productivity tool that they could want is on there and some amazing stuff they haven't even thought of. And then they look at corporate IT and wonder what the hell they're paying you for.
I'm not sure what the solution is. But I think it possibly involves LESS security and handicapping of tech and a lot more remote wiping and reimaging of things. "Do whatever you want, but when you come to me for support I'm just going to wipe your device back to "brand new""
And about the security, people are just plain nuts about IT security. If you don't care about securing the fax machines, phone lines, garbage pick up, mail room, and parking lot, why all the huge fuss about the laptops? Arch criminal hackers are not waiting around every corner to steal your users widget sales data. Nobody cares that he sold 5700 widgets last month. And if they did, they could probably snag a spreadsheet out of the trash, or social engineer some admin person to fax it to them. The doors to all the buildings are unlocked but the laptops look like this whenever somebody wants to get something done. ( Now obviously if you work for Visa or the DOJ this doesn't apply but it applies far more often than not.)
Unfortunately all that convoluted security and support keeps people employed. The low security, frequent gadget-wipe approach doesn't require so many IT employees. It's cheaper, so don't let the bosses get any ideas! Spread FUD. Scare them. Make them relearn a 12 character password every week. Yeah that sounds familiar. Besides, we need a methodology study and business analysis of what exactly it is these lusers are trying to accomplish with these gadgets, because you know, it's so hard to fathom this being less productive.