Choosing the right mobile device

Mobile devices have become a key part of the field worker's toolkit. Being constantly connected to colleagues and customers means employees can carry out their work more efficiently and report back faster.

The decision to mobilise a workforce is a straightforward one. Mobile devices give an enterprise the ability to raise satisfaction levels among increasingly demanding customers, boost productivity and reduce costs through more streamlined processes.

It's the tougher choice that comes next. A mobile strategy has to have the actual devices at its core. But how does an organisation choose the right devices for its needs?

Zebra Technologies wanted to find out the considerations companies make when facing this question. IDG Connect on behalf of Zebra spoke to 125 businesses with more than 100 employees from ANZ and across the APAC region, who told us about their use of field mobility now and in the future. We've shared the findings in our 'Considerations in choosing handheld devices for mobile field workers in APAC' report.

The most important feature of a field mobility device among respondents was a smartphone-like touch screen. Some 74% wanted the familiarity and ease of use of a smartphone screen.

So why not just equip field workers with a popular consumer mobile? Or get them to use their own?

BYOD requires employees to use their own mobile smartphones to run company apps or access company portals online. With the drive towards BYOD in many other sectors, organisations may well consider this option as a cost saver.

An alternative strategy is to purchase off-the-shelf smartphones but dedicate them to business use only, entirely managed by the company. There are certainly plenty of consumer-focused smartphones available today that offer entertainment and business functionality on tempting terms.

So what's stopping businesses from simply launching their mobile strategy with consumer handhelds? Respondents to our survey were well aware of the failings of consumer-grade devices versus enterprise-class solutions.

When asked about issues surrounding off-the-shelf devices, 51% highlighted concerns surrounding security.

Data security is a huge concern for any organisation today, mobilised or not. Inside the enterprise, corporate firewalls do much to protect users and devices from viruses, malicious attacks and attempts to steal data.

On the move it can be a different story, especially if employees are using devices for both work and personal applications. It's therefore imperative that mobile solutions provide access controls that will protect the enterprise if the device falls into the wrong hands and against the growing tide of attacks and non-vetted applications that can compromise the security of data stored on the device. That requires some level of centralised management.

While some consumer smartphones do have options for antivirus and other protection, the organisation will have to consider carefully whether this is sufficient.

Physical robustness was the second most worrying concern around consumer smartphones, according to respondents. It was one of the top concerns in Australia and New Zealand in particular. Mobile devices take a beating in the field. Drops to concrete, accidental spills, exposure to the elements and submergence under water are very real scenarios for many. Consumer-grade devices don't put up much of a fight.

Other common concerns surrounding off-the-shelf smartphones for field mobility were non-business use and the battery life.

Field working devices require many more features than a standard consumer smartphone. Off the shelf is not up to the challenge.

So what's the alternative?

To achieve increased productivity, efficiency and customer satisfaction levels, your mobile devices need to be able to support the work of your field team in the environments that they operate in. Managers are well advised to ensure they choose devices that provide the flexibility and resilience they need.

This can be achieved far more effectively with an enterprise-grade, purpose-built smartphone. Selecting this option will ensure that your device meets all the necessary business requirements and can save you money on add-on and replacement costs in the future, not to mention peace of mind that your data is secure