Empowering the frontline: Mobility’s role in critical work
In our latest Imprivata Live event, “Empowering the Frontline: Mobility’s Role in Critical Work," Fran Rosch and Chris Kelly discussed the transformative impact of mobile technology on frontline workers.
In a recent Imprivata Live session, Fran Rosch, CEO of Imprivata, and Chris Kelly, General Manager of North America Sales at Zebra Technologies, discussed the powerful impact of equipping frontline workers with mobile technology. The conversation explored how enterprise-owned shared devices are revolutionizing industries like healthcare, manufacturing, retail, shipping, and logistics, as well as best practices for deploying a successful mobile program.
Empowering frontline workers with mobility
To start, Rosch and Kelly both emphasized the importance of mobile technology in providing workers with better information and tools.
Kelly said, “Mobility is really just about a worker being able to do their job, and then take advantage of the latest tools and data available in the industry to make their job better. That’s how they’re being empowered. If they can get better information at the time of need, where they need to do the action, they can make more informed decisions. They can become more effective.”
Mobility is really just about a worker being able to do their job, and then take advantage of the latest tools and data available in the industry to make their job better. That’s how they’re being empowered.
The shift to mobile can not only enhance worker efficiency but also improve the overall customer experience. By equipping frontline workers with mobile devices, organizations can ensure their employees have what they need to elevate the customer experience, whether directly or indirectly. For example, in healthcare, mobile devices allow nurses and doctors to access patient records and update them in real-time, on the go, leading to better patient care and reduced errors.
Effective integration in mature industries
Mature industries like transportation and logistics and retail have been at the forefront of integrating mobile solutions into their frontline workflows. These sectors have developed a well-defined shared mobile strategy, deploying devices that can run multiple applications and be securely exchanged between multiple users with varying roles. This approach ensures that workers have the necessary tools at their fingertips, whether it's managing inventory in retail or ensuring timely deliveries in logistics. For instance, in retail, a single mobile device can handle tasks such as scanning barcodes, processing payments, and updating inventory, thereby streamlining operations and improving customer service.
Challenges and pitfalls of suboptimal deployments
The speakers also addressed the challenges and potential pitfalls of suboptimal mobile deployments. One significant issue brought up by Rosch is lost devices, which cost organizations an average of $5.45 million to replace every year. And without the right mobile asset management, lost devices can lead to increased risk, such as data breaches.
Kelly pointed out how consumer devices are particularly likely to be lost or stolen. “Consumer devices are nice and shiny. They’re attractive. They have a way of walking out the door.”
Additionally, consumer devices lack the durability and ruggedness required for industrial use. Enterprise-owned shared devices need to be consistent and reliable. Employees need to know what they’re going to get when they pick up these devices, and the devices need to last throughout the employee’s shift. Ongoing maintenance and management of mobile devices are often underestimated, which can disrupt work shifts and reduce overall efficiency. For example, in manufacturing, a device that frequently breaks down can halt production lines, leading to significant downtime and financial losses.
Security vulnerabilities and high expenses for resolving issues are also major concerns. Organizations need the right mobile access solutions to facilitate simple and convenient yet effective security.
The benefits of enterprise-owned shared devices
The discussion also highlighted the benefits of enterprise-owned shared devices over dedicated ones. Shared devices are more cost-effective, easier to manage, and can be tailored to the specific needs of different users. While the idea of providing each worker with their own device might seem appealing, it often leads to higher costs, maintenance issues, and security concerns. On the other hand, with the right shared mobile solution, devices can be locked down, charged, and managed more efficiently, ensuring they are always ready for use. For example, in a hospital setting, enterprise owned shared devices can be used by multiple staff members, reducing the need for individual mobile devices and ensuring that the devices are always in optimal condition.
Kelly emphasized the value of utilizing devices that are purpose-built to support the necessary workflow. He explained, “This kind of device is fit for purpose. It's typically stored in some kind of locked cradle or a cabinet. It's charged overnight. You're able to monitor its status… And you can start to accessorize it better. You can have a built-in scanner. You can have a ring scanner. You can have a mobile printer. And now that worker is mobile and has the ability to interface with an application, print out a label, scan it, and make sure they're doing the right thing in the right place at the right time.”
He continued, emphasizing how enterprise-owned shared devices really deliver on value when paired with a strong shared mobile solution. “With the higher cost of labor that's happening now and the increased need for connectivity and awareness and sensing, companies want to put a device in the hands of every worker that is on shift. And then, the answer for that, of course, is your suite of software that allows profile management and secure access, essentially feeding the right apps to the right user.”
Actionable steps for successful enterprise mobility management
Throughout the discussion, Rosch brought up enterprise mobility research showing how most organizations have room to grow when it comes to mobile strategy. “Only 40% of organizations say that the user experience in mobile program is highly satisfactory, and 60% aren't happy yet.” He asked Kelly for his thoughts on best practices for successful enterprise mobility management. Kelly’s best practices include:
- Start by studying use cases: Walk in the user’s shoes to determine the biggest wins for end users. Examine how organizations have successfully deployed mobile in the past to find strategies you can implement to drive higher ROI.
- Create cross-functional impact teams: Forming teams across departments ensures you meet the needs of end users, IT, and operations.
- Focus on getting configurations, security, and management right: Ensure devices are properly configured, secured, and managed post-deployment by implementing technology that simplifies enterprise mobility management.
- Pick the right mobile technology partners: Kelly stressed the importance of partnering with proven EMM providers like Imprivata early in the process. “You don't have to invent this yourselves,” Kelly said. “It's been done before, and we can get you on the fast path.”
Only 40% of organizations say that the user experience in mobile program is highly satisfactory, and 60% aren't happy yet.
Getting started on your own mobile strategy
Rosch and Kelly concluded that enterprise mobility is a powerful business enabler, driving operational efficiency, user productivity, and customer satisfaction. They emphasized the importance of ongoing care and feeding of mobile solutions to ensure they remain effective and secure over time. The partnership between Imprivata and Zebra Technologies is aimed at helping organizations navigate these challenges to leverage the full potential of mobile technology.
An on-demand video of the discussion can be found on LinkedIn. And use our mobile ROI calculator to discover how Imprivata can reduce the costs of enterprise mobility management for your organization.