Navigate the Shift in the Mobile OS Landscape and Build a Stronger Mobile Enterprise

Currently, Android-based technology is fast becoming the industry standard, as many enterprises in a variety of industries enjoy the enterprise security, reliability, as well as strong performance and management features that the Android operation system provides. In addition, its large market share and extensive ecosystem of apps, developers, and VARs, continue to make it an attractive value proposition for organizations. Thus, Android adoption is currently on the rise.

Transitioning to Android in a Distribution Center can be a time intensive and challenging process, involving writing new apps, changing the way associates work and changing the mobile devices workers use. This can be a lot of change management. Especially since each new operating system version typically requires a lengthy and costly certification process, and businesses cannot afford to wait. This is particularly true, since mobile solutions built on separate technology platforms require IT to spend additional time to certify and provision business applications across each device, as well as for each operating system version.

To add to that, enterprises deploying mobile computer solutions in a rugged enterprise environment, such as a distribution center or a manufacturing plant, expect a longer usage cycle than consumers. Where smartphones in consumer use cases generally turn over in 2-3 years, enterprises are expecting their systems to last 3-5 years or longer. But given today’s enterprise demands, that’s not even feasible. Just a few years ago, the average life cycle of an enterprise mobile computer was approximately 5 years. Now, given the rapid pace of OS development, this time is down to 2 years or less. That puts a lot of pressure on companies that need to adapt their applications and devices to this new reality, to connect their workers in real-time with business-critical applications to improve productivity. Thus, it is forcing them to adopt mobile devices and solutions that can evolve with their needs.

But how can enterprises manage their mobile infrastructure in an efficient manner? A simple upgrade in technology is not enough today to address the challenges of deploying and managing too many incompatible devices that perform different functions for different users. At the same time, companies can no longer afford to manage one device, one development or one deployment at a time.

For companies to thrive, they need advanced mobility technology solutions to help them drive as much efficiency, productivity and decision making power to their mobile workforce. Thus, they need to take a more comprehensive and scalable mobility approach.

Imagine being able to take advantage of technology that lets you quickly set up new devices, as well as accelerate development, certification and deployment of business-critical software applications that increase data capture speed and improve communications for maximum efficiency, productivity and workforce mobility. And to accomplish all this, without sacrificing security, reliability, performance and of course the management features you need to run your business.

Today, businesses need a unified hardware and software platform that is designed for Android and can help them effectively deploy multiple mobile devices, such as rugged handheld computers, wearable devices, voice-directed technology, tablets and vehicle-mounted computers, and different solutions across their enterprise once. This not only gives them the flexibility, robust performance, security and life cycle options they need out of their devices, but it also has the potential to maximize their investment and reduce the pain, frustration and high cost that come along with managing those devices over a long period.

With such a robust capability at the core of a company’s mobility infrastructure, the opportunities for its business are truly endless, as companies can now better connect their mobile workers, efficiently manage their productivity tools and minimize the total cost of ownership of their technology investments.

There is truly a lot of change in the industry right now, but companies can make the right technology decisions to ultimately benefit from the innovation that is taking place and stay ahead of the curve.