Aug 22, 2023
Rugged devices are specifically designed to withstand extreme conditions, including water, dust, extreme temperatures, and shock. To maximize the benefits of these rugged devices and enhance their performance in enterprise environments, companies are increasingly turning to Enterprise Mobility Management (EMM) solutions. This article explores the reasons why rugged devices perform better with EMM solutions, focusing on their synergy and the advantages they bring to the table.
Industries that rely on rugged devices operate in environments where standard consumer-grade smartphones and tablets would quickly fail. For example:
Logistics and Supply Chain: Warehouses, transportation hubs, and shipping yards involve rugged terrains and unpredictable weather conditions where devices need to be robust enough to handle accidental drops, temperature fluctuations, and moisture exposure.
Construction and Field Services: Construction sites and field service locations often involve harsh conditions, such as dust, vibrations, and impact, making rugged devices a necessity to ensure seamless communication and data exchange.
Manufacturing: In manufacturing plants, rugged devices are essential for managing inventory, quality control, and asset tracking, as they can endure heavy machinery vibrations and withstand the demands of constant usage.
Rugged devices differ significantly from standard consumer devices in several ways, making them better suited for enterprise environments:
Durability: Rugged devices are constructed with high-quality materials that can endure drops from significant heights and resist damage caused by harsh environmental conditions. They often meet military-grade standards (MIL-STD-810G) for durability and ingress protection (IP) ratings for water and dust resistance.
Longevity: Rugged devices typically have a longer lifecycle compared to consumer-grade devices. This extended lifespan translates to cost savings and a lower total cost of ownership for enterprises.
Enhanced Battery Life: Many rugged devices are equipped with larger batteries to provide extended uptime, ensuring continuous operation throughout long shifts in demanding environments.
Specialized Features: Rugged devices often come with specialized features like barcode scanners, NFC (Near Field Communication) for contactless data transfer, glove-friendly touchscreens, and hot-swappable batteries, which are valuable in enterprise workflows.
Enterprise Mobility Management (EMM) solutions are comprehensive platforms designed to manage and secure mobile devices, applications, and data in the corporate environment. It offers several core functionalities like:
Device Management: EMM allows IT administrators to remotely configure, provision, and manage rugged devices in the field. This includes setting up security policies, applying software updates, and monitoring device health.
Application Management: It enables seamless distribution and management of enterprise applications, ensuring that the right software is accessible to the right employees.
Security: EMM solutions implement robust security measures to protect sensitive corporate data and prevent unauthorized access or data breaches. Features like data encryption, app containerization, and remote wipe capabilities enhance data security.
Compliance: For regulated industries, EMM solutions help ensure compliance with industry-specific regulations, data protection laws, and corporate policies.
Combining rugged devices with EMM solutions creates a powerful synergy that amplifies their individual benefits, providing a cohesive and secure enterprise mobility ecosystem. This is where Embrace Mobile comes into the picture, the following are key reasons why rugged devices perform better with EMM solutions:
Enhanced Security and Data Protection
In industries where the loss or theft of devices is a concern, EMM solutions play a crucial role in safeguarding sensitive corporate information. Through features like device encryption, secure containerization, and remote wipe capabilities, IT administrators can ensure that even if a rugged device is lost or stolen, the data remains inaccessible to unauthorized individuals. This level of security is especially critical for industries handling sensitive customer data or confidential company information.
Streamlined Device Management
Managing a fleet of rugged devices spread across various locations can be a logistical challenge. EMM solutions simplify device management by providing centralized control and visibility. IT administrators can remotely configure settings, deploy software updates, and troubleshoot issues, reducing the need for manual, on-site interventions. This streamlined management process enhances efficiency and reduces downtime, which is crucial for industries where operational continuity is paramount.
Improved Productivity and Workflow Optimization
EMM solutions enable enterprises to optimize workflows and enhance productivity by deploying customized applications and tools tailored to the specific needs of their workforce. For instance, logistics companies can integrate barcode scanning applications on rugged devices to expedite inventory management, while field service technicians can access detailed work orders on the go. Such optimization leads to time savings, increased accuracy, and overall operational efficiency.
Seamless Application Management
In addition to productivity gains, EMM solutions make it easier for organizations to update and manage applications on rugged devices. Through app stores and application catalogs, IT administrators can control the distribution of applications, ensuring that employees have access to the latest versions without compromising security or data integrity.
Regulatory Compliance and Reporting
Many industries are bound by strict regulations and require accurate and timely reporting. EMM solutions can facilitate compliance by enabling enterprises to monitor device usage, collect data on device performance, and ensure adherence to industry-specific guidelines. This data can be used for auditing purposes, ensuring that the company is consistently meeting compliance standards.
Remote Support and Troubleshooting
In industries where rugged devices are used in remote or hard-to-reach locations, on-site support can be challenging and costly. EMM solutions allow IT teams to remotely diagnose and troubleshoot device issues, significantly reducing the need for physical intervention. This capability leads to faster issue resolution and increased uptime for rugged devices, minimizing disruptions to critical workflows.
Scalability and Flexibility
As businesses grow and their mobile device fleet expands, EMM solutions offer the scalability needed to manage a larger number of rugged devices. Whether it’s adding new devices, updating policies, or integrating new applications, EMM solutions can accommodate the evolving needs of an expanding enterprise.
To further emphasize the benefits of using rugged devices with EMM solutions, let’s examine two real-world case studies where enterprises leveraged this powerful combination to drive positive outcomes:
Case Study 1: Logistics and Supply Chain Company
A large logistics and supply chain company faced challenges in managing its growing fleet of rugged devices used in warehouses, distribution centers, and trucking terminals. The company implemented an EMM solution to centralize device management, improve security, and streamline workflows. The EMM solution allowed IT administrators to remotely update software, ensure compliance with security policies, and deploy specialized applications for barcode scanning and inventory management. The result was increased operational efficiency, reduced downtime due to technical issues, and improved inventory accuracy. The company reported cost savings, better customer service, and improved data security through EMM-enforced encryption and remote wipe capabilities.
Case Study 2: Construction and Field Service Organization
A construction and field service organization faced challenges in coordinating field operations, managing equipment, and ensuring timely reporting. They deployed rugged devices with EMM to optimize their workflows and improve communication between field teams and the office. The EMM solution facilitated real-time updates on work orders, allowed field technicians to access critical information on-site, and enabled project managers to remotely monitor progress. This integration led to streamlined processes, reduced paperwork, and faster response times to client inquiries. Additionally, the robust security features of the EMM solution ensured that project data remained confidential and compliant with industry regulations.
Conclusion
In conclusion, rugged devices and EMM solutions form a potent partnership that unlocks the full potential of enterprise mobility in challenging environments. The durability, longevity, and specialized features of rugged devices perfectly complement the robust security, streamlined management, and productivity-boosting capabilities of EMM solutions. Industries that rely on rugged devices, such as logistics, construction, field services, and manufacturing, stand to benefit significantly from adopting EMM solutions. Enhanced security measures, remote management capabilities, optimized workflows, and compliance features provide a competitive edge, driving operational efficiency and cost savings.
As technology continues to evolve, the symbiotic relationship between rugged devices and EMM solutions will undoubtedly play a crucial role in shaping the future of enterprise mobility, enabling businesses to thrive in even the harshest of environments.
