Three strategies for deploying mobile devices in the workplace

The impact of mobile devices is not just restricted to the way customers interact with brands. In the last few years, the shift towards BYOD (bring your own device) policies, the dawn of wearable devices and the explosion of apps and tools designed to put real-time data in the palms of employees have all unleashed the potential of enterprise mobility in the workplace – often in transformative and compelling ways. Although technology can help foster flexible working practices, greater productivity and stronger customer relationships, establishing true business mobility is not as simple as it may seem. From embracing user-centric platforms and introducing security measures to protect data, to rolling out governance processes that resolve ownership issues, setting the stage for a connected workplace can be fraught with challenges. Here are three strategies to help you draw on the power of enterprise mobility to drive business growth. Empower employees to access real-time data While there’s no denying that the explosion of smartphones and tablets in the workplace have rewritten the way employees accomplish tasks, agile working practices are only one part of the enterprise mobility equation. For many businesses, the introduction of applications and tools that equip employees with real-time data can revolutionise traditional ways of working and have a seismic impact on customer loyalty, profits and sales. AirBnB offers an intriguing example of this. In March 2015, the high-growth home-sharing site turned its non-technical employees into data scientists by launching AirPal, an open-source tool that enables them to access the company’s 1.5 petabytes of data using a simple search. The tool, which provides employees with real-time data on everything from the number of people staying at a certain AirBnB location to the amount of listings in a neighbourhood, eliminates the technology barriers that have historically prevented fast answers to customer queries. It also rewires old hierarchies by guaranteeing that every member of its workforce can access granular customer insights every day. Use wearable devices to drive employee productivity If you’re attempting to future-proof your workplace, it’s hard to ignore the significance of wearable devices. From wireless headsets and electronic lanyards that allow retail staff to access transaction histories and stock information on-the-go, to the rise of Google Glass at Work, a product that could shake up the way doctors read patient records or insurer report claims, the prospective benefits are manifold. The Wearable Future, an October 2015 report from PwC, found that wearables are playing a growing role in employees’ lives. According to the survey, 77% of respondents said that wearable technology has the potential to make them more efficient and productive. 70% revealed that they expected their employers to permit wearable technology rather than a BYOD model. Also, millennials are more than twice as likely to want their wearable device to measure personal productivity on the job. For example, at US freight giant FedEx, parcel handlers are equipped with Bluetooth-enabled rings that scan each package and send alerts if a parcel is placed into the wrong container – proof of the ways in which wearables can increase efficiency and accuracy and identify weaknesses that can affect bottom lines. Champion a BYOD culture The BYOD policy is a powerful symbol of the new, agile workplace. Organisations that grant employees permission to access corporate resources and respond to business emails using their personal laptops, smartphones and PCs often see huge gains in terms of productivity, employee retention and flexibility. BYOD also enables a virtual work environment that grants employees the power to work wherever and whenever they want. The Victorian government has taken substantial steps towards this. In May 2014, it started developing a suite of policies that allow employees to use their own devices in the workplace and choose applications that yield the best results, while ushering in flexible working arrangements that also save time, space and energy. Importantly, the government has also created a set of templates for security, transactions and emergency management – proof of its commitment to mobilising its workforce while mitigating risk. From empowering employees to access real-time data to pioneering a BYOD culture that invites workers to take a personalised approach to their jobs, the evolution of enterprise mobility offers countless advantages for organisations. How is your business using a mobility strategy to spark growth