Selecting a Mobility Solution
Choosing the right mobile solution for asset management requires evaluating devices, applications, connectivity, and security to find the best fit.
Why Mobility Selection Matters
The mobile component of your asset management system is where your team interacts with data most frequently. Selecting the right mobile solution impacts data accuracy, user adoption, and operational efficiency. A poor choice leads to frustrated users and unreliable data.
Key Selection Criteria
Device Selection
Choose between consumer smartphones, ruggedized devices, and dedicated scanning hardware based on your operating environment. Office and retail environments may work fine with consumer phones, while construction sites and warehouses typically need ruggedized options.
Operating System
Ensure the mobile application supports the devices your organization uses or plans to deploy. Native applications for iOS and Android generally provide better performance and user experience than web-based alternatives.
Scanning Capabilities
Evaluate barcode and QR code scanning speed and accuracy under real-world conditions. Test in your actual lighting, distance, and label condition scenarios. Consider whether RFID scanning is needed and how it integrates with the mobile solution.
Offline Functionality
If your team works in areas with unreliable connectivity, offline capability is not optional. Evaluate how the application behaves offline, what functions are available, and how synchronization works when connectivity is restored.
Security
Mobile devices are vulnerable to loss and theft. Evaluate encryption, authentication options, remote wipe capabilities, and data protection features. Enterprise-grade security should not be compromised for mobile convenience.
Deployment Considerations
Training
Plan for hands-on training with the actual devices and applications staff will use. Field-specific training scenarios are more effective than generic classroom sessions.
Support
Establish clear support channels for mobile users who encounter issues in the field. Quick resolution of mobile problems prevents staff from reverting to manual workarounds.
Lifecycle Management
Mobile devices themselves are assets that need management. Plan for device provisioning, updates, replacement cycles, and end-of-life disposal.
Making the Decision
Pilot your top candidates with a representative group of actual users in real working conditions. User feedback from a pilot is far more valuable than vendor demonstrations when selecting a mobility solution.
Sitehound's mobile capabilities include native iOS and Android apps with offline scanning, photo capture, and real-time data sync. Browse our add-ons for compatible ruggedized devices, RFID readers, and scanning accessories.