5 Reasons Your Devices Are Failing
The devices we integrate into our companies say a lot about who we are as a business, in a similar way to how the clothes we choose every morning communicate a lot about who we are as a person. Dressing your team with functional and ergonomic handhelds is important, but maintaining nice things comes at a cost. You don’t put on a dress shirt straight from the dryer, you iron and hang it before use, nor do you wear one to excavate your backyard – it’s an investment and a field specific one. Mobile devices must be handled in the same fashion, otherwise you’ll be replacing your technology every week. By better understanding protocols for the mobile technology you’ve chosen that are specific to your line of business you can identify which setbacks they are prone to and thus increase the lifespan of your devices.
Whether you own consumer grade devices such as smartphones and tablets, or utilize rugged devices here are 5 of the most common causes of device failure:
1. Dropping a device
It may seem like a given that a dropped device is the leading cause of failure, but this common issue can actually be fairly simple to solve. Making an educated buying decision can help reduce the lifecycle costs of a handheld. You can start by identifying devices with specifications and available accessories relevant to your line of work. For instance most rugged devices can sustain drops to concrete ranging from 4-8 feet, and aside from the built-in resistance, pairing a device with the right case and screen protector can significantly negate the risk of device failure.
2. Software related issues
There’s nothing more frustrating than trying to boot up a device or program and having it fail to do so or experiencing prolonged attempts to connect to a network. Some issues may arise from improper installation and others can be related to improper use. Properly staging devices before deployment and running regular diagnostics on devices can help identify these issues before your technology fails in the field.
3. Exposure to dust/water/liquid
Again, understanding the specifications of your device are crucial to ensuring it is the right fit for your line of business. The level of sealing is identified on the device as the IP Code (Ingress Protection Marking) which communicates how resistant the device is to intrusion of water, dust etc. If you’re doing business in an excavating site you’re going to want a dust resistant device with a high IP Code rating. Aside from the built in resistance, further protocol such as obtaining reputable casing to cover exposed ports is essential.
4. Unauthorized changes to device/settings by end user
By controlling the permissions such as designating administrative permissions on a notebook or handheld to your dedicated IT personnel or integrating mobile device management software can negate the risk of having harmful malware being accidentally installed or accidentally altering crucial files on an operating system.
5. Temperature exposure hot/cold
Finally paying close attention to the optimal operating temperature for your devices will ensure that you are not left out in the cold with an unresponsive asset due to sub-zero temperatures. For many rugged handhelds the average range can sit anywhere from -10 degrees Celsius at the lowest, to 55 degrees Celsius at the highest. It will be indicated on the device packaging where your technology falls on this threshold.
These 5 issues are simply the tip of the iceberg, properly building and implementing a mobile device strategy is crucial to protecting your technology and avoiding costly setbacks. In order to keep business devices up and running the early purchase decisions are crucial. Not only can a managed mobility services provider pair your business with the most relevant devices and purchase the hardware, but they also have the resources to repair, store spares, and even build custom software to help your company’s mobile devices continually execute at optimum performance.