Apple or Android devices?

At Mobile Mentor we are often asked to offer advice on which platform to choose for mobile devices, iOS or Android? This is a difficult decision for some organisations especially if they have been burnt by poor choices in the past.

As an organisation, Mobile Mentor is device and network agnostic, we do not and should not have opinions either way on such things but we can let our clients know some information on the differences between Android and iPhone that may assist their decisions. We assume they are making their decision around enabling their staff to be more productive in their day. There is no point providing costly devices for just phone calls and text messages.

We live in a world of acronyms around mobility as choices are made between whether an organisation should offer BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) CYOD (Choose Your Own Device) COPE (Corporately Owned, Personally Enabled). BYOD and CYOD allow an end user to choose their own device type but the employing organisation to support that device, ensure it is secure to protect corporate data. BYOD is a whole different subject and can offer a myriad of difficulties with supporting numerous device types, operating systems and versions.

CYOD allows an organisation to offer choice - which can be good to stop the need for staff to carry two handsets, one for personal and one for business. Or as we sometimes see, the corporate device is put safely in a drawer at work while the user chooses to use their own devices as they prefer it and they get a better usage plan personally than they get at work. Expensive handsets on corporate mobile plans are not making a user more productive nor is it good use of company funds.

CYOD also ensures an organisation doesn't need to decide between platforms but they may have the added difficulty of managing a mixed fleet of devices.

Back to the Apple vs Android debate

Price - and I am not just talking the one off up-front cost, I am talking TCO (total cost of ownership). Those cheap devices that seem so reasonably priced may not seem so good after the realisation they won't connect to your corporate Wi-Fi or have enough memory to load more than 2 apps. We encourage you to look at the lifespan of the device.  Do the devices break easily and if so who are the people more likely to damage them? Is it the executives or the staff out on the road? Are accessories such as chargers easy to source and reasonably priced? When will the manufacturer stop supporting the device? Is it after 2 years, 4 years? If I pay $1000 for a device that lasts 4 years on average, that may be a better business decision than spending $500 on a device that last 2, consider the disruption of switching devices to the end user. Also, think of the environmental issues of these devices we bin after use.

Security

·     how many patches will the device receive from the manufacturer to help keep it secure?

·     Will you receive these patches directly or do they need to receive these through your Telco and will they pass them on in a timely fashion?

·     Is the device easily supported through an Enterprise Mobile Management Platform?

·     Are the apps on the different app stores – Google Play and App Store reputable and regularly updated?

·     Can you purchase these apps on behalf of your employee and push them out to the device?

·     Can you revoke them when they leave?

·     Can you kill the phone remotely if it is lost or stolen?

·     Can the device be secured to your organisation at purchase? For example, the Apple DEP programme.

·     Can the device be split between business and personal use using Samsung Knox or the new product formerly known as Android for Work?

Device - What is important? Is it finger print login? Is it a camera? Is it ease of use? Is it screen size and battery life? Is it the colour, look and feel? Is brand important?

There is a long list of benefits from individual phones. Some of these requirements can be quite personal to the user or the organisation. Waterproof phones may be important. You may want to be able to add an extra memory functionality or use the same charger you use for most other things in your house? What about other things such as Watches, sports trackers, TVs, Media devices, the meat thermometer app you use on your BBQ? Will the phone allow you to tag on and off the bus? Can you get an app to monitor your home security system or control the heat?

There are many changes happening in the phone market and they happen so quickly. While one platform may seem more secure one day the other platform may come up with a new enticing device or software the next. Whatever decision you make, know that something new will be just around the corner.

To sum up, think about how the device choice will allow your people to be more efficient. How will they use it, are there apps you can download to make them more productive. Maybe the upfront cost is not representative of the real total cost of ownership.