Business mobility, also called enterprise mobility, is revolutionizing the way companies communicate with employees, manage operational efficiencies, and tackle daily challenges.
More people are using mobile devices in every aspect of life and the business world is no different. Mobile solutions not only improve communication, but they also help streamline business operations.
Spurred by improved cloud accessibility and a plethora of mobile applications that meet user needs, mobility is key to running a business in the 21st Century. The ability to do your job from anywhere is changing the face of fleet management by providing improved mobile resource management and allowing businesses to turn data into decisions with actionable insights created through the use of artificial intelligence (AI).
In the fleet management world, mobility allows businesses to improve their bottom line by:
- Problem-solving quicker
- Providing better customer service
- Using assets more efficiently
- Communicating better with customers and employees
- More accurate timekeeping records
- And more
A recent study from the SMB Group found that 67% of small businesses agree or strongly agree that mobile solutions change the way they work. Let’s take a look at what mobility is and why it’s essential.
What is mobility, and why it’s important
Mobility is simply the ability to do a job from virtually anywhere. Thanks to advances in mobile technology, vastly improved cloud infrastructures, and broader access to cellular data communication, businesses are no longer chained to an office.
Our customers expect to be able to work remotely in the same capacity that they can when they are in the office. Mobility itself is important but tuning the application to the needs of the users is even more important
Not only does this give employees more freedom and flexibility in their work schedules, it makes workers far more productive. Mobility is important for four key reasons:
- Cost and time savings: We all know, when it comes to business, time is money. With easy access to relevant data, companies can make real-time decisions and solve problems quickly with complete access and control of all business systems – right from the palm of your hand. Mobile Resource Management is also vital. Mobile apps can record an employee’s shift start and end times and break times, giving employers more control over payroll expenses. With GPS time and location data, businesses can accurately measure fuel and material costs and spot and address anomalies quickly.
- Improved communication: Communicating with both customers and employees is integral to your business operation. Mobile solutions improve communication between employees and managers, managers and executive leadership, and your business and customers. By allowing team members to collaborate in real-time from the field or the office, you can reduce miscommunications and improve efficiency.
- Advanced data accuracy: By eliminating paper-based processes, businesses increase data accuracy and reduce inefficient processes. Mobile solutions also provide better, more accurate data with real-time updates and cloud-connectivity. With all your important business data gathered in one place, a business can save time collecting and analyzing information.
- Workflow optimization: Streamlining workflows is perhaps one of the most significant benefits of mobility. A digital solution allows businesses to upload forms, such a vehicle inspection reports, fuel tax reporting, and more, with just one click. Collect signatures and proof of delivery on your table or other mobile device and send information instantly for analysis.
Artificial intelligence provides your business with efficiency, less paperwork, and instant answers. AI is about connecting systems into one platform to automate your workflows. Watch this video overview to learn more:
Mobility customization
Another significant aspect of mobility is customization. Mobility may look different for different sets of users. Mobility is all about productivity and the ease with which workers can accomplish essential business processes.
Mobility should provide alerts and information that are important to you – the user – no matter where you are of what time of day. Going a step further, mobility can also provide remote workers with information about their environment relative to their job duties.
Through customization, mobility can work for a variety of employees at any size organization. With customizable solutions, businesses can:
- Change logic for users
- Add, delete or modify existing processes
- Customize security
- And much more
And while customization may seem like a costly approach, more and more systems offer fully customizable solutions out of the box.
Mobility and the future
The future of business mobility is exciting, but many businesses face challenges when it comes to how and where to deploy mobility solutions. The breadth of mobility solutions is so vast that it is key for business to complete needs analysis and create clear implementation plans which focus on user adoption. There are also considerations around data security which should also be considered when selecting vendors and throughout implementation.
IT departments face similar issues in managing an increasingly mobile workforce. As mobility continues to evolve, security will take center stage and spending and investment management will become areas of focus as will improving user experience and customer service.
As more businesses get comfortable with BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) policies, mobility will skyrocket. Over the next five years, mobility will focus on:
- More mobile devices
- Maximizing returns on mobile equipment
- Advanced automation and AI
With a well-managed mobility program, businesses can expect to see significant cost savings, better communication through the organization, and a more efficient workplace. And with the incorporation of AI, workers can reorient themselves to more strategic business tasks.