Maximizing The Effectiveness Of Today's Mobile Devices

By Brian Albright, Field Technologies

Finding the right accessories ecosystem is just as important as choosing the right mobile device.

Modern mobile computers are packed with functionality. From rugged tablets to consumer-grade smartphones, mobile devices often include onboard bar code and RFID scanning, built-in cameras, GPS, voice, and other features. But there are still some things that even these technological Swiss army knives can’t do, which is where mobile peripherals come in.

In the field service, direct store delivery, and package/parcel delivery markets, those peripherals can include receipt printers, card readers, holsters or cases, chargers, laser range finders, mobile printers, RFID readers, device docks, vehicle power units, voice-enabled headsets, and DEX cables. As interest in using multipurpose mobile devices has increased among consumers and businesses, interest in peripherals has followed. According to a report from TechNavio, Global Accessories and Peripherals Market for Smartphones and Tablets 2014-2018, the peripherals space is expected to have a compound annual growth rate of 9.1 percent for smartphones and a whopping 39.9 percent for tablets.