What A Consumer-Grade Mobility Strategy Really Costs Enterprises With A Field-Based Workforce

By John Graff, Xplore

Technology has done wonders for business in the last 20-plus years, especially mobile technology. Tablet, laptop and even handheld computers have completely transformed the notion of field service and, therefore, customer service. Customer questions can be answered and problems can be solved by technicians in a matter of minutes – not days, weeks or months. Ideas from the best, brightest and most skilled workers can be applied, even if they are hundreds of miles away from the actual job site. Records-keeping is no longer a burden. Information retrieval is instant. Risk mitigation strategies are easier to implement than ever, as are proactive maintenance techniques that minimize equipment repair demands and – most importantly – eliminate downtime. The list of mobile technology benefits goes on and on. Just look at the widespread impact that rugged tablets have had on manufacturing, warehousing, field service, public safety, and utility industry leaders around the world in the last few years:

• Professional kitchen equipment installer 3C Compétence Cuisine Collective (3C) credits their transition to a rugged tablet-based field service mobility solution for their subsequent 52% revenue growth.
• Haitoglou Bros, the world’s largest sesame producer, improved warehouse logistics efficiency and began to complete supply chain transactions 50% faster, with zero data entry failures, after syncing rugged tablets with their ERP for shop floor use.
• Transportadora de Gas del Sur (TGS) reduced the time spent on administrative tasks and increased the availability of its gas transporters in Argentina by 50% nearly immediately after transitioning to a rugged tablet-based paperless logistics operation.
• Futura’s customers – well-known toilet, tissue and professional grade paper product manufacturers – have garnered significant cost benefits by using rugged tablets to proactively maintain their converting line equipment.