The world is moving towards mobility with increasing speed. Ten years ago Apple introduced the first smartphone. Hard to believe, we know. A short decade later, most individuals check their phones no less than 80 times a day. So, of course, businesses are looking to capitalize by implementing mobility programs.

Despite the quick ascent, or descent depending on who is talking, into a mobile world, mobility programs and strategy have struggled to come online.

Why has business been slower than general society in adoption? Very simply, business has more moving pieces to align. And until recently, businesses have assumed they have to purchase a box deal from the carrier.

However, that is no longer the case. IT departments are pushing back, claiming loading every device is becoming a drain on resources. HR and managers are pushing back on the thought that employees must spend working hours learning and tracking down necessary items to make their devices functional. And finance has finally said why can’t we get easy to understand invoices?

All of these are great questions. And often companies do not design enterprise mobility programs with true life-cycle efficiencies in mind. So, what are the two common traps of mobility programs, and how does an enterprise move past them to capitalize on mobile efficiency?

Procurement is difficult

A manager has hired a new employee. Depending on the enterprise, the manager needs to fill out paperwork for HR, IT, and Payroll before the employee begins. HR or IT sends in a request for a mobile device, and the device is sent by the carrier. Hopefully, before the employees first day.

This is where efficiency can break down, even in the smoothest and well oiled of process machines. IT receives the device fresh from the box. But is it ready for the employee to begin working?

No.

IT will first have to load email, company required apps, and security items onto the device. The device needs to be tracked and assigned, accessories included, and finally make its way to the employee.

When, depending on the employee, they will now call IT several times trying to learn how to utilize the device.

This process occurs frequently in most enterprises. It’s not often seen, though IT managers and employees can be heard to complain about it from time to time.

So, what is the solution to difficult procurement?

Kitting

Very simply, the device comes loaded, secured, and prepared for the employee. At most, IT must record the asset number to track assignment. In fact, a lot of platforms offer options for employees to handle issues themselves through portals, stopping employees from knocking on IT’s door.

The best planned mobility programs provide employees with a helpdesk number specifically designed for new devices. Rather than distracting IT employees with random questions, a short training can occur where the employee learns the basics to become efficient as quickly as possible.

Kitting phones can save both IT, HR, and the employee in efficiency and frustration.

Overages occur due to complicated invoices

While carriers have been selling unlimited plans as the best solution for all needs, this is not the case in all situations. In fact, companies who watch their usage will find unlimited plans cost more than what is used.

Also, invoices are complicated, causing companies to continue paying for items such as “dead phones,” or phones no longer in use by employees.

Unfortunately, AP often throws its hands in the air when dealing with carrier invoices. Invoices are not grouped based on cost codes or profit centers, and they are more laborious to read than a Russian novel.

This problem is something enterprises just have to deal with, right? Wrong.

Real-analytics and mobility programs

First, having a single invoice is possible. Not to mention, it is possible to have a single invoice with job costing, or other coding, already included. Not only is the software available, but it is frequently tied with procurement options for employee requests.

Second, real-time analytics can simplify and prevent the need for deep combing of an invoice.

By watching usage in real time, overages can be prevented before they occur. Dead devices are found before they run a full month of billing, and important information is given to the enterprise regarding costs.

Real-time analytics allows for proactive strategy and budgeting, but it can also support avoiding costly unlimited programs. In fact, most reporting programs are part of larger EMM/MDM platforms, which increases security and control of the device. This brings costs in line and meets necessary regulations.

It’s true mobility programs can be full of pain and struggle, decreasing efficiencies and increasing costs when they are lauded as doing the opposite.

However, that doesn’t have to be the case. Software and carriers are capable of solving for the two most common issues. Partnering with a mobility management service, such as MobileWare, can further your enterprises control over your mobility programs.

For more information on how MobileWare can save you money, up to 325% ROI in the first year*, click here.

*According to 2017 Blue Hill Research on MMS programs.