If you have not yet implemented tablets across your business, your organization is probably considering it today. Tablets have been proven to improve communication across organizations and make workers more productive. However, implementing tablets can be a complicated process, and many businesses just do not know where to begin. Here are our expert tips on how to effectively implement tablets in your organization
1. Support multiple device platforms and allow employees to use personal devices
A good Mobile Device Management (MDM) system is one that is flexible and supports multiple device platforms. This allows your company to purchase a variety of iOS, Windows, or Android tablets and cater to the specific needs of your employees. Additionally, many employees prefer to use their own personal devices at work, a business trend called “bring your own device” (BYOD). Having an MDM system that supports multiple device platforms enables every employee to use their personal devices at work.
2. Protect your company’s devices
To ensure that your employees’ devices are well protected, be sure to do the following:
- Require a strong password of at least four characters
- Set up devices to automatically lock after five to 15 minutes of inactivity
- Configure devices to automatically wipe after 10 failed login attempts or if they are reported lost
- Enable local encryption
Some organizations may want to consider more protection. But before you put yourself in that category, ask yourself one question: Do we enforce this level of security on our laptops.
3. Monitor your company’s devices
Making decisions and quantifying risks about mobile devices is difficult without good information on your company’s deployed hardware. For instance, it’s not uncommon for terminated employees to still be using corporate mobile devices — but you can’t stop this unless you know about it.
With a lightweight reporting and inventory tool, you can keep tabs on how mobile devices are being used and by whom. Once you have a better handle on your company’s devices, you will also no longer have to worry about employees using company devices for entertainment purposes — this can significantly reduce expenses for mobile data!
4. Make it simple for your employees and for IT
Don’t make IT responsible for reviewing each request for device and system access. Instead, empower users to enroll their own devices by visiting a single URL. Set up a default policy that approves the users’ devices and pushes down their email and corporate Wi-Fi profiles.
In addition to making the process easy for end users, simplify things for IT. For example, your wireless security policy might specify that any Android device with OS 2.2.4 or above is automatically granted access to corporate systems, while any Android device on an earlier OS version is automatically blocked.
5. Get a grip on mobile data costs
This is probably the biggest piece of advice we can offer–get a grip on mobile data costs! Major carriers can charge high rates for mobile data, and offer plans and packages that are simply not suitable for businesses. On top of high overage costs and early termination fees, your company is not compensated for data that it does not use, so you’re essentially paying the large mobile operators for nothing. Rather than purchase a mobile data plan from a major carrier, your company should purchase a plan from an MVNO that offers much more affordable plans – across multiple wireless carriers – only for business.
When picking a mobile data provider for your company, you should consider DataXoom, an MVNO that provides mobile data solutions developed exclusively for businesses. DataXoom charges no unnecessary fees, and allows you to effectively manage your company’s devices via one consolidated platform. Interested in what DataXoom can offer your company? Give us a call or drop us a note today!
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