Why businesses are investing in mobile workstations

The traditional office setup isn’t completely dead, but it’s being phased out by a lot of businesses. Whether it’s a remote workforce or an in-house team, more employers are equipping their staff with mobile devices, like smartphones and tablets with rugged cases, instead of just laptops.

There are numerous advantages to investing in mobile devices for staff, including higher levels of productivity, mobility, cost savings, stronger communication, and increased sales.

Here’s a more detailed look at these benefits.

Higher productivity
Productivity increases when workers have the right tools, information, and environment. Mobile devices increase productivity by creating the freedom to work from anywhere, while mobile apps allow team members to access the data required to complete their tasks. This applies even when employees are not fully remote.

Studies have been floating around for years that show most workers barely complete a few hours of actual work each day. Still, they can’t wait to clock out and go home. Remote work seems to change that dynamic. A 2020 study found that office workers who switched to remote work became more productive. In fact, 68% worked more than 8 hours each day, and 45% worked on the weekend. The flexibility of working from home makes people feel more positive and helps create a better work/life balance.

When employers invest in mobile devices, it creates a supportive foundation for remote work, should they choose to embrace that model in the future. Employees who already work from a tablet in the office will have an easy time transitioning to working from home without having to invest in a new device or fancy setup.

Enhanced staff mobility
Certain team members need the flexibility to travel around without being tied to a physical office. Typically, this applies to in-person sales teams, but also employees who need to meet with clients, pick up supplies, or hybrid teams that work remotely part-time. Mobile devices allow staff to access work-related accounts and files from any location, making it easier to get work done on the fly.

Cost savings
Under the traditional model, companies purchase laptops and desktops for their in-house and remote employees, which gets expensive. Laptops only last a few years before they need to be repaired or replaced, neither of which are cheap.

High-end tablets can cost as much as or more than a laptop, but mid-range refurbished tablets tend to be discounted by hundreds of dollars. But it’s not just tablets that save money. Businesses can save even more money by allowing workers to use their phones for work. Employers who implement a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) program in the office can see significant savings just by allowing their teams to use their personal devices in the office.

Smooth communication
All the popular apps for project management, video conferencing, text chatting, and file storage are available for mobile devices. Everyone on the team can communicate with each other regardless of their device or location.

More sales
Sales reps will close more deals when they have the right tools, which includes a tablet. Even skilled sales reps will need to access data from the company’s website, show product demonstrations, and use other online resources to close a deal. Having a tablet makes it possible to close deals that would otherwise fall apart without that extra information. Sales reps can also capture a customer’s signature immediately using a tablet, which seals the deal on the spot.

Real-time data entry
If you have field staff collecting information or securing accounts, the company database will get that data in real-time as they enter it into their tablet or smartphone onsite. This can reduce processing delays and support better customer service.

For example, five minutes after a rep leaves a scheduled meeting, the new customer might call the company with questions. Thanks to real-time data input, they won’t need to wait until the rep gets back to the office to access their new account.

Adopt mobile devices for long-term success
You don’t need to dismiss desktops and laptops from your office, but investing in mobile devices is worthwhile. You’ll see an increase in productivity, smoother collaboration, and your sales reps will be better equipped to close difficult deals. Mobile devices empower employees to stay productive on the go, while reducing business expenses and helping you remain competitive in your market.

Photo by Daria Shevtsova on Unsplash

The article Why businesses are investing in mobile workstations first appeared in TravelDailyNews International.