Smartphones are no longer disposable items, and many are more expensive than business laptops. They also contain higher levels of confidential, personal, and business data and are It is more likely to be lost, stolen or damaged.
Device lifecycle management is an important consideration for any modern business.
There are six phases that businesses should consider for the lifecycle of mobile devices such as smartphones.
For years, the standard approach has been to purchase mobile devices as part of a mobile contract, which is either subsidised or supplied as part of a “tech fund.” More astute businesses are no longer using this model and are instead purchasing devices to improve business security and reduce costs.
Tech funds are still commonplace in Northern Ireland, combining the costs of the tariff along with a fund that your business can use to purchase handsets when required. The main issue with this approach is the lack of control over the cost of individual handsets.
Additionally, if handsets are purchased through a mobile network, they are most likely ‘locked’ to that network. Should your business decide to change network, then these need to be unlocked or replaced, which can be time consuming and expensive.
Separating your mobile airtime tariff from your mobile devices, will certainly save businesses money. When you pay a single monthly fee for both airtime and devices, you prioritise convenience over financial savings.
If your business signs a contract with a mobile network, directly or indirectly with a third party, then you are most likely overpaying for both.
b4b offer your business much better financial options. These include:
Ensuring the security and compliance of your mobile devices should also be a top priority for your business. b4b Group can combine this into the normal lifecycle of all your devices as part of our managed mobile solution.
When you sign a new mobile contract, we believe it is important to make this as easy and simple as possible, without any down time for your business.
With the b4b Group managed mobile solution we include the following:
Most businesses will use a variety of smartphone devices. As mentioned, these are expensive, and as such need to be maintained. Accidental damage accounts for around 90% of smartphone failures.
Dropping the phone, water damage and cracked screens are the main problems.
As smartphones are expensive, they are also more liable to be stolen.
As part of our mobile managed solution, b4b Group provides:
At some point all mobile devices come to the end of their working life.
As part of their mobile managed solution, b4b Group can wipe all data and private information, and we also include any residual value in our leasing agreements.