Most organisations unknowingly still buy more mobile devices and connections than they need, which creates unnecessary costs, increases carbon footprint, and wastes resources.
At the same time, recycling only happens to 13% of mobile devices and that creates massive waste as organisations cycle through newer devices or decommission surplus ones. Not to mention that the resources saved and generated from recycling these devices can create great social benefits.
Understand and Adapt to Changing Device Usage Profiles
Up to 15% of employees don’t use their company-supplied mobile phones and up to 40% don’t make a single voice call or SMS text on their corporate device.
It’s not that people have ceased to communicate with their colleagues or the outside world, it’s just that they’ve found different ways to liaise, typically using native apps or collaborative software. One particularly poignant example is how almost no one used video calls as a primary communication method pre-COVID. However, video call is practically the go-to communication method in any professional setting today.
These new technologies and modes of working have also contributed to a significant increase in overall mobile data usage. A single video call can consume as much data as a month’s worth of typical data usage activities, like browsing the web or using a navigation app. That makes getting higher usage limits for less cost a more critical consideration for organisations.
Moreover, the organisation’s top 1% of data users typically consume up to 30% of the total mobile data, so, whilst some have stopped using mobile devices entirely, others are using them more than ever.
If you’re not awake to these trends, you’ll buy the wrong things and invest in the wrong technologies.
Don't Fall into the Trap of Acquiring Too Many Devices
Buying only what you need is one of the prime foundations of sustainability.
However, there are several factors frustrating organisations’ attempts at a more sustainable device strategy:
- A lack of visibility into mobile device usage and inventory – Many organisations don’t have adequate systems in place to accurately account for their device inventory. Some have unauthorised devices using their networks others have no accurate record of active devices.
- Vested interests of mobile networks – Service providers’ profit relies on selling you as many devices and connections as possible as well as unfavourable contracts with hidden terms and conditions. It’s up to you to determine what is right for your business including the number of devices/connections.
- Limited IT resources to proactive manage mobile devices – Organisations have to deal with multiple areas of digital transformation at once. Some don’t have the spare time, money, or resources to handle mobile specifically.
One size fits all approach to mobile devices and services – As mentioned, simply painting all users with the same brush will lead to a hugely inflated device and service requirements. Organisations need an innovative and flexible strategy that accounts for different user profiles.
Sustainability Starts with a Mobility-First Strategy
For example, many organisations outfit everyone with an iPhone, regardless of what device(s) their employees already have. However, if employees already have a better or newer model, they will most likely never make use of the company-provided model. Not to mention the inconvenience of having two phones.
New technologies, like eSIM, can allow organisations to leverage their employees’ existing devices while still providing them with the company’s official mobile services. These types of adjustments can significantly cut down on your device spending and management.
It also allows for more flexible working environments. For example, an employee can travel from one branch to another (even internationally) and simply scan a QR code to get a company-supplied mobile service.
How Mobliciti Can Help
Mobliciti follows a 3-stage process to help organisations make their device lifecycle strategy more sustainable:
Stage 1: Remove unused devices and tailor services to user profiles
Stage 2: Remove the environmental impact of new devices
Stage 3: Take action to securely reuse, recycle, and trade in old devices
Of course, to do any of this effectively, you first need data-driven insights to map your mobile device and service usage. With this, it’s possible to clearly divide users into different usage profiles and then align these to more appropriate mobile service plans.
Another mistake organisations make is not to poll their employees before making decisions regarding their mobile device strategy. End-user surveys and engagement can give real insights into how employees view your policies and use your devices. That includes:
- How employees use their corporate device
- Attitudes toward BYOD
- Prevalence of employees with two phones
- Concerns regarding privacy and cost
It will also help you negotiate better mobile service portfolios that suit your organisation and stakeholders’ needs to a granular level:
- Corporate device & SIM for frequent users
- BYOD and eSIM for infrequent users
- Compliance for regulated users
- Personal eSIM and enablement of corporate devices
- Unlimited data for high-volume users
- App-based voice (Teams, Zoom, etc.) where possible
- Roaming eSIM and Mi-Fi
Through its Device Lifecycle Management service, Mobliciti helps organisations create custom device strategies, including:
- Pre-Prepared Device Ordering
- Device Lifecycle Management
- Device-as-a-Service (DaaS) procurement, and
- Support Corporate ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) Policies
Conclusion
The end goal is to help organisations do more with less when it comes to their mobile device and service resources including effective management of the entire portfolio of devices across the whole lifecycle, sustainably and without compromising security.
Get in touch to learn more about Mobliciti’s Virtual Mobile Manager Service.
