In today’s volatile business climate, where supply chain disruptions have become the new norm, digitalization is a defining factor for adapting quickly and maintaining operational continuity. Amid digitizing and automating, organizations often overlook a critical aspect of their operations: the efficient management of mobile technology and the devices across the mobile workforce.

Supply chain and logistics champions empower warehouse staff and delivery drivers to access, capture, and act on real-time data wherever they are through devices, applications, and processes. However, hidden costs inflate expenses and undermine customer satisfaction when mobility is undermanaged. In contrast, strategically managed mobility is a powerful lever for resilience, agility, and competitive advantage, as it allows for streamlining operations and unlocks opportunities for innovation and growth.

Mapping out the Challenge: Why Inefficiencies Persist

Many businesses underestimate the benefits and complexity of managing a mobile ecosystem. This results in inefficiencies. The reasons for inefficiencies are multifaceted, with varying adverse effects.

First, poor visibility into mobile assets leads to underutilization, device loss, and increased downtime. Centralized oversight helps organizations to track device health, usage patterns, and compliance to avoid unnecessary replacements and keep support costs in check.

Second, fragmented communication channels and outdated scheduling tools such as spreadsheets and legacy booking systems cause delays, miscommunication, and resource wastage. Critical information can be misunderstood or missed when warehouse staff and delivery drivers rely on manual updates or multiple, disconnected systems, such as emails, phone calls, spreadsheets, or messaging apps. In such systems, errors multiply and productivity drops.

Third, a lack of real-time data hampers decision-making. In a fast-moving supply chain, the inability to monitor inventory levels, shipment status, or equipment performance in real-time leads to stockouts, excess inventory, and missed delivery windows.

Fourth, security and compliance risks escalate as mobile devices proliferate. Sensitive data is exposed to theft and breaches when devices are not adequately secured, updated, or decommissioned. SOTI’s latest T&L report reveals that front-line employees are aware of their role in maintaining data security, with 51% expressing concerns about data safety when swapping devices and 53% worried about the data risks associated with lost devices in the UK.

Fifth, hidden costs accumulate through inefficiencies such as excess packaging, damaged shipments, returns, poor route management, and undesirable contract terms with logistics partners. These costs are often invisible in day-to-day operations but become painfully apparent in financial statements, customer feedback, and attrition.

Finally, the absence of a cohesive mobility strategy means organizations miss out on the benefits of automation, analytics, and integration with other digital systems. This limits operational efficiency and restricts a company’s ability to respond to disruptions, market changes, and customer demands.

Introducing the Solution: The Power of Managed Mobility

Leading organizations are turning to managed mobility solutions: comprehensive services that oversee the entire lifecycle of mobile devices, from procurement and deployment to support, security, and analytics.

A robust managed mobility strategy involves several key elements:

• Centralized device management: Platforms that provide real-time visibility into device status, location, and usage allow organizations to optimize asset allocation, reduce loss, and extend device lifecycles. The T&L report indicates a prevalent issue, with 71% of respondents noting that device swapping, including handsets, smartphones, and scanners, is becoming common. Maintaining visibility over an organization’s device fleet is essential to ensuring devices are used securely, appropriately, and remain within your control.
• Unified communications: Integrating voice, messaging, and collaboration tools ensures that mobile workers stay connected with the central office and each other, reducing delays and errors and improving collaboration and the fluidity of information and data.
• Real-time data access: Mobile applications enable workers to capture and act on data instantly, improving inventory accuracy, order fulfilment and customer service.
• Automated scheduling and dispatch: Intelligent systems assign tasks based on real-time conditions, skill sets and location, minimizing idle time and maximizing productivity.
• Security and compliance: Advanced security protocols, role-based access, and remote wipe capabilities, a critical security feature that allows IT administrators to erase data from a mobile device, to protect sensitive information and ensure regulatory compliance.
• Analytics and optimization: Continuous monitoring and analysis of mobile workflows to identify bottlenecks, inform process improvements, and drive return on investment (ROI).

By outsourcing mobility management to specialists, organizations can focus on their core business while ensuring that their mobile workforce operates at peak efficiency, securely and cost-effectively.

Case Studies: Real-World Impact of Effective Mobility Management

1. Transforming Mobility for Supply Chain Excellence

Peak Technologies is a prime example of how managed mobility can revolutionize supply chain operations. With over 40 years of experience and a client roster that includes Fortune 500 companies, Peak Technologies delivers end-to-end solutions that modernize factories, optimize warehouses, and streamline last-mile delivery.

A practical case is their work with Musgrave, one of Ireland’s leading retail and wholesale companies. Musgrave sought to enhance its delivery processes by deploying a mobile computing platform for its logistics team and drivers. Peak Technologies managed the entire Zebra MC75 Enterprise Digital Assistants (EDAs) lifecycle, from preparation and deployment to training and ongoing support. Using the Zebra Mobility Services Platform, Peak Technologies enabled remote monitoring, diagnostics, and software updates, minimizing downtime and ensuring devices were always up to date. The effort significantly improved fleet efficiency, reduced administrative overhead, enhanced customer service, and provided clear visibility into device costs over their lifecycle.

2. Streamlining Device Management for Global Operations

For over 25 years, SOTI has been one of the world’s most trusted providers of Enterprise Mobility Management (EMM) solutions, with over 17,000 customers in 170+ countries and 22 million devices under management. The company simplifies business-critical mobility through its platform by reducing costs and downtime.

The provider offers a case study with K+S, a mining company with multiple sites. With SOTI MobiControl, K+S transitioned from manual, on-site provisioning and support for its mobile devices to remote provisioning, over-the-air (OTA) enrolment to register and configure mobile devices remotely and wirelessly, and centralized management. IT staff could deploy, configure, and troubleshoot devices from a central location, saving hours and reducing the need for on-site visits. Special features ensured that devices were used only for approved applications, optimizing productivity and minimizing user errors. The result was reduced deployment times, lower support costs and improved device uptime.

Key Learnings and Pitfalls to Avoid

The case studies above highlight several key learnings for organizations seeking to unlock the full potential of mobility:

• Centralized, remote management is essential for scalability and cost control. As the number of devices and locations grows, manual processes quickly become unmanageable.
• Real-time visibility and data access enable proactive decision-making and rapid response to disruptions. By leveraging the right proactive tools, companies can be notified before devices fail, improving operational efficiency and reducing downtime. This helps mitigate issues such as battery failure and connectivity disruptions, leading to higher organizational productivity.
• Training and support are critical to user adoption and system effectiveness. Investing in user education and a responsive help desk minimizes resistance and maximizes ROI.
• Security must be embedded at every stage of the mobility lifecycle. Failure to secure devices and data exposes the organization to financial, legal and reputational risks.
• Integration with other digital systems, such as warehouse management, enterprise resource planning (ERP) and analytics platforms, amplifies mobility’s benefits and optimizes the end-to-end process.

Common pitfalls include underestimating the complexity of mobility management, neglecting user training, failing to plan for device lifecycle management, and overlooking the importance of security and compliance. The winners invest in planning, communication, and people. Mobility is not a one-time project but an ongoing strategic initiative. Those who plan and manage processes and people diligently and continuously optimize mobility management costs and build a competitive edge.

Conclusion: Now Is the Time to Prioritize Mobility Management

As supply chains face extreme pressure from global disruptions, cyberattacks, labor shortages and rising customer expectations, the hidden costs of undermanaged mobility can no longer be ignored. Research found that 97% of global T&L drivers claimed they were dealing with technical or system challenges that delayed shipments in a typical week.

Yet, many organizations in T&L lack visibility into devices across operations. Without a holistic view, companies detect issues, such as delivery delays or customer dissatisfaction, only after they have occurred. In today’s digital-first landscape, T&L providers handle not just physical goods but also valuable customer and third-party information.

Every inefficiency, whether in device downtime, miscommunication, or delayed decision-making, translates into lost revenue, unnecessary expenses, and diminished customer satisfaction and loyalty.

In this era of pressured supply chains, thriving organizations treat mobility as a core pillar of their digital strategy. This is not a pioneering effort but the adoption of a tested, proven approach and technology. By investing in advanced managed mobility solutions now, businesses can ensure that their operations are agile, connected and ready to meet the challenges and seize the opportunities of current times. A moment that is not to be missed.