We use cookies to provide you with a better experience. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies in accordance with our Cookie Policy.
  • INDUSTRY PRESS ROOM
  • SUBMISSIONS
  • MEDIA FILE
  • Create Account
  • Sign In
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Free Newsletters
  • MAGAZINE
    • Current Issue
    • Archives
    • Digital Edition
    • Subscribe
    • Newsletters
  • STRATEGY
  • GLOBAL
  • LOGISTICS
  • MANUFACTURING
  • PROCUREMENT
  • VIDEO
    • News & Exclusives
    • Viewer Contributed
    • CSCMP EDGE 2022 Startup Alley
    • Upload your video
  • PODCAST ETC
    • Podcast
    • White Papers
    • Webcasts
    • Events
    • Blogs
      • Reflections
      • SCQ Forum
    • Mobile Apps
  • MAGAZINE
    • Current Issue
    • Archives
    • Digital Edition
    • Subscribe
    • Newsletters
  • STRATEGY
  • GLOBAL
  • LOGISTICS
  • MANUFACTURING
  • PROCUREMENT
  • VIDEO
    • News & Exclusives
    • Viewer Contributed
    • CSCMP EDGE 2022 Startup Alley
    • Upload your video
  • PODCAST ETC
    • Podcast
    • White Papers
    • Webcasts
    • Events
    • Blogs
      • Reflections
      • SCQ Forum
    • Mobile Apps
Home » Study finds link between mobile device management and worker productivity
Forward Thinking

Study finds link between mobile device management and worker productivity

January 24, 2019
Supply Chain Quarterly Staff
No Comments

Most companies fail to understand the importance of maintaining their workforce mobile devices, leading to lost productivity in retail and logistics operations, according to a survey by technology research firm VDC Research, released this week.

The study revealed that just 20 percent of companies have visibility into the performance of the mobile solutions their workers use, uncovering a "critical flaw" in mobile workforce productivity: a lack of battery management. The study found that workers lose 50 minutes of productivity with every mid-shift battery failure, which the researchers said happens at least 30 percent of the time. This means that retail and logistics companies with 500 or more mobile workers can realize productivity and service losses in the millions of dollars, according VDC Research, Framingham, Mass.

"With more than 50 percent of the workforce mobile—representing 1.7 billion workers—mobile solutions are no longer a luxury but rather a necessity," David Krebs, executive vice president, enterprise mobility & connected devices at VDC Research, said in a statement announcing the findings. "The interconnection between mobile solutions and workflow is what we refer to as business-critical mobility, which depends on reliable access to provide real-time critical information at points of interaction with customers and employees. All of this relies on batteries."

The study also found that:

  • 80 percent of mobile device total cost of ownership comes after the initial purchase, and replacement batteries are a considerable portion of that cost;
  • Since battery performance is a good indicator of other problems, 89 percent of survey respondents said they would consider a battery subscription plan that provides testing, removal, replacement and recycling of bad batteries;
  • 40 percent of decision-makers consider battery life to be a leading mobile device selection criterion, third on the list after price and quality/reliability.

VDC surveyed 200 enterprise mobility decision makers in retail organizations, representing 71,000 stores. The research was sponsored by power solutions provider Global Technology Systems, which says it offers a Batteries-as-a-Service solution to minimize worker downtime and workflow disruption.

Technology
  • Related Articles

    Study: More than half of warehousing organizations to upgrade mobile devices

    Study: supply chain management projects to spark jump in IoT investment through 2023

    Supply chain HR firm WorkStep lands $25 million for worker retention tools

Recent Articles by Supply Chain Quarterly Staff

Intermodal sector weathered a “challenging” year in 2022, IANA says

Freight sector missed the boat on strong U.S. economy in Q3 and Q4, FTR says

Freightos completes plan to go public on NASDAQ exchange, raises $80 million

You must login or register in order to post a comment.

Report Abusive Comment

Most Popular Articles

  • Forecasts call for freight rate slumps in 2023

  • Projected U.S. recession in early 2023 will soften freight market

  • Inflation drops again as interest rate hikes hit home, NRF says

  • How to avoid the next crisis: A new approach to supply chain agility

  • New Jersey truck fleet says Freightliner tractors will deliver safety as well as freight

Featured Video

20221107korber large vs

Enhancing Customer Experience with Your Supply Chain Strategy

Viewer Contributed
With the rise of e-commerce, many businesses have had to transform their warehouses to handle online orders in addition to regularly scheduled inventory shipments. This means warehouses need more information than ever before to ensure they can meet customers' needs. As a result, companies need to select warehouse...

FEATURED WHITE PAPERS

  • Guide to Pallet Rack Safety

  • 3PLs: Complete Orders Faster with Flexible Automation

  • A shipper's guide to navigating post-pandemic holiday freight

  • THE NEW WAY TO WAREHOUSE: 4 Innovations in Automation & Robotics to Boost Warehouse Productivity

View More

Subscribe to Supply Chain Quarterly

Get Your Subscription
  • SUBSCRIBE
  • E-NEWSLETTERS
  • ADVERTISING
  • CUSTOMER CARE
  • CONTACT
  • ABOUT
  • STAFF
  • PRIVACY POLICY

Copyright ©2023. All Rights ReservedDesign, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing