More and more companies are interested in implementing a mobile Connected Worker Platform - especially in asset-intensive industries such as Oil & Gas, Mining, Metals, Chemicals and Manufacturing. When exploring the options, most companies focus on inputs from their Operations and Finance departments, which is clearly a smart thing to do. However, often they forget to include the IT team in the early stages of their decision to select a Connected Worker Platform.
Choosing a mobile Connected Worker platform for your business requires a three-pronged assessment that focuses on operations, finance, and IT requirements. To help you choose the right solution that won’t put pressure on your IT teams, considering the following five things:
Implementation
Generally, implementing a mobile application that features all the rich functionalities of SAP requires integration with business units across your organization, including finance, sales, customer service, human resources, etc. This process can take several months. If you don’t consider the prerequisites for setting up the mobile application, your IT team may end up wasting time in complex configurations.
Look for an out-of-the-box solution that eliminates complex installations and enables rapid implementation. A best-in-class mobile Connected Worker platform should integrate easily and smoothly with your existing ERP system like SAP within weeks, giving its power to everyone. This will eliminate the burden on your IT team, allowing them to focus on other important things.
Connectivity
Where do your front-line workers work? Maybe they are in the middle of the Pacific Ocean or driving across the Sahara. What good is network connectivity if you don’t have it at your remote facilities?
Connectivity is one of the biggest bottlenecks preventing enterprises from adopting mobile solutions in their front-line operations. Establishing strong Wi-Fi networks in inaccessible, remote locations is not always a viable solution considering the effort, investment and ROI calculations. Though your facility has good internet connectivity, your IT teams should ensure the existing network to handle the influx of new gadgets operating advanced, high-end applications.
If an application can’t run due to a poor connection, then you’re not getting ROI needed to justify the investment. There is no point in taking pains to implement such a weak platform. To make life easier for your IT team, you should find a Connected Worker platform with offline capability.
Training and user adoption
Just because it is a ‘mobile’ solution, don’t assume this is just like any other app downloaded from the App Store - no training required to use it. A Connected Worker platform integrates the huge SAP system and an untrained tech might face difficulty using it.
If the solution features complex workflows, your not-so-techie front-line workers might not be able to use it to the fullest. Your IT teams will need to put aside important projects to design a training curriculum for workers. Yet, most of them might not be able to get their hands on it. So, the solution you choose should feature a simple and clean UI that eliminates jargon and complex workflows. Such a user experience will encourage your front-line workers to shift away from conventional practices and embrace digital transformation.
Security
Verizon’s 2020 Mobile Security Index reported that 94 percent of manufacturing companies surveyed revealed that they should pay more attention to mobile device security. The influx of smart, advanced mobile devices that are running applications connected to the SAP is certainly seen as a tough challenge for IT teams.
With this in mind, choose a Connected Worker platform that is secure in the highest sense of the word. The platform should feature enterprise-grade security features such as single sign-on, face ID, Touch ID, etc.
Customization
Business processes and workflows often change. The problem with most of the Connected Worker platforms is IT personnel should make changes to the fundamental software code to reflect those process changes and enable workers to access updated workflows. Pressed for time, your IT teams become overstretched. This reduces their efficiency and may lead to application failures.
No-code/low-code Connected Worker platforms allow IT teams to configure and customize applications within minutes. This translates to increased efficiency and higher productivity for your business.
Innovapptive offers a best-in-class, no-code/low-code mobile Connected Worker platform that is highly customizable to meet all your business requirements. The platform is built on a patented, proprietary technology called Rapid Application Configuration Engine (RACE™) that empowers your IT teams to manage evolving business needs.
To learn more about the out-of-the-box mobile Connected Worker platform that comes with pre-packaged, reconfigurable applications for SAP, click here.
Click here to request a live demo. Want to talk to our Connected Worker platform experts? We are always here to help. Call 1-844-464-6668.
