2,000 rugged smartphones. 500+ locations. 2 months. No sweat! We helped Beacon Building Products migrate from consumer devices to rugged devices, with the XCover6 Pro and RAM mounting solutions. To empower their mobile workers we partnered with Verizon and RAM mounts to help roll out Beacon's technology migration.
Beacon's challenge
Fragile and slow consumer devices were causing lengthy driver response times, and operational downtime due to apps simply not loading. Additionally, the devices needed to be deployed across all their locations nationwide. If your organization is facing similar challenges give us a call today.
Our solution
2,000
500+
36%
Kitted and provisioned XCover6 Pro
Branch
locations
Saved on devices, mounts, and MDM
Our team solves for the future. We replaced their consumer devices with Samsung’s XCover6 Pro, an enterprise-grade rugged device. To protect their investment we partnered with RAM Mounts to deploy vehicle mounting solutions, ensuring quick and easy access to the device for Beacon’s drivers.
End-to-end device management
Device procurement, imaging, kitting, and connectivity at scale. Our close partnership with Samsung enabled us to procure the XCover6 Pros at a significant discount for Beacon’s new driver solution. Our zero-touch enrollment program enabled Beacon's drivers to hit the road immediately with their new solution without any downtime to their operations and complimented their IT environment.
Software deployment
We deployed their Samsara ELD solution along with the built-in MEM, locked down the devices, and helped Beacon save on hiring additional resources. Samsara MEM and the ELD app made it easy for Beacon to manage its fleet, cut downtime, and improve driver response time.
Adding value for Beacon
As Beacon grows, eSquared’s managed mobility support will be there to support their new systems and devices expertly. This includes device kitting, provisioning, RMAs, and MEM. Need a similar solution? Get a free consultation.
Why you should upgrade work mobile devices
3 years. That’s how frequently consumer devices should be upgraded, business devices on the other hand have a different lifecycle period. We'll explain why you need to upgrade work mobile devices.
An app-driven world
Short answer, apps drive the need to upgrade mobile devices.
Apps and mobile devices have transformed frontline work into mobile, growing to 93m mobile workers in 20241. More than half of the nation’s labor force. To continue to empower the workplace, apps need to be up-to-date. Keeping apps updated also requires updated devices due to:
apps are getting larger
apps are continually adding capabilities
apps are getting hungrier for more memory and processing power
cache bloat
devices getting slower as they age
But an app is only as good as the operating system it runs on.
Operating system
OS updates are often overlooked when choosing devices for work. A cheap device or featured-packed device is only as good as its OS. If it’s unable to run apps due to the app no longer supporting the OS, it’s as good as a shiny brick. Having a current-gen device means having an updated OS. OS updates are critical for:
Monthly security updates
Compatibility updates
Ongoing manufacturer support
Fully functioning apps
CISOs (Chief Information Security Officers) across the country found that 9 in 10 organizations are at risk of cyberattack2, the need to update our devices is critical to keep work secure.
Why won't companies just continue to keep their devices updated?
Gone are the days when you could keep a phone for 5 to almost 10 years if you took great care of it. There are several challenges to this in our modern device lifecycle, the cost of rolling out updates to aging devices, security, continually improving hardware, apps that demand more powerful devices to run, and recently AI.
The growing demand for apps to “do more” means devices need to keep up with current-gen and next-gen apps, devices simply must:
Get faster
Have a more efficient processor
Not overheat on small loads
Be able to run apps concurrently
Be power efficient
We recommend deploying business-grade tablets and smartphones to get the most out of your devices and not worry about device updates for several years. This only applies to non-iOS devices.
Here’s a quick guide on the difference between value consumer devices, flagship consumer devices, and business-grade non-iOS devices. Note, that this is not a comprehensive list, each device manufacturer will have different specifications per device.
Value
Flagship
Business
OS updates
2
3+
4+
Rugged
No
No
Yes
Support
3 years
5 years
8 years
Bloatware
Yes
Yes
No
One caveat, OS updates don’t mean the device is still under warranty. Looking to extend the warranty of your devices? Talk to us.
Cost of not having a fully functioning device
The old adage of “time is money” couldn’t be more true in the workplace. While stats may vary from 11 to 24 days in a year of time lost due to slow devices, it’s still a massive hit on productivity. That’s a loss of $2,699 - $5,888 per employee per year on top of the overtime pay just to catch up with work due to slow tech. This can be a massive burden for small to medium-sized businesses.
The real cost of slow devices or a broken one is downtime. While this is a difficult metric to measure, we can at least list down the downstream effects for our customers.
For fleets due to the ELD mandate, that’s drivers off the road
For fulfillment teams, that’s missed or delayed orders
For factory floor teams, that’s production, quality errors
For field techs, that’s longer work hours
For retail, that’s irate customers
Not that we’re trying to be overly dramatic here, but reducing risk in critical sectors of the business is what we all strive for.
Devices are too old to receive updates
Just upgrade, we offer wholesale pricing on devices. Call us today.
Physical damage
With over 600 damaged devices3 this year alone, physically damaged devices can add to operational roadblocks. Depending on the damage to the device, you may consider upgrading in these scenarios.
Environmental damage
We have really hot summers here in Arizona, consumer devices simply cannot handle constant heat, especially outdoors. This excess heat alone can cause the battery to swell in your devices.
Your device is damaged and no longer supported
We get it costs are high and budgets are tight. As we outlined previously, while initial costs may be painful, the long-term cost benefits, team satisfaction, and productivity gains can offset that cost.
Parts are no longer available to repair the device
Sometimes, it’s more cost-effective to just get the latest and greatest, than continually repairing that old Tab E8 from 2016. The costs for parts and labor add up to costing more than the device itself.
Does it cost more to repair than simply getting a new one?
We’ll just let you ponder this question instead.
If you have a damaged current-gen or next-gen device and aren’t looking to upgrade, we can help extend your device life with our e2 Shield program. Get device protection today.
Why you need a newer device
The proliferation of AI in the workplace. AI is all the rage, while most consumers view it as a passing novelty, business applications for AI have far greater use cases. Resulting in greater demand for power consumption, and more efficient processing power.
We’re not talking about your run-of-the-mill chatgpt app, we’re looking at real-time IT/OT, IoT, connected worker, safety, on-demand manufacturing and so much more. But before I get carried away, let’s shrink it back to the devices.
Devices can do more than just compliance. Our customers have used them for:
Training
Indoor/outdoor tracking
HMI/PLC/IoT monitoring and control
Command center
Inspections
Safety and lone worker
Product process
Vehicle safety
Factory automation
And so much more!
As a myriad of additional AI-driven tools and apps continue to grow, no B2B super apps yet, there’s a growing need for devices to do more than just checklists.
Enterprise firmware over the air
Or e-FOTA is commonly used across our fleet customers. Samsung’s e-FOTA or SOTI’s mobicontrol works best with the latest devices. When conducting OS/software/firmware updates remotely, there are 5 things to keep in mind:
The most critical is speed of the device
OS to device compatibility
Device storage capacity
Network connectivity speed
Battery and power
For iOS users it’s the default Apple Business Manager or Jamf. With built-in over the air remote updates, devices are ready to accept updates remotely anytime, anywhere. Unsure how? Get a free consultation.
How eSquared helps with device upgrades
We work with the top OEM device manufacturers, your software vendor, mounts, and connectivity partners to deploy custom mobile solutions that work for your business. At prices that work within your team’s budget. Get a free consultation today.
IT/OT Convergence. How will it benefit businesses.
IT/OT convergence just got accelerated with the recent AI boom. With 87% of industrial leaders1 seeing a transformative impact on their operations, the need for an everything-connected solution isn’t just a necessity but a competitive advantage.
87% of industrial leaders1 seeing a transformative impact on their operations
As businesses transition their operations and processes to industry 4.0 strategies, IT/OT bridges the gaps between IT and operations teams. Beyond connecting teams, IT/OT convergence creates a digital twin of operational technologies.
What is OT?
OT stands for operational technology, a combination of software and hardware management and control systems for HMIs, PLCs, sensors, servers, machine data, IoT, and so much more. Essentially, connecting physical assets to an app a mobile worker can use.
With convergence, physical machines that were once disconnected from business systems can now be operated and tracked remotely. Enabling real-time data-driven insights and control for operators.
IT/OT Use cases
Manufacturing
Building a virtual factory environment enables smart manufacturing and greater precision for plant leaders and their teams. Digitizing the manufacturing process empowers operators with greater control over their costs and output.
40% of new HMI setups1 include AI and machine learning
Human-machine interface. More than 40% of new HMI setups1 include AI and machine learning. IT/OT enables machine operators to detect issues and monitor machine uptime immediately. Empowering the business to monitor run rates, operating costs, and production capacity all from an iPad. Ask us how we deployed this solution for our customers.
Programmable logic controllers and switches. PLCs combined with sensors make it possible to automate a plant or facility. IT/OT enables analog outputs to be converted to digital information, empowering plant operators to perform preventative corrective and maintenance on equipment.
Transportation
Often overlooked, logistics equally benefits from IT/OT convergence. With over 20+ possible IoT devices in a vehicle, operational and maintenance teams can leverage deep insights into fleet performance and vehicle health.
As the leader in fleet mobility solutions, we’ve seen increasing demand from our customers to connect components of their vehicles to their command centers and maintenance facilities. IoT components like:
Tire sensors
Force sensors
Thermometers
In-cab gateways
ELD
Security sensors
Beyond safety and compliance, vehicle IoT enables maintenance teams to troubleshoot issues immediately and perform total preventative maintenance, so your drivers don’t lose hours and fleet operations aren’t affected.
Cold chain. Let’s talk ice cream! Refrigerated fleets ferry your favorite frosty treats from the production floor to the grocery store. With cold chain logistics set to grow to $862bn2 temperature-sensitive goods like ice cream, meat, pharmaceuticals, and even organs require more than just a thermometer in the truck.
The tablets in your fleets can do more than log hours and navigation. They can act as the brains of the vehicle with the right solution, and report back to headquarters.
Building and Facilities
The surge in demand for designing energy-efficient, eco-friendly buildings and greater adoption of building automation drive the growth of building IT/OT systems.
Infrastructure and real estate incorporate smart devices like, NEST, automated power distribution, smart panels, CCTV, and other IoT. As buildings and facilities get “smarter” and automated, IT/OT systems play a key role in managing systems for:
Energy
HVAC
Lighting
Security
The recipe for successful BMS deployments consists of three foundational ingredients:
Hardware
Control panels or PLCs
Sensors
Actuators
Software
Operating systems
BMS, IT/OT
Network Infrastructure
Can outdated analog systems be incorporated into BMS software?
The short answer is yes and no. It may be more cost-effective to replace outdated hardware systems with new IoT devices. If you’re planning to deploy new facilities and are looking to incorporate BMS, give us a call. We can help with your deployment.
IT
23% have achieved more than a basic level of IT and OT convergence3
While the benefits of an IT/OT system may seem obvious to IT teams, only 23% have achieved more than a basic level of IT and OT convergence3. IT infrastructure is essential to get the most out of IT/OT systems and perform predictive, prescriptive, and some AI functions.
Server infrastructure. While corporations may opt to deploy physical server infrastructure, cloud-based hosting may help speed up IT/OT deployments at scale. We recommend cloud computing for these benefits:
Faster deployment times
Scalable and flexible
Cheaper to deploy
Advanced security
Easy to backup
A cloud computing solution is only as good as its ability to connect the entire facility and the mobile workforce.
Dedicated point-to-point. For corporations, we always recommend dedicated point-to-point connectivity, with a failover. Especially if facilities need to communicate with each other in real-time.
We found Cradlepoints to be one of the best secure connectivity devices. Lab-tested and deployed across facilities and job sites nationwide, our Cradlepoint modems can accept both wired and wireless connectivity.
Software enables customizable job profiles to be created based on work functions.
Wired, wireless, satellite, and even no internet, we work with connectivity partners nationwide to deploy at static sites, mobile locations, and remote. Ask us about our connectivity options.
Benefits of IT/OT convergence
Aside from the obvious benefits of lower costs, greater efficiencies, and productivity gains, convergence has a greater transformative impact.
Software-driven automation
IoT and sensor tech are still necessary but provide operators with real-time updates and control even if they’re not directly in front of the machine.
Greater monitoring of potential machine breakdown and immediate parts ordering and replacement for maintenance crews.
Enforcing consistent regulatory compliance
Real-time monitoring and analytics with proactive quality control measures.
Audit trails and reporting.
Safety
Certain systems come packaged with safety, for inspections, or lone worker.
Our EHS software partners can detect industrial ergonomics with 3D motion capture. Ask us how.
Zero-downtime
Uninterrupted operation with total predictive maintenance before a part or machine halts the entire production line or plant.
MQTT
Message queuing telemetry transport or MQTT makes all this possible. The lack of processing power and memory constrains IoT devices like sensors and switches. IT/OT systems are built with MQTT enabling real-time communication with IoT.
IT/OT Security
Cybersecurity is vital to ensuring critical systems at the plant or factory floor are secure. Aside from having secure networking devices and cybersecurity software, extra layers of protection can help like:
Deploying the Purdue model4
Updating software
Limiting access
Using UEM/EMM/MDM endpoints
Maintain password hygiene
Like all systems deployments, security and who should have access should always be a top priority. We, the humans, are oftentimes the source of a security breach.
How eSquared can help deploy your IT/OT solution
Thank you for making it this far! We work with the major IT/OT software providers in monitoring, safety, ERP, SCADA, MES, and more. If you have an IT/OT project in the works or are planning to deploy one, we can help.
Frontline workers make up the bulk of the workforce. To ensure that frontline operations run smoothly, a connected worker solution is essential. Picture this, you’re on the factory floor, construction site, or even taking orders at a drive-thru, and you need to know your run rate or you need to 86 a menu item. To accomplish that you need three things:
A connected worker software system
Devices for your team
A really good connection
Forget about real-time what’s troubling is that only 23%1 of frontline workers have access to the technology that can improve their productivity.
Who are your connected workers?
We’re skipping the definition of connected workers and we’re going straight to who they are. Connected workers are:
Pickers and packers in the warehouse
Maintenance team on the factory floor
Drivers for your fleet
Associates on the shop floor
Nurses
90% of frontline workers
As of 2023 connected worker technology adoption sits below 30% 3. To achieve predictive and prescriptive business models here are a few tips.
Overcoming digital literacy
Investing in a technology solution means investing in your front-line workers. Fortunately, this is something all businesses can do. Staffing up the training department or bringing in third-party training companies you’re one step closer to upskilling your workforce. To get started:
Do an in-person pulse survey with the team.
We want to get a baseline of our team’s digital literacy. Let’s meet them where they’re at and keep the questions basic and foundational. Bonus if they are incentivized to participate.
Build training modules around the results.
Even if it’s as simple as teaching someone how to turn the device on, logging into their work profiles, or navigating through the apps. Know that this isn’t a one-time learning experience for the team and there’s always room to improve the training
Pick some champions and socialize the experience.
Start small, and get some feedback to work out the kinks. It doesn’t have to be someone in a people manager role, your greatest advocates will come from your front-line workers.
Time to upskill the team(s).
Classroom training is boring, and the information barely gets absorbed. We’re not saying not to do it, but having your front-line technology champions help can improve the adoption rate.
Keep track of the technology adoption and reward your people.
As the software gets updated and the hardware gets refreshed, it’s vital to have an internal communications plan.
We’ve just helped scratch the surface by enabling your workers with technology. There’s a myriad of best practices that some of our customers use for their teams like:
Ongoing professional development
Internal technology certification
Enabling a culture of experimentation and innovation
Encouraging self-learning through tutorials, guides, etc.
Socialize knowledge-sharing
Connected worker software meet hardware
By 2030 the need for connected worker hardware will grow by 45%2. As the adage goes, a software solution is only as good as the hardware it runs on, and the hardware is only as good as the solutions provider. An IoT strategy empowers the connected worker to advance from basic data input to utilizing the systems and tools to predict their output and to be able to adapt to any changes in demand.
Deploying the right IoT devices
We made a cheat sheet to help guide you deploy the right device based on a few scenarios.
Worker safety
Wearables like the Apple Watch or smartphones
Quality Assurance
Smartphones with scanners like the TC7x
Maintenance
Tablets and scanners like iPads and Zebra scanners
Operations
Rugged tablets like Tab Active5 or ruggedized iPad
Field workers
Tablets like iPads
Engineers
Tablets like iPads and Tab Active5
Drivers
Consumer-grade tablets like Tab A9+
Connected worker enablement
For most businesses, enablement starts the moment the worker receives their device. For us, it starts before we procure the devices. Our lab tests every device on the market to ensure that our partners’ systems will work on them. We then deploy our 4-step process to ensure the devices work in the hands of the worker.
Connecting the worker
Stable connectivity be it on the shop floor, out at the drive-thru, at the job site, or in the remote wilderness (true story) is essential. Keeping the worker connected can be done using:
Wireless
Satellite
Over Wi-Fi
No-internet
Deploying technology in the workplace requires a measured approach. We can help plan and deploy any IoT mobile solution across any industry nationwide. Give us a call today!
Migrating an entire fleet to Geotab and need 1,500 tablets in under 6 months? With eSquared it’s possible. Melton is modernizing and migrating their fleet operations to Geotab. As a Geotab premier partner, we helped them with this endeavor. To help with the modernization efforts eSquared partnered with multiple software partners to deploy their solution correctly.
Melton's Challenge
Melton’s leadership team needed a newer, more responsive, and consistent software system. Geotab solved this problem for the team. Additionally, their drivers require quicker support response and resolution times to help them get back on the road quickly. Furthermore, a lot of time and energy to research solutions proved costly.
eSquared partnered with Add On System and Assured Telematics at Geotab Connect to evaluate Melton’s needs and provide a solution that works for their fleet.
Our solution
1,500
6
36%
Kitted and provisioned Tab Active3
Months On-time deployment
Saved on devices, mounts, and MDM
eSquared connected and worked closely with partners to correctly deploy Melton’s tablet solution, alleviating the stress of shopping around and individually approaching vendors. Additionally, eSquared helped Melton further identify other apps they required.
Complete device management solution
Leveraging our close relationship with Samsung we were able to secure Tab Active3s for Melton’s tablet solution.
MDM deployment
Utilizing SOTI, eSquared built Melton’s fully custom MDM environment from the ground up, helping Melton save on hiring additional resources. Deploying SOTI helped lock down their drivers’ devices and made it easy for Melton to manage their fleet.
Adding value for Melton Truck Lines
Melton’s leadership team strategically elected to have eSquared expertly support their new systems and devices. This includes device kitting, provisioning, RMAs, SOTI, and a 24/7 help desk for their drivers. eSquared continues to support Melton Truck Lines. Need a similar solution? Get a free consultation.
What is MDM and why do you need it in 2024?
What is MDM?
MDM or Mobile Device Management is software that acts as the gatekeeper for any mobile device be it a tablet, phone, or laptop. It helps manage the device from an app/control/security perspective enabling IT teams to administer the device to perform:
Updates to the device
Set permissions on the device
Deploy apps
Implement security policies
Monitoring
Why you need MDM
The frontline workforce now operates in the cloud, which means every device can potentially be a failure point or a security breach. While you, our audience may be savvy in technology, the majority of the people doing the work are not. Having an open system without MDM is open to abuse be it through malware, suspicious URLs, theft, installing non-productive apps, robocalls, phishing attempts, etc.
You need to keep an eye on your workforce, for productivity purposes, or simply to track if a vehicle/asset is en route for delivery at any given time or to meet packing/inventory quotas.
For safety and compliance purposes. MDMs have become extremely accurate with indoor telemetry. If you’re looking to improve the safety culture in the warehouse while improving productivity, an MDM can help. If your fleet needs to comply with DoT-mandated rest periods MDM can help track driver rest breaks aside from ELD.
Your IT team is in another state or country. Not every warehouse or retail store will have an IT team, when something goes wrong your IT team needs a way to fix devices remotely without adding downtime to the workforce or physically flying to your location. This is doubly important for fleets.
You need the device to work from a certain time and at a certain location only. This is common for last-mile fleets or secure areas of the business facility.
Want to deploy an MDM?
To deploy a mobile device management solution you need two things, an MDM server and an agent. Typically, most MDM servers are cloud/SaaS-based, in some circumstances an in-house server is used. The agent resides in the device itself, think of it like a security guard for the device. This is done via device enrollment.
With MDM, IT teams can manage thousands of devices in one go. Be it:
To lock down devices
To prevent unauthorized use or a lost device
Restrict websites and apps
Geo-fence a device
To work only in certain locations
Track a device in real-time
Remote control and troubleshooting
What devices work with MDM?
Any smart mobile device can work with an MDM solution from phones to laptops that’s capable of connecting to the internet. Most businesses prefer to work with Android Enterprise-certified devices or iOS. While these devices carry a much higher premium than consumer-grade devices, they are more secure, protect data, have better encryption, and secure boot.
Which brings us to the topic of BYOD. While BYOD is a cost-effective way for companies to save money, it’s not always the most secure. BYOD devices often aren’t Android Enterprise-certified, meaning you are loading MDM into a personal profile vs having a separate work and personal profile.
Unrelated to profiles but often gets overlooked are:
Business app compatibility with the device
MDM compatibility with the device
Can the device run an MDM and your apps concurrently
Is it a personal device
Is it for Android, iOS, Windows, or Linux
Can an MDM be my mobile threat defense?
No, they can't prevent a cyber security attack but they cannot stop one. MDM does not detect malware, suspicious files/URLs, or other breaches. They do not come with threat analysis technology. A separate mobile threat defense is needed to overcome threats.
Several providers in the market offer single-glass pane experience. Most claim to work for any device or OS, but this is not always the case. Jamf works best on iOS devices like iPads, iPhones, and Macbooks, MS Intune works best on Windows OS, SOTI for Android. There isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution as you are always trading something out be it zero-touch enrollment or security.
With a saturated market of MDM providers, how do you pick the right one? We can help, our lab tests a variety of MDM on devices and apps our customers deploy. Talk to us today to learn what works best for your business.