There’s nothing like a need to cut costs and increase efficiency to move business technology to a new level. Front line employees have long used mobile but clunky devices for their work. The tools, such as scanners, had one purpose and heavy-duty design.
Then E-commerce raised customer expectations for swift transactions and immediate product information. The unhandy tools couldn’t keep up. Apps designed for smartphones and tablets developed and did the same job quickly.
A tablet or smartphone and a few apps make it a multipurpose device, not just for taking inventory but completing a timesheet or meeting with a supervisor. Your front-line worker can check stock and notify their supervisor of inventory issues almost simultaneously.
Your service technicians can tell the customer when the replacement part will arrive by placing the order for it right away. They can update maintenance records on the go and arrive at their next job quicker. No more coming to headquarters for training, as technical training is available via their mobile device.
Your delivery driver notifies the customer of their arrival, and the next moment tells your system the delivery is complete. If a customer calls about a delivery time, customer service can precisely say as the driver’s device relays location instantly.
It’s no wonder that mobile technology investment for front-line workers expects to double in the next four years. The pandemic will likely accelerate investment and use. Mobile technology can reduce costs and increase efficiency when implemented with the front-line workforce.
Author: Kris Keppeler, a writer who finds technology fascinating and loves humor. She writes for Crossing Genres on Medium.com and Does This Happen to You? on Channillo. Award-winning podcast producer who enjoys telling stories. Follow her @KrisKKAria on Twitter or on LinkedIn.
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