If you’re thinking about switching managed mobility services providers, chances are it’s because you want better service quality. However, you may not be able to put your finger on exactly why your current provider doesn’t meet your needs. So, here are some tell-tale signs that it’s time you made the move and switched to a new, more reliable managed mobility services provider.
1. You Need Stronger Security
With remote and hybrid working now widespread, strong security for your entire business infrastructure must be a priority. So, if your managed mobility services provider isn’t supplying the first-rate protection you need, the time is definitely right to switch providers.
This has never been more vital. The shift to a more geographically dispersed workforce has seen a major rise in cyberattacks, with a recent survey finding that 45% of companies had suffered a compromise in the past 12 months – up 22% year on year. When your employees take company equipment off-site, it becomes more vulnerable – both to online hacks and physical loss or damage. A good provider offers end-to-end security that includes:
- Containerization – protecting corporate data and apps by partitioning work and personal content on a device. For example, by enforcing company security policies in the corporate area of a phone, and requiring passwords for access.
- Data encryption – ensuring data transferred between a device and the corporate network is always encrypted, for example, via a VPN tunnel. And data stored on a device is encrypted, via hardware and/or software-based encryption.
- Authentication – deploying protocols for strong passwords, and implementing two-factor authentication, where necessary.
- Virus protection – involving the distribution of a mobile security app, monitoring threats, and running remote scans.
- Remote management – using remote locks and data wipes, so IT administrators can disable a phone and erase all data if it’s lost or stolen.
2. Your Software isn’t User-friendly Enough
A definite red flag telling you it’s time to consider switching managed mobility services providers is if your software isn’t user-friendly – after all, this is a basic requirement. The best managed mobility services providers supply easy-to-use, powerful software that lets you see the latest data instantly, allows you to report on the status of your managed mobility estate, and look into any issues, as required.
It’s also essential that you know where your data is saved, and can easily keep track of it, to maintain data governance. A reliable managed mobility services provider fully understands this and ensures you know exactly where your data is and who can access it.
3. You’re Unhappy with the User Support You Receive
If you’re unhappy with the end-user support you have in place, it’s definitely time to switch managed mobility service providers. Poor, or non-existent, user support can adversely affect your business productivity. When issues with connectivity arise, ensuring that employees get up and running again swiftly is crucial to minimize downtime. Employees may need help and advice at any point, and this can be time-consuming and take its toll on your IT department if they’re left to handle it internally.
A good managed mobility service has a dedicated support team of named staff, to deliver specialized, on-demand help whenever you need it. Their expertise in managed mobility will enable them to quickly and competently solve any issues for end-users, wherever they are in the world. This will increase efficiency and free up your IT staff to focus on strategic goals, rather than troubleshooting issues with employee equipment.
4. You Don’t Think Your Provider is Working in Your Best Interest
A clear sign that you need to look elsewhere, is if you don’t feel like your current provider is working in your best interest. A good managed mobility services provider will supply a service-level agreement (SLA), which specifies the level of service you can expect to receive. This will usually include:
- Descriptions of the services required
- The metrics to be used for measuring their success
- A summary of the responsibilities of each party
- Penalties for any breach of the agreed terms
The best-managed mobility services providers will tie their service-level agreements and team metrics to your success, not their output, so you can be sure of the best possible service. In fact, Gartner has also highlighted the importance of such detailed, performance-based SLAs in ensuring a positive outcome. However, these can often be missing from managed mobility service contracts, so be sure to pick a provider that offers this.
5. You Need Better Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) Management
A good managed mobility service can support your BYOD initiative, but if you’re not getting the assistance you need from your current provider, it’s time to switch. BYOD is becoming increasingly popular again due to hybrid working, and if such a practice is part of your enterprise strategy, it will need to be well managed.
A BYOD policy can deliver benefits for your business, such as savings, by reducing device purchase numbers. However, it can also bring with it complex, time-consuming issues which you must address, such as security, support, and usage. Switching managed mobility services providers can supply a pain-free solution to these challenges, as the best providers will offer risk management, process efficiency, and cost control throughout the mobile lifecycle, to tackle any BYOD issues.
6. Your Equipment End-of-Life Services Could be Better
If you’re not getting the support you need when equipment reaches its end-of-life stage, this is a definite sign to switch providers. A good service provider should always support you throughout the mobile lifecycle, including at the end-of-life stage. This should include:
- Wiping devices of any corporate and personal data
- Recycling irreparable phones, according to specific standards, such as R2 and e-Stewards standards
- Refurbishment of working devices, making them ready for reuse
- The sale or donation of any working devices that are no longer needed
7. Your Current Provider isn’t Supplying the Global Service You Need
Switching managed mobility services providers is undoubtedly your best option if your current provider doesn’t offer the global service you need. Great providers offer fully global capabilities, with operational centers where you need them, not just satellite sales offices. This means that they can take advantage of regional expertise to arrange stronger contracts, source hardware quickly, and ensure you stay compliant with country-specific regulations at all times. This will also mean that if an end-user has a problem, they can get support in their local language and during their regular working hours.
Don’t Miss Out
If the quality of service you’re receiving from your managed mobility services provider is seriously under par, it’s time to switch to a better partner. Don’t miss out on all the great capabilities a best-in-class company can offer you.
Topics: MMS
