Why 2024 Tech Deployments Will Center on Support Services Just as Much as Hardware
A recent survey uncovered the main driver behind digital transformation efforts in 2024: boosting business productivity. Technology is key to enhancing employee efficiency — it allows them to digitize manual processes and streamline communication and data collection. However, an abundance of new technology deployed at once can place a burden on IT teams. This poses a challenge for the 87% of employers who say they cannot hire and retain the tech talent they need most.
As organizations explore new technologies, they’ll need to seek out technology partners to help implement them. Part of this evaluation process will include closely examining both hardware options and support services. The quality and reliability of the hardware you choose and the device monitoring and repair services available will be just as important as the device specs. Let’s explore some of the top factors to consider when implementing a technology partnership that’s sustainable for years to come.
Step 1: Select a Reliable Device
When you deploy a laptop or tablet to your workers, you will inevitably need occasional service. Yet, for industries with essential workers, quick turnaround is essential. For many desk workers, device downtime is an inconvenience. However, for police officers, a laptop that won’t power on means they could arrive at a scene without the proper context to respond effectively.
With fewer IT members on staff, this quick repair timeline can pose a challenge. That’s why it’s critical to seek out devices that are durable and reliable. Devices that support mission critical workers should be strong enough to withstand drops and spills. Organizations should also consider other features that help teams work without interruption. For instance, glove touch functionality and rain mode allow for seamless touch screen navigation without the interference of raindrops or gloves. And night mode coupled with sunlight viewable screens support easy viewability regardless of the time of day. While servicing can’t be avoided altogether, carefully selecting rugged devices that can stand up to taxing environments will help minimize the frequency of repairs and replacements.
Step 2: Choose a Technology Partner to Support Your Deployment
Researching the appropriate devices for your organization is time-consuming, but most tech companies will help walk you through the process. It’s important to seek out a partner that will listen to the unique challenges of your business and help customize the deployment according to your needs.
Landing on the appropriate devices for your organization is a key milestone, but it’s not the end of the process. From shipping to multiple sites, unboxing devices, and installing software, to configuring network settings, setting up printers, and issuing devices to end users, the deployment itself requires significant time and resources. Working with a tech partner that offers deployment support will speed up the process. This way, employees face less downtime transitioning from one device to another and IT teams gain more time to focus on more strategic organizational operations.
Step 3: Seek out a Comprehensive Service Model, Inclusive of Device Monitoring & Repair
Support from your technology partner should not conclude with deployment. It should persist through the full lifecycle of the new devices.
IT teams can work most efficiently when they have visibility into the status of each device. This way, they can predict the need for service before an issue worsens and results in extensive downtime. Software that can provide real-time, actionable insights into the health and utilization of devices will help technicians be proactive and maximize device health.
Finding a technology partner that will go beyond the typical device repair and work as an extension of your IT team on various tech projects is ideal. This way, organizations can free their in-house IT specialists from having to perform routine tasks, giving them time to focus on more strategic business activities.
2024: The Year of Technology Partnerships
Organizations looking to deploy new technology in 2024 will need to consider service options just as much as device specs. Implementing a comprehensive technology partnership will help minimize the burden on limited in-house IT staff so they can focus on more complex digital transformation efforts. Let 2024 be the year of maximizing productivity across organizations, from employees in the field to IT technicians in the office.
Learn more about how Panasonic Connect helps organizations develop, deploy and sustain mobile technologies for success.
