As anyone who works with technology knows, every piece of hardware and software eventually becomes obsolete. If your smartphone is frustratingly slow or your tablet has a cracked screen, then these devices are likely at the end of their lifecycles. Lifecycle management is the process of how companies manage device implementation through retirement. Here’s what you need to know about lifecycle management and how it can help your operations stay efficient and cost-effective.
So, My Devices Have Lifecycles?
Yes, they do. A device’s lifecycle at your company starts with procurement, then moves through the stages of kitting, field use, and maintenance until arriving at retirement and obsolescence.
The first step in a device’s lifecycle is procurement. During this stage, you decide the type and number of devices your team needs. You may also select a data plan at this stage. Before you can deploy the devices in the field, you need to provision them with the software and apps your team will need. This is called kitting and is the second stage of the device lifecycle.
The third stage of a device’s lifecycle is deployment. While in use in the field, devices must be updated regularly to stay efficient and secure. Tracking software ensures devices are not lost or stolen, which can lead to increased costs and downtime. Stage three may last months to years depending on the demands of the device’s environment. The final stage of a device’s lifecycle is retirement. You may choose to retire a device due to reparable damage, slow performance, obsolescence, or lack of use.
Why Should I Care about Lifecycle Management?
Adopting a lifecycle management program can help you save time by increasing the efficiency and scalability of your device program while reducing errors that can slow your team down and increase expenses.
In a lifecycle management system, every device’s procurement date, downloaded software and apps, authorized users, maintenance and repair records, and other details can be captured in mobile device management (MDM) software. This gives you a complete view of the devices you deploy in the field. Reporting via MDM allows visibility to see which devices are working well and which ones may be good candidates for replacement. Retiring unused devices or devices that are no longer useful can help your company save on costs and declutter your device management process.
Lifecycle management can help you scale your mobile device program, too. Lifecycle management technology allows you to automate many device management tasks. This reduces the time your team needs to spend managing your devices and gives you the bandwidth to scale your device program as your company grows. Automation can also reduce human error and other mistakes and oversights that lead to increased costs and downtime.
Lifecycle management of devices can be a full-time job, especially if you deploy many devices in the field. That’s why many companies choose to work with eSquared as their lifecycle management partner. We offer turnkey lifecycle management solutions that let you focus on growing your business, not managing your devices. We also offer an ecycle program that responsibly recycles electronic devices. Recycling electronics helps the environment and can put money back in your pocket.
If you’re handling your own device lifecycle management or investing in new mobile devices, get in touch with eSquared today. We can set you up for success!
