Mobile Device Downtime Destroys Mobile Workforce Productivity

(Business News & Technology News, 31 Jul 2007)

Nearly 50 percent of the cost of operating a mobile computing and communications device in an Enterprise Mobility solution is made up of costs associated with worker productivity downtime when the device fails.

VDC recently released a comprehensive analysis of total cost of ownership (TCO) of mobile computer and communications devices used in Enterprise Mobility Solutions across a broad spectrum of vertical and application markets. VDC's TCO models look beyond mobile computer deployment and maintenance costs and included additional criteria such as the impact of device failure.

According to the research, upfront hardware adoption accounts for only 16 percent of mobile computer TCO, however, it frequently represents the single most important selection criterion. Moreover, the findings of the research clearly indicated a lower TCO for rugged mobile computers in comparison to non-rugged or consumer/commercial-grade mobile computers for many applications because of the significantly higher failure rates of non-rugged hardware.


Source: VDC

David Krebs, Director of VDC's Mobile and Wireless Practice, said: "Device failure remains a critical issue for mobile computers with annual failure rates often exceeding 30 percent. With many mobile computers supporting mission-critical applications, the impact of failure on customer service, internal productivity, employee morale and ultimately lost revenues can be significant. Equipping mobile workers with the most appropriate device based on application and environment¡ªand not upfront adoption cost¡ªis absolutely critical."

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