When it comes to providing teams with the right equipment to do their jobs, one-size doesn't fit all for the manufacturing industry. It’s critical that devices are well-suited to the type of work an employee does. You also need to provision your devices with the productivity, collaboration, design and perhaps engineering software solutions needed by a modern manufacturing business.
Categorize End Users to Determine the Best Device for the Job
Considering types of work end users perform, and where they do it from, to help you choose the right devices. Whether the work is performed at a factory, office or warehouse, keep these user categories in mind when developing a device strategy:
Non-mobile Users
For employees who mostly work at a desk/stationary location—with limited/no travel - like shift supervisors and human resource professionals—there's many device types available, including: laptops, AIO, desktops, etc. For example, in hot-desk situations, laptops make sense, while customer-facing roles would benefit more from AIO devices.
Mobile Users
Frequent travel/field-based employees like sales people and plant inspectors require mobile devices—sometimes multiple types—to effectively do their jobs. When choosing devices, consider factors such as balancing thin and light with battery life and performance. Need anti-glare screens? Is Wi-Fi performance ideal? While smartphones are key, tablets are extremely versatile and can act as POS devices/promotional displays.
Advanced Users like engineering analysts and product designers require high-performance devices, multi-monitor set-ups and specialized applications/software. Examine your advanced users. Is everyone at a desk? Working on the go? Both? With increasing numbers of this user group, multiple options can create an ideal work environment that fits everyone’s needs:
- Workstations: run powerful applications with efficiency/speed/stability that easily adjust to work load changes.
- Desktops: provide ease-of-use, reliability and powerful productivity in a range of energy-efficient form factors.
- Notebooks: enable and enhance mobility & flexibility without compromising power and performance
As manufacturers see the balance of user types change, developing a 'good, better, best' matrix for each user type is useful. Use it to drive internal discussions on investments and priorities, balancing desired capabilities with budgets accordingly.
