In the architecture, engineering and construction industries, companies are often geographically dispersed — making collaboration an imperative to drive productivity. When it comes to providing disparate teams needing the right equipment to do their jobs, one size doesn't fit all. It’s critical that devices are well-suited to the type of work an employee does; to empower productivity, streamline processes and improve the customer experience.
Categorize End Users to Determine the Best Device for the Job
IT must support a workforce that runs the gamut from heavy-duty computing needs to highly mobile, depending on the role and type of project. When selecting the right endpoint device to empower your team, consider the types of work end users perform, and where they do it from. Keep these three key user categories in mind when developing an end-user/device strategy to balance needs and costs:
Non-mobile Users
For business operations staff and other employees who mostly work at a desk/stationary location—with limited/no travel—there are many device types available, including laptops, all-in-one (AIOs), desktops, etc. For example, in hot-desk situations, laptops make sense, while customer-facing roles may benefit more from AIO devices.
Mobile Users
Frequent travel/field-based employees who move from jobsite to jobsite require mobile devices—sometimes multiple types—to effectively do their work. When choosing devices, consider balancing thin and light form factors with battery life and performance. Durability, is also a must have, but what about anti-glare screens? Is WiFi performance essential? While smartphones and tablets provide connectivity benefits, laptops provide greater productivity results.
Advanced Users
Architects, engineers, and construction project managers who are involved in, for example, AutoCAD design, building information modeling, collaboration, project management, virtual reality, and visualization require high-performance devices, multi-monitor setups and specialized applications/software. Examine your advanced users. Is everyone at a desk? Working on the go? Both?
This user group, has multiple options that can create an ideal work environment that fits everyone’s needs:
- Workstations run powerful applications with efficiency, speed and stability, and 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 and flexibility without compromising performance.
As organizations see the balance of their user types change, developing "good, better, best" solution options for each user type/needs is useful. Use it to drive internal discussions on investments and priorities, balancing desired capabilities with budgets accordingly.
