Technology
Business Mobile Phones + Employees = License to Spend? Not with the ultimate connectivity platform providing you with control over the content and spend! Mobile phones have come a long way. Far from being the ultimate status symbol of wealth and success for city traders, in today’s connected business world a mobile phone is essential. But with the Covid-19 pandemic leading to an increased reliance on a mobile workforce, how do you, as a business owner, ensure that you are getting value for money from your mobile phone fleet? And how can you be sure that they are being used as effective work tools, enabling productivity, and not just as a way for employees to play, chat and browse? Businesses today need a connectivity platform that is second to none when it comes to keeping control of their mobile phone service. They need to know how much they are spending, on what, and why. Then businesses can take control with the power and flexibility to manage access, security and minimise overspend, either on an individual or total workforce basis. Matt Dunn, Support Director at Labyrinth Technology explains more: Q: Matt, what exactly do you mean by “connectivity platform”? A: Everything a business needs to monitor, review, manage and control the way your employees utilise your mobile phone fleet needs to be available in an easy to use app accessible through desktop, tablet or mobile. It must be centrally managed with simple, easy navigation. Q: Why is it important to have this sort of platform? A: There are 3 main reasons. Firstly, because people have become used to mobile phones being “all-inclusive”, which of course they aren’t. There are several additional cost elements that can drive your bill up if care isn’t taken to a) identify them, and b) manage them. Secondly, all of the information needed to manage a mobile phone fleet is currently available but can be spread across different sources.
020 3790 7500
It can be time consuming to gather the data and then interrogate it, whereas the modern connectivity platform makes it available with a few clicks. And then of course there is productivity. Q: Productivity? A: That’s right. Today’s mobile phones are literally entertainment hubs, with the internet, social media, Netflix, Amazon, and apps galore. Having the simple and easy ability to restrict access to certain functionality, and if necessary, interrogate the use and cost breakdown of the mobile phone fleet has never been more important. Q: So it’s just “big brother” then? A: No, it’s much more than that. It’s a management information system which, as part of its functionality, allows the identification of mis-use. But if used properly as a “pro-active” tool, it sets the framework for your business, if necessary on a user by user basis, to facilitate a cost-effective and highly productive mobile communications function. Q: So flagging up issues is just part of what is on offer then? A: Yes. A modern connectivity platform is designed to allow pro-active management of the contract and phone fleet, and not merely be a tool to catch out abusers.
www.labyrinthit.com
16 Southwark BUSINESS TODAY
For instance, by simple toggling of certain controls you can switch off the functionality that isn’t required on a user-by-user basis. Then, if required the detail of use and spend can be examined to identify specific issues that need attention, such as whether the company mobiles might be used to browse or access unsuitable content. Q: But having this level of functionality must come at a cost? A: I wouldn’t want to speak for any other providers, but the connectivity platform offered by Labyrinth Technology is part of the overall package at no extra cost, and we lay this out very clearly so our clients can see, with total transparency how we stack up against competitors. They pay for the sim and (if taken also) the phone. Q: What would your advice be to any business with a need for a new mobile phone service? A: Be in control. With PC and laptop devices it is easy to restrict access to certain things, and to stop apps from being downloaded, simply by using an admin rights setup. There is no reason why a mobile phone shouldn’t be the same. A good connectivity platform, used correctly, simply removes the element of temptation from people’s hands, and makes the phone a powerful device that benefits a business without being a license to spend!
