DEPLOYMENT DISASTERS...
© iStockphoto.com/PeskyMonkey
...AND HOW TO AVOID THEM
M
anaging mobile teams pre-
IT service delivery
an appropriate time, but over a connec-
sents a unique set of chal-
tion with appropriate speed. Depending
lenges, particularly when
Automate patch management and upgrades
it comes to providing IT
Managing a large mobile deployment
available, that optimal connection may
services. Mobile workers
device by device can be an administrative
vary: over a cellular network after-hours,
expect the same level of
nightmare. Ideally, the same systems man-
while a device is in range of a corporate
continuous access as those in the office
agement suites used on the internal wired
Wi-Fi connection in a parking garage,
and IT departments need to support busi-
network can be extended to the mobile
connected via home Wi-Fi or mounted
ness with the same efficiencies. Knowing
environment, allowing those devices to be
in a docking station.
the challenges beforehand will go a long
managed ‘over the air’. To avoid impacting
way to ensuring a smooth deployment.
productivity, patches and upgrades should
Keep trouble tickets in check
be applied after-hours, or at other times
A mobile environment adds new vari-
There are 12 specific challenges organi-
when users aren’t actively using or logged
ables to the application-delivery equation
sations face when expanding a mobile
onto their devices.
including intermittent connectivity, access
workforce. We take a look at what they
30
on use patterns and the connections
over third-party networks, and a need for
are and the solutions that will help over-
‘Bandwidth-aware’ capabilities ensure that
more complex security and authentica-
come them.
systems management occurs not just at
tion schemes.
FSB MAY 2016
www.FieldServiceBusiness.com.au