A standardized operating platform can provide a basis for future-proof device management. © Honeywell

A standardized operating platform can be a valuable basis for bringing some order to the chaos and enabling future-proof device management. As the market is moving away from Windows anyway, it is the ideal time to look at this market and look for a suitable successor. There is no need to look too far, as there is a clear trend that the logistics sector will not be able to avoid: Android.

According to VDC Research, Android's market share for rugged devices in retail, field service, warehouse and delivery increased from 24 percent in 2015 to nearly 37 percent in 2016. Android adoption continues to gain ground as organizations take advantage of Android's enterprise security, reliability and strong performance and management features. However, a standardized operating system is only a first step towards the hoped-for improvement. The number of mobile devices in companies is already high and will continue to rise. They all need to be managed efficiently and new devices need to be implemented without a great deal of effort. Appropriate mobile device management is therefore essential.

Mobile device management should also be considered
Even if all applications have been converted to Android, each new operating system version typically requires a lengthy and costly certification process. However, companies can hardly afford to wait for this. Nor can they afford to manage each device, development or deployment individually. A central mobile device management platform should therefore be considered as part of the migration from Windows to Android.

Modern solutions allow IT managers to put together a single configuration package with all the desired upgrades and new features and then roll this out to the entire device pool simultaneously via a provisioning server. Such a package can include, for example, simple basic settings for energy modes and the implementation of voice input, but can also contain self-developed software programs, for example for parcel delivery or storage. All future updates can be carried out with just a single click thanks to special upgrade software, with the devices automatically updating each other with the newly available update as required.

The advantages of such centralized mobile device management are obvious: devices are implemented and deployed faster, deliver optimal performance and have a longer product life. During operation, security patches as well as new tools and configuration package elements can be installed without major effort. As the rugged devices designed for business and industrial use in particular last several years longer than conventional consumer smartphones, not only is the IT department in a friendlier mood, the company also benefits from a high level of investment security.

With centralized mobile device management, devices are implemented and deployed more quickly. © Honeywell

This is even more evident with guaranteed long-term operating system support. With the Mobility Edge platform, for example, Honeywell offers a central device management solution that was developed together with Qualcomm and Google. Operating system support up to Android 10 is guaranteed for all newer Android models in the Mobility Edge series that are equipped with a corresponding chip set and where device management is virtually included. This means investment security until 2025.

Future-proof investments in mobile devices for use in logistics not only include Android as the future operating system, but above all considerations relating to a suitable mobile device management platform. This should make it much easier for the IT department to manage the chaos of different mobile devices, but also provide the company with loyal service over several years. as