As mobile technologies continue to improve, more and more businesses become increasingly reliant on smartphones in handling different facets of operations.

And it is not just in the field of communication. Certainly, with the proliferation of apps designed for communication, business owners and their employees now have different platforms to choose from, apart from calls and texts.

Today, you have a diverse range of apps to choose from for practically every type of business operation, ranging from accounting and inventory to project management.

Choosing the right phone for your business needs

But in order to take full advantage of these technological developments, it is important to have the best tools available in the market.

As such, the first order of business is finding the right device that will meet your business’s and your employees’ needs. Here are a few crucial factors to consider:

●      Where will it be used?

To put it simply, users who spend most of their workdays outdoors will have different needs from those who spend most of their days inside the confines of the office.

For one, the former will need phones that can adequately handle the challenges posed by the elements.

Additionally, you would want a phone that meets the demand of the work environment. For example, workers in the construction sector will need phones that can easily withstand a rugged environment, as well as survive drops.

●      Specs and performance

For calls and texts, specs and overall performance may not be on the top of your list of important factors to consider.

But if you are planning to use smartphones for specific types of operations apart from the basics, then paying attention to specs and performance becomes a crucial factor.

For example, if you are planning to replace your barcode scanners with smartphones, you will need devices with considerably better hardware.

●      Security

Whether you are purchasing devices for your employees or you are implementing a BYOD policy, security should be a primary concern especially when sensitive data is an integral part of the conversation.

Check with your IT personnel if the devices on your shortlist can be configured to align with the measures that you are currently using for your business.

Finding the right plan

Once you have settled upon which devices to get for your employees, the next order of business is finding a suitable plan for these devices.

Here are a few factors that you want to look into:

●      How the devices will be used

Before getting postpaid contracts for your employees, the first crucial factor that needs to be considered is how your workers will use their devices.

For employees that are essentially confined to the office or nearby areas, you can opt for the basics.

On the other hand, if you have high performers that need to go out and about to talk to clients and make presentations, you should opt for plans that gives your sales people ample room for both mobility and agility.

●      Roaming

If you or your employees travel abroad frequently, roaming features and pricing are other key considerations to think about when choosing a plan.

As a general rule, roaming charges will depend on where you and your employees will travel to. Many carriers charge considerably lower for popular destinations and considerably higher for the less popular.

●      Carrier

Some carriers focus heavily on end consumers. For smaller enterprises, such carriers can meet their needs adequately.

However, if you have plans to scale up your operations and bring more employees to the fold, finding a carrier that effectively meets your needs is crucial.

These needs may include lower costs for device and services bundles, unlimited data/calls/texts, and better coverage both locally and internationally.

Finding a balance

At the end of the day, your primary consideration should be finding a balance between selecting the right device for the job at hand and choosing a plan the meets the demands of your employees.

As such, you might want to consider bundles offered by the carriers in your area.

AUTHOR BIO

Al-moottil P Antony

Al-moottil P Antony is a C-Suite Executive Support Professional for Zain, a leading mobile and data services operator with a commercial footprint in 8 Middle Eastern and African countries.