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Choosing The Right Mobile Devices For Facility Maintenance
We are in an era where a facility manager can no longer afford to run a facility without some form of computerized maintenance management system (CMMS). However, it is no longer possible to simply computerize facility maintenance without evaluating the value of mobile devices, especially for field maintenance engineers and technicians. The latest technology in facility management is mobile technology, which has made work dispatching and work performance tracking easy. Asking the Right Questions When it comes to choosing the right mobile device, it is important to make sure that it can be easily integrated with your chosen CMMS and also meets the needs of your engineers without too many compromises: What Operating Systems Are Best? This question is largely answered by your chosen CMMS vendor. Each vendor has standardized on certain devices, since mobile development of even one application can cost well over $100,000. There are also variations depending on the field worker and their work tasks. In the past, Windows Mobile ruled the mobile application world. There are many CMMS systems that have at least some functionality on this platform. However, in today’s mobile environment, most of the new development has been on Android and Apple operating systems. This is not to say that you can’t mix and match, or even use phones that are on the Blackberry OS or others, but the more mainstream your choice, the more functionality you will receive. Do you need a barcode scanner? Barcode scanning PDA’s have been the number one choice in the past for companies who want to track work performance and deliver certified services. However, since technology has shifted, every modern SmartPhone has the capability to read barcodes through the camera on the device. This opens the choices considerably, and provides the ability to choose any cell phone carrier for both voice and data. What is the memory capacity? Mobile devices come with varying memory capacity and it is important to choose one which can easily be integrated with the CMMS. There are two types of memory to consider – RAM or Random Access Memory and Storage Capacity. RAM is the amount of memory that your mobile CMMS application can use to operate functions while you are performing work. Storage memory is used to provide permanent storage for all of the applications you have downloaded and provide temporary storage your data while you are performing work. For maintenance purposes, mobile devices that have at least 1GB of RAM and 64 GB of storage capacity (128+ GB storage capacity preferred) will provide several years of useful life for almost any application. If you are just receiving emails to dispatch and confirm work, then almost any phone manufactured in the last two years will work. Does the keyboard allow for convenient data entry? This is an important factor since one of the main purposes of the device is for communications and storage of data. When technicians and engineers are working on the field, they need to be able to enter data quickly and efficiently. This might pose a problem if the device has an on-screen keyboard rather than physical keys, particularly when dirty or wet hands are involved. How wide is the screen? The relevance of this question lies in the fact that handheld devices are known for their small screens. While this is not normally a problem, for older technicians working on the field who might have poor eyesight, this could present some difficulty. This problem is even more compounded by touch screen devices. While it is advisable to choose larger screens, if those are not readily available, making use of software which employs large fonts could compensate. What is the weight of the device? With the evolving nature of mobile devices, it pays to remember that not all mobile devices are feather light. While mobile phones are considered small, the advent of the tablet computer has also enhanced the application of mobile technology for facility maintenance. Laptops can also be considered mobile technology, since they can move around with the technician or engineer. Keep in mind that if a device is too heavy, it can limit the usefulness and productivity of your maintenance staff. Apple iPhones and iPads have made a fortune on the concept “Light Feels Right”. Can data by sent in real time or does it require synchronization? Mobile devices come with variety of communication choices. While it is possible for data to be accessed or imputed in real time by most devices, due to limited cellular or Wi-Fi availability, others require some form of synchronization. When a mobile device has Wi-Fi capabilities, it makes it easier to access and feed data to and from your CMMS. Many true applications can function with limited connectivity, since they reside on the mobile device and only connect to receive or send data. Make sure you ask the difference between a full application and “web enabled” or “web based” applications. The best answers to your Mobile Device questions can be provided by your CMMS software vendor and your field work staff. Once you have narrowed down the choices that are technically possible, there will likely be a consensus within your staff regarding ease of use, connectivity, form factor (does it “feel” good in the hand), features, and price. Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com PSIwebware helps facility managers communicate effectively to their entire team and their clients using a web based CMMS that is live. |
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