Android devices are known for their versatility and affordability, making them a popular choice for many organizations. Efficiency of Android devices in fleet management is paramount as they are deployed as company-owned devices offering heightened control over security and usage, or as BYOD, ideal for employee flexibility. Though having device usage policies in place for both make business sense, managing a fleet of Android devices can be daunting, especially regarding compliance, security, and productivity. This article will explore mobile device management (MDM) as a cost-effective solution for managing and maintaining your Android fleet, including solutions to help with these challenges.
Trucking and logistics companies can leverage MDM to streamline the managing and maintenance process. MDM offers the following benefits to minimize risks and streamline operations:
1. Manage Fleet Management Apps
Managing fleet management apps efficiently is crucial for optimizing the efficiency of Android devices in fleet management. Running mobile-fleet apps in single-app or multi-app kiosk mode involves configuring devices to run specific apps while preventing access to other features. This can be achieved through MDM, allowing organizations to enforce policies on company-owned devices. Kiosk mode ensures drivers have access to necessary apps like navigation, tracking, and communication, enhancing safety and productivity. Scalefusion MDM locks Android devices in kiosk mode, reducing malware risk and ensuring updated apps across the fleet, further enhancing efficiency.
2. Support Dispatching and Routing
Effective dispatching and routing strategies are essential for managing and maintaining a fleet. Dispatching refers to assigning commercial vehicles and drivers to specific tasks and routes, while routing is the actual planning and execution of the routes.
Using MDM for android mobile fleet management, organizations can optimize their dispatching and routing strategies to improve efficiency and reduce costs.
A popular approach is geofencing and real-time tracking to ensure vehicles are on schedule and keep track of whether drivers deviate from planned routes. Fleet managers can leverage the information to track and manage fleet performance, such as fuel consumption, vehicle usage, and driver behavior.
3. Remote Management of Android Fleet
Remote management is a cost-effective solution that can help fleet management companies manage and maintain their Android mobile fleet efficiently. Remote management tools, such as device management for Android, allow organizations to manage their Android devices from a central location, regardless of the device location.
One of the key benefits of remote management is the ability to perform app updates, security patches, and other maintenance tasks remotely. For example, most device management solutions offer remote cast for Android devices to screen-share the device from the management console. Scalefusion MDM takes remote management further by controlling Android devices remotely for troubleshooting.
Remote cast and control help organizations ensure that their devices are up to date, which can reduce downtime and improve performance. Another benefit of remote management is the ability to perform remote wipe, which allows organizations to erase data from a device remotely in the event of loss or theft.
Like many industries, the fleet management market is regulated. For regulatory compliance, remote management allows organizations to implement policies. Organizations can also disable certain apps, block website access, set password policies, and other security measures.
4. Use Device Groups to Manage at Scale
Grouping devices is an excellent way to manage devices across multiple locations and use case cases. Organizations can create a device group to manage a subset of devices with a specific use case depending on the business requirement. For example, there can be one group for in-truck Android devices and another for warehouse management devices.
Organizations can create device groups based on geographical locations instead of device type or department. In short, companies can create different combinations of groups based on their deployment strategy.
After creating device groups, companies can implement device messaging to broadcast messages to groups or the entire fleet. Additionally, companies can manage applications – installing new apps, updating new apps, and configuring apps as per policies.
Scalefusion offers a dynamic device feature to ensure all mobile devices under a group satisfy all the requirements to stay compliant. Companies can define the rules and settings the device should meet for compliance. For instance, if a compliance policy requires devices to run the latest Android OS, all devices must meet these requirements.
If a mobile device is non-compliant, MDM puts the conditions of non-compliance in action. It includes creating alerts to the fleet management staff or locking the non-compliant device to safeguard data.
5. Increase Driver Safety and Accessibility
Large commercial vehicles such as trucks or buses face unique safety challenges. Drivers need to stay focused and avoid any distractions. Although mobile devices are crucial for driver performance, they can cause unwanted distractions. Making a video call or installing over-the-top (OTT) apps while driving diverts the attention away from the road, sometimes resulting in tragic collisions.
Companies must ensure drivers access the apps they need while preventing devices from creating distractions on the road. Driving at safe speeds is another crucial element for driver personal safety.
With Scalefusion’s speed-based locking feature, organizations can encourage drivers to obey safe driving speeds. It simply works by setting a speed limit on every company-owned device under management. When drivers go beyond the safe speed limit, access to essential features such as route optimization, logging of important information, and more is blocked.
Wrapping Up
Mobile Device Management is a cost-effective option for organizations to manage business demands and minimize the risks of driver distraction. With Scalefusion, trucking and logistics companies can –
- Lock down Android devices into essential apps
- Reduce fleet device enrollment time and effort
- Troubleshoot devices remotely
- Update or reboot devices over the air.
Try Scalefusion MDM for 14 days – no cost, no commitment.
FAQs
1. What is fleet efficiency?
Fleet efficiency refers to the ability to maximize performance and productivity across a group of devices or vehicles. It involves optimizing resources, minimizing downtime, and ensuring smooth operations to achieve optimal results. By implementing effective management strategies, organizations can streamline processes, monitor performance, and manage all devices efficiently, leading to improved overall productivity and cost-effectiveness.
2. How can I improve my fleet management?
You can improve fleet management by implementing a robust fleet MDM (Mobile Device Management) solution. This enables centralized control, monitoring, and optimization of all devices in the fleet, enhancing efficiency and productivity while minimizing downtime.
3. What is the main use of fleet management tools?
The main use of Android fleet management tools is to streamline operations and optimize the performance of a group of Android devices. These tools enable organizations to efficiently manage and monitor their Android devices, including smartphones, tablets, and other mobile endpoints. They facilitate tasks such as asset tracking, remote device management, and security enforcement, ultimately improving productivity and reducing operational costs.
4. What is device fleet management?
Device fleet management, also known as fleet device management, involves overseeing and optimizing a collection of devices within an organization. It encompasses tasks such as device provisioning, monitoring, maintenance, and security enforcement. By efficiently managing device fleets, organizations can enhance productivity, streamline operations, and ensure the security and performance of their device ecosystems.
