Managing the lifecycle of industrial equipment is exhausting. Be it paperwork or keeping a log of maintenance schedules. Thankfully, with digitization, mobile devices have been replacing a lot of conventional devices on industrial floors. Rugged devices, custom devices, and modern lightweight tablets and laptops are quickly becoming popular choices to replace bulky computers or pen-paper-based operations.
If your mobile devices are connected to your machines and sensors and if your machine overheats and is about to break down, the mobile device will quickly issue an alert and or even automatically schedule a repair!
That’s where Mobile Device Management (MDM) comes in. It’s a software that gives you complete control to manage and monitor all your critical mobile assets, remotely.
MDM provides real-time insights into all your mobile equipment for proactive monitoring.
Sounds amazing, right?
Let’s find out how you can use MDM to improve industrial equipment lifecycle management at every phase.
Phase 1: Equipment Acquisition and Integration with MDM
Acquisition is a crucial phase in the lifecycle of the equipment. Manual setup, integration hiccups, or even poor documentation can cost you big in the long run.
Mobile device management provides a streamlined and automated approach to mobile equipment onboarding. Let’s understand how:
Centralized Equipment Configuration
Let’s say you have hundreds of devices in your factory. Now, can you imagine configuring each of them manually?
No, right?
Thankfully, with MDM software, you can quickly adjust the settings of the newly acquired devices and configure them remotely from a single dashboard. Thus, you can instantly apply uniform protocols to each device.
In fact, some MDM vendors also allow you to enroll your devices using QR codes. All you have to do is scan the code and your preferred settings will be applied to them.
Seamless Integration with Existing Systems
At the same time, you can integrate new and old devices under a unified management system so that they can communicate efficiently without any disruption in the operations.
So, if you’re adding new mobile devices to the production line, you can use MDM to ensure smooth interaction between the old and new mobile equipment.
Automated Asset Registration
MDM also automates asset registration by tagging every new device with important data like serial numbers, model types, warranty details, installation dates, etc. This eliminates inaccuracies and missed entries.
Phase 2: Equipment Usage and Operational Efficiency
Once you’ve set up your system and integrated it with MDM, it’s time to optimize it for day-to-day operations.
Here’s how MDM can help:
Streamlined Workflow Management
The biggest advantage of using MDM to manage equipment lifecycle is that it gives you centralized control over all the devices connected to your machines.
That means you can monitor how different devices interact (with machines and each other) and contribute to the overall performance, all from a single place.
Remote Access and Control
Say, you run a chain of restaurants. Each outlet has order printers, inventory trackers, etc, that run on Windows, Android, iOS, macOS, ChromeOS or Linux. Now, you can’t be everywhere at once to make sure things run smoothly. But with an MDM, you get full access to monitor and adjust these devices remotely.
Be it lowering the threshold level across all devices or troubleshooting them. You can do all of that from anywhere in the world, thanks to MDM.
Workforce Productivity
Did you know that at least 74% of employees feel burned out at work? That’s almost every 4 out of 5 employees!
MDM can reduce this burden by automating monotonous and time-consuming operational tasks.
For example, instead of manually inspecting each device for faults, employees can receive instant, real-time alerts from the MDM system. As a result, they can resolve issues quickly and stay ahead of time.
Phase 3: Maintenance Management and Predictive Analytics
There’s no doubt that mobile device management helps extend the lifespan of your machines. You can it to track device performance and even stay on top of maintenance updates.
Below are three ways mobile device management helps you achieve this:
Real-time Equipment Monitoring
Monitoring the performance of your devices in real time is super important.
But we’re not just talking about whether a device is active or inactive. But if it’s giving accurate insights, communicating with other devices correctly, and so on.
With an MDM platform, you can get a 360° view of such performance metrics. As a result, you can take swift action when something goes off the track, like if there’s a battery issue or if the device’s been hacked.
Automated Maintenance Scheduling
Let’s say you have a large factory that houses at least 15 ELSCO Transformers to run everything smoothly, each connected to a mobile device. And this is besides other machines and their OS-based equipment.
So, how do you carry out routine maintenance for all such devices while staying on top of other operational tasks?
Answer: MDM software.
With MDM, you can automatically track operational hours and performance metrics for each device to decide when it needs servicing. The software also automatically schedules maintenance checks when set thresholds are crossed.
To make it easier, MDM also lets you manage and maintain different types of supported devices from a single platform. So, it doesn’t matter if you have 10 laptops, 25 mobiles, and 10+ PCs in your factory for your machines. With MDM, you can monitor each device without any hassle.
Predictive Analytics for Preventive Maintenance
“Think of predictive analytics like your mobile device’s personal trainer. It recognizes the signs of fatigue and overexertion so that you can maintain peak performance without overworking your mobile equipment.”
[ — Vineet Gupta, Founder of 2xSaS ]
MDM runs on built-in algorithms that can predict potential issues in your equipment by considering factors like usage patterns, environmental conditions, etc.
Thus, you shift from a reactive maintenance strategy to a proactive one with enhanced safety and minimum unplanned downtimes.
Phase 4: Equipment Renewal or Disposal
As your mobile equipment reaches the end of its lifecycle, it’s time to make a tough call: Should you upgrade or replace it?
This decision can have a huge impact on the operations, costs, and sustainability of your business.
MDM equips you with all the necessary data to make the right choice. Here’s how:
Evaluating Equipment Longevity
MDM allows you to track how the mobile equipment is used, how often it needs repairs, and how well it’s performing. This information helps decide if it’s worth fixing or replacing.
For example, if a device consistently shows signs of declining precision, it’s time you replace it with a new piece.
Sustainability Considerations
If you decide to dispose of the equipment, MDM can help you find the best way to do it without costing the planet.
It can assist you in evaluating the environmental impact of the disposal and ensuring compliance with the necessary standards.
Implementation of Replacement Strategies
Additionally, you can also use MDM to make the switch to new equipment—whether that’s upgrading old devices or purchasing brand-new ones.
For example, say you wish to replace your rugged laptops with those that have a higher processing capacity. Using MDM software, you can not only start from the first phase (equipment acquisition) but also train employees regarding the change (new features).
MDM Best Practices for Improving Equipment Lifecycle Management
Besides the above four phases, you must keep the following ten tips in mind to get the most out of your mobile equipment lifecycle management with MDM:
- Choose an MDM software that aligns with your industry’s needs and business objectives. Remember, customization is key. So, select a solution that offers flexibility and automation.
- Customize alerts for predictive maintenance based on historical data. For example, if a mobile device tends to wear out after 30,000 hours, set an alert for 28,000 hours to stay ahead of issues.
- Schedule automatic firmware and OS updates to ensure optimal device performance.
- Establish feedback loops to gather suggestions from employees to interact directly with the mobile devices. This will help you configure MDM software the right way.
- Regularly train your employees on how to use MDM software to reduce errors, improve workflow, and maximize benefits.
- Monitor and analyze lifecycle trends consistently to make informed decisions about mobile equipment renewal, upgrades, etc.
- Set up Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) so only authorized employees can access sensitive data and critical system controls.
- Use digital twins to simulate various operational scenarios (like cyberattacks) and predict outcomes without putting your actual devices at risk.
- Integrate MDM with your Enterprise Asset Management (EAM) system for seamless data flow between device monitoring and broader asset management activities.
- Restrict device usage if it doesn’t meet the compliance criteria by setting up conditional access via the MDM software.
Conclusion
Managing industrial equipment might seem like a tough nut to crack, but it really isn’t if you have the right tools.
MDM can do wonders by automatically updating mobile equipment software, granting remote access, and even predicting repairs in mobile devices before they occur.
However, not all MDM software are equal.
Scalefusion brings the simplest yet most advanced MDM solution that can transform your industrial equipment lifecycle management.
With features like real-time location tracking, encrypted data transfer, 24/7 remote access, bulk device enrollment, etc., you can manage your mobile devices smartly.
Start a free trial today to explore our features and keep your mobile equipment safe.
