Although technology purchases like mobile barcode scanner devices are considered an expense, they can be an essential asset to your business’s bottom line. Every business strives for maximum return on investment (ROI) and low total cost of ownership (TCO). But, as the old adage goes, sometimes you must spend money to make money.
In this case, to stay competitive and continue efficient processes, your mobile devices need to be capable of handling current technology and customer demands. While it may seem like a good idea to keep working with your current devices to save on immediate purchases, slow or outdated devices may hurt your business. We have five touchstones that show up time and time again for our customers who need to upgrade their mobile devices.
Rising Mobile Device Costs
From a cost perspective, your mobile devices will always be an expense, whether that’s repairs or new purchases. You’ll need to decide which scenarios can be handled with a reasonable repair cost and when it’s time to spring for new devices. Often repair costs can seem appropriate, but if your device cannot adapt to technological advances, you’ll need to upgrade. Despite a potential higher immediate cost for an upgrade, continuous repairs can add up quickly and reduce workforce productivity while the device is out of service. Keep an eye out for savings through manufacturer trade-in programs or consider partnering with a mobility-as-a-service provider to save on upfront Capex.
Device Downtime
Outdated mobile barcode scanner devices can cause more than just frustration. Think long-term issues: slow startups, lagging processes, and sales associates who cannot complete processes efficiently. These will all affect your bottom line little by little. A workforce that cannot complete operations effectively with their provided devices will not be able to work productively. This includes sales associates who may also be spending unnecessary time troubleshooting lagging device operations, or minor issues like glitches, instead of completing core responsibilities.
Outdated and inefficient technology resulting in downtime is hurting your savings more than you think. You can do a quick and simplified assessment of your costs with this downtime formula: Downtime cost = minutes of downtime x cost-per-minute.
Legacy OS Status Challenges
An even more significant risk is presented when you have an operating system (OS) that is no longer actively supported or operating efficiently. The costs associated with this are incredibly high. Not only are you restricting productivity when your device cannot support new applications, but you’re creating an environment of frustration for your workforce. Many outdated devices will not facilitate integrations, reducing the ability to optimize processes.
Arguably most critical is the potential increased security risk. If your operating system is not up to date, your devices become more susceptible to viruses, security breaches, and potential hackers. Imagine the costs associated with correcting one of those situations.
Legacy Hardware Challenges
Thinking now of the physical aspect of the device, how are yours holding up? Are you ignoring important physical signs that an upgrade is needed? Is your hardware performing as it should? While repairs are often quick, vendors can’t promise specific parts will be immediately available or that firmware is still current enough to be used. Supply chain and logistical issues in our current environment will only enhance these concerns. And oftentimes these issues aren’t even identified until the repair process has started and the device has already been inaccessible to your workforce for days or weeks.
The older your device is the sooner you need to consider an upgrade over a repair. This can also be said for budget-level devices that sometimes are less optimized for upgradability. Several device situations can be solved by repairs, however you need to be realistic about whether you’re putting a temporary solution in place that may recur and cost more long-term. Sometimes it makes more sense for your business to spring for new hardware instead of repairs.
Negatively Impacted Customer Experience
It will do you no good to forget about customer experience when weighing upgrades. If you cannot provide operations and processes that meet customer expectations your ROI and TCO will certainly feel the burden. As technology continues to improve, your customers’ expectations will rise to match those changes.
Current technology is necessary to meet these demands. Outdated technology can slow down processes, sometimes resulting in long wait times or poor customer experience. If your devices cannot pull data quickly or have glitches that cause lost data, your business will suffer. The cost of losing customers will outweigh the cost of the upgraded device.
The Smart Way to Upgrade
Now is the time to upgrade your mobile barcode scanner fleet & other device with Zebra’s next-generation solutions that will keep you current and ahead of business demands. Not only will an upgrade contribute to a lower TCO, but many Zebra devices are eligible for trade-in rebates. Simply trade in any outdated mobile device with a display equal to or greater than 2” from most top manufacturers, like the Zebra TC77 and TC72, and be on your way with much more effective processes and operations.
Are your mobile barcode scanner devices capable of keeping up with the demands of your workforce and customers? As technology advances, so should your tech stack. Contact us to learn the best path to upgrade your devices for optimized business operations and efficient processes.
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