An end-to-end device management solution to help your IT department focus on bigger things for the 5G future

The world's largest work-from-home experiment led to a surge in the demand for the latest laptops, tablets, smartphones, and other devices that enable employees to continue to do their job remotely.

But the radical shift to remote working has created new security challenges. It has become too operationally intensive to manage the expansion in the number of devices accessing work applications remotely via the unprotected public cloud, as well as the multitude of security solutions, adopted over the years to target different security concerns.

Apart from cyber security concerns, IT staff must also grapple with the accelerated digitalisation of their companies, not just in terms of work processes, but also in the employment of new technology deemed not possible before.

In anticipation of an increasingly digital economy, IT teams are also looking to support Artificial Intelligence and other emerging technologies that will enable businesses to be more adaptable and scalable in a demanding business climate.

A 2017 study by research firm IDC found that 63 per cent of IT professionals say resources drained by device management could be used on other strategic IT projects. At the same time, 50 per cent of those surveyed say that they spend too much time procuring and managing devices.

That was four years ago. Imagine the number of new devices issued in the past 18 months to facilitate remote work and the complexity of IT infrastructure today.

GET BT IN YOUR INBOX DAILY

Start and end each day with the latest news stories and analyses delivered straight to your inbox.

Sign UpVIEW ALL

Latest on-the-go tools to maximise 5G potential

With the advent of 5G, ultra-high-speed links will allow remote workers to connect to a wide array of apps easily, while its low latency enables new uses such as remote control of equipment.

The future of work will, for example, see different teams share ideas in real time on a digital whiteboard as hybrid events span different time zones.

Managers of unmanned convenience stores get notifications on their devices when supplies are running low while on-site technicians donning AR (Augmented Reality) headsets or using an AR app on their devices can receive guided instructions from the command centre on how to repair a piece of machinery on the factory floor.

5G promises to help transform businesses with new capabilities, potentially enabling them to enter fresh territories of communication and adopt improved work processes. That said, going mobile is not as straightforward as asking staff to hunt for their own devices amid a variety of options in the market.

For a start, finding the right devices and managing the budget for them require businesses to be constantly monitoring the state of mobile device development as well as the prices of the latest models.

Which 5G phone is best for an ever-evolving workforce, for example? How much would the total cost of ownership change over time? These are factors that many businesses must constantly assess.

At the same time, ensuring that these devices are well maintained during their life cycle, as well as updated regularly to prevent cyber-attacks, is another key challenge.

A more predictable cost structure, for one, would ensure that everyone receives the right tools for their job role. With technology changing so rapidly these days, these mobile devices have to be up to date so that employees are always equipped with tools that deliver the required capabilities to perform their work well.

This brings up many common questions. For example, how can an employee get hold of a new phone or tablet if the one issued to him is not functioning well? Can this be done in a faster fashion than an hours-long visit to a repair shop?

Some businesses may consider running a sophisticated IT department to offer these solutions in-house, but this involves additional headcount and having to maintain a running stock of ready-to-go devices that can be issued to employees at short notice.

StarHub's simple, economical solution

This is where StarHub's 5G Digital Workplace comes in. Offering full life cycle management and leasing of devices, the solution addresses most of the concerns outlined earlier.

StarHub's device leasing programme allows businesses to acquire the most advanced iPhone 12 Pro and iPad Pro with zero upfront device cost. With StarHub's Biz+ 5G mobile plan, employees can enjoy connectivity to an ultra-fast mobile network in Singapore. A fixed monthly subscription fee offers clear visibility of costs.

With the devices fully managed through StarHub's life cycle management services, businesses need not worry about obsolete models. Each contract renewal enables a device refresh so staff will have the latest devices without additional cash outlay.

If a user has a problem with a device, it can be collected the next business day and returned with no extra charge. Loan units can be arranged during repair, which is carried out at an Apple Authorised Service Provider.

The deployment of security policies as well as device protection are also offered as add-ons which include secure data erasure, so businesses can be assured of the proper handling of potentially confidential information on these devices.

To sign up, a business simply chooses a device to go with a mobile plan and lease term of either 24 or 36 months. This quickly opens the way to a fast 5G network and seamless workplace collaboration.

As a one-stop shop, StarHub offers cost-efficient life cycle management that boosts business performance and efficiency. This means delivering peace of mind, predictability, and performance by providing the devices as well as the 5G network for today's hybrid workforce.

With the right mobile tools in place and their life cycle management taken care of, businesses can concentrate on what they do best. Their in-house IT teams can then focus their efforts on creating new value and powering growth in the world of 5G.

Discover how your business can gain an edge with the latest mobile devices. Find out more about StarHub's 5G-enabled device lifecycle management service here.