Mobility Management
What to Look For
Common Mobility Management Challenges: Is There Really a Problem?
If you’re managing mobility, you may relate to these real-world scenarios:
- Paying for Employees Who No Longer Work for You?
Inactive lines can quietly drain thousands from your budget each month. Without close oversight, how much are you wasting? - Is IT Spending Too Much Time on Mobile Support?
IT teams often juggle infrastructure, security, and user support. Mobility management shouldn’t be another burden taking time from core responsibilities. - Can One Lost Phone Really Cost $50,000?
Yes. Especially when it holds sensitive data that triggers compliance violations. Without clear policies and protections, the consequences can be severe. - How Much Are You Overpaying?
Many organizations stick with outdated plans or miss out on new promotions—leading to significant overspending. - Slow Device Provisioning Wastes Productivity
A delayed device setup can hold back new employees for days—or even weeks—hurting productivity and morale. - Paying for Features You Don’t Use?
Mobile tools and services often go underutilized. Without strategy and oversight, your tech investment may be underperforming.
So, What’s the Solution?
You can manage mobility in-house—but it’s complex. Staying current with evolving plans, security threats, and regulatory requirements is a full-time job.
Another option is to bring in external expertise—through a telecom expense management group or managed mobility services (MMS). But not all providers offer the same capabilities.
The key is knowing what to look for.
Four Things to Look for in a Mobility Management Partner
1. A Track Record of Saving Money
Cost reduction is often the top reason organizations seek outside help. Look for a provider who:
- Has No Financial Ties to Carriers or Platforms
Consultants should be agnostic and offer truly impartial guidance. - Can Optimize Carrier Plans and Devices
Experts should be able to help you identify hidden savings—sometimes as much as 30–60%—across plans, devices, and support costs. - Excels in Contract Negotiation
Deep experience with carriers is key to unlocking better terms and uncovering savings opportunities others miss. - Manages the Device Lifecycle
Look for help with device trade-ins, recycling, or charitable donations that maximize asset value and minimize waste. - Monitors Costs in Real-Time
Proactive alerts can flag potential overspending—like unauthorized international calls or excessive data use—before it hits your bottom line. - Eliminates Billing Errors
Inactive lines, duplicate services, or unused features often slip through the cracks. A great partner helps clean this up.
2. Saves the Most Time
Mobility management shouldn’t take up your team’s bandwidth. Seek a solution that handles the time-consuming tasks:
- Ordering, Staging & Kitting
Look for full-service support—from procurement to deployment—so employees receive devices ready to use, without delays. - Inventory Tracking & Lost Device Recovery
You need visibility into where your devices are and what’s being used—or not. - Smooth Onboarding & Offboarding
A strong process ensures seamless transitions, protects data, and reduces downtime. - Dedicated End-User Support
Concierge-style support means your team doesn’t have to field routine mobile questions or manage user frustrations.
3. Delivers Security & Compliance Expertise
Security and regulatory compliance are non-negotiable. Make sure your provider can help you:
- Develop HR & IT Policies
Define acceptable use, access controls, working hours, and content restrictions—along with enforcement mechanisms. - Deploy Enterprise-Grade Mobile Security
This includes app management, remote wipe, encryption, and secure Wi-Fi configurations. - Stay Compliant with Regulations
You may need support for GDPR, HIPAA, SOC 2, OSHA, CIPA, or others depending on your industry. - Implement MDM, EMM, UEM, or VDI
Expert guidance on which platforms best suit your needs—and how to configure them for maximum effectiveness. - Protect BYOD & Company Devices Equally
Security policies should extend across both corporate and personal devices to minimize risks. - Secure IoT & Critical Assets
Look for monitoring and control solutions that extend beyond mobile phones to include tablets, IoT, and other endpoints.
4. Offers Flexible, Value-Focused Engagements
It’s not just about saving money—it’s about value. You want a partner that gives you choices:
- Flexible Pricing Models
From one-time consulting engagements to fully managed services, the right provider should align with your budget and internal resources. - Project-Based Options
Need help only with security implementation or contract negotiation? Choose someone who offers à la carte support. - Proof of Value
Some providers offer performance-based models—where fees are tied to savings—or even money-back guarantees. - Free Initial Audit or Consultation
Many reputable consultants offer complimentary audits to identify cost and security gaps upfront.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can’t My Carrier Just Lower My Rates?
They might—but their interests aren’t always aligned with yours. They’re unlikely to recommend switching providers or reducing services that hurt their margins.
Can I Just Do This In-House?
You can. But most organizations lack the tools, time, and up-to-date market insights. Small inefficiencies—multiplied across devices and months—can add up to tens or hundreds of thousands annually.
Is it Expensive?
Many organizations find that the savings more than pay for the service. From plan optimizations to eliminating waste, the ROI is often immediate.
Why is Mobile Security So Important?
Mobile devices are among the most vulnerable endpoints. Risks include:
- Phishing scams and data theft
- Unsecured networks and rogue apps
- Stolen devices leading to breaches or fines
Security isn’t optional—it’s essential.
Can’t My IT Department Handle It?
They probably can—but should they? Mobility is a specialized domain. Outsourcing can free up IT resources and ensure the job is done right.
Visualizing The Impact
Before
Mobility management was chaotic. IT was overwhelmed, bills were bloated with inactive lines, and security vulnerabilities lurked in the background. Onboarding took weeks, and the finance team couldn’t track ROI.
After
Devices arrive fully provisioned. Support is seamless. Billing is transparent. Security policies are enforced. Costs are down. Productivity is up. And everyone—from HR to the C-suite—is breathing easier.
What’s Next?
Ready to improve your mobility management?
Here are a few next steps to consider with an outside consultant:
- Conduct an internal mobility audit
- Research carrier-agnostic MMS providers
- Schedule a free consultation
- Review current contracts for negotiation opportunities
Evaluate your security posture for mobile endpoints