/U;/U/U – USA;/U/U – AUS;/U/U – NZ;/U/Technology;/U/U – UK;/U/U – AUS/15-07;/U/U – NZ/15-07;/U/U – UK/15-07;/U/U – USA/15-07;

The hardware is but one element of the equation. Consider the operating system, the apps, policies on how they’ll be used and managed, not to mention training. You may even be considering they bring their own. Before you take the leap and send those little handheld expenses out to the brutal world of the tradesman, take the time to factor in the following considerations.

Consult the field

Ask the workers for their input. Often decisions are made that will directly affect the frontline staff with little consultation. Ask for their specific concerns or requirements. At the next toolbox meeting, share your plans with the staff and ask for input.

Form factor

Size of the screen is the obvious consideration. Late last year I visited a fire safety firm in Sydney. They’d recently rolled out iPad Minis to their field workforce of 70. The simplicity of the Apple devices and the size of the Mini were ideal for them. The screen is large enough to use easily in the field and to view while in a cradle in the van. Their techs wear cargo pants, the Mini fits snuggly into the pocket of the pants. In fact their argument for the benefits of the Mini were so compelling I ordered one the following week.

The ‘Pit Crew’ for Road Runner Mobile Tyres use phones. The portability of the phone’s size won in this case because: they don’t need to record many details, only to view the address, the customer details and to get a signature once the job is complete.

If you’re using eForms, anything smaller than a 7-inch tablet is out of the question.

You’ll need protection

Consider what their day looks like. Will they need to take calls, take photos or jot down notes while crawling around a roof cavity? Their hands are already busy most of the day driving, climbing and using tools so think about how they’ll manage the extra load while staying protected.

While many rugged cases are available on the market, the cheaper options often impair usability making it awkward to handle and to use. Factor good quality peripherals such as dashboard cradles and rugged covers into the inital outlay.

You may even consider a device dedicated for the purpose of using in particularly rugged situations. The likes of the Sonim devices are highly praised for their unbreakability.

Functionality

Once you’ve narrowed down the list, buy one and give it a whirl. Better still, buy a couple and give one to a field tech. Trial both the software and the hardware rigorously. Does it run the required apps? Ensure they’re able to carry out the required functions. Check the tech is able to type comfortably without too many mistakes.

Along with the overall benefits, how can cloud software help manufacturing businesses in particular? To answer that, let’s take a closer look at what it is and what it can do.

What is cloud computing?

In a nutshell, it is any software or service hosted and provided over the internet. For businesses using inventory management systems it means that you access your software, platforms and data storage through a browser or internet-enabled device. This will usually be hosted by a third-party, though some businesses choose to still have some of the resources in-house.

The main benefits for manufacturers:

Save on software costs and set-up

One of the great advantages cloud computing offers is an overall reduction in costs and setup. As the software you use is hosted by a third-party, there is usually no need for installation at your end. With many SaaS (Software-as-a-Service) providers you can pay on-demand for the services, giving you a great way to keep operation costs to a minimum.

For manufacturing businesses that have a number of warehouse and shop locations, the ability to access your software from any location with minimal setup or operating difficulties is a fantastic advantage. The combined use of mobile devices and cloud-based applications is providing an edge for many businesses globally.

PaaS (Platform as a Service) and IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service)

Cloud based platforms and infrastructure are still in the early stages for manufacturing companies but are starting to offer some great solutions. The ability to rent virtual networks, hardware, servers and storage is shaping up to be a cost-effective approach for many manufacturing businesses.

Ongoing support and updates

The ongoing technical support of your service provider means less IT labour costs and more peace of mind. As software updates or upgrades are done at the provider’s end, there is less to worry about at the business end. Most cloud software providers are acutely aware of what their customers want, and are willing to develop extensions and upgrades to their software when there’s a high demand, and Unleashed inventory management software is no exception. This is one of the great advantages that cloud solutions have over in-house programmes. Partly because they run as pay on-demand, cloud software providers understand that if they don’t keep abreast of developments then their customers may go to someone who is.

Warehouse and transport management systems

SaaS solutions are beginning to appear for businesses that want an alternative to bulky in-house warehouse and transport management systems. The reality of complete cloud ERP packages for manufacturing businesses isn’t that far away – bringing the promise of substantial cost and labour savings.

More accurate forecasting

Good forecasting is reliant on accurate data and real-time automation. Cloud solutions can now provide the most versatile and easily accessible platforms around. Every part of the inventory and supply-chain is visible and adjustable making accurate and intuitive forecasting easier and more customized.

Automation of supply-chain processes

Cloud inventory management solutions are providing excellent automation of supply-chain processes, enabling a reduction in user error and simplicity of access. The leading software is accurate and user-friendly, even for businesses with complicated and diverse supply-chains.

Mobile access

One of the stand-out advantages of cloud computing for any business is the unlimited potential of mobile access and usage. For manufacturing businesses – that operate from a variety of locations and with an abundance of inventory and items for production – real-time mobile technology ensures accurate operations, and an enhanced ability to keep on top of inventory processes.

He takes a seat at his comfy, typically CEO like black leather chair and looks out the window into the distance. He’s meant to be at home looking after the children while his wife attends her late night book club. But he’s had to call and cancel – the growing mountain of work on his desk stares back at him as if it has just taken a healthy dose of steroids. It just keeps getting bigger, and bigger.

Lets just cut to the chase. You’d expect this depiction to have been pulled straight out of the 80’s.

When technology was simply a far off dream.

To pretend that this scenario is still typical of today would be somewhat naive. We’ve been handed the tools and the mechanisms necessary to change this – all on a silver platter. The idea of an “intergalactic computer network” was introduced as early as the sixties. J.C.R Licklider dreamt of everyone on the globe being interconnected and accessing programs and data from any site, anywhere. An idea that sounds almost as if it were foreshadowing what we call today, “cloud computing”. (1)

Here’s why turning to the cloud will help your business:

1. The cloud builds clarity and transparency

It’s not uncommon for transparency to be a common goal for any business. Transparency and clarity in your figures holds great importance particularly with respect to head office functions. Cloud based technology has aided us in almost eliminating human error for good. Why take that chance when you’re presented with a platform for extreme accuracy?

When the end of the financial year rolls around, when the time comes that someone begins their due diligence on you, when the tax agents come knocking – by utilising cloud based software you are armed with the ability to visualise all of your important information, so you’re aware of exactly where you’re sitting. How much is it that you’re really making and where is your money is going. The cloud puts you in the best position possible with respect to financial transparency.

2. The cloud helps with disaster recovery, with flexibility, and with automation

The dreaded days of sitting at the paper shredder for hours on end. Page after page, listening to the monotonous drone resonate in your brain, as the hours tick by. Well, say sayonara to the paper shredder. Because not only does it waste time, it’s putting you in the position where being responsible for screeds of paper is simply a disaster waiting to happen. First a file goes missing, then you enter the wrong numbers, then you send a copy to the wrong office, to the wrong person and heaven knows what else.

Time and time again the cloud has proved the safest storage facility to manage your files. The likes of google docs, google sheets and so forth are becoming second nature to administrative and head office staff today. It’s quick and reliable with sleek disaster recovery, and it allows to you to turn common tedious and time consuming tasks into an automated format. So, why wouldn’t you turn to the cloud?

3. The cloud increases connectivity

Speed, scale and insight. These three words encapsulate the exact meaning of cloud computing. The cloud works at lightning speed, eliminating any notion of time and space. This makes globalising your product, your service, or your business a shiny new possibility. The concept of globalisation must always be considered even before you go into business, and you can never rule out when you’re creating your go-to market plan – that one day your business might go global. With this in mind, cloud integration makes the hiring and the exporting side of things, a walk in the park. It’s as if you’re sitting right in the central city of a country millions of miles away.

**Cue daydreams of profit rolling in*

With the ability to employ and send staff worldwide, you can now check up on them, share files, and work together towards your business goals. Suddenly, small scale businesses gets offered a place in the big league.

So there you have it. Turning to the cloud really is the best decision your business could possibly make.