How to choose the right smartphones, tablets, and rugged devices for your professional device fleet?
How to choose mobile devices for business is a major issue for team productivity and security. Faced with a multitude of options, how can you ensure that the chosen equipment aligns perfectly with business needs and the software used internally? The Android operating system currently represents a 79% market share of smartphones worldwide, far ahead of iOS. In this article, we will help you make an informed choice among Android mobile device manufacturers by presenting the essential criteria to consider. Beyond brand or price, several technical criteria are determining factors:
1. Is it Android Enterprise Recommended certified?
One important thing when investing in a fleet of Android mobile devices is to check that the devices have the Android Enterprise Recommended certification. This certification, issued by Google, guarantees that the devices have been tested and approved for professional use, and that they meet strict requirements in terms of performance, security, and compatibility with mobile device management solutions that are also Android EMM partners.
2. Is it suitable for the teams’ working conditions?
Are your employees exposed to difficult working conditions (refrigerated warehouse, high heat, dust, humidity)? If so, it is then essential to opt for rugged devices. These devices, often certified according to resistance standards, are designed to withstand shocks, drops, extreme temperatures, and moisture, thereby ensuring their longevity and business continuity. If you do not need devices that are particularly resistant to difficult conditions, you can then opt for so-called classic smartphones and tablets.
3. Is it compatible with simplified enrollment solutions (ZTE / KME)?
Deploying a large fleet of devices can be tedious. Fortunately, technologies like Zero Touch Enrollment (ZTE) and Knox Mobile Enrollment (KME) (specific to Samsung devices) greatly simplify this step. These enrollment methods allow devices to be configured automatically right out of the box, without manual intervention from each user. The administrator bulk-configures the devices from the platform so that they are linked to the MDM solution and set up according to the company’s internal policy. The user only needs to turn on the device for it to be configured as desired.
To benefit from Zero Touch Enrollment (ZTE), your device must have been purchased from an authorized reseller. The same applies to enrolling your Samsung devices via Knox Mobile Enrollment (KME).
4. What version of Android is it running?
The operating system version is crucial. Opt for devices running a recent version of the Android operating system to benefit from the latest features and, most importantly, regular security updates. Avoiding versions that are too old helps prevent risks related to obsolescence, a lack of security patches, and future incompatibilities with business applications.
5. Is it compatible with the mobile device management features I need?
Even if you don’t plan to implement a Mobile Device Management (MDM) solution right away, it is necessary to check the compatibility of your devices with existing MDM features. This will prevent issues if you wish to simplify the management of your Android smartphones and tablets in the future.
Certain features that can be particularly useful, such as remote control for remote assistance or troubleshooting of devices, are not compatible with all devices, as this depends on the manufacturer and sometimes even the device model. If you wish to implement TinyMDM, before purchasing your mobile devices, make sure they are compatible with remote control by consulting this list or by contacting the TinyMDM team directly if you have any doubts. This will help you avoid any unpleasant surprises and ensure efficient technical assistance.
Another important point to consider is checking the Android overlay on the devices. An overlay is a system specific to each mobile device manufacturer that allows the interface and features of a device to be modified. Google devices, for example, have minimal overlays, unlike certain Xiaomi or Huawei models which have significant Android overlays that block certain settings related to MDM software.
By taking these criteria into account, you will be able to choose Android mobile devices that not only meet your teams’ needs but also integrate perfectly into a simple and secure corporate management strategy.