Beginner’s Guide to Mobile

In today’s society, we can’t imagine a life without mobile phones as we use them for everything from communication to navigation, with mobile phones supporting us in almost every aspect of our daily lives. So, if you can’t live without one, why would you do business without one?

As more and more companies adopt mobile, it has become an essential for thriving businesses, particularly for modern companies that are embracing the trend of flexible, agile working. Mobile offers a continuous connection to the business, that can result in increased efficiency and improved communications within your workforce.

While large corporations continue to roll out mobile to enable a flexible workforce, SMBs are slow to pick up on the movement, with Ofcom reporting that only 64% SMBs are currently using mobile for business.

Why use mobile for business?

• Flexibility – Mobile gives employees the freedom and flexibility to access the network from anywhere, at any time
• Instant access with Cloud based apps – Storing files in the Cloud makes agile working even easier as you can access them using your mobile device whenever and wherever you need them
• Increase productivity – With immediate access to all your emails and files on your mobile phone, you no longer need to wait until you’re in the office to complete a task, meaning you can make the most out of your time and improve efficiency
• Remain in contact with colleagues and customers – By using mobile, you can be reached whenever your customers need you, meaning you can improve your customer service standards
• Improve employee engagement & collaboration – With many mobile applications designed for collaboration, employees are easily able to get in touch with each other and work together on projects, no matter where they are
• Environmentally friendly – By introducing mobile and agile working, employees are able to work from home more often, skipping the commute and reducing their carbon footprint

Choosing the best deal for your business

Choosing a mobile plan for your business is not the same as your consumer plan, with much more to take into account. There are three key points to consider when looking for the best mobile plan for your business.

What are you/your employees going to be using mobile for?

Everyone has different requirements when it comes to a mobile tariff, particularly when it comes to business. Are you going to be using it primarily for calls? If so, will these calls be primarily to mobiles, landlines or international numbers?

If you expect to use your mobile for more than just calls, for example, accessing email and cloud-based apps, you will need a tariff with plenty of data. O2, Vodafone and EE have all now launched unlimited data tariffs that are ideal for users that plan to use their phone for everything from browsing to VoIP.

Once you know what your requirements are, you can look for tariffs that are inclusive of your needs to avoid paying more in bolt-ons and out of bundle charges.

What is your budget?

For start-ups and smaller businesses, it is particularly important to make sure you are only paying for what you use. If you’re forking out a large chunk of your revenue for unlimited data and international calls, while only using 15GB a month and calling domestic mobiles, you need to reconsider your plan and find a reasonably priced tariff that works for you.

Similarly, if you’re a growing business with employees frequently travelling internationally while still using a basic consumer tariff, you could be paying more in out of bundle charges than you would on a business contract. It’s important to compare plans and see what works best for your business before committing to a long-term contract that could cost you more than you planned.

Which device suits your business’ needs?

Given the connected nature of business today, your employees will most likely need a smartphone in order to remain truly productive, but with so many on the market, it can be difficult to choose. Again, you will need to evaluate your needs against the features of each device. Are you in an industry that requires you to use a hardwearing, rugged device? Do your employees need a phone with an excellent camera and screen resolution? Are there any specific apps that are needed that may not be available on all operating systems? These are key considerations that will help you choose the best device for your business.

However, choosing a standard model for all employees can prove difficult. Every individual has a personal preference, whether they are committed to iPhones or firmly Android based, all your employees will have an opinion, which is why BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) may be the solution. By choosing a SIM only tariff, you can give your employees a choice of devices, allowing them to use the phone that they are most comfortable with. Additionally, BYOD allows you to upgrade the device whenever you want, meaning you’re not tied in to lengthy contracts to pay off the cost of the handset.

Now you know why mobile is so important for SMBs and you know exactly what you need to consider, whether you are a business owner looking at mobile for the first time or a reseller looking to sell to this market; so it is time to embrace mobile.

To find out more about DWS’s mobile offerings, get in touch with our team today, or for small businesses looking to adopt mobile, speak to our team and we can put you in touch with a local partner to help you find the best plan for you.