Wireless Device Asset Management – Efficient, Secure, Strengthens Bottom Line

7/17/18:  Business as usual includes making regular investments in assets such as furniture, computing equipment, and of course people. With the high cost of smartphones, tablets, and some accessories, and the value of the data that flows through these devices could put your business at risk unless you manage wireless device assets.

mindWireless recommends that clients view and manage all wireless devices as corporate assets to ensure minimal disruption in workflow if you change carriers for a better rate plan. Smartphones today are mostly compatible with at least two major carriers, and in some cases all if they are unlocked. This gives you the flexibility to pivot should new carrier options, such as the impending T-Mobile and Sprint merger, result in a better rate plan value.  Changing carriers with wireless devices managed as assets means swapping a new SIM card as opposed to replacing expensive devices.

Managing wireless assets offers exceptional corporate data security.  When a new employee joins, they receive a fully provisioned wireless device with appropriate, consistent content and role-based access to corporate data. Managers know who and where devices are deployed 24/7. When an employee leaves, whether voluntarily or by termination, the device can be locked remotely to secure valuable data.

Purchase Wireless Devices Directly from Manufacturers 

mindWireless believes that by going directly to manufacturers for large purchases of iPhones or popular Androids the discounts could exceed the $600 offered by a carrier. Additionally, since the carriers aren’t handling merchandising, they should offer lower rates since there’s no cost to recoup. T-Mobile and Sprint have already embraced this by offering service only. When a device is purchased directly from the carrier the cost is ultimately financed by the customer.

When devices are acquired and managed as assets by mindWireless, we negotiate with carriers, on our clients’ behalf to achieve off-contract rate plan pricing. This also means getting lower rates from the carrier when an employee “brings your own device” (BYOD), or the devices are purchased from the manufacturer and operated by the contracted.

mindWireless financial analyst Perry Legate reports that clients are often initially scared of the sticker price of a device. mindWireless’s analysis consistently shows that negotiating competitive, off-contract pricing when acquiring wireless assets is cheaper in the long-run than buying a device from the carrier.

Wireless device asset management is something to consider. Keep yourself agile and be able to make changes if when better rate options appear down the road.