Powering Productivity: Mastering Cell Phone Control for Service Companies Series #2
Mobile phones are essential tools for service companies today. Whether your team is providing pest control, landscaping, or any other field service, employees rely on mobile devices to communicate, navigate, and deliver services efficiently. But as necessary as mobile phones are, they can also become a source of escalating costs and distractions if not managed properly.
Without the right controls in place, mobile phones can easily drift from being a work tool to a personal device—driving up data costs and opening the door to inefficiencies. That’s where the right cellular data plan and Mobile Device Manager (MDM) tools come into play. In this post, we’ll explore how you can regain control of mobile phone usage by keeping your employees’ phones focused on work, not distractions.
Why Keeping Mobile Phones Work-Focused Matters
The reality is, when employees are using company-issued mobile phones, it’s easy for personal use to creep in. Streaming videos, downloading social media apps, or using excessive data while off-duty can all lead to skyrocketing data bills that blow past your company’s budget.
Even more concerning is the loss of productivity. If employees are using mobile phones for personal reasons during work hours, it impacts the efficiency of your team. When every minute counts—especially in service industries—keeping mobile phones focused on the job at hand is crucial to maximizing productivity and minimizing distractions.
Flat-Rate Data Plans: Protecting Your Bottom Line
One of the most effective ways to control data usage is to implement a flat-rate data plan. Our solution offers unlimited high-speed data at a fixed rate, giving you peace of mind when it comes to mobile expenses.
Key benefits of flat-rate plans:
- Predictable Costs: You no longer have to worry about overages or fluctuating monthly bills caused by data spikes. A flat rate means you can budget more effectively and avoid surprise charges.
- Usage Control: By pairing a flat-rate plan with usage tracking, you can monitor which employees are using the most data and ensure that it’s being used for work-related activities.
In 2024 Voice for Pest launched three new cellular plans to our FieldMobile portfolio. The plans are designed to protect your business from overage charges without the risk of employees having functionality:
- Unlimited High Speed Data. This option is a great service that gives managers and other key personnel the freedom to use the phone as they choose.
- 4GB High Speed and unlimited throttled data. This is a great service that gives managers and other key personnel the freedom to use the phone as they choose.
- Dual SIM, background data. The perfect option for owners that want to be able to protect their personal number from work contacts while still being able to communicate with friends and family using their personal cell phone number.
Mobile Device Manager (MDM) Platforms: Enhancing Control Beyond Data
While flat-rate plans help manage costs, they don’t fully address the issue of controlling how mobile devices are used in the field. That’s where Mobile Device Manager (MDM) platforms come in. Though we don’t sell these platforms directly, we strongly recommend them to our customers as a critical part of keeping mobile phones work-focused.
What is an MDM Platform? An MDM platform allows you to remotely manage and control company-issued mobile devices. It offers a range of features that can help ensure your employees are using their phones for work purposes only.
Key benefits of MDM tools include:
- App Control: Restrict or block non-work-related apps to keep distractions at bay.
- GPS Tracking: Monitor where your employees are and ensure they’re on task and within designated service areas.
- Remote Wipe: If a device is lost or stolen, you can remotely wipe sensitive company data, preventing it from falling into the wrong hands.
- Policy Enforcement: Set rules that govern phone usage, such as blocking personal apps during work hours or ensuring devices are only used for specific tasks.
By integrating an MDM platform into your mobile strategy, you can take control of how devices are used in the field, enhancing security and productivity.
MDM platforms allow businesses to manage mobile phones remotely, offering features like app restrictions, GPS tracking, and security controls. Below are the some of the top 5 web-based MDM platforms that offer easy deployment and control:
1. ManageEngine Mobile Device Manager Plus
ManageEngine is an excellent choice due to its balance of features, affordability, and user-friendly interface. It offers a free trial, making it accessible for businesses to test before committing. ManageEngine makes it easy to manage both iOS and Android devices, with a focus on security and productivity.
- Application control: Restrict or deploy apps across all devices.
- GPS tracking: Monitor device locations in real-time.
- Security: Remotely lock or wipe devices if lost or stolen.
Why it’s great: ManageEngine is cost-effective, offers a free trial, and provides essential device control and security, making it ideal for businesses that need robust management without excessive complexity.
2. Hexnode MDM
Hexnode MDM is another affordable, feature-rich platform perfect for mid-sized businesses. It offers a straightforward interface and essential tools like app control, GPS tracking, and security enforcement. Hexnode’s focus on simplicity and scalability makes it a strong contender for growing businesses.
- App blacklisting/whitelisting: Control which apps can be installed.
- Location tracking: Know where your devices are at all times.
- Policy enforcement: Apply security policies across your fleet of devices.
Why it’s great: Hexnode offers excellent functionality at a budget-friendly price, making it an ideal choice for companies looking for robust device management on a smaller scale.
3. Jamf Now
Jamf Now is specifically designed for businesses using Apple devices. It offers a lightweight, easy-to-use solution for managing iPhones, iPads, and Macs, making it perfect for SMBs that need a simple, effective way to control their Apple-based devices.
- App management: Deploy or restrict apps remotely.
- Device tracking: Use GPS to monitor devices in real time.
- Data protection: Remotely wipe devices to protect business data.
Why it’s great: Jamf Now’s simplicity and affordability make it a perfect fit for small businesses that need to manage Apple devices without a steep learning curve or large investment.
