Tag: enterprise mobility

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Software Technology

How to monitor your battery’s health with EmHealthReport

One of the most important things when using enterprise mobile devices on a daily basis is battery life. Technology has come a long way in terms of screens, memory, expandability, and of course functionality, but the more features a device has, the more taxing it becomes for your battery. While most modern devices offer replaceable batteries, big capacities, and advanced power management, it still makes sense to check and monitor the health of your batteries regularly – especially when managing a large fleet of devices. Ultimately, batteries are consumable articles and wear out over time. In this post, we will take a look a closer look on the battery situation on Point Mobile devices.

EmKit on a PM75 mobile computer
EmHealthReport app in the Productivity section of the EmKit

It all starts with EmHealthReport

Our EmKit has been around for a while. Power users have known it since its debut in 2017, and since then it underwent a lot of updates with tons of new features added to it. One of the latest updates concerns the battery: EmHealthReport is a little application in the EmKit that gives you a detailed overview of your battery’s wear level, age, temperature, and more. It is pre-installed on all of our devices running on Android 9 or higher, and there is a standalone application that can be installed optionally for devices with Android or lower. You’ll find the application under EmKit ? EmHealthReport.

EmHealthReport feature list

The following table explains which features are included in EmHealthReport. 

Feature Description

Battery Asset
Information

 Battery Manufacturer Date Date when the battery was manufactured
Battery Serial Number Point Mobile battery’s unique serial number

Battery
Health-related
Information

 Battery Level Remaining battery capacity expressed as a
percentage of battery power
Battery Age Indicating state of battery age data to
determine when it should be replaced
Battery Voltage Indicating battery voltage as measured at
the time of query
Battery Temperature Indicating battery temperature as measured
at the time of query

eMMC Health-related Information

 Pre-EOL Information Indicating status of eMMC
health data
Device life time estimation
type A		 Indicating estimated used
percentage of eMMC
Device life time estimation
type B

Additionally, EmHealthReport also indicates the wear-level of both battery and the eMMC module as seen below. 

Battery:

  Status Description

Good

 Battery status is good as the number of
battery charging cycles is under 400.

Dismission

 Battery is required to replace as the
number of battery charging cycles is above 400.


eMMC:

  Status Description
Normal
 eMMC is healthy
Warning 80% of eMMC’s available blocks are in use
Dead 90% of eMMC’s available blocks are in use
Unknown Cannot detect the eMMC information


For further tips on how to prolong your battery life, check out Google’s Android Help Center by clicking the link below.

Learn more on Google’s Android Help Center ?
More info about the EmKit ?


Categories
Software Technology

Setting up your mobile computers with Scan2Stage

Scan2Set application on PM75 computer
Setting up mobile devices doesn’t have to be an arduous process – with the right tools.

If you ever had to set up a large number of mobile devices manually, chances are you ran into a lot of big problems. Not only is it time consuming, but also a constant source of errors. IT administrators have to exactly define each setting and parameter for the device, and then take each and every device to apply those settings. On a large scale, this means hours and hours of repetitive work. Luckily, our EmKit™ contains a very handy tool that solves this problem: Scan2Stage!

What is Scan2Stage? And what is Scan2Set?

Both are applications used to configure and set up Point Mobile devices. In Scan2Stage, the IT admin defines which apps should be visible, if GMS services are required, what time OS updates should be performed, and so on. Once all done, a QR code will be created automatically. This code contains all of those parameters, and when scanned from a Point Mobile device, the device will configure itself to those desired settings. It’s a pretty straight forward process and immensely simplifies the workload.

Difference Scan2Stage and Scan2Set from EmKit

Configurable settings

For a better understanding, we want to give you an overview of the (many) configurable settings. You want to restrict certain apps? No problem! Specific device settings? OS Update schedule? Kiosk mode? Go ahead, it just takes a few clicks.

  1. Schedule
    This section lets you make some kind of task list for your devices. It can be set to a specific time and even a specific order. Let’s use OS updates as an example. Installation during a busy work day is close to impossible, so it makes much more sense to perform updates after the work is done. Scan2Stage lets you choose the specific time and date when tasks should be done.
  2. GMS Package Manager
    GMS stands for Google Managed Services, which basically contain the standard Google apps as we know them: Phone, Message, Contacts, Maps, Youtube, Chrome, or even the Play Store. A lot of companies do not require those apps, so they can be either disabled altogether, or separately.
  3. OS Update
    When we release a new version, you can use this section to perform the update on your fleet. This even works if you are in a closed network.
  4. Device Settings
    All hardware related settings are configured here: Wi-Fi and network, phone, buttons, date & time, screen lock, and more. Each menu contains of more specific instructions to further customize the device.
  5. Scanner Settings
    You might now this menu from the Scanner app in the EmKit. All scanner settings can be determined here, for example how the wedge should handle a barcode, notification sound, various scanner modes, or simply which symbologies should be activated or deactivated.
  6. EmSolution
    In EmSolution, Kiosk settings are managed. A device strictly for work use only should only contain applications that are required for work. In some cases, even the settings app should not be accessible by default, which can be set here, too.

As you can see, there is a lot of possibilities and options with this tool set, and it can take a while to define each and every parameter. Of course, there are sub-menus and a few more menus, so if you are interested in learning more, check out the EmKit manual at the end of this post.

QR code for applying all the settings

Once you are all set, a simple click is left to do: This will generate a QR code on which all of your data is stored. Now, once scanned by a Point Mobile device (either using the physical barcode scanner, or via the camera on devices without a scanner), the entire configuration will be applied on that device. In other words, using this method, all you have to do for setting up a large amount of devices, is simply sending over that generated QR code to the user of the device. Have them scan it – and done!

We created a few videos about the EmKit and its tools a while back, check them out below. These videos are available in English, Korean, German and Russian.


Watch other videos about the EmKit™ on Youtube  ? 
Read the EmKit™ manual ?

Categories
Insight News

Post-Brexit: Providing repair services

After months of discussions, the UK finally voted to leave the EU in 2016. The official date for the Brexit was set to be January 31st of 2020, but in order to adjust to the complex changes, both the UK and EU agreed to keep things the same until December 31st of 2020. The Brexit has severe impacts for the trading business, and many companies struggle to provide their products and services to the UK.

Ensuring repair services for Point Mobile devices in the UK

When companies use mobile computers for their work, it is crucial to avoid any disruption to keep the business up and running. If a device breaks, tasks can’t be completed, and result in downtimes costing huge amounts of money. That’s why we work with experienced repair service providers all around the world to ensure that our products are repaired quickly to be back in business in no time. For the United Kingdom, we started a very close partnership with Mobile Computer Repair Ltd. as our Authorized Service Centre (ASC), located in Poole, Dorset. The guys at MCR bring in a ton of know-how, providing in- and out-of-warranty services, our Point Care SLA, as well as their own bespoke comprehensive annual maintenance agreements which include accidental damage.

Our Authorized Service Center (ASC) in the UK: Mobile Computer Repair Ltd.

We have worked closely together to ensure spare parts are stocked locally in the UK, realizing a fast 3 to 5 working day turnaround as standard, with expedited turnaround times also available for extra time-critical repairs. As a well established service provider, MCR knows rugged devices inside out, and we are super happy to work with them.

Easy RMA booking through online portal

To initiate a return, you only need to set up a return online using MCR’s handy online RMA tool. It only takes a few clicks to book a repair and generate shipping documentation for each device. The portal also features real-time repair tracking and next-working day collection options. When managing a large fleet of devices, a portal like that saves time and reduces errors massively.

A look behind the scenes: Devices waiting for service at MCR

Now, even though the Brexit has caused a bunch of problems and challenges, we are well prepared for the new situation, making sure spare parts are stocked and devices will be repaired quickly.

Mobile Computer Repair has a long-established reputation for delivering high quality repairs and fast turnaround times, all backed up with outstanding customer service – The perfect complement to our hardware offering.

Learn more about Mobile Computer Repair ? 

Categories
News Software Technology

The best (enterprise) features of Android 11

Android 11 on a PM75

Every new version of Android brings a lot of new features and improved design and security. Although Android 11 looks fairly similar to Android 10, there are a number of improvements worth noting. In this article, we will take a closer look and discover the best new features of Android 11 for enterprise.

Android 11 screen on a Point Mobile PM75 mobile computer

Work profile enhancements

Work profiles for Android devices are not a new feature. In fact, they got introduced all the way back with Android 7. However, Android 11 brings several enhancements for company-owned devices: If a work profile is added from the setup wizard via the provisioning tools, the device will be recognized automatically as company-owned and enables the device policy controller (DPC) to control a wider range of security policies for easier management of both work and personal use. Adding a work profile to a device using any other method will result in Android 11 recognizing it as personally-owned.

Android 11 also adds new features and UX improvements to the work and personal tabs of the default launcher. Device manufacturers can now present work and personal tabs, which lets users select apps from the work menu when tapping Share, or in the Settings app under App info, Location, Storage, and Accounts. Further improvements include gray-scaled work apps when the work profile is paused, making it easier for users to distinguish if the work profile is activated or deactivated. In times where both work and private life are closely related, this feature helps to avoid distraction by company related apps when the work profile is paused. Another convenient change is the omission of entering the passcode when turning on the work profile – as long as it’s the same as the devices passcode.

Privacy protection for business devices

Employers often have specific usage policies for users in place. Android 11 offers better controls over those policies to keep company-owned devices compliant with IT regulations. Admins of fully managed devices and company-owned devices with work profiles can now activate Common Criteria Mode which increases security such as AES-GCM encryption, and Wi-Fi configuration stores.

For better employee privacy and transparency, users are now notified when an admin enables location services on a company-owned device, or when an admin grants an app the permission to use the location of personally-owned device.

Improved data isolation ensures a strict separation of work and private apps and prevents attacks from the outside by other applications (for both profiles).

Favorite apps can be pinned in the share page

When sharing a contact or file, you can now pin your most frequently used or favorite app in the share page. This can be helpful when you are mostly using the same application, and you don’t want to scroll through the entire list every time you want to share something. By tapping and holding the desired app icon, you can now choose to pin the app all the way to the left for easier access. To unpin, simply press and hold the icon again and tap Unpin.

Showing new functions of Android 11: Pin Save to Drive (PM75)
Simply tap and hold to pin an app as your favorite

Notification history

If you ever deleted a notification accidentally, you will like this new feature: In Settings -> Apps & notifications -> Notifications -> Notification history, you will now find a complete list of recently dismissed notifications of the last 24 hours. Of course the function can also be completely deactivated if you don’t need it at all.

Showing new functions of Android 11: Notification history (PM75)
Notification history shows you all dismissed notifications of the last 24 hours

Quick settings pane now with media controls

A slight, but noticeable change was done to the media controls: They have now moved up to the bottom of the quick settings pane. To see a mini version of the player, swipe down from the top of the screen. By swiping again, you’ll see the full player with enhanced options.

Showing new functions of Android 11: Quick settings pane with media controls (PM75)
Media controls are now integrated in the quick settings when swiping down

Android 11 brings a whole lot of interesting features for business users. Are you going to install it once available for your device? Let us know in the comments below.

Categories
Technology

Google’s guide for choosing enterprise devices

Android Enterprise Recommended on computer
Browsing Android Enterprise Recommended website on lap top computer.

Although enterprise mobility devices have a relatively smaller market than consumer smartphones do, still there are thousands of devices with different specs and form factors to confuse you. To make it worse, while you can easily get reviews and comparisons of the latest smartphones through videos and blog posts created by well-renowned tech journalists or YouTubers, this is not the case for enterprise mobile devices. There is simply not much insightful public information you can get by just googling. When it comes to Android devices, however, there is one northern star that guides you through the rough terrain of scattered information: Android Enterprise Recommended.

What is Android Enterprise Recommended?

Android Enterprise Recommended (AER) is a program led by Google, designed to help businesses choose high-quality Android devices as well as software solutions. It is a list of validated devices against strict requirements, and through a public platform, it encourages manufacturers to match those requirements and register their devices to the program. The AER directory categorizes products by form factor, manufacturer, memories, etc., in which you can easily navigate it through to the product that you need. Currently, Point Mobile has five devices (PM30, PM451, PM90, PM45, and PM85) listed as Android Enterprise Recommended, and planning to register many more new products in the future, such as the PM67 or the upcoming PM75.

Point Mobile devices in Android Enterprise Recommended website
Point Mobile devices in Android Enterprise Recommended directory

What are the requirements that Google inspects?

Depending on the type of the device and the version of OS, Google sets a different standard. For a rugged device with Android 11.0, for example, it needs to be equipped with at least 2GB RAM / 16GB ROM, a processor faster than 1.1GHz, IP54 water/dust resistance, and MIL-STD-810G drop resistance. To keep the general user experience excellent, AER also requires manufacturers to include Google’s default system apps, additional device management apps and encourages them to follow the specific guidelines about how to design their interface, so that customers can enjoy standardized and intuitive experiences across different devices.

The security update standard requires manufacturers to publish update within 90 days with an announcement on their websites that has link to it from Google’s Security Bulletins. As most businesses buy devices in bulk and manage a fleet of mobile computers, AER states that manufacturers must offer at least two of the next three solutions: work profile management, full device management, dedicated device management.

Android Enterprise Recommended Badge.
Much sought after:
Android Enterprise Recommended Badge

Advantages of certified devices for businesses

So, why do manufacturers and software companies keep registering their products to AER? And why should buyers consider choosing a device or service from that list? Well, the answer is simple: AER guarantees that a product matches the minimum level of specs to be suitable for enterprise use, in terms of performance, security, and availability. The sheer amount of available products (of any kind really) can be confusing, and buyers don’t have time to check every single product on the market. So by recommending products that are safe to be used in a professional environment, Google is giving us a hand which makes it a lot easier to choose the right product.

Visit the Android Enterprise Recommended website ? 
Find Point Mobile devices in the Enterprise Solutions Directory ? 

Categories
Technology

5G: Will it come to rugged devices, and when?

As the fifth generation technology for cellular networks, 5G is expected to replace 4G as as the worldwide standard. In a few years, most devices in the market will take advantage of the higher speed, lower latency and possibly reduced error rate. It looks like a bright future for us consumers – but what does it mean for professionally used devices in the enterprise environment?

Traditionally, the Auto ID industry is always a bit slower in adapting new trends and technology. When Android was already a big hit on consumer phones, enterprise devices were still running Windows Mobile operating systems, and it took another 2-3 years until the first rugged Android device saw the light of day. Up until now, there is still a surprising amount of Windows device being used, despite having no access to any kind of bugfixing or security patches. But why does it take so long much longer to use newer technology? In the enterprise field, often times apps (and even peripherals) are built for a specific type of device, running a specific type of software. Those customized apps run on hundreds or thousands of devices all over the place. When one of them fails, it will be replaced with the exact same type of device. This ensures the user needs no training for another device, software does not have to be changed, and accessory can keep being used. All in all, it is about saving money. That’s why companies rely on the same hardware platform for years until they are ready to deploy new devices. While consumer phones are typically replaced every two years, enterprises use their rugged devices for five to seven years and sometimes even longer.

5G in the auto industry world
5G is up to 100 times faster than 4G – but is it necessary for the Auto ID industry?

Great for consumers – not yet so great for professional use

We all know the incredible power of 5G: It is up to 100 times fast than 4G, offering data rates up to 10Gbp/s. There is a lower latency (only 1 millisecond compared to 4G’s 200 milliseconds), and it eventually brings better security. Downloading high quality videos will be done in minutes, streaming in 4K will be even faster. All in all, 5G will soon make our lives even more connected and comfortable.

So, 5G is mostly useful when loading huge files or using streaming services for videos or games. But looking at the enterprise sector, the typical data packages are rather small, sending mainly numbers and text in the background, and sometimes pictures for proof of delivery, for example. While 5G might open up great new opportunities in our industry, at this point there is simply no usage for that kind of transfer speed.

The biggest downside for using 5G in the Auto ID industry however is battery life: Operating a 5G chip will reduce battery life considerably, making users be more dependent on recharging devices or carrying replaceable batteries.

Point Mobile is testing prototype hardware with 5G

Even though adapting 5G for the mass market doesn’t seem to be something the Auto ID industry will do in the near future, we are testing the power and performance of 5G modules in some of our devices. The market has been slow on adapting trends in the past, but as the majority of professionally used Android devices is going through the roof, newer technologies seem to arrive in our sector faster than before. As a manufacturer for rugged mobile devices, we are preparing ourselves for the adaption of 5G, and will be ready with an updated line-up in time.

Categories
Technology

Why you should choose a rugged enterprise smartphone for your business

PM45 with EmKit
EmKit running on a PM45 with Android 9

Companies are constantly looking for new technologies for better productivity and optimized workflows to save time and money. When it comes to choosing the right mobile hardware, keeping the TCO (Total Cost of Ownership) on a low is the key factor for most buyers. But while consumer smartphones are usually cheaper upon investment, professional enterprise devices are durable, repairable, and designed to be used for a much longer period of time.

In this article, we will take a closer look why choosing a rugged enterprise device is the better strategy in the long run.

Enterprise devices are designed for harsh environments

Using a consumer smartphone as an enterprise device can lead to many problems. Due to its frailness it may break easily in the active and demanding business environment, and the device would need to be repaired or even replaced. Typically, the life cycle of consumer devices ends approximately two years after launching, so sourcing a substitute can be troublesome. It could also generate extra costs – a different hardware may require software adjustments, new accessories or more training for your employees. This longsome procedure can be avoided with a device that was specifically optimized to be used professionally. Take our PM45 as an example: It is a rugged smartphone with an IP67 rating and can withstand multiple drops to concrete at 1.2m which makes it extremely durable and suited for rough usage environments. Additionally, there is a guaranteed and continuous supply of parts and services during its extended five-year lifecycle after the market launch. During that period, security updates as well as major OS releases are provided to keep businesses operative and help users focus on what?s important. Save valuable time and resources by taking advantage of PM45?s low TCO.

Comprehensive technical support and warranty

Professional device come with GMS/CTS certification by Google, which means most of the programming is following the standard Google SDK. However, for more advanced integration and customization, there is an additional SDK provided by us. Another advantage is to get the full support by a dedicated technical team: With professional enterprise-level support whenever required – should there be any technical questions or difficulties. Regular smartphone manufacturers typically do not offer those kinds of services.

To help companies selecting the right hardware, Google initiated its Android Enterprise Recommended program back in 2018. Devices that fulfill a strict set of requirements will be certified as a recommendable product, which gives confidence to businesses to choose the right device. Being part of this program e

We have to keep on thing in mind though: Even the most rugged device can break, which is why professional devices like PM45 come with optional warranty extensions (up to five years). There are various models to choose from-a basic warranty extension or the premium package, which includes all wear and tear, staging service and even battery swapping, as well as damages caused by the user. Off-the-shelf consumer smartphones are hard to be repaired and don?t have professional warranty extensions. Even worse: Sometimes they cannot even be repaired at all and go to waste immediately. 

Enterprise-level barcode scanner software via camera

Most enterprise applications require barcode scanning at some point. Those barcodes can be often in locations that are hard to reach or even worse, they are damaged. While a consumer smartphone lacks the proper technology to read barcodes in imperfect conditions, an enterprise smartphone such as PM45 comes with a powerful, enterprise-level barcode scanning software using the built-in autofocus camera. The scanning software reads 1D and 2D barcodes and operates as fast as a 2D imager, while it also captures pictures brightly under relatively dark areas without using the camera flash.

Professional devices come with a broad range of complementary accessories

Included software solutions, wide range of accessories and more

It is often required to stage and prepare several hundred devices to be used out in the field. Without dedicated enterprise tools, this tough job will waste a lot of precious time, since each device needs to be staged manually. It can also lead to mistakes and be a big source of errors. Luckily there is a solution for that, too: Point Mobile provides EmKit (Enterprise Mobility Kit), a value-added service kit, including kiosk mode, clone and back up tools – all free of charge and pre-installed. Well-known MDM solutions such as SOTI and Airwatch have certified PM45 and clients are pre-installed and ready to go on every unit. It helps companies to manage and utilize their mobile devices remotely.

Now think about accessory: While consumer smartphones usually only come with a simple USB charger, a wide range of accessories for PM45 is available for various applications. The dual-slot cradle charges two devices at a time, and up to three can be connected to make a six-slot cradle. High-quality car cradles are also available by companies like Brodit and CarComm. A user-replaceable battery enables users to conveniently switch batteries or have more power, with the extended battery of 5,800mAh – which lasts almost two days in a row. Extended battery options for replaceable batteries as well as multi-slot cradles are some of the enterprise-level accessories that PM45 offers, designed for the optimal productivity of enterprise forces.

Learn more about PM45 ? 
Android Enterprise Recommended devices by Point Mobile ?