How AirDroid Business Transforms Manufacturing Mobile Management

From the factory floor to the warehouse, mobile technology plays a key role in enhancing operational efficiency, improving communication, and ensuring real-time data access. As manufacturers strive for greater productivity and agility, mobile devices have emerged as vital tools for workforce management, equipment monitoring, and remote support.

1 Mobile Device Challenges in Manufacturing

Today's manufacturing sector is widely adopting various mobile devices to boost efficiency: industrial tablets monitor production lines and access data; RFID scanners track inventory and materials; smartphones facilitate communication and information access for managers and technicians; and wearable devices like smart glasses offer hands-free operations for frontline workers. Together, these tools are driving manufacturing towards a smarter, more efficient future.

However, this widespread adoption also brings a unique set of challenges, particularly when it comes to effectively managing and maintaining these critical devices.

⚠️ Complex Device Management: With a diverse range of devices spread across multiple locations, maintaining control and oversight is complex.

⚠️ Cumbersome Software Updates: Frequent updates are necessary to keep applications secure and functional, but managing these updates can be cumbersome and time-consuming.

⚠️ Costly Operational Downtime: Equipment failures or software issues can lead to significant downtime, impacting productivity and revenue.

⚠️ Increased User Errors: Variability in employee skill levels can result in mistakes, especially when using complex applications or devices.

2 AirDroid Business: Solutions for Manufacturing Challenges

Airdroid Business provides a robust solution designed to address these critical mobile device management challenges in manufacturing. Its core features—Kiosk Mode, Application Management Service (AMS), and Remote Control—directly tackle the industry's most pressing pain points:

1. Kiosk Mode - Ensuring Dedicated Device Use and Enhanced Security

Kiosk Mode locks devices down to a limited set of essential applications or a single app. This directly eliminates user errors from unauthorized app access and prevents operational downtime caused by device misuse. For manufacturing, it means a tablet on the production line will only run the work order app, or an RFID scanner will exclusively function as an inventory tool, ensuring devices are always dedicated to work tasks and secure from tampering.

2. Application Management Service (AMS) - Streamlining Software Deployment and Updates

Application Management Service (AMS) offers centralized control over app distribution, updates, and uninstallation. This directly solves the complexity of managing software updates across diverse devices and ensures all critical applications are always secure and up-to-date. Manufacturers can silently deploy proprietary apps, push critical security patches, or update quality control software across hundreds of devices simultaneously, drastically reducing manual IT effort and ensuring operational consistency.

3. Remote Access - Minimizing Downtime and Boosting Technical Support

Remote Access enables IT teams to remotely access and troubleshoot devices from anywhere. This directly reduces operational downtime caused by equipment failures or software issues and minimizes the need for on-site support. Whether it's guiding a technician through a complex setup on an industrial tablet or diagnosing a software glitch on a smart glass in a remote factory, remote access ensures swift resolution and keeps operations running smoothly.

3 Case in Point: A PPE Manufacturer's Mobile Transformation

Background

This leading manufacturer of specialized Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), including fire-resistant and chemical-resistant boots for hazardous factories and mining, implemented an SAP system across their operations. This led to deploying industrial tablets for production, handheld collectors for dispatch, and smartphones for sales and management. Their primary need was an MDM solution to manage and locate these corporate-owned devices, ensuring operational continuity and security.

Challenge

With mobile devices distributed across various departments and geographically dispersed locations, the manufacturer faced several critical management hurdles:

Device Management: Maintaining centralized control and oversight of a diverse fleet of devices across different departments was complex.

Software Updates: Efficiently updating critical, often proprietary, applications across numerous and varied devices was cumbersome and time-consuming.

Operational Downtime: Remote personnel experiencing technical issues on their devices often required lengthy, on-site maintenance, leading to potential delays and increased costs.

Asset Security & Tracking: The need to regularly confirm device locations and prevent theft was a significant concern for valuable company assets.

Our Solution