It's no secret that in most industries, the frontline is the lifeline of the business. Whether it's in warehousing, retail, healthcare, or logistics, rugged mobility solutions are key to getting the job done. Providing these workers with powerful equipment, such as Zebra's portable computers and thermal printers is just the beginning. Creating an empowered and secure frontline requires a combination of long-lasting devices and efficient software.
This is where the strategic alliance between Scalefusion and Zebra Technologies comes in. Together, Zebra's enterprise-grade hardware and Scalefusion's unified endpoint management (UEM) solution enables organizations to manage, monitor, and secure all their devices from a single dashboard.
Evolution of the connected frontline
Frontline workers worked for decades in isolation from an organization's central IT systems. However, this is all changed these days with the advent of digital transformation. These workers are the backbone of inventory management, patient care, and last-mile delivery, armed with Zebra handhelds and wearable devices, and barcode scanners.
Yet there are a number of operational challenges associated with the distributed, rugged devices:
Tracking devices: On asset management, across massive warehouse or multiple store locations.
Sensitive company: customer data is protected on devices that are shared among employees.
Downtime: When equipment or software malfunctions and services are interrupted.
Provisioning and configuring hundreds of devices for shift workers.
These challenges require deep, native integration of IT and operations' hardware and management software.
Introducing Scalefusion: Zebra-validated solution
Scalefusion has passed the validation of Zebra to ensure the interoperability, optimization and compatibility of Scalefusion with Zebra's rugged devices and thermal printers. This validation is not just about app compatibility; it is about enabling Scalefusion to work with Zebra's core tools such as Mobility Extensions (Mx), and LifeGuard™ Over-the-Air (OTA) updates.
It's having access to a full management suite directly from the Scalefusion dashboard for the IT Admins.
1. Zero-Touch deployment
It's essential to get devices to frontline workers in a timely manner. IT teams can make automated enrollment of Zebra devices easier with Android ZTE and StageNow built-in to Scalefusion. Apps, Wi-Fi profiles and security policies can be pre-installed on the device, providing a true out-of-the-box user experience.
2. Advanced kiosk mode
Frontline devices are frequently assigned to several employees or used for a specific mission-critical use. IT Admins can use Scalefusion's kiosk mode feature to secure the Zebra mobile computers and tablets in single-app or multi-app mode. This keeps the device from being used to access settings, personal web browsing or the downloads of unauthorized apps, which keeps it focused on productivity.
3. Enterprise-grade security
Security is meant to be built from the ground up, particularly in sectors where customers are paying bills, stock information, and patient records are being processed. Scalefusion enables to implement strong security policies like factory reset protection (FRP), data loss prevention (DLP), remote device lock, and data wiping. Beyond that, IT teams can roll out required passcodes, set up VPNs, and manage certificates to ensure that all data transmissions are secure and compliant.
Firmware & OS management (FOTA)
Traditionally, operating system and security patch management are long, arduous process for hundreds of rugged devices. IT admins can centrally schedule firmware over-the-air (FOTA) updates and security patches with Scalefusion. This means that all devices are always in line with the latest security protocols and never face disruptions to run during important operating changes.
Growing the ecosystem: Zebra printers' management
A measure of device coverage is used to determine UEM. An exciting milestone in this relationship between Scalefusion and Zebra is that in Scalefusion UEM is validated for Zebra's thermal printer portfolio.
It allows organizations that use Zebra printers to ship labels, inventory tags and patient wristbands to control these devices from the same unified environment as Zebra mobile computers. IT teams can remotely get a printer's health, see what printer settings are in place and send printer profiles. This significantly lower operational overhead and decreases the chances of downtime being blamed as a labeling issue are crucial in maintaining smooth supply chain and healthcare operations.
Leveraging OEMConfig & DataWedge
Zebra devices are also packed with robust, on-board applications, such as DataWedge for simplifying barcode reading. IT admins can enable and configure DataWedge using Zebra OEMConfig app on the dashboard through Scalefusion. IT can remotely set up APIs, database file and import, DataWedge database, SimulScan template file, automatic database import, and UI for user access to configuration.
Real-time visibility & troubleshooting
Issues with devices result in lost productivity in the field or on the warehouse floor. Scalefusion gives IT admin real-time location tracking and geofencing features. IT can be notified instantly if a device is lost, or if it goes outside of a defined space.
In addition, Scalefusion also provides remote cast and control. If a frontline worker is having trouble with an app or device setting, IT can mirror the screen, see the problem as it happens, and walk the user through the trouble-shooting or resolution process – or even do it for them! This quick solution system significantly brings down the amount of time that devices spend offline.
Supporting the hybrid work model
Many workers in the frontline work areas operate on shifts and share devices. This option lets multiple employees log in to the same Zebra device using their own username and passwords—shared device mode. It dynamically changes to show appropriate apps and permissions relevant to the role of the specific worker after logging in. At the end of the shift the employee logs out, eradicating any user specific session data and preparing the device for the next user in absolute security.
The bottom line
Adopting technology to the frontline is a considerable investment. But the real benefit of such an investment comes when those devices are managed smoothly, kept updated at all times and fully protected.
Scalefusion Zebra MDM offers a complete scalable and future-proof ecosystem. With all mobile computers, scanners and thermal printers managed through a single screen, organisations can avoid IT hassles, cut down on operation costs, and create an all-in-one connected and secure frontline workforce.
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