While 5G is being widely deployed on a global basis, we haven’t even begun to see the full potential of this technology, according to GlobalData.

The leading data and analytics company notes that 5G is yet to make a significant mark in terms of the faster data speeds, latency and other hallmarks that will enable advanced features such as self-driving cars and immerse gaming. However, more advanced telecom bundles are appearing, and GlobalData expects 5G subscriptions to increase as more powerful applications come through.

THERE WILL BE 3.9 BILLION 5G MOBILE SUBSCRIPTIONS GLOBALLY BY THE END OF 2026, WITH WORLDWIDE SERVICE REVENUES EXPECTED TO HIT $609BN

Lynnette Luna, Principal Analyst with GlobalData, comments: “Although we have not yet seen all that 5G is capable of in early deployments, the technology has a multitude of future opportunities for telecom operators. Not only will capacity bring down the per-bit cost for carriers, the basic cost efficiencies that 5G brings will enable operators and developers alike to create new applications for the technology as it becomes to mature and develop.

“This growing innovation will contribute to an expected rise in 5G mobile subscriptions worldwide. At the end of 2026, GlobalData predicts there will be 3.9 billion such subscriptions, representing a whole 35.1% of total subscriptions. Global 5G service revenues will total $609bn.”

Some revenue-generating strategies seen in the US and Europe on 4G networks also resonate on 5G networks. Within the US postpaid wireless market in particular, operators have always enticed users to sign up for premium plans through service bundles, such as video streaming and gaming.

Luna adds: “5G ARPU in 2026 is expected by GlobalData to greatly outpace that of earlier technology generations, with 5G bringing in monthly ARPU of $14.15 per month versus 4G’s monthly ARPU of $5.48.”

In some markets, we are beginning to see more advanced bundles marketed with 5G. Vodafone is in the process of rolling out Nreal smart glasses in its 5G markets across Europe, offering an interest-free hardware bundle and an app called Vodafone 5G Reality AR. In addition, a number of 5G operators are beginning to sell cloud gaming services. Telia in Sweden and EE in the UK are selling Microsoft’s Xbox Game Pass Ultimate memberships that include cloud gaming. Telia customers can also buy a dedicated cloud gaming promotion featuring an Android phone, Telia plan and a free Razer Kishi universal Android controller and the Xbox Game Pass in one bundle.”

Luna concludes: “Operators will continually improve their bundles with new 5G features. Eventually they will take advantage of ultra-low latency and consistent gigabit data speeds.”

Further Reading:

• Read more about Digital Transformation @ www.fieldservicenews.com/digital-transformation
• Read more about 5G @ www.fieldservicenews.com/5g
• Find out more more about GlobalData @ www.globaldata.com
• Read more about GlobalData on Field Service News @ www.fieldservicenews.com/globaldata
• Read more about Mobility on Field Service News @ www.fieldservicenews.com/mobility

Despite the anticipated decline of 5.6% in total value in 2020, the enterprise mobility market in Singapore will maintain a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.2% over the 2019-2024 period, driven by the rising adoption of remote working and bring-your-own-device (BYOD) strategies across enterprises, says GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company. 

The uncertainty in business environment created by the COVID-19 pandemic has forced enterprises in Singapore to take a conservative approach towards their ICT spending in 2020, which has hurt the demand prospects for enterprise mobility solutions and services for most part of the year. As business activity picks up, enterprise mobility spending is expected to recover in 2021. 

GROWTH IN MOBILITY APPS SEGMENT WILL BE LED BY MOBILE APPLICATION PLATFORM MANAGEMENT

Nidhi Gupta, Technology Analyst at GlobalData, says: “With businesses adapting to the new normal, and allowing employees to work-from-home and use their personal devices to access corporate networks, their investments on enterprise mobility solutions will recover in 2021 and grow up to US$347m in 2024.” 

Mobility software/applications comprising mobile application platform management software, mobile content management software, mobile device management software and telecom expense management software categories represent the largest market segment in the enterprise mobility market in Singapore, in terms of value.  

Growth in mobility software/applications segment will be led by mobile application platform management (MAPM) software, which is expected register a CAGR of 12.1% over 2019-2024. With several companies expected to retain their remote working strategies even in the post COVID-19 era, their investment on MAPM software, which can equip their remote workforce with enterprise apps and secure access to the same on devices, will increase going forward. 

Ms Gupta concludes: “Managed mobility services segment will see its market value grow at 8.1% CAGR during the forecast period. The rising complexity of managing the huge number of mobile devices and apps that connect employees operating remotely with enterprise data and network will be instrumental in driving the demand for managed mobility services.” 

Further Reading:

• Read more about Digital Transformation @ https://www.fieldservicenews.com/digital-transformation
• Find out more more about GlobalData @ www.globaldata.com
• Read more about GlobalData on Field Service News @ www.fieldservicenews.com/globaldata
• Read more about Mobility on Field Service News @ www.fieldservicenews.com/mobility

In an article submitted by Synchroteam, we look into the advantages of the humble mobile phone. It's more important than you realise...

They say the best camera is the one you always have with you - and nowadays, this is probably your mobile phone. The same could be applied to the tools you use at work on a daily basis. Whether you’re a maintenance worker, a telecommunications engineer or an HVAC technician, there are probably a bunch of tools that you always need to have at hand. The ones you couldn’t go out in the field without, the ones that make your work easier. Well, guess what: your phone could be one of those.

Going mobile is probably one of the smartest changes you can apply to your field service company. It usually means being able to maximize productivity, and has a positive impact both on your workers and your customers. Nowadays technology can help companies thrive in many different areas of industry and commerce, and the field service sector is no exception.

Advantages of mobile workforce software

One of the first advantages you’ll notice when taking the leap into mobile is a dramatic improvement in communication. Technicians are now able to access any necessary information anytime, anywhere, right from their devices. They can check the customers’ job history, check if there’s stock of certain parts, or even send the invoice back to the office right after the job is done.

An improved communication makes any teamwork more efficient. Mobile devices help your team stay in touch, making job assigning and scheduling a lot easier. It also lets you know the whereabouts of each technician at any given time, and inform the customer of any possible delays or reschedules.

Using the appropriate app on your device, you’ll be able to optimize team routes, so that when the technicians leave the office, they’ll make the most of their time out in the field - and will surely avoid any traffic jams on their way. No more wasting time and fuel!

How to make the most of mobile integration

Let’s be honest: Including mobile technology in your daily workflow is not a piece of cake. It’s a process that can take some time, depending on different elements. But truth to be told, there are also some key points you should take bear in mind before taking the leap into mobile.

First of all, you should take all the necessary time to find the perfect solution for you. Going mobile means making a bunch of small but important decisions: which field software app should I use? What mobile devices do I buy? iPhone or Android?

If your mobile software of choice can be integrated with the system you’re already using at work, you’ll be saving a lot of time there. The perfect solution here would be choosing a field software management solution that includes mobile clients as well. Not only will you have access to all the information you already have, but also the technicians will probably have a much less steep learning curve when trying to familiarize themselves with the app.

All in all, when it comes to bring mobile technology to your field service company, the faster you can have it up and running, the better. Any system that can be integrated within the current company structure and workflow in days or weeks, and not months, means more benefits for your business. You’ll start seeing the return to your investment, both in terms of productivity and income!

Built-in apps can be field service apps!

Now, like we said at the beginning, the best camera is the one you have with you. Turns out some of the apps that come pre-installed in almost any mobile device today can also work as field service tools. Some of these apps that have a secret identity as handyman tools are:

Flashlight: you can have as many specialized field service apps, but sometimes all you need to make your work easier is a simple flashlight. The one that comes built-in with mobile devices comes in really handy, especially in those occasions when you’ve left the “real” flashlight back in the van, or it has run out of batteries.

Calculator: when taking measures for a new installation or invoicing a customer, number accuracy is a must. Take no risks here with the basic calculator that comes pre-installed with all smartphones.

Notes: when you enter the mobile software world, you’re also taking a leap into digitalization. And of course, this means saying goodbye to paper. In an all-digital, paperless office, using the built-in Notes app in your mobile device to jot down any important piece of information makes total sense!

Maps: most smartphones have a GPS chip included, which can help you find the address of your next customer in no time - together with the faster, more optimized route to arrive there.

Camera: we’ve mentioned cameras a few times already, so we couldn’t forget about them! The built-camera of your mobile device can be very useful when you need to take a picture of any job you’ve completed - for instance, for insurance purposes.

The best professional apps for field service

Besides the apps that come pre-installed on your device, you can also find tons of apps in app markets, both for Android (Google Play) and iPhone (App Store). Some of these apps, while not having been specifically designed for field service usage, can help you with work. Some of them are:

Evernote

Though you probably have a pre-installed Notes app in your device, Evernote adds some interesting features to the note-taking business. Things such as synchronization of notes across devices, and the ability to share documents easily with the rest of the team.

Slack

Remember when we mentioned communication before, as one of the key elements in your company that would benefit more from digitalization? Slack can also help with that. This app lets you organize instant messaging with your team in groups, channels and also private chats. In other words, this app lets you save time usually wasted in never-ending email chains and meetings, and devote that time to more productive things.

Dropbox

Besides notes and chats, you probably need a space online to store and share documents. And when talking about online file sharing, Dropbox is a great alternative. You can store and share files and, most importantly, create a backup copy of all the important documents saved in your company’s database. Other interesting alternatives for online storing are Google Drive and Onedrive (Microsoft).

Going mobile, but with precaution

Both built-in apps and the software available in app markets can be used as field service tools. But if you turn your mobile device into a work tool, there are certain points you need to take care of.

For starters, you should keep your device’s operating system updated to the last version. This applies to all the apps you use as well. The most recent versions usually add new features, and also fix bugs and security issues - something you should take very seriously, specially if you’re using this device for work.

Also, make sure you set up the lost phone system integrated both in Android (Android Device Manager) and iPhone (Find my iPhone). Thus you’ll be able to track, locate or even remote wipe the device in case it gets lost or stolen.

Last, but not least, both the mobile device and the apps you use at work are useless if you run out of battery. In order to avoid this situation, next time you pack up your stuff to go out in the field, make sure you throw a power bank in!

Click here to find out more about Synchroteam

Bharti Airtel’s Core network to be enhanced with the deployment of Ericsson Cloud Packet Core.

Ericsson has been selected by Korean communication service provider LG U+ as a 5G radio access network (RAN) vendor for its 3.5 GHz Non-Standalone (NSA) 5G network. Ericsson has already been selected by LG U+ as a preferred 5G core network vendor.

Firm's AR software will now work across smartphone and tablets, complimenting its smart glasses functionality. 

Upskill, the Augmented Reality software provider, has added mobile functionality to its AR platform, which includes smart glasses and Microsoft HoloLens.

Aimed at the industrial workforce, the software encourages collaboration through live videos and insight capture while workers carry out tasks. 

Brian Ballard, Upskill CEO and co-founder said: “With the latest enhancements to Skylight, it makes critical data, peer collaboration and the unique fidelity provided by augmented reality even more accessible. Skylight accelerates organizations along their digital transformation journey, regardless of where they are today.”

In the latest of our Field Service News webinars, FSN Editor-in-Chief, Kris Oldland was joined by Sandy MCaskie, Sales Director EMAC for Xplore and Bob Ashenbrenner,President Durable Mobility Technologies as they gave an excellent session as they gave us the benefit of the insight they've gained from years of experience and hundreds of mobility implementations - to help field service organisations get the most from their mobility projects.

Field Service Professional? Click here to apply for a complimentary industry subscription to Field Service News and get the white paper "Preparing for the Connected Customer" sent directly to your inbox now

• How to get the green light for your mobility project
• Why buying for the enterprise differs from buying consumer devices
• Exploring the common drivers for mobility projects
• The importance of form factors amongst rugged mobile options
• Understanding how to get your mobility projects approved
• Getting the right stakeholders invested in your mobility project
• Why and how you should build a strong project team across operations and IT for your mobility project
• Putting together the RFP for your mobility project
• Testing and piloting your RFP
• The importance of Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) for your enterprise mobility solution[/unordered_list]

In this excerpt taken from Oldland's Q&A session at the three discuss the importance of approaching enterprise mobility in a holistic and integrated manner that taes into account both your hardware and software requirements simultaneously.

"For those companies out there - and there are an awful lot of them still, that are approaching this process [developing a mobility strategy for their field service operation] for the first time, how much should the decision in what tools to use in an ecosystem be intertwined - or should the decisions around software an hardware be treated separately?" Oldland asked.

"From my perspective I think companies tend to look at the software applications way before they look at the hardware question and I think that's a big mistake" McCaskie replied.

"If it's the first time around they've implemented an IT mobile solution, they tend to look to port over their old paper based processes onto the new system. What that results is that whatever software they go for, there tends to be a certain amount of rewriting and bespoke development for themselves. When that happens all of a sudden you've got costs down the road when it comes to updating the software."

'This is why working with a hardware supplier such as Xplore can mitigate that because when the later phases of implementation are rolled out some eighteen or twenty four months later, the device is going to be the same - they don't have to think about getting their bespoke software rewritten - you can't say that about consumer grade devices."

"You really don't want to let the tail wag the dog, you don't want to let your device limit your software options" added Ashenbrenner.

"When you look at both of these together, you want to be picking devices that are the easiest to use relative to software - because the software is your process. The software really controls your order of work and you don't want to pick a device that becomes a straight jacket."

"And there is then the other piece to this which you mentioned earlier in the session Kris and Sandy has picked up here as well which is by getting a device that has been designed to operate for the next three to five years you save yourself an awful lot of churn and change. Xplore has tablets that work in vehicle docks that haven't changed in five or seven or even more years and that is by design."

"If you'd been buying consumer devices, and you were buying over a period of two or three years you'd have to be buying different devices at the time you deployed, you'd be buying different cases that aren't interchageable, different vehicle docks and so on."

"So you absolutely need to look at the whole solution, and make sure neither hardware nor software is pinning you into a corner."

Field Service Professional? Click here to apply for a complimentary industry subscription to Field Service News and get the white paper "Preparing for the Connected Customer" sent directly to your inbox now

FieldAware, a leader in made-for-mobile, cloud-based field service automation solutions, have recently launched FieldAware Forms to add enhanced data collection and workflow capabilities to its field service software. The improved solution increases data accuracy, speeds up data collection, automates data routing, and creates a seamless customer experience.

Field service professionals understand that accurate data collection is essential for a successful business, but this is often a lengthy and cumbersome task for those involved due to manual processes and duplicate data entry.

FieldAware Forms improves productivity further by eliminating redundant data entry tasks, and features like dropdown menus minimize errors and ensure high data quality across systems.

The additional embedded capabilities of FieldAware Forms allow FieldAware customers to generate an unlimited number of customisable forms that can be completed and synced to the back office at the touch of a button. Captured data can easily be searched, extracted, and sent to an analytics engine— transforming collected data into actionable business intelligence.

“The enhancements FieldAware Forms has made to automated mobile workflows will transform the all-important data collection for our customers,” says Steve Wellen, CEO FieldAware. “FieldAware Forms simplifies field data collection, improves data quality, and enables real-time data sharing. The use of dynamic, customisable forms to capture data not only saves time and eliminates paperwork, but ensures accurate records are being kept that can be used to create insightful reporting.”

“FieldAware Forms, as part of the FieldAware solution, will benefit all field service organizations looking to improve their productivity, service quality and significantly adds even greater value to those carrying out inspections and audits with compliance or regulatory obligations as part of their operations.”

FieldAware Forms is available to all new and existing FieldAware customers, extending the feature set with the enhanced mobile forms capabilities.

For more information on FieldAware visit www.fieldaware.com

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