Advanced Device Management and Hardware Guidance for Business Tablets

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Choosing the right tablets

Tablets for business use cases 

Tablets excel in business use cases thanks to their high versatility. They can be used for a myriad of purposes from line busting in stores to tablets for telehealth or in warehouse management. Their compact design makes them easily portable so users can be productive wherever they are. Touchscreens and their user-friendly nature also make them intuitive to use, even for the less tech savvy. Plus, many of the best models for business are cost-effective, decreasing spend and increasing ROI.

While tablets offer a number of advantages, there are some drawbacks. Smaller devices like tablets can be more easily misplaced or stolen. They also lack full power and functionality so you may face some lagging for demanding tasks, challenges with multitasking across apps, or the need for extra peripherals.

Just here to skim? Here’s the gist:

Tablets

Pros
Incredibly versatile
Infinitely portable
Very cost-effective
Cons
May need extra peripherals to do everything needed
Smaller devices are easier to misplace or are often theft risks

Kiosks

Pros
Highly effective for single-use applications where a tablet won’t cut it
Purpose-driven
Cons
Difficult to repurpose
Expensive

Smartphones

Pros
Wide variety of hardware choices
Small, portable form factor
Rugged options
Cons
Easily lost, stolen, or damaged (for non-rugged)
May require more peripherals for full functionality

Tablets vs. Smartphones: Which is Right for Your Business?

Tablets and smartphones are both incredibly versatile devices and work well across a variety of business use cases, from mPOS to mobile ordering. While there is some overlap between them in terms of functionality, there are some notable differences. Use our cheat sheet below to determine which best suits your needs.

Advantages

  • It’s smaller:
    mPOS can be a smartphone, a tablet, or a standalone unit based on a smartphone form factor. Any of these are more compact than a big, bulky POS system.
  • Portability:
    ‍    Going to trade shows where you plan on selling goods? Take your mPOS. Want to set up shop on the sidewalk because it’s a nice day? Your mPOS has your back. Decide to close up your restaurant and buy a food truck instead? You won’t need to change your POS system.
  • It’s easy to use:
    ‍    You can use your smartphone, right? Then you can use an mPOS. In many cases, it’s just an app that runs on the device (though dedicated mPOS devices also exist!), so it’s intuitive. Plus, you won’t have to manage it yourself since the mPOS service provider will almost certainly have robust support options.
  • It’s secure:
    ‍    mPOS is more secure than a traditional POS system because it’s completely cloud-based. That means none of the data — credit card or customer information, for example — is stored locally. For a deeper look at mPOS security, check out this whitepaper.
  • It’s automated:
    ‍    No need to manually generate revenue reports, manage bank accounts, or the like. It’s all seamless and simple with an mPOS system.
  • Customers love it (and so will you):
    ‍    At this point, customers are very used to mPOS systems and many likely prefer it overall. With many mPOS systems, the customer’s email address and phone number are attached to their credit card, which makes digital receipts, returns, and customer history dead simple.

Disadvantages

  • Portable = breakable:
    Have you ever dropped an old-school POS and broken it? Probably not, because it’s largely stationary. An mPOS though? Drops happen. Better get a ruggedized case.
  • High cost to replace:
    ‍    What happens when you break that high-dollar mPOS tablet? You have to replace it. That can be costly depending on which model you’re using. While traditional POS systems are more expensive, they’re also far less likely to get damaged, making replacement cost more of a consideration for an mPOS system.
  • Support lifetime:
    There are plenty of old-school POS systems still in use today, but mPOS systems won’t have the same lifecycle. They’re not designed to stay in service indefinitely and have limited support lifetimes, so they’ll have to be replaced regularly for cybersecurity purposes.

Rugged devices are best for:

  • Durability:
    Rugged devices have the durability you wish hard shell tacos did.  While hard shell tacos can’t even be held without falling apart, rugged devices are purpose-built to withstand the harshest conditions, such as extreme temps, moisture, dust, and potential drops, in the toughest environments, like construction sites, manufacturing floors, and outdoor fieldwork.
  • Lower TCO in the long term:
    ‍    Rugged devices are often more expensive at first, but their durability can mean savings in the long run thanks to their reduced risk of damage and longer lifespans. It’s like a horror movie in reverse. The jump scare is up front, then it’s smooth sailing.
  • Extended battery life:
    ‍    If a device goes down and no one is around to see it, does it really go down? Yes, yes it does. That’s why rugged devices often come with a longer battery life so they can operate for extended periods in remote places where charging isn’t easily accessible. 

Consumer-grade devices in a rugged case are best for

  • Cost savings:
    ‍    There are cost savings to be reaped here, both in the short and long term. A rugged case is less expensive than a rugged device, making it cheaper up front, and the added protection makes the device more durable than an uncased device, reducing maintenance and replacement expenses.
  • Support lifetime:
    ‍    There are plenty of old-school POS systems still in use today, but mPOS systems won’t have the same lifecycle. They’re not designed to stay in service indefinitely and have limited support lifetimes, so they’ll have to be replaced regularly for cybersecurity purposes.

Consumer-grade devices are best for 

  • Lower initial costs:
    Consumer-grade devices tend to be a more budget-friendly choice. This is great for those with smaller spending power, but be aware the cost of damage or replacement could be greater in the long run.
  • Ease of use:
    ‍    No bulky or heavy cases here, just slim and lightweight devices. The user experience can be more mobile and carefree— unless, of course, you drop it.
  • Future-proofing:
    ‍    Consumer-grade devices are the favorite child in the device world. They bask in constant attention, enjoying frequent updates that keep them at the cutting edge of functionality and ahead of their rugged counterparts. 

Tablets vs. Smartphones: Which is Right for Your Business?

Tablets and smartphones are both incredibly versatile devices and work well across a variety of business use cases, from mPOS to mobile ordering. While there is some overlap between them in terms of functionality, there are some notable differences. Use our cheat sheet below to determine which best suits your needs.

Advantages

  • It’s smaller:
    mPOS can be a smartphone, a tablet, or a standalone unit based on a smartphone form factor. Any of these are more compact than a big, bulky POS system.
  • Portability:
    ‍    Going to trade shows where you plan on selling goods? Take your mPOS. Want to set up shop on the sidewalk because it’s a nice day? Your mPOS has your back. Decide to close up your restaurant and buy a food truck instead? You won’t need to change your POS system.
  • It’s easy to use:
    ‍    You can use your smartphone, right? Then you can use an mPOS. In many cases, it’s just an app that runs on the device (though dedicated mPOS devices also exist!), so it’s intuitive. Plus, you won’t have to manage it yourself since the mPOS service provider will almost certainly have robust support options.
  • It’s secure:
    ‍    mPOS is more secure than a traditional POS system because it’s completely cloud-based. That means none of the data — credit card or customer information, for example — is stored locally. For a deeper look at mPOS security, check out this whitepaper.
  • It’s automated:
    ‍    No need to manually generate revenue reports, manage bank accounts, or the like. It’s all seamless and simple with an mPOS system.
  • Customers love it (and so will you):
    ‍    At this point, customers are very used to mPOS systems and many likely prefer it overall. With many mPOS systems, the customer’s email address and phone number are attached to their credit card, which makes digital receipts, returns, and customer history dead simple.

Disadvantages

  • Portable = breakable:
    Have you ever dropped an old-school POS and broken it? Probably not, because it’s largely stationary. An mPOS though? Drops happen. Better get a ruggedized case.
  • High cost to replace:
    ‍    What happens when you break that high-dollar mPOS tablet? You have to replace it. That can be costly depending on which model you’re using. While traditional POS systems are more expensive, they’re also far less likely to get damaged, making replacement cost more of a consideration for an mPOS system.
  • Support lifetime:
    There are plenty of old-school POS systems still in use today, but mPOS systems won’t have the same lifecycle. They’re not designed to stay in service indefinitely and have limited support lifetimes, so they’ll have to be replaced regularly for cybersecurity purposes.

Rugged devices are best for:

  • Durability:
    Rugged devices have the durability you wish hard shell tacos did.  While hard shell tacos can’t even be held without falling apart, rugged devices are purpose-built to withstand the harshest conditions, such as extreme temps, moisture, dust, and potential drops, in the toughest environments, like construction sites, manufacturing floors, and outdoor fieldwork.
  • Lower TCO in the long term:
    ‍    Rugged devices are often more expensive at first, but their durability can mean savings in the long run thanks to their reduced risk of damage and longer lifespans. It’s like a horror movie in reverse. The jump scare is up front, then it’s smooth sailing.
  • Extended battery life:
    ‍    If a device goes down and no one is around to see it, does it really go down? Yes, yes it does. That’s why rugged devices often come with a longer battery life so they can operate for extended periods in remote places where charging isn’t easily accessible. 

Consumer-grade devices in a rugged case are best for

  • Cost savings:
    ‍    There are cost savings to be reaped here, both in the short and long term. A rugged case is less expensive than a rugged device, making it cheaper up front, and the added protection makes the device more durable than an uncased device, reducing maintenance and replacement expenses.
  • Support lifetime:
    ‍    There are plenty of old-school POS systems still in use today, but mPOS systems won’t have the same lifecycle. They’re not designed to stay in service indefinitely and have limited support lifetimes, so they’ll have to be replaced regularly for cybersecurity purposes.

Consumer-grade devices are best for 

  • Lower initial costs:
    Consumer-grade devices tend to be a more budget-friendly choice. This is great for those with smaller spending power, but be aware the cost of damage or replacement could be greater in the long run.
  • Ease of use:
    ‍    No bulky or heavy cases here, just slim and lightweight devices. The user experience can be more mobile and carefree— unless, of course, you drop it.
  • Future-proofing:
    ‍    Consumer-grade devices are the favorite child in the device world. They bask in constant attention, enjoying frequent updates that keep them at the cutting edge of functionality and ahead of their rugged counterparts. 

Tablets

Usage and portability
Tablets offer the ideal balance between functionality and portability. Their larger screens make it easier to view and use content and apps while still allowing staff to be agile.
Ideal applications
Due to their larger screens, tablets are often preferred for applications that require precise input via a stylus or touch, such as design, healthcare, or fieldwork.
Communication
Users can effectively use tablets for emails, messaging, and video conferencing. Voice calls may be less convenient due to their larger size.
Cost
Tablets offer a cost-effective alternative to smartphones. Quality tablets are often significantly more affordable than flagship smartphones with similar features. This makes tablets a smart way to cut expenses, particularly if you don't need cellular connectivity.
‍

Smartphones

Usage and portability
Smartphones are the most portable devices out there, making them great for on-the-go communication and quick access to information. Their small screens and limited functionality could make them less suitable for certain business tasks.
Ideal applications
Smartphones are better for applications that require mobility, augmented/virtual reality, or mobile payments.
Communication
Smartphones are perfect for efficient communication methods such as voice calls, text messages, emails, and video calls.
Cost
‍Small in size, potentially big in price. Smartphones can get pretty expensive thanks to their compact design and premium features like advanced cameras and facial recognition. These factors drive up production costs and result in higher price tags compared to tablets in many cases.

Smartphones

Usage and portability
Smartphones are the most portable devices out there, making them great for on-the-go communication and quick access to information. Their small screens and limited functionality could make them less suitable for certain business tasks.
Ideal applications
Smartphones are better for applications that require mobility, augmented/virtual reality, or mobile payments.
Communication
Smartphones are perfect for efficient communication methods such as voice calls, text messages, emails, and video calls.
Cost
Small in size, big in price. Smartphones can get pretty expensive thanks to their compact design and premium features like advanced cameras and facial recognition. These factors drive up production costs and result in higher price tags compared to tablets.

Tablets

Usage and portability
Tablets offer the ideal balance between functionality and portability. Their larger screens make it easier to view and use content and apps while still allowing staff be agile.
Ideal applications
Due to their larger screens, tablets are often preferred for applications that require precise input via a stylus or touch, such as design, healthcare, or fieldwork.
Communication
Users can effectively use tablets for emails, messaging, and video conferencing. Voice calls may be less convenient due to their larger size.
Cost
Tablets offer a cost-effective alternative to smartphones. Quality tablets are often significantly more affordable than flagship smartphones with similar features. This makes tablets a smart way to cut expenses, particularly if you don’t need cellular connectivity.

Shopping Considerations for Company-Owned Tablets

When selecting the right tablet for your use case, there are several essential factors to consider to ensure optimal functionality and productivity.

Customization level

The first step is deciding how much control you want. Should you buy off-the-shelf (no control), customize a commercial table (some control), or build custom (full control).?If you’re Goldilocks, you’re picking that sweet middle.

Software and application compatibility

You want this to work, right? Make sure the tablet’s processing power, RAM, and storage capacity align with the demands of your apps to prevent lag and ensure seamless performance.

Durability

Nobody likes a broken tablet — especially when that tablet is the backbone of your business. Assessing a tablet’s robustness is essential to prevent disruption and broken hearts.

Connectivity

Your connectivity method can make or break the user experience. Quick and obvious PSA: Complicated setups, spotty coverage, and weak security are no-gos.

Device lifecycle

Determine how long your devices need to be in the market. If you’re okay with a short duration, off-the-shelf tablets are a great option. If longer commits are your thing, a consumer focused tablet may not be your match.

Budget

Along with your ideal price per unit, think about what aspects of your solution are most important to you and what you’re willing to pay for them — and don’t forget to factor in routine maintenance, troubleshooting, and other lifetime costs.

Need More Guidance? Esper Can Help.

Our hardware experts make finding the right hardware easy! Esper has guided thousands of customers to develop efficient, scalable device fleets that meet their needs. With our robust partner catalog and vast hardware support we can always find a solution.

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Management Considerations for Company Tablets

Once you’ve found the right tablets, it’s time to manage them. An MDM (Mobile Device Management) solution is a great tool to monitor and protect your tablets. But there’s no such thing as a one-size-fits-all MDM solution, and each device management scenario needs to be evaluated individually. Some key factors to consider when looking for the right MDM:

Hardware flexibility

If rapid hardware iteration is a priority or you need support for other types of devices beyond tablets, your MDM can’t lock you in. As your needs mature and evolve, an inflexible MDM will cost your business serious time and money.

Security patches

You need to know the frequency of patches and support lifetime to ensure your tablets aren’t left vulnerable. This is crucial for all fleets, but especially those in high security verticals like healthcare and finance.

Control over updates

Who’s really in charge of your tablets? If you want to control your own system updates and security patches, make sure your MDM can deliver the tools to manage and deploy it exactly when and where you want.

Expertise

You’re not just picking the MDM solution, you’re picking the company behind it. Put on your amateur detective cap and investigate their expertise. Whether it’s working with Android devices or large scale change management, it’s important they’ve dealt with use cases like yours.

Remote debugging capabilities

Would you rather be in your overpriced but ergonomic office chair troubleshooting a device or on a just barely inhabitable airplane seat on the way to tinkering with tablets in Nebraska? The ability to remotely log, diagnose, and resolve issues is crucial to avoiding the latter.

Provisioning method

Provisioning can be a needlessly complicated process. The hair you’ve lost over this may be the very reason you’re here. Do yourself a favor and find an MDM that’s going to help simplify the onboarding, provisioning, and deployment processes.

Advanced Device Management for Company-Owned Tablets

MDM means different things to different people. At Esper, it means deploying with ease, updating on your schedule, and managing your devices seamlessly and intelligently. With our reliable infrastructure built on automation and ease of use, you can realize your tablets’ full potential. It’s the MDM equivalent of having a pina colada and getting caught in the rain.
Control
Efficiency
Security

Streamlined device grouping

Manage all your tablets in a single place. One tablet, groups of tablets, or all your tablets.

Update at will

Test updates on a single tablet, then stage rollouts to groups based on custom rules.

Enhanced visibility

Monitor tablet vitals like status,health, and usage at a glance. Set custom alerts for automated monitoring.

Device kitting made simple

Your IT teams can deploy dozens of tablets in minutes instead of hours. Maybe even go home early.

Avoid expensive onsite visits

View and control tablets, troubleshoot issues, or generate a debugging report. From anywhere.

Streamlined software delivery

Ensure tablets boot up with the most current OS version and settings. No matter what.

Eliminate device tampering

Lock devices down with hardened kiosk mode so users only access what you want.

Protect system integrity

Control when apps get added, updated, and removed — on the fly, at any time. As often as you need.

Keep tablets from disappearing

Track tablets in real-time and set up a virtual geofence to protect your assets.
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Elevated Device Management

Optimizing back and front-of-house operations for restaurants

Esper is an indispensable tool for managing our devices. It allows us to effectively manage our devices both individually and as a cohesive unit. When deciding on hardware for our fleet, our first priority is ensuring it’s compatible with the Esper platform.

Sejun Park
Sejun Park
Head of Hardware at Snackpass
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I’m putting tablets into 80,000 pound 18 wheelers that are out on the highway. One of my biggest fears is that a driver is going to be watching videos or playing games while driving in my equipment. I needed a way to lock my device down so only company approved applications were being used. Esper gives me the control to do that.

Dan Locke
Dan Locke
Director of Safety & Compliance at Summit Trucking

Remote install for hotel in-room tablets

Our in-room tablets give guests board control over their stay. They can order dining, make service requests, adjust room controls, and much more with a few taps of a screen. Esper enables the INTELITY platform to globally deploy and manage devices across all of a customer’s properties regardless of size. Through Esper’s platform we can do remote installation and reduce the reliance on IT support at each hotel.

‍

Ira Dworkin
Ira Dworkin
CTO, Intelity
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Staying a step ahead of the pack comes naturally to you. If you’re looking for the inside track to understanding how forward-thinking businesses are prepping for the next generation of mission-critical device use cases, this is it. The State of Device Management Report is the key to understanding the evolution of device management for the next generation of hardware. With these insights, you’ll be ready to take on what comes next — regardless of where you are right now.
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