Benefits
Working out the most cost effective way to enable your users to enjoy the benefits of mobile working can be complicated. It’s not just about choosing the cheapest tariff. You also may need the following:
- Security requirements
- Different types of business applications
- Device options
- What happens if the device is lost or damaged
- Can you recycle or reuse existing assets
- How to integrate mobile services into the rest of your ICT environment.
You need to look at all elements of cost in order to understand which option is best for you.
Did you know that the cost of connectivity (e.g. a 4G data subscription) represents at most 10% of the total cost of ownership for a typical tablet device?
User Profile Descriptions
Behind the scenes
These staff perform clearly defined (often complicated) procedures that have to be followed precisely.
They usually work in one place (a fixed desk or hot-desk). They spend most of their time inputting and manipulating information within specific line of business applications rather than off the shelf software. Working from home or remotely is not typically possible, and they rarely work outside of office hours.
Office everywhere
These staff are office-based but often move around, predominantly for meeting with colleagues or external stakeholders. They regularly work from home and other remote locations.
They are heavy users of standard productivity tools. They interact with their team, the wider department and sometimes externally, though rarely with the public. They require their tools to be reliable and convey a professional image of their department, especially when presenting their work outside of government.
Out and about
These staff are often on the move without regular access to office facilities or mobile technology. They frequently conduct fieldwork in all manner of environments and locations, and keep in touch with their team by telephone. They often have to access and capture information instantly.
They collaborate with a wide variety of people both internal and external to the Home Office as part of investigations or in fieldwork activities. They are heavy users of standard productivity and often require specialist programs.
Speedy Checkers
These staff move often, carrying their technology between locations. They interact with the public daily and often make snap decisions based on information available to them at that moment.
‘Speedy checkers’ may conduct checks of goods/places/people and simultaneously consult live systems. They often require full access to line of business systems even when outside of the office. When these are not available they rely on calling the office to request checks. A lack of remote network access means many roles rely on printing before any operational work is started.
Front of house
These staff are based in one location gathering information (e.g. from visa applicants) and process it for further evaluation by other teams. The use of interview rooms and booths for public engagement requires widespread hot-desking. Some work is shift based, rotating staff 24/7, and there is little opportunity to work at home.
Staff spend much of their time in line of business applications and are reliant on these functioning well. The roles are often customer facing, and the real time gathering and processing of data is critical. Some staff need to communicate widely outside their immediate teams.
Technologist
These staff develop and manage digital services or perform in-depth data analysis. They are sophisticated IT users, accustomed to managing the configuration of their own devices. They often need access to coding environments and visualisation and modelling software. For this they require large or multiple screens.
They’re mainly at fixed desks but are sometimes mobile to engage with contractors and Civil Servants outside of their office location. They either work with high specification devices or struggle with the main IT system.
Always on
These staff are highly responsive to all information they receive through multiple channels. Quick data evaluation to pass to the relevant person/team is required. They are advanced email users and need constant access to specific applications for processing and storing information.
‘Always on’ staff split their time between fixed desks and being highly mobile. They work outside standard office hours, and always have to be reachable and respond to any requests.
Bundles for your users
| Persona | Example Use Cases | Device(s) | Tariff | Security | Productivity Tools |
| Behind the scenes |
|
Feature phone or basic Smartphone | Zero Line Rental | n/a | n/a |
| Office everywhere |
|
Mid to high end Smartphone | No.10 Tariff |
|
|
| Out and about |
|
|
|
|
|
| Speedy Checkers |
|
Mid to high end Smartphone | Voice & Data, No.10 |
|
|
| Front of house |
|
|
Voice Only | n/a |
|
| Technologist |
|
|
No.10 Tariff |
|
Office 365 |
| Always on |
|
High end Smartphone | No.10 Tariff |
|
|