Mobile Technology for Field Service

Field service teams need reliable technology that can travel with employees and support business applications away from a conventional office or warehouse environment.

Tek Direkt supplies mobile technology for field service teams, engineers and mobile workforces, including rugged mobile computers, handheld data-capture devices, mobile printers and related business hardware from leading manufacturers such as Zebra, Honeywell and Datalogic.

Whether you're replacing existing handheld devices, equipping engineers or planning a wider mobile deployment, the right hardware depends on the applications being used, working environment, connectivity and tasks employees need to complete in the field.

Mobile Technology for Field Workers

Field employees can carry out a wide range of tasks while working away from a fixed business location.

Mobile technology can support workflows including:

• Job management

• Barcode scanning

• Asset identification

• Equipment inspection

• Inventory checks

• Parts management

• Proof of service

• Proof of collection or delivery

• Customer records

• Maintenance activity

• Mobile printing

• Data capture
  
  

The objective is to give employees access to the information and data-capture tools they need at the point of activity.

Mobile Computers for Field Service

A professional mobile computer combines computing capability, wireless connectivity and enterprise data capture in a portable device.

Depending on the model and configuration, features can include:

• Integrated 1D and 2D barcode scanning

• Touchscreen operation

• Android operating system

• Wi-Fi

• Bluetooth

• Cellular connectivity

• Cameras

• GPS

• Replaceable or extended-life batteries

• Rugged construction

• Enterprise device-management support
  
  

This makes mobile computers particularly useful where employees need to interact with business applications as well as capture information.

Field Service for Engineers & Technicians

Engineers and technicians may need access to information while working at customer premises, industrial sites or other remote locations.

A mobile device can potentially support:

• Job details

• Service records

• Equipment identification

• Parts lookup

• Asset information

• Inspection forms

• Maintenance records

• Photographs

• Signatures

• Completion information
  
  

The exact functionality depends on the software being used.

Tek Direkt supplies the hardware platform required to run compatible mobile applications and capture operational data in the field.

Rugged Mobile Computers

Consumer smartphones can be appropriate for some mobile applications, but field service environments can place greater demands on hardware.

Professional rugged mobile computers are designed for operational use where devices may encounter:

• Drops

• Repeated handling

• Dust

• Outdoor conditions

• Changing temperatures

• Long working shifts

• Vehicle-based operation
  
  

When comparing devices, consider the actual working environment rather than automatically choosing either the lightest or most rugged device available.

Barcode Scanning in Field Service

Integrated barcode scanning can allow field employees to identify items without carrying a separate scanner.

Potential applications include:

• Asset identification

• Equipment servicing

• Parts management

• Stock checks

• Tool identification

• Product identification

• Collection and delivery

• Service documentation
  
  

A field engineer carrying replacement components, for example, may be able to scan the parts being used and record that information within the appropriate business application.

Asset Tracking in the Field

Businesses with equipment distributed across customer sites or multiple locations may need employees to identify and record individual assets.

Barcode labels and other identification technologies can provide a machine-readable identifier for equipment.

Field workers can then use compatible mobile hardware to capture the identifier and access or update the associated record.

For applications involving RFID-tagged equipment or inventory, see our RFID Readers & Scanners for Business page.

Businesses looking at the wider process of identifying and managing equipment, tools and other physical assets can also see our Asset Tracking Technology & Hardware page.

Mobile Printers for Field Service

Some field-service workflows require employees to produce labels, receipts or other printed information at the point of activity.

A mobile printer provides portable, battery-powered printing without requiring the employee to return to a fixed printer.

Potential applications include:

• Service labels

• Asset labels

• Identification labels

• Collection receipts

• Delivery documentation

• Work records

• Replacement labels

• Customer receipts
  
  

The appropriate printer depends on what needs to be printed, media size, connectivity and the environment in which the equipment will operate.

Mobile Label Printing

Mobile label printers can allow employees to produce identification labels where they are actually required.

This can be useful where equipment, assets, containers or other items need to be labelled during installation, maintenance, inspection or servicing.

Before choosing a mobile printer, establish:

• Required label width

• Print method

• Media type

• Print durability

• Connectivity

• Battery requirements

• Required accessories
  
  

The printer must also be compatible with the application or device responsible for generating the print job.

Mobile Computers & Mobile Printers

Mobile computers and mobile printers can work together as part of the same field-service workflow.

For example:

Receive job → Identify asset → Complete work → Update application → Print label or receipt

Bluetooth or other supported wireless connectivity can allow compatible devices to communicate without requiring a conventional fixed workstation.

Always confirm compatibility between the exact mobile computer, printer and software before deployment.

Cellular Mobile Computers

Field workers frequently operate away from company Wi-Fi.

For these applications, a mobile computer with suitable cellular connectivity may allow employees to access compatible cloud or business applications while travelling or working at customer locations.

Potential uses include:

• Receiving new jobs

• Updating job status

• Accessing customer information

• Looking up inventory

• Submitting completed work

• Synchronising operational data
  
  

Not every configuration within a mobile-computer family necessarily includes the same connectivity.

Check the complete manufacturer part number (MPN) before ordering.

Wi-Fi & Bluetooth Connectivity

Field devices may also use Wi-Fi when employees are working at company facilities, depots or customer locations with suitable network access.

Bluetooth can support connections to compatible peripherals such as:

• Mobile printers

• Headsets

• External scanners

• Other supported accessories
  
  

Connectivity requirements should be established around the actual field-service workflow.

Battery Life for Mobile Workers

Field employees may spend an entire shift away from a conventional charging location.

Battery performance and charging arrangements are therefore important considerations when choosing mobile hardware.

Depending on the device family, businesses may be able to use:

• Spare batteries

• Extended-capacity batteries

• Vehicle chargers

• Charging cradles

• Multi-device chargers

• USB charging accessories
  
  

For larger deployments, think about charging infrastructure at the same time as the devices themselves.

Vehicle-Based Mobile Technology

Some field-service employees spend significant parts of the working day travelling between jobs.

Vehicle-based requirements can include:

• Device charging

• Secure device storage

• Vehicle mounting

• Mobile printing

• Cellular connectivity

• Navigation

• Job management
  
  

The hardware should be selected around both the activity at the customer site and what happens between jobs.

Mobile Technology for Utilities

Utilities and infrastructure organisations can have mobile employees working across large geographic areas.

Depending on the operation, mobile hardware may support:

• Asset identification

• Inspection

• Maintenance

• Meter-related workflows

• Equipment records

• Parts management

• Field data capture

• Mobile printing
  
  

Devices used outdoors or around infrastructure may require greater ruggedness than hardware used primarily inside customer premises.

Mobile Technology for Maintenance Teams

Maintenance teams can use handheld technology to identify equipment and access relevant information while carrying out planned or reactive work.

Potential workflows include:

• Scan equipment

• Open asset record

• Review maintenance history

• Record work completed

• Capture parts used

• Update status

• Close job
  
  

The software determines the workflow, while the mobile computer provides the physical interface and data-capture capability.

Mobile Technology for Inspections

Mobile devices can support inspection teams who need to capture information away from a desk.

Depending on the application, employees may use a device to record:

• Asset identifiers

• Inspection results

• Photographs

• Notes

• Condition information

• Signatures

• Follow-up requirements
  
  

Where equipment already carries barcode identification, an integrated scanner can provide a fast way to associate the inspection with the correct asset record.

Zebra Mobile Computers for Field Service

Zebra Technologies supplies enterprise mobile computers, barcode scanning and mobile printing technology used across field operations and other business environments.

Different Zebra mobile-computer families are designed around different combinations of portability, ruggedness, scanning and wireless connectivity.

When sourcing Zebra hardware for field service, compare the exact MPN because configurations within the same device family can differ.

Zebra Mobile Printers for Field Workers

Zebra also produces mobile printers designed to be carried or used away from a conventional desktop printing location.

These can form part of field-service, transport, logistics and other mobile workflows where labels or receipts need to be produced at the point of activity.

Mobile-printer selection should consider print width, media, connectivity, battery requirements and the environment where the device will be used.

Honeywell Mobile Technology

Honeywell supplies enterprise mobile computers and data-capture technology for mobile, warehouse, retail and operational applications.

When selecting a Honeywell device for field work, check the required connectivity, scanning capability, ruggedness and accessories against the intended application.

Datalogic Mobile Technology

Datalogic provides mobile computers and data-capture hardware for enterprise applications.

Different devices are suited to different working environments, so the correct choice depends on application compatibility, mobility, scanning requirements and physical conditions.

Field Service vs Warehouse Mobile Computers

The same manufacturer may offer mobile computers suitable for several industries, but the configuration required for field service can differ from a warehouse deployment.

Warehouse devices frequently rely heavily on local Wi-Fi and may prioritise long-range barcode scanning or warehouse-specific form factors.

Field-service devices may place greater importance on:

• Cellular connectivity

• Portability

• Outdoor use

• GPS

• Camera functionality

• Vehicle charging

• All-day battery operation

For devices used primarily inside warehouses and distribution centres, see our Mobile Computers for Warehousing & Logistics page.

Field Service & Transport Operations

Field service and transport workflows can also overlap.

Drivers, engineers and other mobile employees may all need to capture information, access applications and produce documentation away from a fixed workplace.

For dedicated transport and distribution workflows, see our Mobile Computers for Transport & Logistics page.

For portable printing in transport and delivery operations, see our Mobile Printers for Transport & Logistics page.

Accessories for Field-Service Devices

The right accessories can be as important as the handheld device itself.

Depending on the manufacturer and product family, accessories may include:

• Charging cradles

• Vehicle chargers

• Spare batteries

• Protective cases

• Hand straps

• Holsters

• Pistol grips

• Vehicle mounts

• Mobile-printer mounts
  
  

For larger deployments, accessory requirements should be planned alongside the main hardware rather than after the devices arrive.

Mobile Device Deployment

Businesses equipping multiple field employees should consider standardisation and device management.

Using a consistent hardware configuration can make it easier to:

• Deploy applications

• Manage accessories

• Maintain spare devices

• Replace failed hardware

• Train employees

• Standardise charging

• Support users

• Expand the deployment
  
  

Recording the exact MPN used across the fleet can also make replacement purchasing much easier.

How to Choose Field-Service Mobile Technology

Before purchasing hardware, establish:

• Which applications will employees use?

• Is cellular connectivity required?

• Is barcode scanning required?

• Which barcode types need to be captured?

• Will employees work outdoors?

• How rugged does the device need to be?

• How long must the battery last?

• Is vehicle charging required?

• Is GPS required?

• Is mobile printing required?

• What needs to be printed?

• Are cameras required?

• Which accessories are needed?

• Will devices be centrally managed?

• Is the deployment for one employee or a larger mobile workforce?
  
  

Compatibility with the software environment should be confirmed before a wider rollout.

Build a Complete Field-Service Technology Solution

A mobile field-service environment might combine:

Mobile computer + integrated barcode scanning + cellular connectivity + mobile printer + business software

The exact combination depends on what employees need to accomplish while working away from a fixed location.

Tek Direkt supplies mobile computing, barcode data capture, mobile printing and related enterprise hardware from leading manufacturers.

Buy Mobile Technology for Field Service

Tek Direkt supplies mobile technology for field service teams, engineers and mobile workforces across the UK.

Whether you're replacing a single handheld device, equipping a team of engineers or sourcing hardware for a larger deployment, we can help identify and price suitable equipment.

Already know the device you require?

Send us the manufacturer part number (MPN) and quantity and we'll quote the exact configuration.

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