Mobile Technology Risks in the Manufacturing Sector

Mobile technologies have brought numerous benefits to the enterprise. They enable rapid communication, nearly instantaneous data sharing, and they enable workers the flexibility to carry out their duties from anywhere.

These technologies, implemented in the manufacturing industry, can also help companies operate more effectively and efficiently. However, as with any technology, there are risks to implementing mobile technology within the manufacturing industry. Read on to learn about the risks and how to manage them so that your business has a positive experience.

Security

By far, the biggest risk mobile technologies pose to the manufacturing industry is security threats. Mobile devices utilized within the manufacturing process can become infected with malware or serve as an entry point for a data breach. Such an attack could cripple a firm.

The mobile threat landscape is only going to expand in the foreseeable future. That doesn’t mean that manufacturing companies should avoid mobile technologies altogether, though. They must deploy security solutions that will protect processes, equipment, and information. Moreover, they need to raise awareness and train employees about the measures they can take to keep their firms safe from digital threats (such as not opening suspicious-looking files and using secured networks).

Regulatory Compliance

A risk linked to security is regulatory compliance, although it doesn’t receive as much attention. Many companies within the manufacturing industry are bound by regulations to ensure their products are safe for public use. These regulations and policies mandate the creation of a paper trail, so that should there be a safety issue, authorities can figure out what went wrong during the process.

Mobile technology has significantly reduced the enterprise’s reliance on paper records. That being said, regulatory agencies still require a paper trail. How can manufacturers implement mobile technology while fulfilling regulatory requirements?

They must choose mobile solutions that enable full compliance with government regulations. This might sound like a challenging task, but mobile technology solution providers have begun to create products and services that meet such needs. These products and services allow manufacturing firms to enjoy the efficiency gains of mobile technologies while staying on the right side of the law.

Outdated IT Infrastructure

Another risk which many people overlook is the ability of a business’ IT infrastructure to support mobile technologies. What your company implemented a decade ago might not enable mobile technologies to function properly. As a result, your firm won’t reap the benefits of mobility.

Investing in new IT infrastructure can be expensive, though. And it’s an investment not every manufacturing company has the resources or willingness to make. How can these businesses implement mobile technologies?

Instead of completely overhauling your IT infrastructure, assess your current IT assets. Determine whether there is a way to build upon existing systems and networks in order to implement mobile solutions.

Any emerging technology carries risks in addition to benefits. The risks might not always outweigh the benefits, which is why it’s important to examine how your firm can implement them in the safest, most effective way possible.