From Field to Fortune: The Impact of Mobile Apps on Deskless Workforce Productivity

Exciting advancements in AI and mobile app integration are revolutionizing how deskless workers approach their jobs in modern industries. While conventional office-based roles have long been the focus of technological advancements, the impact on “deskless” sectors is equally significant. Deskless workers who do not work in a traditional office setting play a crucial role in ensuring the smooth functioning of essential operations across various industries. On top of that, these people make up about 80% of the global working population and work across industries like construction, healthcare, hospitality, manufacturing, and field services. Despite their vital contribution, these workers face several challenges, such as high turnover rates, low employee engagement, and poor communication.

Defining Deskless Industries

Deskless workers encompass diverse roles that operate outside traditional office environments, relying on physical presence or mobility to perform tasks. From frontline employees in retail and healthcare to construction and delivery personnel technicians, these workers face unique challenges in their day-to-day operations due to their dynamic work settings.

Challenges Faced by Deskless Workers

Deskless workers often face operational and logistical challenges that can impact their work. Such challenges may include difficulties in communication, accessing information, and coordinating tasks efficiently.

1. Communication Challenges: According to a Harvard Business Review Analytic Services report, 84% of deskless workers feel disconnected from head office due to communication barriers and 59% of workers feel that the communications they receive are inadequate.
2. Task Management Issues: A study by Zebra Technologies found that 73% of deskless workers cite challenges with task management and coordination, leading to inefficiencies and delays in completing assignments. In fact, 83% of deskless workers still rely on paper files for some or all of their processes.
3. Training Accessibility: Research conducted by the 1Huddle revealed that 67% of deskless workers struggle to access training resources and development opportunities, limiting their ability to acquire new skills and advance in their careers.
4. Compliance and Safety Concerns: The International Labor Organization reports that deskless workers are disproportionately affected by workplace accidents and injuries, with inadequate communication and training cited as contributing factors.
5. Customer Service Impact: A survey by Salesforce found that 69% of consumers believe that the quality of customer service provided by deskless workers directly impacts their overall experience with a brand.

The Evolution of AI and Mobile App Technology

The advancements in AI and the proliferation of smartphones have transformed how deskless workers perform their duties. Mobile applications equipped with AI capabilities provide various tools and resources for improving productivity, streamlining operations, and enhancing communication. With features such as real-time messaging, task automation, predictive analytics, and augmented reality, deskless workers are empowered to overcome challenges and optimize their performance.

Positive Impacts of AI-Powered Mobile Apps for Deskless Workers

Implementing AI-powered mobile apps in deskless industries yields numerous benefits for both workers and businesses:

1. Increased Productivity: A study conducted by the Harvard Business Review found that companies that implemented mobile apps for deskless workers experienced a 30% increase in productivity on average. In addition, 70% of deskless workers reported they want more tech to do their jobs.
2. Improved Communication: According to research by Gartner, organizations that leverage AI-driven communication tools in mobile apps witness a 25% reduction in communication errors and a 20% improvement in team collaboration among deskless workers.
3. Enhanced Customer Service: Salesforce’s State of the Connected Customer report revealed that 74% of consumers expect companies to provide faster response times and more personalized service through mobile apps, leading to higher satisfaction levels among deskless workers.
4. Better Decision-Making: A survey conducted by Deloitte found that 82% of executives believe that AI-powered analytics and insights from mobile apps enable deskless workers to make faster and more informed decisions, leading to improved business outcomes.
5. Greater Employee Satisfaction: Research by Gallup showed that organizations that invest in mobile app solutions for deskless workers experience a 21% increase in employee engagement and a 17% decrease in turnover rates, indicating higher job satisfaction levels.

Mobile Apps in B2B, B2C, and B2E Settings

AI-powered mobile applications have a wide range of applications in various business relationships. By using mobile applications in settings such as business-to-business (B2B), business-to-customer (B2C), and business-to-employee (B2E), industries that don’t require a desk can improve collaboration, enhance customer experiences, and empower their workforce to achieve operational excellence, driving business growth.

B2B (Business to Business) Applications:

1. Supply Chain Management: Mobile applications facilitate seamless collaboration among businesses, suppliers, distributors, and logistics partners, optimizing inventory levels, reducing lead time, and streamlining the supply chain through features such as automatic replenishment, order management, and real-time inventory tracking.
2. Project Coordination: Industries like construction, manufacturing, and field services benefit from B2B mobile apps that enable seamless project coordination and communication among contractors, subcontractors, and project managers. These apps come with various features such as assigning tasks, tracking progress, and sharing project documents, ensuring transparency and accountability throughout the project lifecycle.
3. Vendor Management: B2B mobile apps simplify vendor management processes by providing a centralized location for communication, procurement, and performance tracking. Businesses can efficiently onboard vendors, manage contracts and payments, and evaluate vendor performance to ensure compliance and quality standards are met.

B2C (Business to Consumer) Applications:

1. Retail Engagement: Mobile applications have become vital in fostering customer engagement and loyalty in the retail industry. By providing personalized product recommendations, mobile-exclusive promotions, and a hassle-free shopping experience, B2C mobile apps facilitate sales and encourage customers to make repeat purchases. In addition, such apps are equipping deskless workers with the necessary tools to deliver exceptional customer service.
2. Hospitality Services: The hospitality industry utilizes B2C mobile apps to help guests effortlessly access hotel amenities, make reservations, and request services. Deskless workers, including hotel staff and concierge, also use these mobile apps to fulfill guest requests promptly, provide personalized recommendations, and ensure a memorable stay experience.
3. Field Service Management: B2C mobile apps are designed to empower service technicians and field engineers. With features like scheduling, route optimization, and real-time updates, these apps enable deskless workers to respond promptly to service requests, diagnose issues accurately, and complete repairs or installations efficiently. By leveraging the power of mobile technology, these apps make it easier for service technicians to provide efficient and reliable service to customers.

B2E (Business to Employee) Applications:

1. Employee Engagement: B2E mobile applications are designed to improve employee engagement and productivity. They provide access to crucial resources, communication channels, and training materials. Deskless workers can benefit from staying informed about company news, policies, and updates, participating in training programs, and conveniently communicating with colleagues and supervisors via mobile apps.
2. HR Management: B2E mobile applications simplify HR tasks such as onboarding, timekeeping, and performance management for non-desk employees. Workers can complete administrative duties, request time off, and access HR policies and benefits information from anywhere, at any time, streamlining labor management and ensuring compliance.
3. Safety and Compliance: B2E mobile applications play a pivotal role in ensuring workplace safety and regulatory compliance for employees who work outside of the office. These applications offer various features such as safety checklists, incident reporting, and compliance training that help workers follow safety protocols, reduce risks, and stay compliant with industry regulations.

The Bryj Advantage: AI-Powered End-to-End Mobile App Solutions

For companies looking to optimize their deskless operations using AI and mobile technology, Bryj offers a customized end-to-end solution. With Bryj’s AI-powered platform, businesses can:

• Optimize Operations: AI-powered automation and insights streamline processes, enhance efficiency, and adapt to changing demands, enabling businesses to stay competitive.
• Foster Intelligent Communication: Natural language processing and predictive analytics enable seamless communication and informed decision-making, driving collaboration and innovation.
• Ensure Compliance and Safety: Real-time compliance metrics and safety protocols are monitored by AI algorithms, which proactively identify risks and enable preemptive actions to safeguard workers and assets.
• Elevate Customer Experience: Businesses can use AI-powered personalization and predictive analytics to provide tailored experiences that foster long-term customer loyalty and advocacy.
• Drive Revenue Growth: Maximize revenue growth by leveraging AI-powered optimization and predictive modeling to increase productivity, reduce costs, and improve customer satisfaction and retention.

Conclusion

The combination of artificial intelligence (AI) and mobile app technology is transforming the way deskless industries operate. To succeed in the digital era, businesses must leverage the power of AI-powered mobile apps to equip their deskless workforce and boost operational efficiency. As a strategic partner, Bryj helps businesses unlock new possibilities, outperform competitors, and achieve sustainable growth and success with end-to-end mobile app solutions and AI-powered tools.

Are you ready to streamline your workforce? Contact Bryj today, and let us show you how we can help you scale and grow your way to success with an AI-powered app.