If your front-line workers are using outdated Android devices, your business may be exposed to significant risks. Here’s a look at the security and performance issues you need to address immediately by upgrading your devices.
It's understandable that you want to maximise the lifespan of your corporate-owned mobile devices. However, delaying necessary tech upgrades can introduce significant risks and costs to your business.
Are Your Devices Putting Your Business at Risk?
If your organisation is still using:
- Android 8 or older devices: You may have lost security support, exposing sensitive information about your customers, employees, and operations.
- Devices running Android 11 or older: You may have lost access to new applications in the Google Play Store, hindering productivity and operational efficiency.
- Zebra devices with Qualcomm 8937 (SD430) chipsets: Manufacturer support ended in January 2024, meaning no more security patches for critical threats.
If any of these scenarios apply to your organisation, it's time to replace your devices immediately.
Why You Need to Upgrade Your Devices
While your devices might seem functional, internal components such as the chipset, operating system, wireless technology, and security tools become obsolete faster than the hardware itself. Devices typically remain viable for only 3-5 years due to increasing security and performance demands, and once these internal components reach end-of-life, the device must be replaced.
Consequences of Using Outdated Mobile Devices
Recently, an update to Google Play Services rendered older Android devices unusable, a problem that newer OS versions had already resolved. Organisations using outdated devices experienced significant downtime while fixing the issue, highlighting the risks of delaying upgrades.
When to Refresh Your Mobile Device Fleet
Consider these four critical factors:
Security: As soon as security support ends, it's time to refresh your devices. Newer devices offer ongoing security updates and features like File-Based Encryption (FBE) and Secure Boot, which cannot be retrofitted onto older devices.
Application Compatibility: Google mandates that new applications on the Play Store target API Level 13 (Android 13) or higher. Older devices will be unable to run new applications, limiting your operational efficiency.
Performance: Older devices have slower processing capabilities and less memory, reducing productivity. New devices offer faster processing, more memory, and improved wireless connectivity, including Wi-Fi 6 and 5G.
Operational Efficiency: New mobile technology can drive better decision-making and customer interactions. For example, modern devices can replace fixed workstations, streamline package dimensioning, and enhance AI capabilities, which older devices cannot support.
The Cost of Waiting Too Long
Delaying device upgrades may seem cost-effective, but it can result in higher costs due to productivity losses, security breaches, and unsupported devices. It’s better to refresh your fleet before support ends to avoid these risks.
Planning Your Device Upgrade
Research and plan your device upgrades now to ensure continued security, performance, and support. If you're using Zebra devices like the TC51/56, TC70x/75x, or MC33, consider upgrading soon, as these models will reach end-of-support in 2025 and 2026.
Ensure your business stays secure and efficient by proactively managing your mobile device fleet. Don’t wait until it’s too late—upgrade your devices now to maintain peak performance and security.
Conclusion
To keep your business secure and efficient, it's crucial to address the risks posed by outdated Android devices. Relying on devices that have lost security support, application compatibility, or manufacturer updates can expose your business to significant threats and operational inefficiencies.
By proactively upgrading your mobile device fleet, you can ensure that your front-line workers have access to the latest security features, applications, and performance enhancements. This will not only protect sensitive information but also boost productivity and operational efficiency.
Don’t wait until security lapses or performance issues disrupt your business. Take action now to plan and implement necessary device upgrades, ensuring continuous support and peak performance for years to come. Investing in newer, supported devices today will save you from greater costs and risks in the future. Keep your business running smoothly by staying ahead of technology obsolescence and maintaining a robust, secure mobile device strategy.