Although one often hears that a mobile solution--a combination of software and mobile computing devices--will solve many organizational issues and produce significant ROI, this argument alone is not likely to win over a CFO or other decision-makers. Present such a vague argument and, at best, the decision-makers will reply with "Show us the money!" At worst, this may earn you a demotion to a windowless cubicle in the basement. After all, implementing such a project represents a significant investment of time and money, and leads to a drastic change in the way a company operates. One should be able to defend why it is all worthwhile.
Data collection
Mobile solutions offer a number of savings and efficiencies, but perhaps the most important deals with how data is collected. In most instances, a mobile solution replaces a paper process. But regardless of how data is collected and stored--on paper or electronically--the data collection is usually the result of some action, such as performing an inspection or replacing a part. In the pen and paper "clipboard" model, this data is then passed along to a data entry clerk whose job it is to enter it into a central system which typically includes billing and inventory databases.
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