Managed Services: Staging process

The preparation of mobile devices before delivery ("staging") has been one of our core competencies for many years. We offer this service to our customers as part of our Managed Services. The great art of staging is to agree with you on precisely defined services and thoroughly documented processes in order to achieve a high level of efficiency in preparing the mobile devices. After delivery, the devices are immediately ready for use. This saves you time and money. We have already delivered more than 350,000 mobile devices in over 300 rollouts. Before delivery, all devices must be specifically prepared so that they are immediately ready for use when they arrive at your premises. The process step required for this is called staging – based on years of practical experience with often very extensive rollouts, we can complete large quantities of devices individually according to customer requirements and prepare them for shipment in a very short time. .

Defining processes together with you/strong>

Together with you, our experts clarify the individual requirements and precisely define the concrete staging contents (hardware, software, configuration). They also depend on the services agreed upon in each case. Our experts, who are very familiar with the devices of the respective manufacturers (Zebra, Honeywell and others), carry out the staging for each individual rollout package according to precisely documented processes. Harald Fahl, Director Managed Services at Circlon | group, is convinced of the benefits of this approach: "Thorough final inspections for each individual mobile device confirm that we achieve a consistently high quality in our processes. Because once thousands of devices have been rolled out to a wide variety of locations in the field, a mistake in the rollout is difficult to correct and often very costly and time-consuming." Depending on the project, we provide individual tools from our manufacturer partners or/and specific "in-house" software solutions. Whether initial mega-rollouts, special deliveries for peaks or reorders of new equipment – the staging processes, once defined, always bring you many advantages. Even in case of repair shipments, the once-defined processes ensure efficient delivery or stocking of the pool inventory and thus a high level of equipment availability in the field.

Staging is much more than just installing software

The staging of the mobile devices only begins once individual sample devices have been extensively tested in the field and the prototypes and agreed process have been released. We create a binding staging guide as well as a folder structure for the data and train the staff members who are fully in charge of this staging project. Our technicians transfer the new software versions and apps (standard software and/or customised software) to the mobile device, carry out all necessary configurations, register the future user by entering a password for the special service (login) and check the proper installation and function of the device. The staging team labels all mobile devices and assembles them exactly as discussed with you. As a rule, all accessories are pre-assembled, including bumpers, hand straps, holders and protective films. Of course, all devices come to you with charged batteries, unless otherwise agreed. Charging the batteries is time-consuming due to the system. When preparing 1,500 units per week, it is imperative to set up an efficient, smooth process for this as well. The work involved in installing SIM and SD cards, recording the SIM card numbers and registering the devices in the Circlon | operate portal by entering the serial numbers should not be underestimated either. Harald Fahl already has an idea of how this process can be optimised: "At the moment, the data is still entered via an import function; in the future, the data is to come directly from the staging software via an API." Thanks to the registration in the IT service management system Circlon | operate, it is later very easy to locate and assign a device if it is ever lost in practical use and an unknown device then turns up somewhere. Our team also takes care of the registration in the customer system. This "inventory" is closely linked to the licence management of software components and the administration of the software including future updates and patches.

Intelligent packaging and complete delivery

After a final and successful functional test of the units, preparations for shipping can begin. After all, staging also includes the compilation of packaging units. In this process, all components of a delivery are packed in an environmentally friendly and transport-safe manner. This process does not only refer to the packaging of frequently many components (device, accessories, spare batteries, CDs, manuals, documents and the like). It also covers the printing and application of shipping labels. By the way, the packaging can be reused. You can use it to send defective devices back to us for repair. Our team will then take care of everything else: Repairing devices, resetting (data deletion according to DSGVO), checking, cleaning, updating data in the system, etc. After this repair staging, the devices are returned to the device pool. This closes the cycle in mobile device management - both economically and ecologically. Are you interested in new ways in the digital age using intelligent IT service management for your mobile devices? For more information on our services, click here. We would be happy to provide you with a personal consultation. Simply use our contact form or send us an e-mail to: info(at)circlon.de