Digital technologies stand to radically transform frontline industries. From improving workers’ ability to multitask to incorporating emerging technologies into work processes, the adoption of enterprise communication tools will fundamentally change frontline workplaces.

Often thought of as ‘manual’ industries, where digitalisation has lagged behind, the ability to streamline employee training, digitise supply chains, and eliminate wired connectivity has shown companies the immense benefits of embracing digitalisation for their workforce. Studies have shown that by empowering their workers with the adoption of digital devices and services, companies saw improvements in their productivity and ROI.

Embracing digital transformation will ensure frontline industries can manage challenges better, allowing enterprises to adapt and incorporate new technologies into their business models, helping them to remain relevant and competitive in the Digital Age.

Public safety is an area where technology and improved enterprise communications tools will play an increasingly crucial role. First responders require reliable communication to be able to coordinate and deploy to emergencies in a timely manner.

The emergence of 5G — the fifth generation of wireless connectivity — has brought increased speed and reliability to wireless networks and devices. For first responders, the ultrafast transfer of data means quicker response times, enabling emergency services such as police and fire departments to deploy swiftly to emergencies.

Additionally, emergency response workers will be able to tap into new sources of data, such as live video feeds to facilitate the gathering of information. With more real-time data available, first responders will be able to assess emergency situations like never before, allowing them to make important decisions on how best to react and deploy assets to emergencies, saving time, money, and most importantly, lives.

However, 5G’s impressive speed and data transfer aren’t its only advantages. Complementing its speed, 5G is profoundly changing workplace connectivity through a new era of reliable connectivity. Being able to support multiple digital devices on a network will ensure frontline workers can easily share, store, and collaborate with their teams across different mediums.

Frontline workers are often spread over various geographical locations, with personnel tending to different organisational needs. The transport and logistics industry is a good example of this, as workers can find themselves operating out of warehouses, ports, or out for delivery, with the need to maintain communication being vital.

With the increased adoption of sophisticated enterprise communication tools, frontline organisations can ensure, no matter where their workforce is, teams can remain connected across different spectrums for uninterrupted business operations.

Take fleet management for instance: digital connectivity means the dispatch department will be able to track delivery fleets in real-time, and can also assist drivers with route optimisation, enabling fleets to make route changes based on local conditions and hazards.

Streamlining the delivery of parcels and other goods will help both businesses and customers through the creation of flexible, more resilient transport nodes. With the ability to alter routes whilst on the move, enterprises are not only building stronger delivery routes, but also intelligent ones better able to handle modern stresses.

Internet of Things (IoT), augmented reality (AR), and artificial intelligence (AI) are some of the most talked about technologies. While they are now relatively established, companies are only now starting to recognise the immense potential of these emerging technologies and how they fit into the larger digital ecosystem at scale.

Termed Industry 4.0 — the fourth industrial revolution — the inclusion of emerging technologies into factories and plants is set to drastically change how frontline businesses, such as manufacturing, run their operations. Combined with the versatility of 5G, emerging technologies will be able to provide reliable solutions to support communication essential to many Industry 4.0 applications, such as wireless control for mobile tools, automated machines and robots.

As factories become increasingly ‘smart’, the use of applications such as AR, will become standard practice. Unlike virtual reality — which sees users immerse themselves in a game or other artificial environment — AR allows workers to see a digital overlay using a mobile device’s camera. This overlay can display instructions for how to assemble, disassemble, or repair an item. Furthermore, for preventative maintenance, an engineer simply needs to aim the camera at a particular area to access internal schematics with the overlay assisting the engineer in identifying any anomalies.

AR provides many benefits to the manufacturing sector, from being able to identify issues before they become problems, to simplifying product procedures. The digitalisation of industry will enhance productivity and give workers the tools they need to succeed.

Without the proper mobile device, frontline workers will be at a disadvantage as companies pursue digital transformation. Legacy devices cannot incorporate the applications promised by emerging technologies, leaving workers and industries unable to keep up with the ever-changing digital landscape.

Furthermore, many digital devices currently on the market are unable to withstand the rigours frontline workers face every day. Fortunately, there are mobile solutions to meet these challenges.

Rugged devices, available as smartphones or tablets, are mobile devices built to handle the extremes of work in the field or on the factory floor. They are equipped with various features such as water, dust¹ and shock resistance,² replaceable batteries and improved touch sensitivity,³ allowing workers with dirty or gloved hands access their device easily.

Newer rugged devices, like the Galaxy XCover6 Pro, are compatible with 5G,⁴ giving frontline workers access to applications such as AR. Using tools like AR, it simplifies inventory management by allowing the user to scan multiple barcodes simultaneously using Knox Capture.⁵ Another facet of wireless mobility enables workers to connect their Galaxy XCover6 Pro to external displays via Samsung DeX, providing a PC-like experience anywhere.⁶

To assist with the increased adoption of mobile devices, Samsung provides businesses with its Galaxy Enterprise Edition to ensure device management and security.

With Enterprise Edition, businesses will receive up to five years of timely security patch updates⁷ and a product lifecycle guarantee of two years, enabling enterprises to strategise and deploy the right solution.

Furthermore, Enterprise Edition comes with 1-year of Knox Suite, a bundle of Enterprise Mobility Management(EMM) solutions to meet the needs of frontline industries. With Knox Suite, businesses can empower their IT managers with Knox Manage – a cloud-based device management solution that can remotely configure and troubleshoot employees' devices. Another one of the many solutions included in Knox Suite is Knox E-FOTA. This solution allows companies to ensure new OS updates are compatible with their in-house applications before rolling them out to employees. And to top it all off, all Samsung devices come with a Knox security system built in from the chip up, protecting devices from software and hardware threats.

With Samsung Knox, frontline businesses and workers will have the confidence knowing that their data is secure and they have access to the technology they need to ensure smooth management and deployment of their devices.

The digital transformation of frontline industries will usher in fundamental changes for the wider economy. With innovative and purpose-built rugged devices, such as the Galaxy XCover6 Pro, being incorporated across all sectors, from public safety, transportation and logistics to the manufacturing industry, frontline workers will have the tools they need to help their companies realise the full potential of the new digital ecosystem.