Mobile Devices from Strategy to Rollout

Implementing a mobile device management plan may seem overwhelming for some organizations. By breaking it down into smaller steps and considering key milestones within each step, the rollout can be more manageable. Once your organization mobile device implementation strategy (for tips see last post), you can begin engaging other members of the organization in a initial trial period. This will help you to prepare a full for rollout.

Initial Trial

There are unforeseen obstacles that don’t show up in the meeting room. It is essential to begin testing with a representative group of people from various parts of the organization. Their questions, challenges or problems will help to clarify any issues that must be address before the management program is implemented across the organization.

In their white paper, “Rolling Out Your Hospital’s Mobility Strategy and Secure Texting Solution,” Amcom Software offers a several recommended steps for an initial trial.[1] I’ve summarized five key steps for an initial trial below:

1. Selection of Trial Users – A couple key things to keep in mind: choose a wide cross section of users; identify some potential clinical leaders who can help champion the project during rollout.

2. End User Training – As you develop a training program, you’ll need to consider the end-users. Identify users who might play a role in training other users. You’ll want to provide them the one-on-one support that can empower them to help others. They also might help you when developing a webinar or intranet based training solution to reach more member of organization.

3. Build Operational Process – You’ll need to solve a few operational issues such as sign up methods for secure messaging solution (help desk ticket, IT visit, Telecom representative). What about policy and procedures for lost devices, operating room usage, and other critical areas. Also, talk with clinical leaders to consider how will implementation impact other processes.

4. Train message senders on availability of delivery receipt information and determine protocols for declined or undelivered messages.

5. Develop battery life best practices such as daily charging, back-up charging cables, and access to external chargers and battery packs.

Rollout

After testing the strategy in a trial setting, you should be in better position for a rollout. You’ll have identified potential people who can help champion the efforts, addressed training challenges and possible obstacles that need resolve prior to implementation. Here is a summary from Amcom’s white paper:

1. Market the Applications Availability – Market the new program within the organization introducing benefits of the new messaging and mobile device management plan.

2. Expect Questions – Be prepared to answer questions. Set up a FAQ page and have help desk/training prepped to answer questions.

3. Communicate Value – It might be helpful to use the stories of clinical champions to discuss how the new mobile device plan is improving their service in the organization.

4. Monitor Usage – As you monitor usage, use the data to help your responses to training, usage issues and policy issues.

[1] “Rolling Out Your Hospital’s Mobility Strategy and Secure Texting Solution.” Amcom Software, 2013.