Mobile devices such as smartphones, tablets, and laptops have become essential tools for business operations across industries. Their role now goes far beyond basic communication, impacting inventory management, customer engagement, remote work, and operational flexibility.
Today, approximately 57% of employees rely on smartphones in business settings to perform critical tasks, linking mobile technology directly to productivity gains. As remote and hybrid work models expand, the use of mobile devices in business has become even more vital — and managing them securely and efficiently is crucial for maintaining continuity.
In this guide, we’ll explore how mobile devices are used in business across a wide range of industries. We’ll also dive into what mobile devices are used for and how they help organizations drive efficiency, innovation, and competitive advantage.
The rise of mobile device use in business
The rise of mobile device use in business is reshaping how organizations coordinate teams, manage workflows, and deliver services.
Several factors driving this growing include:
- Mobile devices process and store sensitive business data, including customer records and financial information.
- Portability and wireless connectivity (Wi-Fi, cellular, Bluetooth) enable employees to work from virtually anywhere.
- Built-in sensors, secure storage modules, and apps make mobile devices capable of handling complex workflows.
However, as mobile adoption grows, so do operational and security challenges. Mobile devices often connect to external wireless networks, increasing the risk of device loss, unauthorized access, mobile malware, and shadow IT usage — all critical concerns for businesses managing mobile fleets.
To stay competitive, organizations need strategies for centralized mobile device management (MDM), secure app usage, and consistent policy enforcement across all endpoints. Investing in scalable device security and management solutions is essential for protecting sensitive operations while enabling the flexibility modern workforces require.
If you’re wondering what are mobile devices used for in today’s industries, examples span from healthcare to retail and logistics.
Here’s how 10 key industries are leveraging mobile devices used in business to transform their day-to-day operations.
1. Healthcare: Mobile devices for point-of-care operations
In healthcare, smartphones and tablets enable clinicians to access electronic health records (EHRs) at the bedside, communicate securely with teams, monitor patient vitals through connected apps, and support telehealth services — all without leaving the patient’s side. As healthcare organizations expand their mobile technology use, secure management and device readiness have become critical for maintaining clinical workflows and patient service quality.
Many healthcare organizations are expanding mobile device programs, but scaling device fleets introduces new operational challenges. At Rally Health, managing a growing fleet of iPads across multiple locations led to issues with device loss, downtime from uncharged tablets, and administrative inefficiencies.
To address these problems, Rally Health implemented LocknCharge Smart Lockers, allowing staff to check out fully charged iPads as needed and securely return them after use. Device availability improved dramatically, loss was minimized, and workflows became more efficient — enabling staff to focus more on delivering care rather than managing devices.
2. Education: Mobile devices for flexible learning access
Mobile devices have reshaped education by providing students and staff with instant access to learning resources, collaboration tools, and administrative systems. In higher education especially, laptops and tablets are now essential for coursework, online testing, research, and communication.
With the growing trend of one-to-one devices in K–12 education, schools are increasingly relying on mobile technology to support digital learning. However, this shift often leads to a common challenge: device battery depletion, which disrupts lessons and limits student participation. LocknCharge addresses this issue with the BOLT Charging Station — a compact, efficient solution that ensures devices are always charged and ready to use.
3. Manufacturing: Managing mobile devices for workforce efficiency
Managing mobile devices across manufacturing shifts often leads to operational inefficiencies that impact production schedules and costs. ThermTech faced these issues firsthand, with frequent incidents of lost or damaged work-issued phones pulling supervisors away from production management. Their manual checkout process lacked accountability, further increasing device replacement costs and creating workflow disruptions across shifts.
To solve these challenges, ThermTech partnered with LocknCharge and deployed FUYL Smart Lockers to automate device management. Employees now securely check smartphones in and out at the beginning and end of each shift, ensuring devices remain charged, secure, and consistently available. Downtime from missing or dead devices has been minimized, workflows have improved, and IT teams now have full visibility into device usage through smart locker reports — making mobile device management more efficient and cost-effective across operations.
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4. Retail: Improving customer experience with mobile devices
In retail, mobile devices have redefined how stores interact with customers, manage inventory, and complete sales. As shoppers increasingly expect faster service and more personalized experiences, retailers are equipping staff with mobile point-of-sale (mPOS) devices like smartphones and tablets.
By replacing static cash registers with mobile-enabled checkout anywhere on the sales floor, stores can eliminate lines, free up valuable floor space for merchandising, and enable employees to engage with customers in a more personal and flexible way. To fully support this shift, retailers must ensure that devices are always charged, secure, and ready to use, especially at peak shopping times.
5. Logistics and transportation: Implementing new technologies
Logistics and transportation companies depend on mobile devices to coordinate operations and implement new technologies, like Keolis Commuter Services. The company set out to modernize its railway operations by enabling credit card payments directly on board commuter trains. The first step was equipping train conductors with iPhones, credit card scanners, and mobile ticket printers. To protect this considerable technology investment and ensure consistent service, Keolis needed a secure, organized system for charging, storing, and managing multiple mobile devices across daily shifts.
To meet this need, Keolis implemented LocknCharge FUYL Smart Lockers, automating device storage, charging, and access for conductors. This system ensures that conductors always have the tools they need for mobile ticketing and payment processing, enhancing the passenger experience on every trip.
6. Hospitality: Ensuring mobile device readiness to enhance guest service
In the hospitality industry, mobile devices have become essential tools for delivering fast, efficient, and personalized guest service. In fast food restaurants and quick-service environments, for example, iPads and smartphones are used to take orders, process payments, and coordinate front-of-house and back-of-house operations.
One quick-service restaurant facing challenges with device management implemented a LocknCharge Putnam Charging Station to securely store and charge iPads between shifts. With the charging station in place, employees could quickly access fully charged devices at the start of each shift and return them safely afterward. As a result, the restaurant minimized downtime, improved service speed, and maintained a smoother operational flow during even the busiest periods.
7. Construction: Keeping mobile devices operational across job sites
In construction, mobile devices like tablets and smartphones have become vital for managing projects, conducting field inspections, accessing digital blueprints, and coordinating teams across large, dynamic job sites. Supervisors and field workers rely on these devices to record safety checks, submit reports, and communicate project changes in real time. However, the rugged nature of construction environments makes managing devices a challenge — devices are often misplaced, damaged, or left uncharged.
Many construction companies now deploy secure charging solutions, such as mobile-ready lockers or centralized charging stations, to keep devices safe, organized, and ready for use between shifts. Having a reliable system for storing and charging tablets and smartphones helps ensure that crews stay connected, projects stay on schedule, and device downtime doesn’t derail operations when it matters most.
8. Public safety: Protecting mobile devices in high-security environments
In public safety environments like correctional facilities, mobile devices play a growing role in operations, communication, and rehabilitation programs. Many prisons and detention centers are now issuing tablets to inmates for education, legal access, and family communication. However, securely managing hundreds or even thousands of devices inside a high-risk environment creates serious logistical challenges.
To address these risks, facilities have adopted solutions such as LocknCharge Charging Carts, allowing secure storage, automated charging, and controlled access to tablets. By centralizing device management, correctional officers can maintain full accountability while ensuring that tablets remain functional and available for approved use.
9. Agriculture: Supporting precision farming with mobile devices
In modern agriculture, mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets have become critical tools for managing farm operations, monitoring crops, and optimizing resource use. Farmers use connected apps to track soil conditions, adjust irrigation systems remotely, analyze crop health through aerial imagery, and coordinate equipment across large properties.
Devices that fail in the field or run out of power at critical moments can disrupt planting schedules, irrigation cycles, or harvest planning. To maintain efficiency, many agricultural operations are investing in rugged mobile devices paired with centralized charging solutions that keep technology protected, charged, and ready to use.
10. Corporate workplaces: Supporting hybrid workforces with mobile device management
In corporate environments, mobile devices are essential for enabling flexible work, remote collaboration, and secure access to company resources. Employees frequently use smartphones, tablets, and laptops to attend virtual meetings, manage projects, and access cloud-based systems from various locations.
However, managing a mobile-enabled workforce brings its own set of operational challenges. Many companies that rely on Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) strategies lack centralized security controls — in fact, only 40% of BYOD organizations have MDM systems in place, compared to 93% among companies that issue smartphones to employees.
Centralized management of mobile technology helps companies support productivity, protect sensitive information, and adapt more easily to the demands of remote and hybrid work models.
Conclusion
Mobile devices are no longer just tools of convenience — they are critical for driving business success across every sector. As reliance on smartphones, tablets, and laptops grows, so does the need for secure, scalable systems to manage them effectively.
Solutions like LocknCharge smart lockers and charging stations can help businesses maintain device readiness while reducing operational overhead, supporting teams wherever and however they work.
FAQ
How are mobile devices used in business today?
Mobile devices support operations such as communication, customer service, inventory management, field data collection, and remote collaboration across industries.
What industries rely most on mobile devices?
Industries such as healthcare, retail, logistics, education, construction, and corporate offices have some of the highest adoption rates for mobile workflows.
How can businesses secure mobile devices?
Businesses can secure devices by combining mobile device management (MDM) software with physical security solutions like smart lockers and implementing strong usage policies.
Why is mobile device management important for businesses?
Proper management ensures devices remain operational, secure, and compliant with regulations, minimizing risks while maximizing productivity.