Robert Morcos, Founder and CEO of Social Mobile discusses why enterprise-grade devices are important for success in connected health
The COVID-19 pandemic revolutionised many industries, but nowhere was this more evident than in healthcare. The rapid transition to remote care during the pandemic highlighted the critical need for robust Connected Health (CH) applications. For instance, remote patient monitoring (RPM) played a significant role in the success of clinical research, expediting the development of life-saving vaccines. RPM allowed patients to be monitored in real time without the need for in-person hospital visits, thereby increasing the efficiency of research trials and reducing the risk of infection.
In fact, a study from Juniper Research found that the total number of patients using RPM solutions will reach 115.5 million globally by 2027, a meaningful increase from 75 million in 2023. As this trend continues, CH applications will become indispensable tools for healthcare providers, research institutions, and even insurance companies to enable better patient outcomes, streamline healthcare operations and reduce cost of care.
Central to the success of these applications are the mobile devices that act as gateways for data transmission between medical devices and healthcare systems. The question around which type of mobile device is best for improving patient outcomes remains. Should CH companies rely on consumer-grade devices from popular cellular brands, or should they invest in purpose-built, enterprise-grade devices? The latter, though sometimes overlooked, should be the clear choice for healthcare providers focused on long-term success in CH applications.
There is a variety of CH applications that highlight the versatility of RPM and deliver personalized, timely care across a range of medical conditions, including:
- Telehealth: Healthcare providers can monitor patients remotely through virtual consultations, reducing the need for in-person visits and improving access to care, especially for patients in rural or underserved areas
- Cardiac monitoring: RPM devices continuously track heart conditions, such as arrhythmias or heart failure, and transmit real-time data to healthcare professionals, enabling early intervention and better management of chronic heart conditions
- Glucose monitoring: Diabetic patients can automatically send their blood glucose levels from connected devices to their healthcare team, allowing for timely adjustments in treatment and better long-term diabetes management
Why enterprise-grade devices are better suited for connected health
Consumer cellular devices have become a staple of everyday life for billions of users around the world. These devices excel in user experience and are made to accommodate a wide range of uses – from taking videos of family to streaming music. But when it comes to CH, they fall short of meeting the unique needs of clinicians and CH providers alike.
The need for global connectivity
For CH companies, seamless global connectivity is crucial. Their devices are often deployed across multiple regions and must stay connected reliably, whether the patient is at home, traveling, or in a rural location. Enterprise-grade devices offer superior connectivity management, which includes capabilities like multi-carrier support and global SIM management. This allows healthcare providers to maintain service levels regardless of geographic location.
Moreover, CH companies are not in the business of managing devices; their primary goal is to gather and analyse patient data. Enterprise-grade devices often come with managed services that handle deployment, repairs, and monitoring, freeing up healthcare companies to focus on their core mission. Consumer devices, in contrast, require more hands-on management, creating more work for CH providers.
The need for customisable hardware and software
One of the most significant advantages of using enterprise-grade devices is the ability to customise both hardware and software. In many cases, CH applications require older medical devices to connect with modern mobile technology. These medical devices may only support older standards like Bluetooth 3.0. Everyday cellular devices, while excellent for daily life, are not designed to support older technologies. Enterprise-grade devices can bridge this gap by incorporating the necessary technologies to interface with older medical equipment.
Moreover, enterprise-grade devices can have specific features added or removed based on the needs of healthcare providers. For example, a healthcare organisation conducting clinical trials may not require cameras or certain software applications that are standard in consumer devices. By removing unnecessary components, these devices can be streamlined to focus solely on the functionality needed for medical applications, thereby improving efficiency and decreasing costs.
The need for security and compliance
In the healthcare industry, security is not optional; it’s mandatory. From patient data privacy regulations like HIPAA in the United States to GDPR in Europe, healthcare organisations must ensure their devices comply with strict security standards. Enterprise-grade devices are built to fully support regular security updates, ensuring vulnerabilities are patched quickly and effectively.
For CH companies conducting clinical trials that may last years, this long-term support is critical. Consumer-grade devices may only receive updates every few years, which could lead to security vulnerabilities down the line. Enterprise-grade devices, on the other hand, offer frequent updates and extended support life cycles, reducing the risk of security lapses and saving healthcare providers considerable time and money in the long run.
Powering the next wave of connected health: Social Mobile and KORE’s partnership
The challenges facing the CH industry are considerable, but not insurmountable. The partnership between Social Mobile and KORE, is poised to make a significant impact on the way CH applications are developed, deployed, and managed.
Social Mobile can fully customise devices – from hardware to software – to meet the unique needs of healthcare providers. Tailored solutions can ensure compatibility with older medical devices or change device specification, something consumer-grade devices cannot match.
As a managed services provider (MSP), KORE provides unparalleled expertise in connectivity. If specific connectivity bands are needed to ensure global coverage, or if a healthcare provider requires secure, reliable data transmission, MSPs can deliver. With KORE managing the connectivity, providers can focus on patient outcomes without worrying about device management, repairs, or software updates.
The shift toward remote care in healthcare is accelerating, and CH applications are at the forefront of this transformation. However, not all mobile devices are created equal when it comes to supporting these applications.
Enterprise-grade devices offer the customisation, security, and global connectivity to ensure long-term success. Partnerships like the one between KORE and Social Mobile are setting the stage for the future of CH, giving healthcare providers the tools they need to deliver better patient care and streamline operations in an increasingly digital world.
Robert Morcos is the Founder and CEO of Social Mobile. A provider of enterprise mobility solutions, Social Mobile has deployed over 13 million devices globally across all industries including healthcare, transportation, retail, and defence. The company, founded in 2011 with no external capital, has since scaled into a global business with operations in the US, India, Europe, and Asia. To this day, Social Mobile remains a family-owned and operated business. A leading technology thought leader, Robert has authored patents for innovative devices and was awarded Android Innovator of the Year by Google.
Author: Robert Morcos, Founder and CEO of Social Mobile
There’s plenty of other editorial on our sister site, Electronic Specifier! Or you can always join in the conversation by commenting below or visiting our LinkedIn page.
