By Jason Ng, Honeywell
Technology has changed the fabric of our lives. Whether it’s a student texting a friend in a university classroom, a business traveller using their mobile device to check into their flight, or a tourist checking out where they should eat on their phone in a new city, mobile devices have altered how consumers approach everyday scenarios. A recent study by Gartner suggested that by the end of 2013 the number of active smartphones around the world is expected to total a mass amount of 1.2 billion*. Pretty mind-blowing numbers.
However, despite all of the bells and whistles, there is one thing that no mobile device can function without – power. We have all felt the pang of panic when our phones reach the ‘redzone’ and switch off as we’re desperately searching for a map to the lunch meeting you’re five minutes late for or ordering a taxi when you are desperately trying to make it home. At the end of the day having an ‘app for everything’ does not help you much when your battery is flat.
Why the answer to charging on the go is USB
For this reason, the USB cable – the principal method for charging mobile devices such as smartphones, tablets and e-Readers- is growing in prominence across the globe. Whether you are travelling in the United States, United Kingdom or throughout Asia and parts of Africa, if you need to charge your mobile device it’s easiest to reach for a USB cable.
With the majority of handset manufacturers working with the European Commission toward a common charger based on the Micro-USB, the growth of USB charging looks likely to continue at an increasing pace. The standardisation of a USB charging module creates an immense opportunity both for proactive contractors, but also for end users in the travel, leisure, education and hospitality industries.
Imagine an executive strolling through the airport, his tablet battery close to zero, with a series of important emails to respond to. Choosing between a café and restaurant with or without a USB charging capability is an easy decision. The same goes for hotels. If a hotel is equipped with a USB charging module capable of keeping a guest connected during their stay for work and for play, it has the potential to make a big impact on customer satisfaction, experience and potentially result in the guest returning again.
Realising the revenue potential in USB charging
While a range of industries have come around to the fact that USB charging is the way of the future, contractors are also starting to spot the potential for new and lucrative revenue streams. Specifically around installing and fitting USB charging modules in airports, hotels, universities, schools, retail outlets and any other environment that regularly hosts visitors with a mobile device. USB charging also represents excellent up-selling opportunities with existing customers and offering to provide for new ones. After all, it is tough to dispute the staggering growth of mobility and all of its related services.
Recently, MK Electric announced that it is one of the first manufacturers in the United Kingdom to launch a USB charging module. With a tangible product now readily available, the industry can quickly and cost effectively jump on the opportunity USB charging presents. The product – part of MK’s range of TV, data, power and audio modules – can charge tablets, smartphones, sat-navs, cameras, e-Readers and games controllers as well as PDAs. It creates a whole realm of opportunities for the ecosystem.
The Age of USB
In short, the age of USB charging is upon us and like the adoption of any technology; there will be clear winners and losers. The winners will be the shopping centres, hotels, cafés and public areas that leverage USB charging to make the lives of their guests, clients and customers easier and more convenient. This will only serve to further boost loyalty and ultimately profits.
Equally, contractors that act quickly to raise awareness of the powerful potential of USB charging with new and existing customers will seize momentum quickly, consolidate their expertise and develop a valuable new revenue stream.
There is no question that contractors who understand and promote the new USB charging module with new and existing customers generate a nice, reliable additional stream of revenue.
Why not think about making USB your business’s next service line? All the evidence suggests you won’t regret it.
(*) Refers to Gartner research article, published 06 November 2012.
