Simpler and more sustainable – why Capgemini chose Mobile as a Service

Circularity means using, reusing, and recycling resources to avoid unnecessary waste. It's a principle that global consulting firm Capgemini has embraced – with a clear commitment to operating more sustainably and driving the sustainability agenda in conversations with clients.

The phone – a consultant's lifeline

Capgemini provides consulting services in more than 50 countries, focusing on business transformation, digital transformation, and technology-driven IT services. At its core, the company helps organizations turn technological possibilities into reality.

In Sweden, Capgemini operates nationwide, working with some of the country's leading export companies and critical public services. Capgemini consultants are often on the road and at client sites, sometimes for extended periods. Beyond being essential work tools, phones and laptops are vital channels for staying connected with colleagues and the company.

"Our most important asset is our people. They're high performers working at the cutting edge of technology. To attract the best talent, we need to offer a workplace with a strong digital experience. A modern smartphone that can handle the latest digital services is a basic requirement for us," says Björn Sjögerås, Chief Operating Officer for Capgemini in Scandinavia.

At the same time, this means Capgemini manages a large mobile fleet – more than 5, 000 smartphones in Sweden alone. Purchasing new smartphones is expensive, and the average lifespan of a phone is shorter than other consumer electronics. That's not good for the budget or the environment.

"We're increasingly connected in our daily lives, and that behavior carries over to the workplace. Performance and design matter when our employees choose a smartphone. But just like in society at large, we're seeing greater awareness of sustainability among our staff. We saw an opportunity to create a hybrid model for managing the company's phones – more cost-effective while reducing waste and meeting user needs," Björn Sjögerås continues.

Phone as a Service – a smarter, more sustainable way to manage the mobile fleet

Capgemini in Sweden chose Mobile as a Service Plus, a Telia offering that lets them lease phones instead of buying them. This way, they can provide staff with the latest phones at a fixed monthly cost. Telia handles everything from procurement and setup to service, repairs, and replacements. All-risk insurance is included. Employees can choose from a range of smartphones in a webshop that Telia manages and develops for the company.

"Beyond making phone management easier for both the company and staff, we've deliberately designed the program to extend the life of devices and reduce the need for replacements. All phones come with screen protectors and cases. And after two years, you can keep your smartphone if you continue using it for work for a certain period. This creates the conditions and incentives for circular thinking, where we can reduce waste," says Björn Sjögerås.

Another step in this direction is Capgemini's introduction of Fairphone to its lineup – a smartphone developed by a Dutch company with the goal of using materials and raw resources that are extracted and recycled in more sustainable ways.

"A colleague contacted me recently, upset that he could actually replace his phone after two years. He thought it was wasteful. More and more people share this mindset. The throwaway culture isn't sustainable. I think we're taking important steps in the right direction, and it's work we'll continue," Björn Sjögerås concludes.

If a smartphone breaks, employees can receive a replacement the next day. When it's finally time to return old phones, it's done securely in Sweden. All data is wiped from the devices. They're then either refurbished or recycled responsibly. Telia manages this entire process.