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As we see consumer-grade devices becoming increasingly more ruggedised with many high-end devices now being IP68 certified is there any need for field service companies to continue to invest in more expensive equivalents offered by specialist rugged manufacturers?

As high-end consumer units become better rated (for example high-end Samsung phones have been IP68 for some time now) the question arises will rugged eventually die out as a category of mobile devices?

Tom Kost, Director of Product Marketing at Xplore Technologies is someone that firmly believes this won’t be the case.

As high-end consumer units become better rated the question arises will rugged eventually die out as a category of mobile devices?“Absolutely not,” he states. “There are dozens of companies offering what they call “rugged” devices and hope that those 6 letters will win the sale. Yet, a mobile device that claims to offer rugged protection via the addition of a Gorilla Glass screen or external rubber casing will never come close to offering the protection, power and performance of a device that’s engineered to be rugged to the core.”

“Simply making an otherwise fragile consumer device waterproof or dustproof (IP68-rated) does not make it a viable option for heavy field use, as “consumer rugged” brands want you to believe. Water and dust are not the only hazards threatening device reliability, data security or even worker safety, all of which matter to field service organizations. Deeming a tablet, laptop or handheld PC that will be used in professional environments as “rugged” using a single spec is not just risky, but irresponsible,” he asserts.

Jackson White, Business Development Director at Getac takes a slightly more measured approach to the relationship between consumer and rugged devices.

“Consumer and rugged device manufacturers are learning from each other and the categories certainly are converging,” he argues.

Consumer devices are becoming thinner, lighter and faster and industry is now demanding a more consumer-like experience with the aim of achieving better communication and productivity in the field.“Consumer devices are becoming thinner, lighter and faster and industry is now demanding a more consumer-like experience with the aim of achieving better communication and productivity in the field.”

However, he to feels that when it comes to professional use in the field rugged manufacturers still provide the better solutions.

“While everyday consumers would undoubtedly benefit from their devices being waterproof, off the shelf consumer devices would not survive the rigours of an eight hour plus shift for a three year period for field service professionals,” he comments.

“We’re seeing rapid innovation from rugged manufacturers where they’re focused on reducing size, weight (through the use of composite materials, for example) and power consumption, all while retaining rugged characteristics.”

“Rugged devices used by field workers not only have to withstand drops, shocks, vibrations, spillages and in some instances, chemicals, but they also need to provide data security and the power and battery life needed to ensure a reliable experience, allowing organizations who have digitized their processes to benefit from gains in efficiency and productivity.”

“Devices designed for mobile workers use batteries which are more powerful and can last eight to 10 hours. Connectivity is better with optimized antennas, so field service personnel can access and input data quicker, and more efficiently.

Touchscreen technology has dramatically improved, for example, Getac’s proprietary Lumibond® technology allows screens to be easily read in both very bright and dull environments, and used with finger, gloves and protective clothing, or stylus, even in the rain.”

Rugged accounts for 28% of enterprise device access, according to ‘CCS Insights IT Decision Maker Mobile Technology Survey, 2016’, and this number rises to 50% in industries such as construction, transportation and utilities.

These thoughts are also echoed by Robert Hurt, General Manager, EMEA with Janam.

Rugged on its own, is not enough in a real-world field service environment. True ruggedness is not just about IP ratings or rigorous testing “Rugged on its own, is not enough in a real-world field service environment. True ruggedness is not just about IP ratings or rigorous testing to ensure it can withstand frequent drops, tumbles and shocks across a wide temperature range. Rugged mobile computers offer features that enable the device to optimally perform well beyond the life expectancy of a consumer-grade device,” he adds.

“Features like reinforced displays to prevent breakages, large capacity and/or removable batteries and robust radios to provide secure and reliable connectivity and seamless roaming, have a positive impact on productivity and the bottom line.”

“If an organization requires data capture, a consumer device will not provide true barcode scanning technology. While a smartphone camera can scan a barcode, it doesn’t provide the same performance you receive from a scan engine, and certainly will disappoint when it comes to reading damaged or poorly printed barcodes.”

“Rugged smartphones have a short lifecycle and are not designed to last several years in a business environment. Purpose-built rugged mobile computers offer longer-term investment protection, backed-up by multi-year service plans to get you back up and running quickly if a unit does get damaged. At the end of the day, a rugged smartphone cannot replace a rugged mobile computer that was specially designed to run line-of-business applications in the enterprise.”

The point around device life expectancy is, of course, a valid one, especially when we consider the mission-critical importance of field service operations. However, with the price of consumer units, especially from regions like China, becoming so much lower than a rugged device – could a case be made for adopting an approach whereby organizations simply stock up on additional cheaper units as back up rather than fewer more reliable, but more expensive rugged units?

“First off, a “rugged” tablet that is far less expensive that its competition is most likely far less rugged,” comments Kost.

“Consider the resources it will require to replace knock-off “consumer rugged” devices when they fail (and they will) along with the downtime losses that will occur while that worker is offline. This isn’t just about the sticker price of the replacement device, either. You have to factor the cost of labour required to re-order, re-configure, re-secure and redeploy the new device, all while your field worker is “down” and customers aren’t serviced.”

“Multiply that by 100 or 10,000 employees and you’ll see how hard it is to justify the few hundred dollars you may save per device up front on a “cheaper” device. Then factor the costs related to deploying the right workflow software, compatible accessories, and ultimately the security and maintenance of the entire mobility/IT solution for 3-5 years.”

It’s risky to do an upfront cost comparison for consumer and rugged mobile devices; rather businesses need to take a long-term view of total cost of ownership for a deviceWhite also concurs with this premise.

“It’s risky to do an upfront cost comparison for consumer and rugged mobile devices; rather businesses need to take a long-term view of total cost of ownership for a device,” he says.

“Despite generally being cheaper at the offset, consumer devices will quickly fail in environments outside of the office, which not only leads to higher replacement and service costs, but also to inefficiencies, disruptions in productivity, penalties from missed service level agreements but most importantly end-user frustration and loss of confidence in systems and process. While consumer devices tend to have a usable life of around 18 to 24 months, in testing field environments, this could be as short as a few weeks.”

“Rugged devices are built to last. For example, Getac devices are built from the ground up and components are assured for up to five years. In the unlikely event of damage, it offers a ‘bumper-to-bumper’ accidental damage warranty free of charge.”

“VDC recently reported that consumer devices are 3x more likely to fail within the first year,” adds Hurt.

“We’ve worked with many customers that initially deployed consumer-grade devices. After 6-12 months they came to us because the devices couldn’t survive – and the downtime and repair costs of the consumer device quickly ate up the initial savings associated with deploying a smartphone. Not only did these customers experience crippling downtime, but they couldn’t get the same level of service and support that comes with purchasing and deploying a rugged mobile computer.”

“Cheaper devices don’t offer all the features and functionality enterprises require, nor do consumer manufacturers offer the same range of optional accessories workers need to support various applications,” he adds.

You may pay a bit more in the short term for a purpose-built device, but you save in the long term when you take into consideration the costs associated with device downtime and frequent replacement costs“You may pay a bit more in the short term for a purpose-built device, but you save in the long term when you take into consideration the costs associated with device downtime and frequent replacement costs when the consumer device simply can’t survive the rigours of the enterprise.”

With this in mind, it would appear that whilst having hardware that is fit-for-purpose is an important factor in why field service organizations continue to turn to rugged manufacturers, the true value in working with an enterprise level hardware provider is as much about their understanding of your workflows and needs as it is about their hardware.

“Many technology resellers and OEMs are simply going to deliver a package to your door and walk away, leaving you to figure out the “solution”. That’s why you must partner with a true enterprise-level mobile solution provider that understands the specialized needs of your industry and business and knows how to overcome common pain points,” Kost comments.

“They can expertly identify which mobile components are compatible with your current IT environment. And, they are best-equipped to integrate the entire mobility solution in a way that bridges legacy and future systems without disrupting workers and workflows. For example, at Xplore, we think beyond the platform to ensure every component of our rugged mobility solutions – from the core of the rugged computer to the mounting hardware, connectivity, security, software and accessories – is compatible with customers’ other tech systems and complementary to workers’ existing business processes and the physical work environment.”

It is this ability to understand workflows that White believes is the key differentiator between consumer and specialist providers also.

“Rugged manufactures can add value by having a deep understanding of specific industry workflows practices and process. It’s also important for them to work closely with customers to understand individual requirements so devices can be customized accordingly,” he comments.

Hurt is also on the same page here as well. “Companies like Janam work closely with a broad range of customers, resellers and ISVs and understand the requirements to support workflows across industries. We specially design our devices to survive all day, everyday use in tough environments. We work closely with our customers to deliver a device that meets the specific needs of their organization, as we understand that the consumer “one size fits all” model doesn’t work for companies running demanding line-of-business applications.”

However, making the decision to opt for rugged devices over consumer is only the first step in identifying the devices right for your field engineers. The rugged sector, though niche, remains highly competitive. So what should a company look for in a rugged hardware provider?

“You need to choose a solution provider that not only has the technology, but the resources, agility and know-how to quickly solve your complex business problems,” explains Kost.

You need to choose a solution provider that not only has the technology, but the resources, agility and know-how to quickly solve your complex business problems“You should never feel as though the hardware provider is trying to shoehorn in a device, and be wary of those that push ‘one-size-fits-all’ mobile computers or mobility bundles. Also, confirm platform expandability. Ensure the device can support OS, storage and memory upgrades. This provides operational flexibility and extends the life of the current software, security, and back-office systems, lowering the cost of IT training/support.”

“Businesses should consider a number of factors when choosing a hardware provider to work with,” comments White.

“Sector knowledge and experience with the ecosystem associated with the device are key as is the ability to customize and tailor devices. Warranties and after sales care are also extremely important,” he explains.

“It’s also important to find a hardware provider that is interested in a long-term partnership – not a quick sale,” Hurt adds. “We find customers want to work with someone that picks up the phone and is there to help resolve issues in real-time. Downtime equals frustration and loss of revenue – so look for a supplier who will be on hand, with local service, for the quickest turnaround.”

“Lastly, look for a hardware provider that works exclusively with best-of-breed partners that share a commitment to integrity, flexibility and responsiveness, especially when so many providers have lost sight of these vital attributes,” he concludes.

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Next up in our series of reviews of the best devices suitable for field service engineers is Getac’s latest semi-rugged notebook the S410...

What the manufacturers say:

Raising the bar on the semi-rugged notebook class, the new S410 is more rugged, slimmer and lighter than ever before.

The all-new S410 boasts the latest computing innovations, including a significant CPU performance boost, enhanced graphics , and multiple options for greater flexibility. The S410 puts greater power and adaptability into the hands of mobile professionals across a range of industries.

First impressions:

Taking the S410 out of the box the notebook was light, compact looking and with a high build quality.

On boot up the device was quick to launch and I was very soon logged into the local wifi network and impressed with the speed of the connection and the responsiveness and control of the S410.

One thing that immediately struck me was the intelligent design of the built in carry handle which flexes out of the casing in a comfortable manner yet never got in the way when I was actually using the laptop. Although a relatively minor point, it is the close attention to small details such as this that I find are often key markers towards a well thought out device.

Personally, I’ve always found semi-rugged devices an odd corner of the market in terms of form factor and as more and more fully rugged devices become sleeker and consumer devices become more rugged (such as the latest consumer smartphones being IP68) one does wonder if their will be a place in the not so distant future for the semi-rugged market. However, if that is the case and the S410 is indeed part of a dying breed then on initial examination it seems to be a shining example of what semi-rugged is all about.

 

This device will never pass for a consumer notebook, nor does it want to, it’s a device built for business, that means business. Despite shaving off some 15mm in depth off of its predecessor (the S400) the S410 still has a sturdy compactness that has a reassuring, reliable feel to it.

This is a notebook that after an hour or so of getting a feel for it definitely seems suited for a life on the road, if not perhaps the great outdoors - but how do the specs stack up?

Processing power & memory:

In its highest configuration the S410 can certainly pack a punch when it comes to processing power, Top end specs come with an Intel® Core™ i7 vPro™ Technology, Intel® Core™ i7-6600U vPro™ Processor 2.6GHz, Max 3.4GHz, with Intel® Turbo Boost Technology and a 4MB Intel® Smart Cache.

The S410 also can boast up-to 16GB of Ram which would make it a lightning fast device within it’s category.

In short this should be more than enough processing power to really enable most field work to be easily accomplished quickly and efficiently, even with seriously heavy CPU intensive applications such as CAD based applications used in engineering etc.

In terms of storage space the S410 can also be specced up to 1TB so there should be plenty of file space available for even the most heavy duty file capture in the field.

Operating system:

The S410 is a windows machine and operates either on Windows 7 Pro or Windows 10 Pro - although given that the S410 can be configured with a capacitive multi-input touch-screen the better option would likely be 10 Professional which features some useful working functionality such as split screens to help improve workflows.

The Ins & Outs:

As you would expect with a notebook or laptop the S410 come awash with a variety of differing inputs and outputs.

These include:

[unordered_list style="bullet"]

• Headphone out/mic-in Combo x 1
• DC in Jack x 1
• USB 3.0 (9-pin) x 3
• USB 2.0 (4-pin) x 1
• LAN (RJ45) x 1
• HDMI x 1

[/unordered_list]

There are also options for a whole host of additional ports within the configuration specs as well.

Connectivity:

In terms of connectivity the S410’s wifi is powered by an Intel® Dual Band Wireless-AC 8260, 802.11ac which works across both the 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz frequencies -during testing it was on the 5Ghz band and was reaching speeds of 50Mbps although the technology is actually capable of receiving 867Mbps if you can ever find a connection fast enough!

 

The device also comes equipped with Bluetooth 4.2 which again is a solid, secure and fast connection for Bluetooth connections.

Ruggedity:

Being semi-rugged this is of course an area where the S410 is underwhelming compared to many of the devices that we get our HandsOn.

The S410 is tested to withstand 3ft drops to MIL STD 810G standards so it can survive more than the odd knock but it’s IP rating of 51 means that it’s not a device for the outdoors. Only partially protected from dust ingress and whilst it’s officially splash proof you wouldn’t want to risk spilling your morning coffee over it.

One thing in the S410s favour here though is that the device is vibration resistant so would be fine being dashboard mounted for long periods of time.

Battery Life:

Where the S410 does shine is in the battery life department.

The primary battery itself (a Li-Ion battery with 11.1V, 4200mAh) should be able to offer up to 11 hours a day. However, with an optional hot-swappable battery, essentially the device is capable of continuing running perpetually.

Conclusion:

First things first - I like this notebook. I really like it. It is fast, reasonably robust yet reasonably lightweight. Hell I even like the carry handle! And most importantly I can see how this device could easily be used by field based technicians.

However, the facts are that this is not a device for anyone who spends more than a fraction of their day working in an outdoor environment.

 

For those field technicians that work in predominantly outdoor roles, where there is a danger of a device getting wet or dusty then sadly the S410 isn’t for you. However, given the processing power the S410 pack it could handle most applications and for companies whose field technicians work with high technology such as MedTec or IT infrastructure who want a reliable, powerful notebook that can take the odd knock here and there... Perfect.

 

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Thames Water staff using the V110 have praised the device for important features such as how lightweight it is, its highly sensitive touchscreen and digitised stylus, as well as its superior processing power - especially noticeable when using the GPS functionality to bring up large, detailed Map/GIS software, critical to productivity in the field. Here we look at the case study of why the water utilities giant selected the device...

Challenge

Thames Water is under constant pressure from regulators and customers to reduce bills while having to maintain some truly challenging infrastructure, especially in the City of London.

To keep the taps running for nearly 30% of the UK’s population, Thames Water makes heavy demands on its technology, requiring reliability in tough conditions, the best connection available, high processing speed, large memory for files stored offline and the capability to run the latest operating systems. The hardware needs to be easy to use, durable and perform seamlessly, allowing operatives uninterrupted service.

 

With a 2,000-strong field force as well as contractors, Thames Water employees find themselves in extremely challenging conditions; often working below the ground, in difficult weather conditions, frequently with dark, or even very bright lighting, and even at non-typical angles, in which they need to access and input data onto their devices.

Technology naturally needs replacing as devices reach the end of life, and when this time came for computing devices at Thames Water, the challenge was to find a new solution that would meet these stringent requirements and provide a robust, intuitive platform for a variety of staff.

Solutions

Thames Water prioritised its requirements for a water resistant, drop-proof rugged device that would be able to stand the test of time. It carried out exhaustive trials with three competitive devices involving 200 Thames Water engineers. The competitive devices were tested in the field against important criteria such as: battery life (over six hours), GPS signal, 3G+ and 4G capabilities, speed, durability and scored each from one to 10.

Other hardware features, such as 10 to 12 inch screen, physical keyboard and sensitive touch screen were also important assessment criteria. It was important that the device would be compatible and work well with ClickMobile, a solution Thames Water uses to better manage and optimise its workforce.

Getac performed exceptionally in the field, with around 90% of users rating it by far the standout device across the board.

Rugged computer designer and manufacturer, Getac, today announced the release of its second generation T800 fully rugged tablet -- the T800 8.1.

Its thin and ergonomic design allows greater productivity for mobile field workers and those operating in tight spaces and extreme environments.

It offers best-in-class battery and an optional hot-swappable SnapBack battery for potentially limitless life.

“Getac continues  to push the boundaries for mobile rugged devices and the Getac T800 fully rugged tablet does just that with its improved power efficiency, durability and security options,” says Chris Bye, President of Getac UK.

The new 8.1” touchscreen T800 includes an Intel® ATOM™x7 Quad Core processor, providing improved power efficiency as well as the best battery run-time performance in its class. The tablet also takes advantage of the advanced security solution that’s in-built in Windows 10.

Other features of the T800 include:

• 10 hours of battery life with an additional 10 hours using a hot-swappable SnapBack battery option.
• Additional SnapBack options include a 2-in- 1 SmartCard and RFID/NFC reader, or 2-in-1 SmartCard and magnetic stripe reader.
• Getac’s signature sunlight-readable LumiBond® 2.0 display and a 170-degree screen viewing angle that is large enough to comfortably view documents and complete data entry with minimal scrolling.
• A full HD webcam for video conferencing, an 8MP rear camera with LED flash for crisp images and video, and dual-band 802.11ac Wi-Fi and optional 4G for reliable connectivity. Optional Discrete GPS provides high-performance location awareness.
• Other security features include: TPM 2.0 monitors and protects system start-ups to ensure the device is tamper-free before releasing control to the operating system, while BitLocker protects data at rest, in use and in transit. Multifactor authentication options, such as a SmartCard and RFID reader, work in tandem with Microsoft Windows 10 identity protection features, including Microsoft Passport and Credential Guard for additional protection.
• MIL-STD810G and IP65-certified to survive drops up to six feet, rain, dust, vibrations, shock and extreme temperatures from -14.5 to 50°C (operating temperature) and -40°C to 71°C (storage temperature).

 

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Check out our review of the Getac V110 rugged convertible here 

 

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Bittium and Getac have established a partnership to improve productivity, security and user experience for field workers in the most demanding environments...

Bittium SafeMove Mobile VPN and Analytics software will be available as an option on all Getac’s rugged tablets and notebooks across Europe from May 2016.

Getac, the global designer and manufacturer of rugged mobile devices, offers the most extensive rugged computing product lines including notebook, tablets and handheld computers. Its products are found across the globe in a wide range of sectors from military and defence, law enforcement and public safety, utilities, field service, oil and gas, telecommunications, healthcare, transportation to manufacturing.

Bittium SafeMove Mobile VPN is an advanced remote access solution that provides mobile workforce always-on, secure and seamless connectivity to the corporate network regardless of time and place. Bittium SafeMove automatically establishes the connection to the best available network with no user involvement. SafeMove also enables application-specific control of the data traffic in different networks, for example according to network speed. This ensures that business critical data is always a priority, and also defines which applications and services are allowed to use paid networks. Ease-of-use, solid security and extensible data collection and analysis tool for measuring and monitoring connectivity performance improves productivity and ensure the best possible user experience.

 

“Getac’s rugged devices are an excellent choice for professionals working in demanding environments, where secure and reliable connectivity are crucial. Bittium meets this challenge by bringing SafeMove Mobile VPN solution available for Getac’s customers. It is also important to understand how the software and devices behave in the field, to be able to optimise business processes. SafeMove Analytics is the perfect tool for that. Getac’s and Bittium’s products thus complement each other and we truly believe that our cooperation brings significant added value to customers”, says Jari Sankala, Senior Vice President, Sales at Bittium.

Chris Bye, President at Getac UK comments; “for almost 30 years we’ve been focused on providing durable, and reliable, mobile computers that withstand the harshest of environments. The partnership with Bittium further enhances Getac’s value to customers by adding the key critical area of security. We are proud to offer powerful solutions that significantly enhance the way our customers operate in the field.”

 

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Rugged computer designer and manufacturer Getac has unveiled the third generation of its F110 tablet and V110 convertible rugged computers. They feature the latest Intel Core processors which as well as optimised power performance, image processing, networking speed and efficient power management also deliver higher levels of data security.

Robby Swinnen, Vice President,  Sales and Marketing Group,  at Intel Corporation explains; “Data breaches start with misused or stolen user credentials. To address this concern, 6th generation Intel Core vPro  processors  feature Intel Authenticate Technology, a hardware-enhanced, multi factor authentication solution that strengthens identity protection by capturing, encrypting, pairing, and storing PINs, biometrics, keys, access rights, as well as other identification data in the hardware, thereby hiding the target from hackers to effectively strengthen the protection of corporate identities,”

Chris Bye, President, Getac UK, comments; “Rightly our customers demand the highest levels of performance available from Getac devices. With the latest upgrades to the V110 and F110 we’ve clearly achieved that as well as incorporating new technology from Intel to protect customers against modern data security threats.”

There's a choice of two Intel Core processors available: an i5-6200U 2.3GHz (2.8GHz) or an i&-6500U 2.5GHz (3.1GHz).  Improved RAM (up to DDR4 (expandable to 16GB) is matched to SSD  hard drives of 128GB , 256GB or 512 GB

There is built-in Intel dual band Wireless AC-8260 supporting WLAN 802.11ac, plus Bluetooth 4.2. The Intel HD Graphics 520 graphics card paired with a dual-lens design enhances on-site evidence collection and image processing capabilities.

Screen enhancements include 11.6in TFT LCD capacitive multi-touch screens, which are equipped with Getac 800-nit LumiBond 2.0 technology for clear visibility under bright lights. As well a touch, there is a new stylus pen and digitizer pen for more accurate interacting with applications while on the go.

A higher resolution FHD webcam will support video calls as well as facilitating streaming situations back to base, for example in healthcare or defence. Both tablet and convertible incorporate Getac’s LifeSupport hot-swappable battery design for uninterrupted productivity.

The V110 and F110 devices are certified to for water/dust resistance, protection against falling damage (up to 4 ft.), operating temperature range from -21°c to 60°c, as well as MIL-STD 810G and MIL-STD 461F for military standards, and the e-Mark vehicle safety certification.

 

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Tablets have proven to be a huge success amongst field service companies providing a good mix of portability and processing power. However, when it comes to significant data input or powering particularly CPU intensive applications the laptop still remains king. Therefore the rise in prominence of the convertible laptop makes perfect sense in the world of industry. 

Here we look at Getac’s latest convertible model the V110...

What the manufacturers say...

The breakthrough design of the Getac V110 rugged convertible enables the computer to be amazingly strong while also being unbelievably light. It truly is a revolution in rugged computing.

At 1.98kg and 34mm thin, it’s 27% lighter and 30% thinner than the previous generation.

The V110 is built to perform, featuring a powerful 5th generation Intel® Core™ processor, flash storage and responsive graphics. It’s the fastest rugged convertible we’ve ever built. The V110’s dual batteries are 66% smaller and 57% lighter than previous generations, and the unique, hot-swappable dual-battery design allows for potentially infinite, uninterrupted battery life.

This enables you to remove one of the two rechargeable batteries and replace it with a fresh battery without ever shutting down apps or your Windows OS.

The V110 rugged convertible has been built using the highest quality materials to make it unflinchingly resilient.

The V110’s main chassis structure is precision cast using magnesium alloy, an incredibly strong structural metal that also happens to be one of the lightest in the world for its strength.

We combined that with an advanced rugged polymer in areas of less impact and rubberised absorption polymer at the main points of contact.

First impressions...

A quick look at the V110 and there is absolutely no mistaking this device for what it is - i.e. a heavy duty rugged device that can handle itself in the field.

In fact the V110 would look right at home in a modern war film set in the deserts of the Middle East such is its rugged outward appearance that reveal its manufacturer’s roots as a leading provider of rugged devices to the military sector.

However, up close and in hand the device is a lot smaller than one might imagine and certainly comes in a more compact form factor than some of its fully rugged convertible counterparts.

Weighing in at just 1.98kg the V110 is over 15% lighter than Panasonic’s C19 and over 20% lighter than Durabook’s U12Ci semi rugged convertible making it certainly one of if not the lightest device of it’s kind in the market currently.

This is largely to do with the V110’s slim depth which at a particularly sleek 34mm which is considerably smaller than other similar rugged convertible devices.

With all of it’s I/O ports tucked away behind lockable, rubberised seals it is perhaps a touch surprising that the V110 isn’t a fully submersible -  however, we shall touch on that a little later.

In terms of actually using the device, the full size keyboard is comfortable in hand, and both the touch screen and tracker pad are pleasingly responsive.

Meanwhile the 800 nits LumiBond® display with Getac sunlight readable technology, was certainly a match for the brightest British sunshine available during the testing period and there were no problems with using the device in the outdoors at any point.

Using the device in laptop mode, whilst it was obviously a more robust device than your average laptop, there was never a feeling of trading usability for ruggedity. However, this did change substantially when switching to tablet mode.

In fairness this isn’t particularly the fault of the V110 itself more so the ‘convertible’ form factor as a whole. In tablet mode comparisons will naturally be made with other rugged tablets such as the Xplore XSlate B10 which being just a tablet rather than a convertible, is of course a lighter, more portable rugged computing tool.

 

Essentially, if the sole reason you are considering a convertible is for a keyboard then a rugged tablet with a bluetooth keyboard would be a more slimline and mobile solution for your field service engineers.

However, the point remains of course that the biggest selling point of any laptop over its tablet rivals would be what kind of processing power, storage and optimised inputs and outputs can be squeezed into the extra space under the bonnet.

So let's take a closer look.....

Processing power

The V110 comes in four different processing power flavours with the top end specifications boasting an Intel Core i7 vPro Technology chip set with an Option Intel Core i7-5600U vPro Processor 2.6GHz Max. 3.2GHz with Intel Turbo Boost Technology and a 4MB Intel Smart Cache.

When it comes to storage the V110 has 4GB DDR3L which is can be expandable to 16GB and has storage options of a 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB solid state drive.

This gives the V110 enough processing power  handle almost any application that could be required of it within a field service environment.

In fact at its optimum configuration the V110 is pretty much at the top of the pile. The only other fully rugged convertible that can keep pace with the V110 is Panasonic’s CF19.

Operating system

Given the power the V110 holds under its bonnet it makes complete sense for the convertible to be on the Windows platform in order to support the more comprehensive applications that may be used by field service engineers who would require such a powerful tool.

However, what is an impressive inclusion is that in terms of OS the V110 is available in three different versions of Windows - Windows 7, 8 and 10.

This flexibility could be particularly useful for those companies that are making the transition from one iteration of the operating system to another with Windows 7 proving to be the XP of its generation in that is a reliable and robust platform which many companies are reluctant to move away from.

However, many of those that have made the switch to Windows 8 are keen to move on quickly to 10 due to some of the well documented flaws in its predecessor. And it is Windows 10 that shows off the full capabilities of the V110's flexibility as a convertible laptop with the OS being a perfect match for the V110's impressive specifications.

The Ins & Outs:

Aside from the obvious benefits of having a keyboard for data input, perhaps one of the biggest reasons for selecting any form of laptop over a tablet equivalent is the available I/Os - and in this regard the V110 certainly doesn’t disappoint.

As mentioned above all ports are protected within closable rubber sealed enclosures.

In total the V110 boasts:

• Serial port (9-pin; D-sub) x 1
• Headphone out / mic-in Combo x 1
• DC in Jack x 1
• USB 3.0 (9-pin) x 2
• USB 2.0 (4-pin) x 1
• LAN (RJ45) x 1
• HDMI x 1
• Docking connector (24-pin) x 1

Connectivity:

In terms of connectivity options the V110 comes with dual band Intel Wireless-AC 7265; 802.11ac meaning it should be able to take the maximum speed from any availableWi-Fi signal whether it be on the 2.4Ghz or 5Ghz frequency.

The V110 is also capable of supporting internet speeds of up-to 1000 mbits per second across an Ethernet connection which could be useful for the transfer of large files from the field back to HQ.

The convertible also comes with Bluetooth 4.0 which should provide reliable, stable and fast connectivity with mobile devices.

One area where the V110 is perhaps let down however, is when it comes to mobile internet.

Whilst the device does have the optional inclusion of Gobi mobile broadband, for field service engineers mobile broadband is absolutely essential for jobs where there may be no conveniently available wi-fi signal.

Similarly a dedicated GPS is only available as an optional extra also. Connectivity is an essential factor in selecting the right tool for our field service engineers and whilst the V110 is clearly capable of being able to deliver high end levels of mobile connectivity, given the importance of such tools for communications in the field one can’t help but feel these should perhaps be standard features rather than optional extras.

Ruggedity:

When it comes to the rugged specifications of the V110, Getac’s convertible is a pretty robust beast.

With an IP rating of 65 the V110 is fully protected from dust ingress making it an ideal device for more arid climates whilst it is also certified to survive protection against low pressure water jets from any direction so could be easily cleaned.

 

It is also well protected against water ingress and, as mentioned previously, all I/Os are protected by rubber seals. Also, the V110 also has an option Salt Fog feature that could make it an ideal device for wet locations such as oil rigs or offshore wind farms etc.

Whilst not fully water proofed, or capable of being fully submersed, the fact is that the device remains well protected from water means it is almost certainly able to cope in most wet environments just as long as you don’t drop it in the sea!

In terms of drop specs the device is certified to Mil-Std 810g (tested by an external third party), so it should be able to cope with almost all knocks and drops. It  also e-Mark certified for vehicle usage.

Battery Life:

In terms of battery life the V110 is again well provisioned with a dual battery system.

In fact the V110 is powered by 2 separate Li-Ion smart battery (11.1V, 2100mAh) which promise to deliver up to 13 hours of battery life and using the device during our test period we found that this was in fact achievable even with the device being used constantly throughout the day.

Getac also provide LifeSupport battery swappable technology which could theoretically extend the battery life forever although running on two fully charged batteries is likely to be sufficient for even the longest jobs.

Conclusion:

In conclusion the V110 is very clearly a well designed, highly specced piece of kit that sits right a the top of its tree when we look at the rugged convertible form factor.

In terms of processing power, rugged specifications, battery life, and I/Os the V110 is either as good as it gets or pretty darn close.

In the hand the device is light and comfortable and, as we saw earlier, compares favourably to similar competitor models in this respect also.

The one major criticism would be aimed not so much at the V110 but at the convertible form factor itself. Whilst they work well as laptops, as a tablet they feel that much more cumbersome and one can’t help but feel the convertible form factor is a stepping stone, towards fully detachable rugged devices that truly offer the best of both worlds.

That said, detachables are still a new concept and as such relatively untested whereas convertibles have been around that much longer and are perhaps the safer alternative currently in a mission critical environment such as field service.

And when it comes to convertibles the V110 is certainly a formidable tool for field service companies and an excellent option for those companies whose field engineers need more computing power than a tablet yet still want the reliability and robustness of a fully rugged device.

 

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Getac's new-generation S400 series notebook has the footprint of a business notebook, the features of a full-rugged device and incorporates Intel's latest Skylake micro-architecture to boost performance.

Rugged computer manufacturer Getac has unveiled the first model in its next-generation S400 series semi- rugged laptop, the Getac S410. At  2.2kg and 35mm wide, it has the footprint of a business notebook but incorporates many features of a full-rugged device.

"The S410 builds on our success in the semi rugged notebook space, providing a combination of design, performance and versatility,” says Chris Bye, President of Getac in the UK.

The S410 can be specified with Intel 6th generation Core i3, i5 or i7 processors incorporating the latest Skylake U-series micro-architecture which boosts both CPU and GPU performance and reduces power consumption compared with the Broadwell series it replaces. Windows 10 operating system is standard.

The  S410 incorporates Getac’s newest proprietary composite materials to enhance ruggedness. It has a splash-proof keyboard; rugged I/O door; flexible and durable handle and rubber bumper and footpad, with ventilation provided by the footpad from the bottom of the unit. Environmental credentials include an IP51 rating for dust, MIL-STD 810G certification and the ability to cope with 3ft drops.

A 14in TFT LCD HD 1366 x 768  display is standard, with a 14in TFT LCD FHD 1920 x 1080 high resolution screen optional. Getac’s Lumibond sunlight readable technology can be specified on either screen.  Capacitive touchscreen technology means the S140 can be used in touch, gloved and pen modes even when wet.

Up to 1TB storage is available plus an optional SSD drive.

The 11.1-volt 4200 mAh battery should last a full day, but the S410 also comes with Getac's optional a hot-swappable battery feature with a light indicator to flag to users if there’s enough power left for the main battery to be switched. There's also a range of in-vehicle docking accessories.

Wireless communications include Intel’s dual band AC 8260, Bluetooth 4.2 and optional GPS,  GOBI mobile broadband and RF Triple Pass-Through.

The S410 also offers multi-factor authentication including fingerprint touch technology.

I/O options including a docking connector slot, USB 3.0 connectivity and expansion bay for, for example, PCMCIA.   In-vehicle and office docking units; a battery charger, and vehicle and AC Adapters are among the accessories available.

The S410 comes with Getac's standard three-year warranty.

 

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Field service companies tempted by low-priced consumer mobile devices should focus on Total Cost of Ownership, says Peter Molyneux, UK President, Getac, the  rugged laptop, tablets and handheld manufacturer.

The more numbers after the £ sign, the greater the likelihood of the specifier or procurement team to switch off to the technology - but it's a switch-off that could result in a significant unplanned-for cost rather than the planned expected saving.

The challenge facing all technology providers - as public sector strips costs to the bone, and business, still nervous about the economy, caps technology budgets - is breaking customers' focus on the short-term bottom line.

Take the single day on which a purchase is made of maybe several hundred consumer-based tablets in ruggedised cases for field service use - many procurement departments will likely believe it's a discounted deal well done. But three years on, that consumer-based equipment will have cost far more than forecast in comparison to initially more expensive purpose-designed and -made rugged tablets or laptops.”

It's an awkward fact that many buyers of technology - tablets or laptops - don't have the detailed knowledge of the field performance differences between a built-for-purpose rugged unit, and a consumer-based unit with a protective case.

But some technologies can look the part but fail to deliver. We have seen consumer-market brand technology failures of up to 30% a year when used in punishing, critical working environments similar to those experienced by both public and private sector organisations and businesses - and there's inevitably an unexpected and unplanned-for cost associated with failure.

 

There are some good consumer products working well in lighter-duty business and emergency service applications, but consumer technology is simply not designed for the daily demands of specifically critical working environments experienced by field service sectors.

The issue is that while rugged technology is a longer-term investment, business and public sector alike are understandably taking a short-term view on spending based on their currently extremely tight budgets.

However, there's a core of businesses and public sector bodies who have had their epiphany and realised that total cost of ownership of rugged computers is lower than consumer-based over the field life. However, there is also a surprising number of businesses and organisations who still buy outright rather than lease – with leasing offering reduced total cost and monthly cost against capex.

Estimation of total cost of ownership of consumer technology in critical working environments should be based on the expected working life of the device chosen - typically three years. This needs to include both the direct costs of purchase and the indirect costs of service and support. Longevity of supply and support of the device in the field must also be taken into consideration: consumer technology refreshes every six to eight months and therefore may not be supported across the duration of the project.

A consumer-market tablet cost of £550 including a 'rugged' case would typically return an annual field failure level of 25%, and possibly more, when used in demanding working environments. A purpose-built rugged tablet will cost £1,500 with a three-year warranty and support package, and have an expected field failure rate sub-3% over that three years. That's three times or so the initial cost, but a significant improvement on operational life expectancy, and minimum down-time in the field.

Rugged equipment isn't just more resilient but has features not available in consumer-facing products – high performance RF antennas and accurate GPS, and a higher level of integration, for example a 1/2D bar code reader.

In practice, that means downloading data faster or maintaining network connection in areas where consumer-based technology will not. It can mean finding the location of equipment needing attention faster and more accurately.

Operational efficiency and true mobility is delivered by a built-for-purpose feature set of which ruggedisation is just one component.

We speak from experience: we regularly support customer field trials and business case completion to ensure understanding of the total cost of ownership and return on investment in rugged technology versus consumer products.

There are two issues when it comes to using technology in the field: does it have the features and technical capability to allow a field service professional to do their job, but, crucially, does it have the resilience to keep working in sometimes extremely hostile environments? The fact is that even good consumer-market tablets and laptops, even if they are in toughened cases, will fail to perform in a demanding working environment.

Purpose-built rugged technology, such as produced by Getac, has features designed specifically for harsh environments. Not only does it survive drops, impacts and exposure to liquids, but it has performance - and the service and support infrastructure - which is simply not readily available on consumer technology.

 

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