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We return to our ever popular hardware review series as Kris Oldland runs the rule over the newly beefed-up XSLATE R12 from Xplore Technologies...

What the manufacturers say...

Think you need a desktop, laptop, and rugged tablet to excel at the tasks you complete in the office, in-vehicle, and in the field? You don’t...anymore. You just need the highly mobile, extremely flexible and always resilient Xplore XSLATE® R12 tablet PC.

The transformational 2 in 1 device gives you all the high performance capabilities and complete computing functions you need in a single platform.

You’ll have the right connectivity and ergonomics for a quick transition from the field to a full desktop computing experience – and the most conveniently stored Companion Keyboard on the market. It's fast to deploy when you want a notebook, and even easier to store when you don't. This makes the XSLATE R12 rugged tablet much more evolved than traditional detachable tablets, improving upon its own award-winning R12-series predecessor.

First impressions...

OK I'll open with full and honest disclosure.

When Xplore acquired Motion and took on their product range some time ago now, the device I was most keen to see harness the benefit of two expert teams of rugged R&D specialists was the R12. It was always my favourite of the old Motion line up, looking as close at the time as a consumer unit a rugged device could get and packing a decent punch in terms of power.

Similarly, I'd always liked the aesthetics of the Xplore range, and their heritage as an ultra-rugged manufacturer meant that their devices were as tough as you could get. 'When the Xplore team start chipping in with the next gen R12 it'll be a pretty impressive machine' was one of my first thoughts when I heard about the acquisition.

So needless to say when the demo unit arrived here at Field Service News Towers expectations were high.

Would the new XSLATE R12 live up to those admittedly high expectations, or would it be a missed trick?

 

In terms of first impressions it is in fact exactly what I envisioned it to be.

The heritage of the original Motion R12 is still there, it's a sleek looking tablet by any standards, yet it now undeniably looks like an Xplore tablet at the same time. I can't quite put my finger on why, but it is instantly recognisable as such even from the front where there are no obvious logos or markings.

Xplore's claims for this tablet is that it is a 'transformational 2-1 device' and i'm not 100% sure if that is accurate (more on that later) but what they are referring to here is the fact that the tablet has a rather lovely optional attachment to the back that not only acts as a kick stand but also houses and charges a decent size (about 4/5 the size of standard) bluetooth keyboard which even has a track pad within it.

Of course a tablet on a kickstand, using a keyboard and trackpad doesn't mean this is still necessarily going to deliver a laptop experience - as anyone who has used either an Android tablet or iPad in such as way will attest, there is more to using a laptop than setup - namely the ability to run 'proper' applications - which of course all depends on the processors.

The Microsoft Surface was arguably the first device that could genuinely claim to have finally cracked the 'tablet that could replace a laptop' category, although the Panasonic ToughBook20 (another device i'm a fan of) does things the other way around (i.e. a laptop with a screen that can be detached and act as a tablet) but essentially offers a different take on the same concept in a fully rugged form factor.

 

So perhaps the first question we need to ask is how does the XSLATE R12 stack up when it comes to CPU?

Processing power

In fact it does pretty darn well.

One of the key points raised in the XSLATE R12's marketing blurb is that the device comes in a number of flavours in terms of processors.

In fact there are four options:

• Intel® Core™ i7 vPro™ 7600U up to 3.9 GHz, 4 MB SmartCache
• Intel® Core™ i7-7500U up to 3.5 GHz, 4 MB SmartCache
• Intel® Core™ i5-6200U up to 2.8 GHz, 3MB SmartCache
• Intel® Celeron® 3865U 1.8 GHz, 2MB SmartCache

Now, if we are to compare this to the Panasonic ToughBook20 - which is perhaps the easiest device for comparison, the Celeron configuration is less powerful, the Core i5 is pretty much on a par (albeit with a smaller cache) but the two Core i7 configurations are both superior in terms of processing power.

 

Indeed, at the top end with the i7 vPro configuration, the XSLATE R12 even sits well alongside the top end of consumer devices including the Microsoft Surface 4. From a hands on perspective I used the XSLATE R12 for a number of my day to day tasks many of which require fairly demanding applications such as video, audio and image editing and the tablet accounted for itself well, with no issues and similar response levels as the MacBook Pro I generally use when I'm on the road.

Operating system

The XSLATE R12 is available primarily on Windows 10 64 bit which is to be expected given the fact that Microsoft put out an end of life announcement for Windows 7, 8 and 8.1 in the last quarter of 2016.

The good news is that whilst they may have taken their time to get there and made a few mistakes along the way, almost all of Windows 8 for example felt rushed and ill thought out (hence the quick reworking that became Windows 8.1), Windows 10 is a genuinely intuitive and powerful OS.

Of course, being on a Window's system in the field may be helpful for the many, many organisations that are using such systems in the office as well in terms of mobile device management and cyber-security etc. Also for those who have yet to migrate to Windows 10 the XSLATE R12 does come with downgrade options to either Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 which will be available until October this year.

The Ins & Outs

Data input options: Bluetooth Keyboard

Let's start off with the area that Xplore themselves have highlighted as a key USP for the XSLATE R12, namely the way they have approached the 2-in-1 category. My initial thoughts on this, as alluded to above, is that just adding a kickstand and a bluetooth keyboard doesn't necessarily mean that we are getting a true laptop experience.

However, perhaps the biggest obstacle for a tablet to replace a laptop is the processing power and as we have seen above the processing power of the XSLATE R12 is certainly in the laptop replacing category. In the terms of being considered a 2-in-1, the approach taken by Xplore (i.e. integrating a kickstand that can also act as a holder and charger for the bluetooth keyboard) is a innovative and slick approach to the form factor.

 

The keyboard itself connected through the bluetooth easily, quickly and with no issues at all and was of a decent enough size to be more than comfortable for typing anything of length and the trackpad was also equally responsive and a useful inclusion. Indeed the experience of using the XSLATE R12 with the keyboard is very much that of using a laptop, also from my experience using the device, the lack of the physical connection between the screen and the keyboard actually lends itself to more flexible, and thus more comfortable use.

Finally, it should be highlighted that the entire kickstand mechanism including the keyboard is able to be detached very easily (it is attached magnetically) at which point the XSLATE R12 becomes a powerful tablet. It is certainly a heavy duty device weighing in at fairly hefty 2.9 lbs. To put that into context that is almost twice as heavy as the 12.9 inch iPad Pro - a good comparable device in terms of screen size. However, perhaps a more even comparison would be with the Dell Latitude Rugged 12 as consumer devices are of course lighter than their rugged counterparts and in this instance the XSLATE R12 is indeed around 20% lighter of the two.

Date input options: Pen input: 

As you would expect of a professional grade 2-in-1 device the XSLATE R12 comes with a pen stylus for written input. The tablet has a neat built-in holder for the pen, which would be very familiar to anyone who has ever used a Samsung Galaxy Note tablet or smart phone, and the stylus itself has a similar level of variance in stroke pressure to that of a Wacom stylus and comes with a standard, but still highly useful, button that can be set up for a number of uses (personally I find it useful as a right mouse click replacement.)

Data input options: Cameras

The camera options for the XSLATE R12 are sufficient if not groundbreaking.

There are two cameras on the device a front facing camera which has become an absolute necessity for field service work as the concept of remote assistance via video calls becomes a very standard approach amongst field service organisations. Given the primary function of this front camera the 2.0 Megapixel spec is more than sufficient - anything more than that would just get wasted in compression codecs used for video streaming - particularly over 3G internet signals.

On the rear of the tablet there is an 8 Megapixel camera which also has a LED flash.

Whilst of course this is adequate for most of the tasks required of it - which are for documentation purposes rather than taking award winning landscapes, in dark corners (where field assets can often reside) capturing clear photographs was slightly less straightforward.

However, this is a minor gripe, and for the most part the rear camera fared well in our test scenarios.

Data input: additional options

The tablet is also capable of including additional data input options which come in the form of Xplore's proprietary add-on system called slate mate.

Additional options for the XSLATE R12 include a 13.56 MHz HF RFID with reader with write capability and a Barcode reader that works with both 1D and 2D barcodes. Both of these inclusions are optional extras.

I/Os:

In terms of it's inputs the XSLATE R12 is not particularly rich in options that come as standard. There is only 1 USB port (which is USB 3.0) although there is a HDMI port. I flagged this up as a benefit when reviewing the XSLATE R12's sister device the XSLATE B10 as it is certainly something useful for those working in telco/pay TV sector - which I understand is where the original request for inclusion of HDMI in came from.

However, the XSLATE B10 comes with an extra USB port making it less of a trade off.

For the R12, especially given that it seems to be aiming for a wider market - trying to step into not just field workers but the wider arena of enterprise mobility perhaps, then I felt that perhaps this bit of real estate on the tablet could have been better served as a second USB.

The team at Xplore I am sure would argue that the XSLATE R12's docking station is designed to overcome exactly this issue offering not only an additional four USB ports but a whole plethora of other I/Os (including another HDMI port plus also an ethernet port and a serial port both of which are only available on the tablet itself as additional upgrades which incorporate a slightly clumsy sounding dongle based solution.

 

Indeed, on reflection I guess they would have a point.

Realistically, given the fact that the keyboard is bluetooth and the screen is touch sensitive, then the requirements for a second USB port in the field may be fairly limited, and the docking station really does open the R12 up into desktop level experiences and for many organisations could be a hugely beneficial addition. However, if i'm being hyper critical I still think if given the choice between an additional USB port or a HDMI port many field workers would opt for the former. Perhaps a choice between the two could be integrated into future iterations of the device?

In terms of connectivity, the XSLATE has space for a SIM card to provide mobile internet coverage, and comes with three internal options for configuration of LTE networks depending on region and requirements - which is of course an essential inclusion for field workers. This is acts as a compliment to the Intel® Dual Band Wireless-AC 8260 Wi-Fi which picked up good speeds on our wireless network.

For storage there is a MicroSD slot to expand the XSLATE R12's internal capacity which ranges from 64GB up to 512GB.

Finally, the XSLATE R12 has a standard 3mm audio jack plus 2 integrated speakers and 3 microphones (2 front facing and one rear facing). The XSLATE R12 also features RealTek noise reduction which worked very well when we made a test call from outdoors in what was a very windy environment.

Battery Life:

It is slowly become a bit of a moot point in the world of industry level devices at least to discuss battery life and for the XSLATE R12 that is almost certainly the case. Essentially, the device is capable of running forever via hot swappable batteries - which can be purchased as additional accessories.

Even for those who don't have a second battery the stated life time of the device is over 9 hours. However, it should be mentioned that we found this to be slightly lower (closer to 6 or 7) and looking at the fine print Xplore do state that 9+ hours is based upon the Core i5 configuration.

However, we also found that in our tests batteries were charging close to full within a little over 2 hours - which again is pretty much in line with Xplore's stated claim of 2.5 hours.

Ruggedity:

I mentioned earlier in the review that the XSLATE R12 seems to be aimed at a slightly different market to where Xplore have played in traditionally. Indeed, I recall Mark Holleran, COO of Xplore telling me that he saw the Motion range more in the semi-rugged space compared to the original Xplore tablets and when the XSLATE R12 was launched John Graff, VP of marketing at Xplore was quoted as saying “No one sits still anymore at work”.

Which is very much true, but is this an indication that the XSLATE R12 is not being targeted only at field workers, but at the wider (and much bigger) market of mobile workers, i.e. those who are essentially based primarily in an office but work on the road as much as they do at HQ?

 

Maybe I am reading between the lines here but the rugged specs for the XSLATE R12 would appear to back up this assumption.

Whilst the device is certainly robust - the fact that it is tested to MIL-STD-810G standards means it is capable of taking more than it's fair share of knocks and drops, it's relatively low IP rating of IP54 means that this is not a device particularly suited to the outdoor life.

For reference a rating of IP54 means that the device is neither protected against dust ingress nor anything more than splash proof. In a world where many top-end consumer smartphones are now rated IP67 or even as is the case with Samsung's last three flagship devices IP68 (meaning completely closed off to dust ingress and submergible in water for up to 30 minutes) it is a surprise that the XSLATE R12 scores so lowly in this regard.

Yet, whilst the XSLATE wouldn't be too happy getting dropped in a muddy puddle, on the flip side it's screen brightness rating of 800 NITS means you would be able to see the screen clearly even in bright sun if you did take it outside - so just be careful where you put it down.

Finally, the XSLATE R12 is also C1D2 certified for hazardous locations, an important inclusion for those working in such environments.

Conclusion:

There is so much good to write about the XSLATE R12. It is comfortable as both a laptop and a tablet which makes it a good option for those companies whose engineers are currently still using multiple devices.

It has plenty of power for more CPU intensive tasks such as CAD based design work and for a rugged 12inch tablet it is a sleek looking and not to cumbersome to carry around, and as mentioned it is certainly capable of surviving a fair few knocks and drops.

However, there is a certain element of Jeckyl and Hyde in the XSLATE R12 that I just can't get my head around.

It's low IP rating certainly surprised me when I looked through the specs and based on it's rating of IP54 I certainly wouldn't recommend it to an organisation whose engineers work outdoors on anything near even a semi-regular basis. In the world today our field engineer's mobility tools are critical to his role, and no matter how good those tools are, they are useless if they are broken.

I'm sure that the team at Xplore would quite rightly point out the fact that they offer other tablets which are "fully rugged" as they term it - such as the XSLATE B10 which is IP67 rated for field technicians working in such environments, but what confuses me is that the XSLATE B10 has a significantly lower (although admittedly perfectly acceptable) screen brightness compared to the XSLATE R12 - so in very bright sunlight the XSLATE R12 would be easier to view than it's more rugged cousin the XSLATE B10.

But as mentioned the XSLATE R12 isn't really suited to outdoor environments where it could get dusty or wet - so why bother giving it a NIT rating of 800 in the first place? It is this kind of lack of connection in reasoning that makes me think that even the R&D team at Xplore may not truly know exactly which vertical this device is aimed at.

However, this doesn't mean that the XSLATE R12 is not an excellent tablet and could be a perfect tool for some field technicians. The inclusion of HDMI as mentioned does make it an excellent choice for field service technicians working in the installation and maintenance of PayTV systems for example and of course such indoor environments would mean less exposure to wet or dusty environments - so for telcos the XSLATE R12 could be a great choice.

 

Indeed, with the application of this same logic the XSLATE R12 would be a good fit any sector whose field workers were largely based either within homes or offices.

Although, again when we look at these sectors we need to ask whether consumer devices within rugged casing may be suitable alternatives and similarly whether simpler tablets can be deployed in cases where the impressive processing power of the XSLATE R12 is simply going to waste?

The XSLATE R12 is undoubtedly a very, very good device and if your field service company is one of the many whose engineers are currently using both a tablet and a laptop then this could certainly be a device worth exploring. In this regard it certainly could potentially find a much bigger home outside of field service in the hands of the general mobile worker.

However, if your field service engineers do work in more challenging environments than homes and offices then regardless of the XSLATE R12's many impressive facets, you are probably best looking at alternatives such as the XSLATE B10 or the Panasonic Toughbook20.

 

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Hewlett Packard isn’t a name that jumps to the top of the list when thinking of hardware providers within the field service sector. Neither for that matter do Windows Phones in general. So when the HP Elite x3 was launched in October last year not too many folks in the market (including ourselves) paid a huge amount of attention.

However, having got a look at the device at Field Service USA, Kris Oldland, Field Service News Editor-in-Chief, realises that we may have just overlooked the very future of computing for our industry...

I’m very much a firm believer in holding my hands up when I get things wrong - and boy did I get this wrong.

When HP launched the Elite x3 I pretty much automatically dismissed it primarily on the basis that a) it wasn’t truly rugged so not a fit for heavy duty outdoor based field work and that b) it was only available running Windows 10 Mobile - which although a perfectly valid OS, the lack of Android options suggested that there would be better comparable options out there for field service organisations.

However, by not paying enough attention, I overlooked what could very well be the first device we see that can completely redefine computing and mobility in our sector.

 

Big words, I know, but bear with me on this.

The thing is that whilst we talk about mobility revolutions, really and truly the smart phone or it’s big brother the tablet hasn’t (nor will it ever) fully replace the laptop. There are just always times when a field service engineer will be better off with a keyboard. Admittedly, pure play tablet manufacturers like rugged specialists Xplore do a very good job of offering bluetooth keyboards as accessories, but that just re-enforces the fact that you still largely need a keyboard for odious yet essential tasks such as updating records and filing reports.

Then there is the less frequent but still valid need for a field service engineer to use a desktop.

Again the laptop never really replaced the desktop, if an engineer needs to head back to HQ to help the team work on an important report for a client, outlining how wonderfully his company have met SLAs for example, there is a fair chance that he will do so sat in front of a desktop.

And whilst tablets are great mobile workforce devices they can’t beat a smart phone for simple things like making calls and even when it comes to FSM systems - giving an engineer a tablet means he has something else to carry, whilst his phone can just go in his pocket - when it comes to simple mobility - smart phones of course come out top.

So whilst we have had various new devices and form factors come into the market you could argue that none have really replaced each other. I’m sure that most field service engineers will have with them at least two devices at any given time and may have to use up to four devices in their workflow at some point within their working year.

Well not anymore.

You see, whilst the HP Elite x3 comes with an impressive set of specs that include beefy processing power and in fact a fairly robust IP67 dust and water ingress protection, it is the devices wider applications that make it so groundbreaking.

 

As so often in life, the devil is in the detail and the clue is in the name - specifically the x3 part.

You see the Elite x3 has a very impressive trick up it’s sleeve in that if you plug it into a dock which connects to a monitor then it literally becomes a PC. With a bluetooth keyboard and mouse you are all set to go with a full PC experience, completely powered by and therefore accessing the same data stored on your phone.

But wait there’s more...

HP have also developed what they call a LapDock for the Elite x3. This is essentially, for all intense purposes, an empty shell of a laptop. Yet when you connect the Elite x3 to the LapDock (wirelessly of course) once again the phone acts as the CPU for the laptop and again you have a seamless transition from a mobile based work flow to a laptop based workflow.

Even if a phone call comes through - you can take it without the need to exit any ‘mode’ etc and can continue working on the laptop as you speak.

 

For field service organisations the potential of such a system is of course deeply profound. Not only can you stop having to kit out your engineers with multiple devices (be honest how many of you still give your engineers a laptop/tablet and a phone) but also the direct result of this is that their workflow across devices reaches a whole new level of integration and for the first time, can be truly seamless.

Admittedly, HP aren’t the only ones to have explored this concept. I recall seeing Samsung suggest a similar concept for the Note series - and we may well yet see something similar for the Note 8.

But HP have certainly taken the first step in what could be a truly redefining new take on computing within the field service arena.

One thing is for sure, I won’t be dismissing any of their next few launches so easily out of hand again. And if the potential of the Elite x3 gets even close to having the disruptive effect I think it could have, I suggest you don’t either.

 

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RuggON Corporation, a leader in the design and manufacturing of ruggedized computing products, recently launched a new rugged in-vehicle terminal, the VX-601, which provides superb visibility from a large, bright, sunlight-readable touchscreen display; great durability; seamless connectivity and communications; as well as smart power management.

The VX-601 is suitable for challenging environments and diverse applications such as intralogistics, cold chain logistics, waste management, mining, harbour freight handling, agriculture and construction. The VX-601 is a full-featured industry-standard computer, based around a powerful Intel® Core™ i5-6300U 2.4 GHz CPU, with up to 8GB of memory, an 80mm M.2 SSD for storage, and internal mini-PCIe slots for expansion.

User friendly in-vehicle terminal

The VX-601 saves time and increases productivity with its outstanding user interface design. The ultra-bright 1200 nits display dims automatically in low light to save power and prevent eyestrain. Even in direct sunlight, a special anti-reflection layer is available to help keep the screen readable. Dedicated user-programmable function keys around the touchscreen provide instant access to important operations, including brightness and volume. A tough projected capacitive touchscreen (PCT) option is available for improved gloved operation.

Based on extensive experience with real-world applications, RuggON has developed the user-friendly DashON interface. With DashON users can easily monitor or adjust numerous important settings and features. RuggON also provides a complete SDK, allowing users to quickly develop their own applications.

Tough enough for any task

RuggON specialises in rugged design, and the VX-601 is built from the ground up for durability and reliability, with IP66 (IEC 60529), MIL-STD-810G and IEC 60721-3-5 Class 5M3 compliance. Waterproofed external connectors are available. Operating temperature range is -30°C to 55°C – with an optional defroster/defogger to keep the screen readable. Together, these features ensure the VX-601 will always be ready for action, in any environment, indoors or outdoors.

The VX-601 accepts a wide power input range, from 9 to 60 VDC, for compatibility with almost any vehicular electrical system. The built-in rechargeable 4500mAh battery pack not only acts as an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) during brief power outages, but provides 1.5 hours of working time for mobile use, or when an external power source is not available. Smart power management features include ignition sense support to prevent glitches caused by voltage transients. The power connector features any easy relea5se hand-rotatable mechanism to prevent accidental power cable detachment.

The in-vehicle terminal that’s designed for connectivity and expansion

This terminal provides an almost unlimited array of options for connecting to the world and other devices, and includes full GNSS support. Wireless communications are provided by 802.11ac WiFi at both 2.4GHz and 5GHz, High Speed Bluetooth and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE). Wireless wide area network (WWAN) support is also available. Wired connectivity options include Gigabit LAN, as well as extensive I/O features for field operations, such as powered RS-232 plus a separate RS-232/422/485 socket, GPIO and CAN bus (SAE J1939 / OBD II support), and optional four channel video input.

Based on popular industry-standard hardware for ease of expansion and maximum hardware and software compatibility, the VX-601 supports Windows 10 IoT. RuggON offers a diverse range of accessories and peripherals to suit any application.

Read more about the RuggON VX-601 – the ultimate in tough, reliable in-vehicle terminal computers – as well as VX-601 accessories, and other products from RuggON, the rugged computer specialists, here: http://www.ruggon.com/

 

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The term closest competitors could have been coined for Xplore Technologies and Motion Computing. Whilst they both competed in the niche market place of rugged computing, physically they were even closer - both being based on the same stretch of road in Texas. So it was almost inevitable that the two would eventually merge, which they did in April 2015 - making them the world’s 2nd largest manufacturer of rugged tablets overnight.

But when something is inevitable it doesn’t always mean it’s easy. Kris Oldland spoke exclusively to Mark Holleran COO, Xplore Technologies to find out more about the recent past, the present and the near future of the Texan Rugged Specialists.

It is testament to Holleran’s hands on approach to managing Xplore Technologies and his resulting busy diary that it has taken the best part of three months of diary juggling on both sides of the Atlantic before we are finally able to schedule a call that actually worked for this interview.

With this in mind, ahead of the call I was expecting it to perhaps be a somewhat hurried affair, with Holleran spouting off some pre-scripted soundbites that most CEOs seem to usually have to hand - particularly when being questioned about M&A activity. Generic quotes about mutual respect, optimistic futures and grandiose visions of world domination that to put it politely aren’t never quite in tune with reality.

Fortunately, it turns out my instincts were wrong.

Whether it was a result of the legendary friendly nature of Texans so often commented on, Holleran’s genuine passion for his company and the industry at large (he has been with Xplore for over 13 years and in the tech space for over 30) or as is more likely a combination of both factors, Holleran proved to be both engaging and insightful during the hour and a bit that we spoke.

Indeed, he was not only prepared to take the time to answer the questions put to him with thoughtful and reasoned responses, but also with a level of straight honesty that is all too often missing in trade journal interviews today.

Often, the real insight within an interviewee’s responses can get buried under wave after wave of hyperbole and over exaggeration that often needs to be translated back from marketingspeak.

At the same time it seems that many trade journalists are frightened to ask anything too probing these days in case it upsets any commercial relationships.

Whilst as Editor-in-Chief, I have the ability to control at least one side of this set of challenges to help ensure we continue to publish content our readers value, I’ll readily admit that some interviewees make our lives as business journalists that much easier when they just speak from the heart and shoot from the hip.

 

Fortunately in Holleran, it seemed I had discovered a kindred spirit in someone that believes in the virtues of just saying it as it is and letting the story speak for itself.

That said, it does of course help when the story is as compelling as Xplore’s acquisition of Motion which suddenly catapulted them to being the world’s second largest manufacturer of rugged tablets, seemingly almost overnight.

As mentioned above the prospect of Xplore and Motion coming together at some point had a certain sense of inevitability about it.

However, most analysts would have predicted it would have been Motion who acquired Xplore rather than the other way around and the speed of Xplore’s acquisition of their rivals from up the road certainly took a few in the industry by surprise.

“I think Motion was foreclosed on Friday, on the Monday we bought the assets and the next Friday we had a BBQ where there was 53 people all together” Holleran explains when we discuss the speed at which everything was completed.

Indeed, the shared culture of the two companies that were literally based on the same road in Texas, was already firmly in place well before the acquisition happened.

Holleran recounts how at that inaugural group BBQ one very astute individual asked all those who had previously worked for both companies to stand up - about 40 people did so.

In fact, there had already been previous conversations about bringing the two companies together as Holleran explained.

“It was originally the Motion founders that approached Xplore, but my predecessor wasn’t receptive to that, we did talk and in the end we did try and help each other.”

“For me, did I think we would we eventually work out something – yes I’d like to think so. Then we took the opportunity when it came around and fortunately for us we were in the better financial health - so it was us who acquired them,” he adds.

What is particularly interesting however, is that despite both companies sitting in the rugged tablet space, being in the same location and as a result of that proximity even having an informal movement of personnel between one another, the product ranges were actually very complimentary and with very little overlap.

 

As Holleran explains “If you look at Xplore’s history we were in the Ultra Rugged tablets space, we made the most rugged PC in the world. Then about five years ago we decided to enter to the fully rugged space but we didn’t really compete with Motion, who would have been in what we viewed as the semi-rugged space. So we saw a unique opportunity to acquire an asset that was very complimentary, their products are 100% complimentary to ours. Their channel was also very complimentary with around 80-90%, distribution which was also something they did which we didn’t do, They were working on a dual tier model and we were working on a single tier  model,” he adds.

Basically, what Xplore did well, Motion was weaker at and vice versa and this also translated into vertical and geographical exposure.

“Some major companies and customers are now embracing our products more because Motion was number three in the market and we’ve got over 20 years experience,” Holleran asserts before making the bold, yet perfectly valid statement that with Motion and their product range brought into the Xplore fold they now “have the god given right now to expect to be on every major rugged tablet RFP.”

At this point we do need to address the elephant in the room. Namely the fact that the reason Xplore was able to acquire their bigger competitor was largely due to the fact that Motion had suffered from issues in the supply chain, that ultimately led to financial challenges.

Was this an issue that was now fully resolved?

“There are always issues in the supply chain but if you understand that and you work closely in the supply chain they can be overcome,” insists Holleran.

“Myself, I travel to Taipei once a quarter. And don’t forget we’ve been doing this longer than anyone else. We were there 14/15 years ago so we understand their culture and their history, we have long standing relationships over there and we have an excellent reputation there,” he adds.

Yet, supply chain challenges are not the only potential threats to the ongoing success of Xplore Technologies. Is the rugged tablet market itself in a healthy position?

It is all very well being the second largest maker of rugged tablets in the world- but should the market move away from tablets and embrace the newly emerged form factor of the convertible or detachable does that leave them exposed?

 

I was keen to get Holleran’s opinion on products such as the Panasonic CF-20 - a fully rugged detachable that offers the dual benefit of being both a laptop and tablet at the same time. Will we ever see a similar device from the Xplore team?

“We never say never but our speciality and history is in tablets and we consider ourselves the world experts on rugged tablets – we’ve been doing it for twenty years which is longer than Panasonic has,“ he replies when I put the question to him.

“We’re investigating that area – but I would say that basic physics says that you cannot build a notebook or a 2-in1 device as rugged as a tablet”

“It all depends on your needs – if you're really keyboard centric and data intensive then a 2-in-1 is for you, but as soon as you put a keyboard onto a device it is not a truly mobile device to use. You can carry it, but you can’t just pull it up within one hand and then use it, that’s only the function of a tablet. So if you need mobility, if you need to have one hand free to keep other things working – then you really do need a tablet,” he added.

Of course, another threat to rugged manufacturers is that of the consumer OEMs.

In the past the argument from rugged manufacturers was a fairly straight forward one. If you worked in an environment where your tablet could get a bit wet or accidentally knocked about then you really needed to go with something rugged.

However, with consumer manufacturers releasing products that are themselves becoming more rugged such as recent Samsung products being IP68 certified - are the lines between business-rugged, semi-rugged and rugged all blurring somewhat? If so why should we invest in devices from specialist rugged manufacturers such as Xplore?

“I would say that ruggedization has various hats,” Holleran begins.

 

“If you are looking at an IP rating, which means it is protected against dust and water that’s one thing, but you can’t use these devices in extreme temperatures, you can’t see them in the bright sun, you still can’t drop these devices,” he adds.

“There is a need for different types of devices but those devices are not enterprise class PCs. They’re basically for reading your emails, watching a video or game – if you want them for doing a dispatch, accessing your ERP or picking system for example then no – they’re not going to run.”

“Our market is not inside an office or going out occasionally. Our market is in nasty plants, outside, with rain, sleet, snow, hot, cold, vibrations from vehicles. So if anything we see it [competition from consumer brands] as good for us as it lends more credibility to the need for fully rugged devices.”

“It gives some people a better understanding of the fact that in different environments you’ll need different types of ruggedization and there are considerable degrees of ruggedization. There are different needs for different people of course.”

For Holleran it all comes down to a simple question of reliability, which given the often mission critical nature of both installation and maintenance work carried out in the field, is of course paramount for most field service organisations.

 

“Basically it’s simple – when the product is a tool for your job, in other words if your computer is not working then you cannot do your job – then you really need a rugged device. If you’ve got your dispatch system, your inventory systems, your schedule, your maps, your components then if that computer is not working you can’t do your job – so people in that scenario want a rugged device that’s going to last.”

“Our marketing strategy is quality; our products exceed our customer’s specs.”

“If you want a product that can stay in the field for three or four years, then you need a rugged device, you can’t put an enterprise device in – it just won’t last,” he concludes.

What about the sometimes mooted concept of just having a rack of pre-loaded cheap tablets, so when one device fails an engineer can just pick up a new one from HQ?

“The problem with this idea problem is how do you get to all your data?” Holleran retorts.

“If your computer breaks, that data has then got to be put on a new computer and then you have to make sure that the new computer has all the security protocols etc, so your talking about days - maybe even a week if there is a backlog. A week where nothing happens and a guy can’t work? Do they just get an extra vacation whilst you lose money?” He asks.

From our conversation it seemed clear to me that Holleran not only has a strong depth of knowledge about his own market and the wider sectors he operates in, but also has similar depth of knowledge in understanding his customers needs and their workflows. I was keen to discuss this further so asked him how prevalent was such knowledge of their customer’s workflows across the company and was this ingrained into the success of Xplore to date.

“That is very important to us – Xplore is very much a customer centric company,” he begins.

“We will even put features into a product for the customer if required. For example, in our Rugged Android D10 we have HDMI-in port which allows it to work as a Telco testing device. So yes, that is one of our core competencies, it’s critical to the company and is a foundation which the business has been built upon.“

Indeed, it seems that the future for Xplore Technologies is well plotted and in Holleran they have a leader who has a clear understanding of where their strengths lie and how they can leverage those to best serve the markets they operate within.

“We still have new products under development the XSLATE will be the brand. We will continue to be a premium supplier with innovative technology; we have some new innovations under development,” he asserts.

“We intend to be the world’s expert authority on rugged tablets and peripherals attached to that. I tell people if you really want to buy a rugged notebook go buy Panasonic.”

“If you want to buy a rugged tablet come to Xplore – that’s what we do and we are the world's best at it.”

 

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In the final instalment of our series decoding the various acronyms and abbreviations found in the world of rugged devices we explore the meaning of ATEX certifications...

When looking at a rugged devices spec sheet we will often see the words ATEX certified. So what is ATEX certification who is it relevant to and why is it important?

ATEX is the name given to two European Directives relating to controlling explosive atmospheres. The name actually comes from the French term ‘Atmospheres Explosibles’ and generally if you don’t think you need your devices to be ATEX certified then the likelihood is they don’t need to be - because if your devices do need to be ATEX certified then they really, really do need to be ATEX certified and you should know all about the subject already.

However, for the rest of the class and as a general recap lets take a quick look through the world of ATEX, starting by what exactly is an explosive environment.

So what is an explosive atmosphere?

Contrary to popular belief, in official terms at least, explosive atmospheres are not those situations where you’re engineer turns up 2 hours late and then realises within 5 minutes he doesn’t have the right parts in his van.

In the realms of ATEX at least, an explosive atmosphere can be caused by flammable gases, mists or vapours or by combustible dusts. If there is enough of the substance, mixed with air, then all it needs is a source of ignition to cause an explosion.

Of course explosions can cause loss of life and serious injuries as well as significant damage to company property, assets and equipment. Therefore, preventing releases of dangerous substances, which can create explosive atmospheres, and preventing sources of ignition are two widely used ways of reducing the risk.

 

Using the correct equipment can help greatly in this, and if your customers operate in such environments, then it is vital (and probably contractual) that your engineers also comply with the regulations. This means that if you want them to benefit from the various positives of a digital workflow then the devices you provide them with must be ATEX certified.

Where can explosive atmospheres be found?

Perhaps surprisingly for some, ATEX workplaces are not restricted to oil refineries, petrol stations or grenade factories.

In fact, many workplaces may contain, or have activities that produce, explosive or potentially explosive atmospheres. Examples include places where work activities create or release flammable gases or vapours, such as vehicle paint spraying, or in workplaces handling fine organic dusts such as sawdust or grain flour - yes even an old flour mill can be a potential home for violent explosions.

So what exactly is ATEX?

As mentioned earlier ATEX is the name commonly given to the two European Directives for controlling explosive atmospheres:

1) Directive 99/92/EC (also known as ‘ATEX 137’ or the ‘ATEX Workplace Directive’) on minimum requirements for improving the health and safety protection of workers potentially at risk from explosive atmospheres.

From the field service providers point of view this is the area of ATEX that your customers need to worry about.

2) Directive 94/9/EC (also known as ‘ATEX 95’ or ‘the ATEX Equipment Directive’) on the approximation of the laws of Members States concerning equipment and protective systems intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres.

Now this is the one that from a field service operations perspective we need to pay closer attention to, because it is our responsibility to ensure our engineers are given ATEX certified devices if we are sending them into such an environment. Fortunately, many rugged tablets are ATEX certified so selecting one shouldn’t be too big an issue.

So what about those outside of Europe?

OK, so this is where things get a little complicated as there are essentially three separate certifications across the globe. In the USA there is Hazloc which is part of the National Electronics Code.

Hazloc and ATEX aren’t necessarily interchangeable - i.e. Hazloc certified devices would not be acceptable to use within the EU unless they are also ATEX certified.

 

As for us folks stuck in dear old Blighty?

Well when Great Britain pulls the plug on Europe and triggers Brexit as with many EU directives change will be required, although in this instance we’ve pretty much got it covered with our own regulatory equivalent of Directive 99/92/EC which are put into effect through regulations 7 and 11 of the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002 (DSEAR).

However, there is also the IECex certification which is a conformity Scheme developed by The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). The hope is that the IECex will eventually become a single mark of conformity that can be accepted worldwide in order to facilitate trade and reduce certification procedures and costs. In essence, “one standard, one test, accepted everywhere.”

Why the ATEX sign is so important

Basically, manufacturers/suppliers (or importers, if the manufacturers are outside the EU) must ensure that their products meet essential health and safety requirements and undergo appropriate conformity procedures.

This usually involves testing and certification by a ‘third-party’ certification body (known as a Notified Body) but manufacturers/suppliers can ‘self-certify’ equipment intended to be used in less hazardous explosive atmospheres. Once certified, the equipment is marked by the ‘EX’ symbol to identify it as such.

Certification ensures that the equipment or protective system is fit for its intended purpose and that adequate information is supplied with it to ensure that it can be used safely - which means that you can assure your customers and your staff that you have taken the required steps to offer safe working conditions whenever challenged by a potentially explosive environment.

 

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A selection of ATEX certified tablets...

AEGEX 10: €2,559.00 Aegex’s modern tablet will be the first of its kind to run Windows 10 furthermore be affirmed ATEX Zone 1, IECEx Zone1 and UL C1D1 for worldwide use on the planet’s most dangerous situations.

PANASONIC FZ-G1. € 2,749.00 The FZ-G1 is built to operate flawlessly in every environment - from intense heat and sunlight, to pouring rain and freezing temperatures.

XPLORE BOBCAT: €2248.92 With a MIL-STD-810G rating, optional hazardous area ATEX/IECEx Zone 2 certification (Pending), and Windows 8.1 Pro, the Bobcat can go from the boardroom to the work site without missing a beat and looking the part in every situation.

Getac T800 ATEX Windows Tablet: €2,317.00 Built for today’s mobile workforce, the new Getac T800 ATEX Windows Tablet features an 8.1 inch display, the latest wireless technology and unique SnapBack add-ons and runs Windows 8.1 Pro

Bartec Agile X Tablet PC: €3,222.00 The BARTEC Agile X is an extremely slim-line, rugged and highly flexible industrial tablet PC for rough environments. Thanks to its broad range of functions, the Agile X is the perfect assistant to service technicians, operating staff, engineers and project managers in the field and in industry.

 

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Xplore Technologies Corp. (NASDAQ: XPLR) has started its 20 year anniversary celebration.  Since 1996, Xplore Technologies has exclusively engineered and delivered one of the most complete lines of purpose-built rugged tablet technologies on earth...

According to VDC Research, out of all of the mobile computer original equipment manufacturers (OEM) operating today, Xplore, with a UK base in Warwickshire, is the only OEM to have focused on rugged tablets – and only rugged tablets – for 20 years.  This market focus is what has made Xplore a trusted authority in the rugged tablet space.

This unprecedented industry achievement comes on the heels of Xplore’s fifth consecutive year of market-exceeding growth.

“The fact that Xplore is still at the forefront of the turbulent rugged tablet market after 20 years of changing market conditions and a rapidly evolving tech landscape is a true testament to the strength of our company and the value that customers put on the unique mobile computing capabilities only Xplore rugged tablets can provide,” said Mark Holleran, president and COO of Xplore. “Rugged tablets are all we do, and we do it best.”

 

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Rugged comes in many different flavours from Business Rugged to Ultra Rugged. In the latest feature in our Rugged Decoded series Kris Oldland takes a look at each of the main different classes of rugged devices and outlines what level of rugged is right for your field technicians...

As we continue our series looking at the various elements that define what makes a rugged device rugged, and try to decipher what the various alpha numeric codes and other associated technical jargon actually mean in reality, we now turn our attention to perhaps one of the most confusing areas of terminology – namely rugged definitions.

So let’s take a broad look at what exactly companies mean by the terms semi-rugged, business rugged, fully rugged and ultra rugged, highlighting examples of each asset class, and their possible use cases.

Business Rugged:

The business rugged device is the first entry into the rugged sector, although business rugged devices essentially offer little more protection and reliability than a consumer device in protective casings. Generally business rugged devices are designed for travel use, but are not sealed and prepared in the same manner as a semi-rugged or fully rugged device.

A business rugged device will have shock mounted hard disk drives and magnesium casings, to protect them from light drops and knocks but they are not waterproofed and sealed. They can survive a small fall, but not necessarily a drop of greater than 18 inches.

They do, however, tend to have the most flexibility of rugged devices when it comes to style and performance, since a greater range of parts can be used as part of their design. A business rugged device is a generally regarded as being geared towards traveling executives and other people who will be on the road often, but who will not be using their device as part of fieldwork on a regular basis. Therefore business rugged devices are not ideally suited for most field service roles.

Semi-Rugged:

A semi-rugged device is a standard notebook, smartphone or tablet that has been adapted to rugged use.

Semi-rugged devices will have gone through a process known as ruggedization. This will includes giving them a magnesium case, a shock or gel-mounted hard disk drive, and a spill-proof keyboard.

Such devices are able to withstand reasonably high and low temperatures ranges, however they may suffer a decrease in performance in those environments. For example, the gel in the screen might freeze at very cold temperatures, reducing visibility for a short period of time.

Semi-rugged devices are still very good for travel and outdoor use, and are best for people who travel often and need to occasionally work outside, but who don’t want the higher cost of a fully rugged laptop.

Therefore, they can be a good option for field engineers who are largely working in indoor client sites, such as those working in office based maintenance and repair sectors like print services, vending machine repair or IT infrastructure.

Fully Rugged:

A fully rugged device has been designed from the ground up with one overall purpose in mind: to be able to function anywhere, even in outdoor, dusty, or extreme weather conditions.

Each component is carefully weatherproofed and sealed to prevent salt, sand, moisture, or other environmental hazards from affecting it. The screens are specially designed to reduce glare, making it possible to use the device outdoors and in bright sunlight.

These devices can typically withstand freezing temperatures and heat up to 120 degrees Fahrenheit and are able to still function without a significant reduction in operating performance in a greater range of temperatures than a semi-rugged device.

Fully rugged devices will also generally have been tested to MIL STD 801G which will include drop testing across numerous different angles from a set height, which means that the device is capable of withstanding most drops and knocks likely to occur in a a field service engineers day.

Fully rugged devices are ideally suited for field engineers working outdoors and in more challenging environments such as those in utilities, construction, oil and gas or anybody else who is likely to need a computer outside and in an extreme working environment.

Ultra Rugged:

Ultra rugged devices are the most rugged devices available. They are tested to be able to withstand even greater drops, be fully submersible and impervious to dust ingress and are essentially able to operate within the most inhospitable environments on Earth with little to no reduction in operational performance.

Generally for most field service requirements ultra rugged devices are perhaps a touch of overkill as they are generally designed primarily for military use, however, field technicians working in environments such as deserts or at sea including oil rigs might also want the uncompromising reliability that an ultra rugged device can provide.

 

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A staggering 3.1 billion has been spent on fixing or replacing broken gadgets in the last five years, a new UK study has revealed, which whilst focussing on the consumer sector should highlight the fragility of consumer grade devices for field service organisations..

Mobile phones are the item most likely to meet an accidental end, with 8 million of the fragile gadgets damaged in the last five years.

A survey of 2,000 homeowners revealed that, across British households, 5.3 million laptops and PCs and 4.1 million cameras have also fried at the hands of their uncoordinated owners in that time.

Water damage is the greatest phone-killer, accounting for 23 per cent of mobile phone and 7 per cent of laptop claims.

Kat Robinson, Head of TSB Insurance, who commissioned the research, said: "Now more than ever we rely on our gadgets to get through the day, so it’s unfortunate when they are taken out of action unexpectedly.

"The time and expense of dealing with smashed screens, sizzled monitors and defective equipment is a major gripe that many of us are needlessly suffering through because of having no insurance or picking inadequate protection."

 

But the research revealed more unusual ways to destroy your digital appliances. One unlucky respondent had their phone consumed by a hungry horse, while another had it slip out of their hands and into the toilet bowl while trying to take a selfie in the loo.

An over-enthusiastic fan totalled his phone at a football game after Gareth Bale scored the winning goal for Tottenham at White Hart Lane, and another had their TV destroyed when it was struck by lightning.

The study also revealed our typical 'walking wealth' – the cost of the gadgets we carry around with us on a daily basis – at an average of £288 per person.

 

When asked to choose which gadget they consider most precious to them, a third chose their mobile phone, while just over a quarter chose their laptop or PC.

Almost a fifth of mobile users have experienced a smashed or broken screen. In the event of ‘the dreaded drop’, one in ten immediately returned to the provider they were insured with to get the screen fixed, while 6 per cent powered through with a broken display.

 

Kat Robinson, Head of TSB Insurance, continued, "When it comes to insurance, having a flexible policy that works for you can really cut down on the hassle should you ever need to claim.

"Whether you want to protect the bricks and mortar of your home, the contents, or your latest piece of tech, it’s important to pick insurance cover that protects you and adapts to your needs."

 

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As we continue our series of features helping you decode the jargon and terminology of rugged device manufacturers, we turn our attention to one of the most important yet potentially fragile areas of any device, the screen. Kris Oldand takes a look at what some of the key screen technology developments mean exactly when it comes to selecting devices for your field service workers ...

 

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We live in the age of the touch-screen. Indeed my own son, who is now an inquisitive three and a half year old with an obsession with the word why, really struggled to understand recently why when he swiped back fore on the TV it didn’t do anything.

In a world of smartphones and tablets touch-screens have become a universally understood means of interacting with a device. Whether it is inputting data or simply navigating through an operating system, I would put a hefty wager on the fact that anyone reading this article is both familiar and comfortable with using a touch-screen device, such is the prevalence of the technology today.

Touch-screens are an important, even critical part of the user experience of almost all modern tablets and smartphones.

Also, amongst handheld computers that for many years were the go to device for field service teams, touch screens are becoming more and more increasingly common, whether combined with a keypad like the more traditional form factor, or on their own as is appearing in new hybrid products such as the Gen2Wave RP1600.

Yet at the same time, the screen is of course the potential Achilles heel and obvious weak spot in a rugged device.

 

The balance therefore between delivering a screen that is sufficiently capable of with standing drops and knocks, whilst maintaining high usability, is absolutely critical for a rugged device.

So lets look at some of the various options you may find in differing rugged devices when it comes to the screen and explore exactly what these options actually mean.

Capacitive vs. Resistive

Almost certainly the biggest debate when it comes to screen choices in rugged devices is whether capacitive or resistive screens are better suited for the task. But what is the difference between the two?

The older of the two technologies is resistive which relies on pressure to register input. This pressure can be applied by your finger, a stylus or any other object - think of the handheld computers that many delivery companies use, often covered in ink because when the original stylus is lost, the delivery driver often just uses a regular pen to collect a signature instead.

Resistive touch screens consist of two flexible layers with an air gap in between and in order for the touch-screen to register input, you must press on the top layer using a small amount of pressure to make contact with the bottom layer. The touch-screen will then register the precise location of the touch.

 

Rather than relying on pressure, capacitive touch-screens instead sense conductivity to register input—usually from the skin on your fingertip but also from dedicated styluses.

Because you don’t need to apply pressure, capacitive touch-screens are more responsive than resistive touch-screens. However, because they work by sensing conductivity, capacitive touch-screens can only be used with objects that have conductive properties, which includes your fingertip (which is ideal), and special styluses designed with a conductive tip.

Initially one of the big advantages of capacitive touch screens was that they enabled multi-finger gestures - perhaps the most obvious example is pinching or stretching a document to zoom in or out. However, resistive touch screens have also supported multi-finger input for about three or four years now also.

The big advantage resistive screens have over their capacitive counterparts is the fact that the operator can still use the devices whilst wearing gloves - as the input is dependent on pressure rather than the electrical current being completed through a conductive material such as a finger.

An additional benefit is that light touch, such as rain landing on the screen, won’t register so the devices are far better to suited to being used in the wet.

Both of these factors are of course particularly useful in a number of field service environments.

However, another key factor for rugged devices is of course reliability and durability and in this respect capacitive touch screens have the advantage - especially in heavy use applications.

Resistive screens can have a tendency to eventually begin to wear down in frequently used areas. Such areas may be prone to becoming faded and may ultimately even become unresponsive.

 

Also in terms of reliability, if a capacitive touch-screen does happen to become pierced or cracked it is still likely to function - think how many times you have seen someone using a smartphone with a cracked screen?

However, a break anywhere on a resistive touch-screen will often mean that it no longer works.

In terms of field service this is a potentially huge advantage for capacitive screens as it allows for a field service technician to continue to utilise their device until they can get the screen repaired.

Going Gorilla...

A special mention here really needs to go to Corning, a specialist materials manufacturer based in New York whose Gorilla brand glass has achieved what very, very few component manufacturers have achieved by becoming a recognised brand beyond the confines of the technologically minded.

Other than chip manufacturer Intel, can you actually think of a component manufacturer with a brand you recognise? Such is the impact that Gorilla Glass has had on smartphone and tablet manufacturing, with devices ranging from Samsung’s latest consumer flagship smartphone the S7 Edge, through to the Motion F5M by Xplore Technologies rugged tablet, proudly declaring their use of the product. In fact Gorilla Glass has been designed into over 4.5Bn devices globally.

The process developed by Corning to create Gorilla Glass is to chemically strengthen the glass through an ion-exchange process that creates a deep compression layer on the surface of the glass substrate and this layer essentially acts as “armour” to reduce the introduction of flaws.

 

Produced in thicknesses ranging from 0.4 mm to 2 mm, Gorilla Glass is positioned as an ideal cover sheet for touch-screens. It’s tough enough to handle the surface pressures intrinsic to these devices, and exceptionally thin to enable more sensitive and accurate responses.

However, a quick look at the spec sheets of some devices at the higher end of the rugged spectrum from the likes of Panasonic, Xplore, Getac, et al, will reveal that Gorilla Glass isn’t quite so frequently used amongst such devices.

One reason for this is that the whole point of Gorilla Glass is that it can deflect impact significantly without breaking and while extreme deflection seems on the surface like a great a great characteristic for rugged devices, once a Gorilla Glass touch panel is installed over an LCD and a point impact occurs, the Gorilla glass deflects and the impact is transferred to the LCD glass which could potentially break, leaving you with a an undamaged sheet of glass covering a no longer working tablet.

Visibility

Finally, whilst the ability to use a touch-screen in various conditions is important, being able to read the screen in direct sunlight is the other significant factor to consider for field service operatives - who will be often working outdoors.

The key terminology here that you will often find listed in the spec list of rugged device is a level of NIT. Basically a NIT is a unit of visible-light  intensity, commonly used to specify the brightness and it is the crucial the number to look for in device specs for devices that are used outdoors.

On average, your general consumer device will offer something between 300 and 400 NITS, which as anyone who will has tried to watch a movie on their iPad (iPad 4 is specced to 364NITS) at the beach will attest is not bright enough to use in direct sunlight. By comparison, the ultra-rugged Xplore XC6 boasts 1300 NITS, whilst Panasonic’s Toughbook 20 and Getac’s V110 convertible laptop both offer 800 NITS, which makes the devices far more usable in the direct sunlight.

 

Also, in addition to improved NIT levels, many rugged manufacturers also offer their own enhancements to improve visibility such as Xplore Technologies’ ‘View Anywhere’, Getac’s ‘sunlight readable technology’, or Juniper Systems’ ‘Sun-to-Shade’ solutions.

Of course, as with all other considerations around device selection for your engineers, an understanding of their workflow and working environment should be considered. Are they likely to be working in direct sunlight for example or are they likely to be wearing work gloves?

Such questions should shape your requirements when it comes to the type of touch-screen you require in your field service engineer’s devices.

 

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