Yes there is definitely a need for rugged enterprise devices. If you look at the total cost of ownership (TCO) for example, there are many advantages to a rugged enterprise device. With an average of 3 failures in just 24 months, over 38% of consumer devices are replaced in the first 2 years of deployment. This compares to just 7.8% of rugged device replacement in the same period of time.
Typical issues with consumer devices which are deployed in a rugged environment include battery problems, touchscreen issues and screen breakages. The equivalent rugged devices are equipped with sunlight readable screens, Gorilla glass and truly rugged casing, leading to a longer product life and less downtime and disruption for the user, who can lose up to 75 minutes of productivity every time a devices fails. Add to this the onward compatibility of peripherals and the extent of specification options, and the TCO vastly reduces with a rugged device.
We are seeing increasing demand for purpose-built, rugged mobile computers. While consumer devices are now more rugged than they used to be, they cannot withstand the rigours of all-day, everyday use in harsh environments and they don’t offer the key features required by organizations running line-of-business applications.
Many businesses need high-performance, reliable barcode and RFID reading capabilities that are not possible with a smartphone. In addition, consumer devices can’t meet the demand for easy, reliable and rapid charging -- inside and outside the four walls.
Also, in a world where downtime impacts profitability, key to note is that consumer devices don’t address the critical need for immediate, responsive and effective service and support to ensure technological issues can be addressed in real-time and damaged units get repaired quickly.
Rugged manufacturers not only build devices to last, but also offer industrial-grade warranty and hardware support and long term operating system stability.
Add to this the range of peripherals available, including trigger handles and sleds which are ergonomically designed to prevent user strain or injury, and hot-swappable batteries which prevent downtime, and you have a truly fit-for-purpose solution which cannot be matched by a consumer device.
Janam also deliver purpose-built accessories to expand the performance of our rugged mobile computers in the enterprise. With safety and productivity in mind, organizations need a variety of solutions to keep their devices secure, fully charged and easily accessible.
This is especially the case in environments where heavy equipment is moving rapidly. Vehicle mount cradles should withstand shock and vibration and keep the device securely in place. We’ve also found that some organizations want to use the same device for multiple applications.
Offering a snap-on trigger handle for our touch screen devices has addressed this requirement for companies that don’t require a gun-shaped, rugged mobile computer all of the time.
Similarly we offer UHF RFID sleds for several of our devices to enable organizations to address all of their different data capture needs while maximizing the value they get from their technology investment. Lastly, the strong relationships we have with best-in-class ISVs and system integrators help businesses deploy and manage complete solutions with ease.
Features Mike Pullon janam Robert Hurt rugged hardware The Big Discussion Varlink
Mark is an experienced B2B editor and journalist having worked across an array of magazines and websites covering health and safety, sustainable energy and airports.
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