Modern work processes require mobile computer support, even in harsh environments that would destroy standard electronic devices. What’s the solution then?
The answer is a rugged tablet that can handle harsh working conditions. Designed and certified for the worst you can throw at them, these mobile devices are reliable, flexible, and powerful enough for any industrial work environment.
What Makes a Tablet Rugged?
What is a rugged tablet? To understand that, we first need to define “rugged” when it comes to electronics.
While anyone can slap the word onto their product, making a tablet truly rugged means meeting the requirements set by reputable standards for durability and environmental protection. Some of the best standards for tablets to meet are:
MIL-STD-810
The U.S. military uses the durability standards set by MIL-STD-810 to certify its equipment. Under MIL-STD-810, devices are tested for how well they resist sudden impacts, extreme temperatures, and more. While intended for military devices, MIL-STD-810 is also helpful for civilian manufacturers, who use it as a guideline when developing their own products. After all, if a computer can handle military-grade stresses, a civilian application should be no issue.
IEC 60068
Instituted and managed by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), IEC 60068 provides standards for electronic devices operating in harsh environmental conditions. IEC 60068 sets standards and testing procedures for extreme heat and cold, shock and vibration, salt mist exposure, and other environmental threats. For example, IEC 60068-2-27 sets the standards for withstanding harsh vibrations in a variety of circumstances. Testing to IEC 60068 standards should be considered a necessity for any electronic device calling itself “rugged.”
IP65
Dust and water exposure are two of the most common issues in any harsh working environment. A rugged tablet should have a casing with a strong ingress protection rating to protect vulnerable electronic circuits from damage. These dust- and water-tight casings block out potential threats and ensure performance.
Common Features for Rugged Tablets
Of course, rugged tablets don’t sacrifice performance or flexibility for the sake of reliability. In fact, rugged tablets will integrate numerous peripherals and add-ons that make them more useful, such as:
- Touchscreen Controls: Aside from their smaller size, the greatest advantage that tablets have over conventional PCs is their touchscreen controls. Removing the need for mice and keyboards with an intuitive touchscreen makes tablets easier to use and carry during a shift. A rugged tablet’s touchscreen will be chemically treated to resist cracks and scratches.
- Barcode Scanners and RFID Readers: Nothing matches the convenience of barcodes and RFID tags for managing inventory and equipment. With a built-in scanner and reader, workers can use a rugged tablet to add or remove items from inventory and track who is using what.
- Hot-Swappable Batteries: Workers don’t have time to plug their tablets in and let them charge during a shift. With hot-swappable batteries, they can exchange spent batteries with fresh replacements as needed and continue their work uninterrupted.
- Mounting Solutions: While rugged tablets are most valued for the mobility they offer, sometimes a permanent mounting solution is required as well. Rugged tablets should be compatible with both custom and standard mounting solutions, such as VESA mounts and DIN rails.
- Security Features: With the rising threat of cyberattacks, it’s more important than ever to have strong security features. This is especially true for a rugged tablet that operates on wireless Internet access and can be easily misplaced. Rugged tablets will integrate cybersecurity measures like data encryption and access control features to prevent unauthorized individuals from using them.
Applications for Rugged Tablets
What is a rugged tablet’s ideal work environment? Anywhere that needs durability and performance in a small package, like:
Fieldwork
Workers out in the field, such as on a geological survey, need a computer to record and analyze data. Rugged tablets have the computer power to handle these tasks, along with the resilience to handle any bumps or scrapes they run into out in the field.
Logistics and Inventory
Warehouse employees must track hundreds, maybe even thousands of packages every day. Rather than manually record intake and output, workers can use the tablet’s built-in scanners and readers to add and remove products from inventory automatically.
Manufacturing
When monitoring multiple machines on an assembly line, employees can’t afford to be tied to a single workstation. A tablet computer lets them move from one machine to the next while still enjoying the support of digital tools like diagnostics and wireless communications.
Construction Management
In construction, rugged tablets are used to track worker assignments, equipment usage, and project progress. Equipped with a tablet, a construction supervisor can monitor and update the status of a project without having to fill out binders worth of paperwork.
Point of Sales Device
A rugged tablet is perfect as a point-of-sales device in unconventional working environments. These areas still need a digital POS device but are too hazardous for consumer-grade electronics. However, a rugged tablet’s reinforced casing and chemically hardened screen can withstand any bumps or accidents.
Benefits of Rugged Tablets
Rugged industrial tablets enjoy numerous benefits when compared to their consumer-grade equivalents, such as:
Superior Reliability
The first and most obvious advantage that rugged tablets enjoy over consumer-grade devices is their enhanced durability. Rugged tablets can endure treatment and mishandling that would damage or destroy a normal device. This means fewer disruptions due to equipment failure, creating a more efficient work environment.
Savings
Industrial businesses are always looking for ways to reduce expenses and save money. Choosing the right equipment is a key step in doing so. While rugged industrial tablets may have a higher upfront cost, they save money in the long term compared to consumer-grade devices. They are less likely to break down and enjoy longer service lives, meaning fewer replacements need to be purchased.
Greater Flexibility
With their upgraded processors and multiple peripheral options, rugged tablets can perform multiple roles within a business. For example, a tablet used to scan and track packages can also be used as a way for employees to clock in and out of work, removing the need for multiple devices. This multi-role capability lets businesses get more out of their tablets and spares IT teams from having to manage more devices than is necessary.
Customization Options
The final significant advantage the rugged tablets enjoy is their customization options. By working directly with an original equipment manufacturer (OEM), customers can tailor their tablets to fit their specific needs. For example, if the customer plans to use their tablets outdoors a lot, the OEM can add an anti-glare filter to the tablet’s screen to preserve visibility even under harsh sunlight.
Rugged Tablets from Cybernet Manufacturing
Rugged tablets are ideal for any business needing a lightweight, mobile, and durable computer solution. Powerful and flexible enough to support a wide range of software and applications, they can easily fit into any role you need them to.
If your company is looking for rugged industrial tablets to use in its daily workflows, contact the team at Cybernet Manufacturing. We’d be happy to explain how our qualifications as an OEM make us the perfect source for reliable computer tablets.