Even in the harshest work environments, workers rely on digital tools to update information, receive new instructions, and ensure they make the correct inventory pulls. However, a typical consumer-grade tablet you might see used in an office or retail environment is insufficient for such a demanding workspace.
In harsh working environments like construction sites and warehouses, equipment failure means lost time, which means lost money. You need a rugged industrial tablet to provide the tools, reliability, and manufacturer support that you need.
Fit For Purpose: Why Rugged Construction Features Matter in Harsh Work Environments
First and foremost: if a tool breaks just from being used in its intended work environment, that tool is useless. That rule applies to computer tablets just as much as it does to hammers and wrenches. A typical consumer-grade tablet lacks numerous features that make it unsuitable for use in a rough work environment, including:
Ingress Protection (IP Ratings)
Ingress protection is a measurement of how well a device’s case blocks out solid particles and liquid. An IP rating of 65, for instance, indicates that the device is airtight against solid matter, even dust particles, and watertight against sprays and jets aimed directly at it.
IP65 is the most common rating for industrial-grade computers and tablets and is more than sufficient to handle dust getting kicked up or water getting splashed on its screen. However, consumer-grade tablets are either not IP-rated at all (and therefore cannot be trusted in an industrial workspace) or have a lower IP rating that does not provide the necessary protection.
Without a high IP rating, a tablet will, sooner or later, get overwhelmed by dirt and water infiltrating the casing and damaging the circuitry underneath. In turn, this leads to a broken-down workflow, an expensive repair or replacement bill, and lost time.
Shock and Vibration Resistance
A sad truth for mobile devices is that they will inevitably be dropped, bumped into, or constantly rattled around. This is as true for an industrial tablet as it is for your smartphone. Industrial devices are at far greater risk, however, as they are likely to get dropped farther, hit harder surfaces, and get vibrated much more violently. When these accidents occur, components inside the tablet can disconnect or break, bricking the device.
Industrial-grade tablets are tested and certified to rigorous standards for shock and vibration, such as MIL-STD-810. These certifications, which consumer-grade devices do not meet, help ensure they are ready for demanding roles such as serving as a forklift computer or working near heavy machinery.
Crack and Scratch-Resistant Glass
Another threat that tablets face when they get mishandled or dropped is damage to their screen. This is doubly bad for tablets, as the screen is both the information display and the control interface, meaning that even cosmetic damage can render the device inoperable.
Industrial-grade tablets counter this issue by chemically treating and strengthening their screens through a process called ion exchange. In this process, the screen is submerged in a molten salt solution that sees larger potassium ions replace smaller sodium ions within the glass. This creates a stronger and more compressed surface that is less likely to scratch, chip, or break.
Consumer-grade tablets use screens that either do not undergo this process or receive a weaker version of it, making them more vulnerable to damage.
Customization Options: Balancing Performance Requirements and Your Budget
One of the problems with an off-the-shelf solution is that you can only choose what’s present on the shelf. Do you need a tablet with several terabytes of storage? You'd better hope there’s an option with that much storage available that day. Do you need an integrated barcode scanner to make package scanning easier? You’re out of luck if there’s no model with that feature available.
Purchasing an industrial tablet from the original equipment manufacturer (OEM), however, gives you a greater chance to customize your selection for your specific needs. If you need features like integrated scanners, you can have them included (or abstain if you don’t). If your software doesn’t require especially high performance, you can spring for a more affordable CPU and save money on the bottom line.
Working with an OEM is the best way to have access to these customization options, as they exercise full control over the bill of materials and production process. An OEM can help you strike the exact balance between your performance requirements and your budget, ensuring you don’t wind up with an underpowered or overpriced industrial tablet. Talk to an OEM specialist today if you’re not sure how to strike that balance yourself.
Software Compatibility: Supporting the Tools You Need
A rugged industrial tablet is only one half of the equation for workers; they also need software programs like inventory management, project management, and communication tools to support their work. However, most of these software tools rely on operating systems (OS) designed for desktop computers, such as Windows or Linux. Tablets typically use mobile OSs, such as Android and iPadOS, that do not support critical enterprise software.
Industrial tablets avoid this issue by using the same OSs as desktop computers, giving workers the full suite of tools they require. A worker in the front office can submit a pull order through their inventory management software, which their comrade in the warehouse can use to locate the correct products and pull them. This continuity of tools makes critical workflows far easier to manage, reduces the burden for IT teams, and simplifies training new employees.
Technical Support and Warranties: For When Things Go Wrong
Sometimes, the worst happens. Industrial computer tablets are rugged, but they are not invincible, and extreme incidents, like accidentally running over one with a forklift or dropping it from a second-story window, are always a possibility. When these things happen, it’s critical that you get your equipment repaired quickly and affordably.
Once again, this is a spot where off-the-shelf consumer tablets are insufficient for industrial end-users. Most consumer-grade tablets come with either a very minimal warranty or none at all, which can easily leave a user high and dry if they need support. This often leads to having to go to third-party repair services, which lack in-house expertise and often rely on aftermarket parts to complete repairs.
This may be sufficient for tablets used in a home or office, but when you work in a challenging environment like a construction site or warehouse, you cannot afford to compromise on a device’s reliability. By purchasing from an OEM with a strong in-house support system, you can have your device repaired quickly by experienced professionals with access to the exact same components listed on the original bill of materials.
Upgrade to Rugged Industrial Tablets from Cybernet Manufacturing
While appropriate for use in less rigorous environments, consumer-grade tablets simply cannot handle the stresses of industrial workspaces and lack key support features that operators need. Only rugged industrial-grade tablets possess the design features, customization options, and manufacturer support that end users need from their equipment.
Ready to support your operations and upgrade to the next level of industrial computers? Talk to our team for a consultation and let our experts guide you through the design and procurement process.