The industrial sector is harsh to electronics like computer tablets. Extreme temperatures, shock, vibrations, and powerful chemicals can quickly damage consumer-grade tablets.
Companies turn to industrial tablets as the answer. They’ve been built to handle challenges that consumer-grade tablets struggle with or simply fail against. IT departments should review the differences between the two types of tablets, how they are used, and then check which ones ultimately address their company’s unique issues.
An Industrial Tablet: A Breakdown
So, what is an industrial tablet? Simply put, they are handheld industrial computers. Compared to their consumer-grade counterparts, industrial computers and tablets have been specially built to handle their workplaces’ unique challenges and requirements.
For example, industrial tablets used around lots of machinery come with tougher casings and motherboards. These allow them to handle frequent bumps and drops. Many tablets for inventory management have built-in barcode scanners and RFID readers to simplify the task. Even software for cybersecurity is specific to particular businesses.
Most consumer-grade computers and tablets, used primarily for personal use and business settings, do not have these features.
Industrial Tablets: Sectors and Uses
The number of industries is huge: the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics has data on over a hundred alone for the country. Three where industrial tablets are found frequently include:
Manufacturing Industry
Manufacturing is the conversion of raw materials or parts into finished goods. Car manufacturing, oil and gas production (refining), and furniture making are just some of the companies in this industry.
Workers can use industrial tablets to connect and control the machinery used in manufacturing. They can also be used to record data, track trends, and provide instructions for certain tasks.
Logistics Sector
The transportation of raw materials to factories and the shipping of finished goods to their destination all fall under the logistics sector. Commercial trains and package transport are primarily logistical.
Employees use industrial tablets to scan and track materials and products by hand and installed on machinery such as forklifts.
Fieldwork
Modern business relies on data; the more, the better. Fieldwork gathers that data in various ways. Examples include contacting customers directly, studying buying habits, and surveying terrain for building, just to name a few.
Field workers spend a lot of time outdoors and in various conditions. Features like a rugged design, toughened glass, and an anti-glare screen ensure they don’t have to worry about losing valuable data while out and about.
Advantages and Benefits of Industrial Tablets
Industrial tablets come with many features to handle the conditions of their industry. Common ones, along with their advantages and benefits, include:
- Rugged build - The tablet’s hardware is built and tested to handle shock, vibration, and extreme temperatures, usually to military-grade standards. This feature, along with others like a sealed casing and fanless design (see below), means the tablet is more durable for everyday use and less expensive in the long run.
- Dustproof / Waterproof - Parts of the tablet, such as its front bezel or the entire device, are sealed against dust and water (ingress protection). This protects the more delicate interior, reducing the need for costly repairs and replacements.
- Fanless cooling - As the name implies, the tablet’s interior is kept cool without fans, making it quieter and less prone to overheating.
- Legacy compatibility - Special I/O ports allow users to connect their industrial tablets to devices and machines no longer supported by their original manufacturers (legacy). This extends the life of the machinery, which may have been costly, irreplaceable, or vital to the company’s operations.
- Anti-glare touchscreen - Users can still view the screen even in direct sunlight. They don’t waste time looking for shade or go indoors to view their data.
Built-in accessories - Features like barcode scanners and cameras can be included in the industrial tablets. These increase their flexibility and use on the factory floor and out in the field.
Picking the Right Industrial Tablet for You
So you’ve decided to get industrial tablets for your company. But which one? Below is a list of questions to help narrow the types you’ll need and their features.
What is its primary use?
Will workers be carrying industrial tablets around during their shifts? Or will the tablets be connected to machines, and if so, for what purpose? A tablet to record data will need features that are different from those actually running the machine.
What is the environment?
Will workers be primarily using the tablets outdoors? A good example is working on an oil rig. Or will they use it indoors and under extreme conditions like a steel mill? Features, from a rugged build to a fanless design, ensure your tablet will continue to work in even the toughest places.
What are the performance expectations?
What software do you use at your facilities? You’ll want to ensure your tablets have the processing power, memory, and disk space to handle all the requirements. Also, check if you’ll need connectivity for your tablets and what kinds (wired, Wi-Fi, etc.).
Do your plants run 24/7? Chemical manufacturing and specific food processing are examples of companies that work around the clock. Industrial tablets can do the same, thanks to their rugged build and components.
Will it need accessories?
While industrial tablets have broad capabilities, you may need additional ones. For example, you plan to use your tablets for managing heavy inventory. Does it have enough ports to support external barcode scanners and RFID readers? If this is the case, consider tablets that already have them built in. This makes them less cumbersome to use while cutting expenses for the additional attachments.
What is your budget?
And speaking of expenses, how much do you plan to spend on industrial tablets? While more costly than consumer-grade tablets, your return on investment (ROI) on industrial models will be higher in the long run. Look for computer suppliers with low failure rates on their tablets to maximize your bottom line.
Selecting the Right Industrial Tablet For You With Cybernet
From extreme temperatures to decades-old machinery, the industrial sector is a harsh place for portable electronics like computer tablets.
Industrial tablets are built from the inside out to work in such places. Thanks to features like rugged build and fanless design, they bring modern computing to the workplace, which increases efficiency while reducing costs.
Contact our team at Cybernet if you're in the market for industrial tablets. They'll happily cover the features and design choices that make them stand out across the industrial sector. And if our pre-built models aren't working for you, it's not a problem. Cybernet is an original equipment manufacturer with complete control over our tablets, from design to build materials to software. We're confident our engineering team can customize an industrial tablet to meet your exact system wants and needs.