Does Your Business Need Rugged Mobile Devices?
28 June 2021
Rugged mobile devices have come a long way in recent years
to match and even exceed the capabilities of their semi-rugged, retail-focused
and consumer-grade equivalents. With that in mind, could they boost
productivity for your business? And if so, is now the right time to invest?
Below are a few signs that your business might be ready to
purchase and implement rugged mobile devices.
You operate in tough environments
Even as technology evolves, very few mobile computers are up
to coping with rigorous use in harsher working environments such as warehouses,
factories and on the road. Most are built to be capable in calmer spaces where
the risk of damage is low, such as retail and leisure venues.
Rugged mobile devices, on the other hand, are built with
stronger materials to withstand drops, scuffs, moisture and even extreme
temperatures, making them perfect for harsher environments. Even if you’re only
dealing with one or two of these issues regularly, you can relax knowing your
devices will carry on working whatever your team and environment throw at them.
You’re spending too much on repairs and replacements
Mobile computers are quickly becoming more sophisticated,
with many boasting high-end features and technologies that allow users to be
more productive. The same features and technologies – such as embedded
fingerprint scanners and high-end cameras – however, also put purchase and
repair costs up significantly.
Rugged mobile devices help businesses avoid these huge costs
in two ways. As they’re designed with certain tasks in mind, they prioritise
the technologies and features needed in your working environment, so you’re not
paying out for high-end tech that won’t ever be used. More importantly, as
mentioned above, rugged devices are built using stronger materials to withstand
all types of damage, making it much less likely that you’ll need to spend on
repairs.
You’ve had devices stolen
Mobile devices, especially consumer-grade handsets - are
among the most commonly stolen items in the UK. High sale values and the ease
with which thieves can move devices on make them obvious targets – does your
business really need to take the risk?
As well as being more functional and reliable for certain
tasks, rugged mobile computers have fewer practical uses outside of tough
working environments. They also look like they belong in warehouses and
manufacturing spaces, meaning they’re not as widely desirable and are therefore
less likely to be stolen by employees or outsiders.
Malfunctioning devices are slowing you down
With
practicality and reliability at their core, rugged mobile devices can be
trusted to work well whenever they’re called upon. This is vital for
productivity in any demanding working environment and where rugged mobile devices
deliver optimum performance.
For customer facing
roles, semi rugged devices offer a practical solution, ensuring that slow
service is kept to a minimum to avoid reputational damage.
You may also find troubleshooting support is lacking when
dealing with the manufacturers of consumer-focused and even semi-rugged mobile
devices, as these handsets haven’t been designed with your usage in mind.
At TouchStar, we boast a UK based support structure that offers
a range of comprehensive support packages available for rugged devices. So
whichever device you use, you are safe in the knowledge that guidance is on
hand.
Discover more about support for rugged devices.
Transform your business operations today
Rugged mobile devices can be highly effective in a wide
range of industries, from oil and gas to logistics, manufacturing and
hospitality. To find out more about how they could benefit your business, get in touch today.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR - PETER MARSH
Peter joined TouchStar (formally Belgravium) in a sales manager role in 2001. Prior to joining the company, Peter held Partner and National Sales Manager roles within the parcel and logistics industries.
In 2011 Peter was promoted to Sales Director and is now actively involved in promoting the value of TouchStar’s Rugged Mobile Computing solutions to the warehouse, logistics, manufacturing and field service industries. When not involved in the business, Peter is a keen and enthusiastic football and cricket fan.