Why should your business continue to invest in rugged computers?
02 March 2020
When
it comes to business, every investment made must prove its value. However, as a
company develops, it is inevitable that some resources will become less useful
and fit for purpose, and others will take their place.
Budget control is key, so continuing to pay for
something that no longer meets your business’s needs is nothing but a waste of
money.
It makes sense to continuously review the
assets your business invests in, so should this include rugged mobile
computers? Could standard mobile devices be a more cost-effective option moving
forward?
Here’s why we believe a commitment to rugged
mobile devices is worth every penny.
Low total cost of ownership
With their high-performance
durability and robust versatility, rugged computers are more expensive as an initial
outlay than their non-rugged counterparts. Equipping your warehouse(s), manufacturing or field service
operation with a full set of rugged handhelds, rugged truck mounts and in-vehicle devices will come in at a higher cost, but it’s over
time that their true value becomes clear.
In the long run,
rugged computers have a much lower total cost of ownership (TCO) than standard
devices, thanks to their ability to withstand demanding working environments, and
rarely needing maintenance or replacement. Minimal downtime means maximum
productivity, so don’t be tempted to opt for standard devices susceptible to
shocks, drops, vibration, extreme temperatures, moisture and dirt.
Multi-functionality
Your team often have to multitask, so their devices should be capable of
the same. What they need is a way to capture a wide range of operational data
without switching device or being held up by stalling hardware, from images to keyboard
entry, to 1D and 2D barcodes.
With superior
processing power and battery life (or hot swappable batteries), a rugged mobile
computer can assist them with all of these tasks and more, and run them
concurrently without slowing down or freezing under the strain.
Customisation and specialist support
Of course, it’s not
just the hardware itself that’s non-standard when it comes to rugged mobile
technology – the software they run is also designed specifically to meet the
unique needs of industrial businesses. A logistics optimisation system such as the ones supported by Touchstar have
been created with a set of demanding sectors in mind – from warehousing to waste management and manufacturing – they includes supply chain-specific mobile
applications and features that streamline and speed up end-to-end processes.
Furthermore , we can
pre-configure the rugged mobile computers we supply, oversee their deployment
and even provide on-site training to ensure your team can hit the ground
running. This level of service isn’t
reserved solely for new customers either; our ongoing customer support scheme covers on-site troubleshooting, a 24/7
UK-based helpdesk and replacement devices set up with your software and
settings in the rare event of a problem. Standard devices and their associated
software systems simply cannot offer the same.
A tech investment no industrial
business should be without
Whether or not your
business has already capitalised on the benefits of rugged computers, there’s
no reason to limit what you can achieve by opting for standard devices. Explore
our range of rugged mobile devices or get in touch with our expert team to find out how we can
help you.
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.