Optimised Rugged Mobile Devices Improve Productivity

11 November 2024

if 

productivity drops, it’s inevitable customer satisfaction will follow. 

Optimised rugged mobile devices means optimised productivity for your workers.    

Optimising productivity with the right rugged mobiles for the job 

For many warehouse managers, it is imperative that they have the right skills and capacity in place. But it’s also essential that the tools they are given to do their job are fit for purpose.

Rugged mobile devices are commonly used in warehouse environments. That’s because they are ideal for capturing real time data related to stock movements, for example. They are also instrumental in helping teams execute their tasks efficiently, and, in conjunction with a warehouse management system, manage warehouse processes.  

Built to endure heavy usage and withstand the toughest conditions, they offer the premium reliability businesses need to keep productivity high.     

Rugged mobile computers are built for endurance 

Warehouses test the limits of rugged devices. From temperature fluctuations to being dropped from a height, rugged mobiles are designed to be durable. Features typically include shock resistant design, reinforced casings, weather, dust and waterproofing.  

They will withstand the toughest conditions in a way traditional consumer mobile devices can’t. And, they will last for often four to five years compared to consumer counterparts that will only typically last for two years, at best. Additionally, consumer devices need to be protected with cases and supported by accessories to enable them to be used in the tough warehouse environment, so the true cost is usually much higher than just the device itself.  

As a result, rugged mobile devices deliver a better return on investment (ROI) and are more reliable ensuring warehouse teams can operate without interruption.  

However, just like you would service a car, rugged mobile devices need to have their own MOT. It’s the best way to ensure warehouse productivity is consistent and device-related downtime is minimised. Any disruption to continuity can be costly as deadlines can be missed impacting SLAs and customer satisfaction.    

Start with thorough staging and configuration 

Preventing downtime starts the very minute the device comes out of the box. It’s vital that new rugged mobile devices are pre-loaded with the right software applications, setup and configured properly, and settings are customised to meet specific needs.   

This is always the first step to boosting productivity and reducing deployment time. Your device provider should offer comprehensive staging and configuration support services and oversee the integration with your warehouse management system (WMS).  

They should also be able to advise you on how to use and care for devices correctly. When people are using devices to their optimum, then they can work at their optimum. It’s at this point that it can be helpful to train people on the process for notifying your internal support team of any damage or faults that arise with the devices following roll out so they can be dealt with promptly.    

The role of regular device audits 

The physical attributes of a rugged mobile device are naturally resilient. However, if over several years, the casing shows cracks from repeated heavy use it will often translate into operational problems.  

If dust or water ingress occurs, then it’s likely the components will begin to falter. This can disrupt real-time data communications, impact barcode scanning and delay shipment schedules. The knock-on effects can soon become a pack of falling cards.  

It’s vital that there is a robust process in place for highlighting device issues, and that users understand the process and use it to report issues in a timely way. If there’s damage to the form factor, batteries stop charging properly, or software becomes glitchy then it should be recorded and dealt with. However not all users do this and so regular device health checks, or audits, are an important part of device management.  

Device faults can impact mission critical activities. So, a service agreement with the manufacturer or the partner should ensure that any faults or damages are fixed in a timely way. Sometimes faults will be resolved by replacing casings, swapping out batteries or ensuring the latest software versions have been downloaded.  

Above all regular audits will ensure device longevity and minimise any preventable downtime.    

Reliable service and support 

Rugged mobile device manufacturers pride themselves on providing a great range of rugged mobile devices. This gives warehouse teams a choice of devices built for different use cases.

As confidence in the device performance should be high, operations teams should expect manufacturers to include service and support within the contract. 

It’s a sign of the manufacturer’s commitment to swiftly fixing any device issues. But most of all, it’s a commitment to preventing minor problems from escalating into major disruption. 

There are several aspects that warehouse teams should look out for in their service and support agreements     

Warranty support 

Rugged devices typically come with warranties covering manufacturing defects and malfunctions. It's important to know what’s included in the manufacturer’s warranty and the length of that warranty. You may want to consider extended support options to provide cover for out of warranty repairs.    

Troubleshooting support 

Sometimes the unexpected happens and you need urgent support. In preparation for this, it’s important to speak to your chosen supplier to check they have measures in place to offer support by phone, email or even in person. Also check the times support is available. If operations work around the clock, then timely reactive help is a must.  

A good device manufacturer will be forthcoming with this. For instance, they should be able to recommend the appropriate support package for the purchase you are making. Above all it should be designed to minimise downtime so look out for next day hot swappable devices, and rapid response engineer call outs.     

Proactive software updates 

It’s important that the software deployed on devices is always up to date. Failure to maintain software can leave devices open to risks such as security threats, as well as impeding device performance. Check the manufacturer has a proactive process in place for making the updates to the operating system in real-time, and ensure that you have a way of updating devices across your estate. It is generally recommended that you test updates prior to a full roll out across your estate in case the update causes an issue with other software installed on the device.  Many companies use a mobile device management platform (MDM) for this.    

Rugged devices, service and support – a win-win for all 

Combining the deployment of rugged mobile computers with a strong support and service model can be a game-changer for warehouse operations.  

The durability of rugged devices is a given. But like any equipment it needs to be looked after and maintained. Prevention is better than cure when it comes to minimising downtime and boosting operations.  

If you are considering investing in rugged mobile technology, then always ensure it is backed by robust support. Warehouses can significantly reduce costly disruptions when service and support are included. The result is a more efficient, productive environment where employees can focus on their tasks without the frustrating interruptions caused by technology failure. A win-win for all.  

Rugged Mobile Devices, Optimisation