Three Common Mistakes to Avoid When Selecting Your Next Rugged Mobile Computer
05 October 2023
When The Rugged Device Selection Process Goes Wrong
Rugged mobile computers are designed to perform a specific data capture task
in what is often, for a device at least, a harsh environment. They fulfil a
particular need and have been engineered with that in mind. This does,
sometimes, make them more expensive than generic devices that haven’t been
built to the same exacting requirements. But the long-term value of those devices, of meeting those
needs, outweighs the short-term higher cost.
At least that is what we and our satisfied customers
believe.
However, here at TouchStar, there are times when we have
seen companies make the decision on which device to use in their warehouse based
solely on the short-term price and not the long-term value. With rugged mobile
devices playing such a pivotal role in warehouse operations, it is fair to say
that these decisions rarely go well.
Here are the common mistakes that we as a business have seen
when it comes to rugged device selection and what businesses should really be
considering when it comes to investing in real time data capture technologies:
1.
Warehouse Computers – One Size
Does Not Fit All
One of the most common issues we have seen is the use of
laptops in environments that are clearly not suited to them. Unfortunately, one
size does not fit all, and for many businesses this decision is taken because
there are spare laptops in the office or because the purchase price of a cheap
laptop is less than a specific rugged device.
Whilst laptops can be described as mobile computers, they are
neither fit for purpose or user friendly when it comes to performance within
the rigours of a warehouse operation. Warehouse computers or rugged pc’s they
are not, however, it is surprising how many times we have come across this over
our many years in the industry. This has often included instances where we have
seen people walking around warehouses carrying laptops and, on a few occasions,
we’ve even seen laptops taped onto a truck.
Clearly this is not what laptops are designed for – harsh
concrete floors or truck vibrations are just some of the many ways laptops are in
danger of being damaged or broken. Not only does this result in additional cost
to the operation, but the inevitable downtime, productivity losses and
dissatisfied customers. Furthermore, laptops are not designed to be used on the
move, resulting in slow, inefficient and often inaccurate data capture
processes.
2.
Rugged
Mobile Device Compatibility Issues with Core Systems
A regular occurrence we often see is businesses buying
rugged mobile devices that are not compatible with their existing software –
for example acquiring rugged wearables without realising that their software
cannot be properly displayed on the screen. This results in a lot of user
frustration as they spend more scroll time trying to read the information they
need, a bit like watching an IMAX film on a smartphone! Poor software
integration often ends up costing the business time and therefore money.
Incorrectly specified mobile computers are also common,
whereby we have witnessed operators trying to make do with a short-range rugged
handheld device when they are trying to scan products on the far wall.
While perhaps one of the more amusing incidents to witness
is when workers try to manage without rugged truck mounted devices. On more
than one occasion, as a truck has turned a corner, we’ve seen a laptop or PDA
slide out of the truck and onto the very unforgiving warehouse floor.
3.
Mobile Devices That Are Simply
Not Fit For Purpose
One some occasions, the allure of cheap kit has been so
strong that it has resulted in entirely the wrong devices being purchased.
We’ve seen a business order semi rugged PDAs that were simply
unsuitable to the environment. It was clear to everyone, except the person who
bought the PDAs, that rugged mobile computers were needed. In the end, the
order of around 30 units was never taken out of the box.
A separate incident meant that over £75,000 worth of rugged
pda’s had to be discarded soon after it was purchased as it just didn’t fit the
requirement of the business. It was intended to be a cost-effective choice, but
as the new equipment was unfit for purpose, it turned out to be a false economy.
Making the Right Choice – The
Path to Rugged Mobile Success
All the anecdotes listed above are entirely understandable
if the purchase of mobile computers is based on the wrong metric. It is easy to
make a bad decision if you prioritise cost price above operational value or
even total cost of ownership.
When buying new rugged
mobile computers, the key
elements to consider are how they will be used and whether you need these
devices to be able to withstand extremes of heat, humidity, moisture,
vibration, shock and impact.
If your device needs to be truly rugged, then that is what
you need to purchase, in the right form factor, for the right use case. Choosing
the correct rugged mobile device will bring you long-term value. Many of our
customers have been running the same rugged devices for eight years, ten years or
even longer.
Chasing the dream of cheap can often result in the nightmare of
poor value and wasted purchases. As the saying goes, ‘Buy cheap, buy twice!’.
Contact the TouchStar team and let us be your guide on the road to rugged mobile computer
success.