06 October 2022
What is a rugged device?
A rugged device is a smartphone, tablet, truck mount, or
other electronic gadget that is built to withstand the challenges of commercial
use. There are three kinds of rugged devices: semi-rugged, fully-rugged, and
ultra-rugged (i.e. indestructible). The ruggedness required by a business is
determined mainly by the operational environments such as in a warehouse or
manufacturing.
Many rugged devices have additional features such as longer-lasting
batteries and higher IP ratings against water and dust.
What is a rugged wearable device?
A rugged wearable is a smaller device that is lightweight, comfortable
to wear and easy to use. They’re intended as a hands-free solution that can be
worn on the wrist or belt of workers. Although small in size, a rugged wearable
can incorporate touchscreens, barcode scanners and voice activation features.
They’re also designed to be durable and able to withstand drops, dust and
extreme temperatures.
What are the benefits of using a rugged wearable device?
There are many benefits to using a rugged wearable device,
including:
- Ease of use. Newer rugged devices are
using an Android Operating System and are easy to use in harsh environments as
their toughened touchscreens are glove-friendly and resistant to cracks.
- Durability. Rugged wearable devices have
built-in protective casings which have an IP rating for users to understand
their protection level and are designed to withstand drops and shocks.
- Increased productivity. Hands-free
devices allow for greater efficiency and accuracy, leaving hands unencumbered and
able to handle, pack, sort, load, check, pick and undertake any other task
required.
Do rugged wearables increase productivity?
Yes! A big benefit of rugged wearable devices is that they
can increase productivity by giving employees a hands-free approach to their
task list. Plus, as they increase accuracy, there is also less time spent on
rectifying errors, leaving more time for picking, packing and sorting goods.
What impacts the suitability of a wearable rugged device?
When looking at the potential of using a wearable rugged
device, there are numerous factors which affect their suitability which need to
be considered, such as:
- What are the types and sizes of goods being
handled?
- What is the environment they are going to be
used in, such as manufacturing or port logistics?
- What does your organisation hope to achieve by
introducing wearable devices?
- Do your staff have a preference for the type of
device they use?
What environment is best suited for a rugged wearable device?
Rugged wearable devices can be worn in all sorts of
environments and can be a valuable asset in aiding productivity and efficiency.
For example, in warehousing, picking larger products requires
staff to be hands-free which makes wearables ideal. Similarly, wearables are
more often used in despatch operations that involve roll cages with smaller
boxes rather than shrink-wrapped pallets. Plus, in manufacturing, rugged
wearables increase productivity as they’re hands-free and provide comfort and
safety when undertaking manual handling tasks such as quality checks or handling
supplies.
Can rugged wearables work in a warehouse?
Yes, rugged wearable devices are ideal for being used in a
warehouse environment, especially for large products which require staff to be
hands-free.
Why should I choose a rugged device over a consumer device?
The choice between wearable rugged and consumer devices is always a personal one and will depend on the organisation
and its operations. There are many things to consider to ensure the device is fit
for its purpose, such as:
- Cost. Remember, although rugged wearable devices
seem expensive first off, consider the total cost of ownership (TCO) as this
takes into consideration fail rates, costs of repairs, replacement,
productivity and device maintenance.
- Security. The level of built-in security
is key to protecting the device and organisation from unauthorised users
gaining access to what they shouldn’t. Rugged devices have enhanced built-in
security features such as the lockdown of applications should the wearable
device go missing so is better on a security front compared to consumer devices.
Can I use rugged wearables if I have a poor internet connection?
Yes, but having a poor connection can limit the benefits of
using a rugged wearable device.
If you have a poor connection, TouchStar can help by working
with our partners to supply reliable
Cisco or Meraki Wi-Fi wireless solutions. Whilst investing in the correct,
future-proofed and scalable wireless may cost more upfront compared to more
consumer-based wireless it can actually save a business money in the long run.
The average cost of IT downtime per minute is estimated at approximately $5600,
for a warehouse running e-commerce applications this cost could be much
more.
Are rugged wearables complicated to introduce into the work environment?
No, rugged wearable devices can be easy to introduce into
your workplace and can fit in seamlessly with your current operations.
This is especially true at TouchStar. With over 30 years of in-house
experience, we have built long-term relationships with end users, software
houses and systems integrators across a number of sectors in a partnership-led
approach for installations. Plus, as we offer a complete end-to-end management
service from specification through to project management, implementation and
post-sales support, if you ever have any questions, we’re on hand to help.