Can’t decide between a laptop and a tablet? Get both with a 2-in-1 Hybrid Laptop!

Can’t decide between a rugged laptop or a rugged tablet? Get both with a 2-in-1! By now we all know that a two-in-one isn’t new. They have been around for a while, around 2013, and many companies are adopting them as their new standard and for good reason. Simply put, a 2-in-1 is a touch-optimized convertible-hybrid laptop or detachable-hybrid tablet with both a touch screen and a physical rugged keyboard, preferably rugged.

Whether it’s flipping around into presentation mode to turn a quick discussion into a quick showcase or going from laptop to tablet mode for quick video viewing, 2-in-1s are at their best in situations that you didn’t foresee, especially when out in the field.

Choosing between the regular laptops and the modern 2-in-1 types are very subjective and it completely depends on what industry you work in whether it be public safety, utilities, field service, warehousing or other. Two-in-one devices are a hybrid of a laptop and a tablet, for those who need the computing power of a laptop, yet the light weight and flexibility of a tablet. Here are a few of the main benefits of these versatile devices:

Lightweight

Often weighing in at only a few pounds, these devices allow you to complete the job without carrying around a heavy computer all day. For those with mobile jobs that require substantial travel by foot, or call for access to computing when away from a vehicle or computer stand, the ability to hold a device in one hand without straining your muscles is a huge energy-saver.

Rugged

Rugged two-in-one devices are purpose-built with flexibility and a long lifespan in mind. Manufacturers understand the need for hardy devices that can withstand substantial abuse throughout its working life, so there are many options for two-in-one devices that meet rugged certifications such as IP65, and MIl-STD-810G. All the devices mentioned here and many others we offer are fully rugged – meaning they are tested to military and industrial standards for ruggedness. This means you don’t have to worry about travel, the elements, or just tough working conditions taking the life out of your device. For mobile workers in rugged environments who need electronic access on a daily basis, this kind of reliability in harsh conditions is not optional, but necessary.

Mobile

For those workers traveling long distances in rugged environments, or spend most of their day inside of a vehicle, the ability to easily pack and transport electronic devices is extremely important. Many two-in-one devices retain all the mobility of a tablet, coming in astonishingly compact sizes. One example is the Getac V110, with a thickness of barely 1.3 inches. Devices like these are easily slipped into a pack or briefcase, while retaining all the computing power of a traditional laptop. And don’t worry about tossing it around – the Getac V110 and many other thin two-in-one devices are still fully rugged.

 Flexible

The beauty of two-in-ones is that they can function as both a laptop and a tablet — many have unique features that highlight this benefit. This notebook is lightweight and very versatile, allowing you to attach and detach the keyboard with only one hand. Detachable notebooks are an excellent choice for mobile computing, allowing workers to access a lightweight touch screen while on the go, all the while, still having access to a full keyboard when needed.

It’s easy to see why two-in-one devices are a popular choice for mobile workers in rugged environments, as these devices have all the benefits of a traditional computer or tablet but with the added bonus of a flexible form factor, rugged, fully mobile, and lightweight. To learn more about two-in-one devices, or for assistance in picking the best device for your needs, feel free to contact us. See our full list of featured rugged convertible two-in-one devices.

What to Shop for When Selecting a New Mobile Technology Solution

The public safety sector is on the forefront of real-time data use. The value of real-time data is almost immeasurable as having access to true, real-time data can save lives. Given this, the

The ideal best practice for every organization is to pilot a technology before procurement, but this is not always feasible and many budgets don’t allow for trial and error testing.

Talk to other agencies

How do you know what to shop for when selecting a new mobile technology solution? Group Mobile suggests choosing a mobile device that has the right feature set for your needs or will be able to fulfill all of your agency’s operational requirements in a single device. There is no reason to procure a device that falls short of your agency’s needs. Also, finding a solutions integrator who fully understands all elements of your organization from pre-deployment, deployment and post-deployment professional services. 

When it comes to mobile technology deployments, Group Mobile knows the road. Many mid-size cities, towns and counties have similar workflows and, therefore, similar mobile device requirements.

Before buying, do your research and talk with other agencies that mirror yours. Set up a call with them or meet with them in person to understand the lessons they’ve learned in their mobile journey. You’ll find that agencies are always willing to help another agency and give you an honest assessment.

What to look for

This portfolio list of options will help you focus your requirements and conduct a full analysis of your own current technology portfolio to make early decisions regarding:

• Operating system preference: The applications you choose will drive your OS decision. Most public safety agencies choose to run Windows for compatibility and security. Though there are new applications arriving on the Android platform today that may benefit some organizations. Fortunately, fully rugged Android tablets are now available.
• Mobile data and mobile device security: This may include VPN access, multi-factor authentication, fingerprint readers, Common Access Card (CAC) readers, TPM, Kensington physical locks and other internal and external measures.
• Data entry tools: Do you need the flexibility of keyboard and touch for data entry? Do you need a digitizer pen (which is much more accurate than a stylus)?
• Size and weight: Do you prefer a larger 10-12” screen for easy, full-page viewing of documents and apps? Or can you make do with a 5” screen? Can your techs juggle a 5+ pound notebook and patient care in the field? Or do they need a more lightweight 2-4-pound solution?
• Wired and wireless connectivity: How many I/O ports do you need? Which I/O ports do you need? Will your teams have access to Wi-Fi hotspots all the time, or do they need multiple wireless network and ancillary device connectivity options such as 4G LTE, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, IP, Gobi 3000
• Rugged requirements: Which MIl-STD-810G and Ingress Protection (IP) rating levels are enough – and how much is too much? It depends on how often your mobile device will be exposed to water, dust, humidity, or corrosive elements, for example, and how prevalent shock or vibration will be in the vehicle. Will the device be used in potentially explosive environments? Make sure it’s also ATEX or C1D2/C1Z2 compliant for Hazardous Locations.

Impediments to true public safety mobility – inappropriate form-factors, fragile devices, heavy notebooks, weak data radios, limited mobile workflow software – are a thing of the past. The decision to go mobile today is just that – a decision to go mobile. Real-time information, streamlined reporting and constant communication make your service to the community faster, better and safer.

Make smart, near-term buys to lay a foundation for a full mobility solution with long-term return on investment. That may be just a handful of rugged tablets to power a new dispatch system. But it gives you time to fine tune your solution, define next best steps, and measure ROI.

One of the most challenging elements of implementing or upgrading a technology solution is achieving the return on investment. When you invest in technology to improve your business, you must be confident the investment will pay off in the end. It is critical you reach the maximum benefits in the time frame desired for your new technology solution. Group Mobile will identify the benefits available to your company based on a return on investment mobility model, and deliver technology solutions and services to ensure a successful outcome.

Group Mobile’s team of industry experts can assist you in selecting, designing and implementing a multi-network environment for mission-critical fleets, request a free personalized quote.

Xplore Rugged Tablets in Manufacturing

When customers peruse the automobile sales floor, the appliance store, or look online for the right piece of equipment, they give little thought to the individuals that manufacture these products or the tough environments where they work. The men and women that design and manufacture Xplore rugged tablets, however, are thinking of these exact people when designing rugged mobile computing devices.

Group Mobile Launches New Website Dedicated to Getac Rugged Mobile Devices, In Stock and Ready to Ship in 48 Hours!

Need a custom Getac rugged device shipped in 48 hours? Group Mobile has launched a new microsite dedicated to Getac rugged devices and accessories. Getac’s business includes rugged notebooks, rugged tablets and rugged handheld and mobile video system devices for military, police, fire, insurance, utility and field-service customers. The ShopGetac.com microsite will provide Getac customers with a faster and more flexible way to shop for Getac rugged devices and accessories online. Customers can order select configurations of the Getac S410 rugged laptop, F110 rugged tablet and V110 rugged convertible to have shipped in 48 hours – this is unmatched and innovative in the rugged computer industry as rugged devices typically have a 6-8-week lead time from order to delivery.

Three Getac devices are in stock and ready to ship in 48 hours, the Getac V110 convertible laptop, F110 rugged tablet and S410 semi-rugged laptop. These rugged computers are three of the manufactured by Getac with the most popular custom features on the market.

Getac F110 QuickShip Models

The F110’s compact design is less than 1 inch thick and just more than 12 x 8 inches in size. At 3 pounds, this rugged tablet is among the lightest large-screen, fully rugged tablets ever built. The Getac F110 meets MIL-STD-810G and IP65 standards for durability and protection against dirt, dust, water, motion, vibration, temperature and other factors that would quickly damage a MIL-STD-810G .

Getac V110 QuickShip Models

The Getac V110 is a compact and lightweight convertible that quickly transforms from 11.6 inch display notebook to tablet computer. The V110 is among the thinnest and lightest fully rugged convertibles ever built. It is less than 12 x 9 inches in size, a mere 1.3 inches thick and weighs just over 4 pounds.

Getac S410 QuickShip Models

The Getac S410 is a semi-rugged notebook designed to withstand the rigorous daily routine of today’s mobile professionals, including public safety officers, insurance adjustors, engineers and field service professionals. The Getac S410 semi-rugged notebook offers the highest levels of performance, flexibility, security, and durability in a form factor that is extremely thin and light.

Visit ShopGetac.com to learn more about the Getac rugged tablets Group Mobile offers.

Group Mobile Launches New Microsite Dedicated to Xplore Products!

Group Mobile has launched a new microsite dedicated to Xplore Technologies maker of industrial rugged tablets for customers in Energy, Utilities, Manufacturing and Distribution, Public Safety, Field Services, Transportation, and Military sectors for more than 20 years. This microsite will provide Xplore customers with a faster and more flexible way to shop for Xplore rugged tablets and accessories online. The Xplore powered by Group Mobile microsite also offers pages dedicated to vertical market industries that require rugged mobile computing solutions.

Visit buyxplore.com and enjoy a limited-time 15% discount on XSLATE R12 award winning, fully rugged tablet! The Xplore XSLATE R12 is a highly mobile, extremely flexible and always resilient tablet PC. The transformational two-in-one device gives you all the high performance capabilities and complete computing functions you need in a single platform. You’ll have the right connectivity and ergonomics for a quick transition from the field to a full desktop computing experience – and the most conveniently stored rugged keyboard on the market. With a highly responsive pen and touch input capabilities, magnetically-attached Companion Keyboard, adaptable form factor, and customized mounting options, this powerful rugged XSLATE R12 tablet gives all of your workers the flexibility to quickly and comfortably complete any task at hand no matter what working condition they face.

See why people are talking about this award winning Xplore XSLATE R12 tablet.

Visit https://BuyXplore.com to learn more about the Xplore rugged tablets Group Mobile offers.

Happy 4th of July From Group Mobile!

Why choose a rugged laptop or rugged tablet? There are many different types of rugged computers and the features that make them different from conventional, commercial-grade computers; as well as other considerations such as vehicle docking and mounting, integrated wireless and cellular broadband, GPS, cameras, barcode scanners, backlit keyboards and other capabilities that are often mandatory in mobile or outdoor computing.

Rugged Computers, also known as hardened computers, and ruggedized computers have been around since the late 1970s / early 1980s, so they basically have been around as long as the PC industry itself. It was quickly discovered and understood that commercial-grade PCs, designed for office workers or even highly-mobile, white-collar workers and frequent flyers, would not hold up in an in-field, in-vehicle, outdoor, or warehouse/factory type of environment. Rugged technology has been developed to allow what is a fairly delicate piece of sophisticated electronics, to be able to function and survive while on-the-go, in the field, and even in tough environmental conditions. Rugged computers have proven time and time again to save end users and organizations large amounts of money, time, and grief due to their durability, reliability, longevity, and 3- to 5-year full warranties.

Countless studies have shown that rugged and mobile computers cost less to own, even though their initial price is higher. Not to mention, the headache-avoidance factor associated with fewer repairs and less equipment failure is incalculable. Rugged devices are absolutely essential in today’s mobile computing environment. Public safety, field service, construction, healthcare, natural resource-related, military, field work and exploration, public and private utilities, building and home inspection, geospatial, aviation, marine, distribution and warehousing, transportation… the list goes on and on of the industries and fields of endeavor that are able to take advantage of computer automation and the subsequent productivity gains as a result of the availability of rugged and ruggedized computers.

Rugged Computers have features like magnesium or aluminum casings, shock-mounted disk drives or solid state drives, waterproof and backlit rugged keyboards, and hardened sunlight-readable displays. Some rugged computers are able to withstand a 6-foot drop on to concrete or even submersion in water. These days, all form factors of computers have been ruggedized including laptops/notebooks, tablets, and handhelds/smartphones.

Contact one of Group Mobile’s mobile solutions experts to see how implementing rugged technology can benefit you.