Why Rugged Android Devices?

As conventional devices are becoming increasingly fragile, rugged devices are stepping up to the plate to ensure that people in challenging professions are able to count on their devices.

Is Android the right choice for your rugged enterprise application? Until recently, Android was only an option on consumer grade smartphones and tablets, which of course made it a risky choice for more demanding application environments — this is no longer true. As technology changes by the minute, a number of rugged device manufacturers have launched Android-based industrial mobile computers. One glaring benefit to the development and evolution of Android in rugged mobile devices is the high level of end user familiarity can make training easier and less expensive. Take a look at some of the most common benefits when implementing Android devices into your organization:

Track Your Fleet

When you need to know where your employees are, the GPS in Android smart phones can let you know exactly where everyone is located. That allows you to keep up with your fleet, find out whether or not everything and everyone is moving on time, and even track unscheduled stops and shifts in the daily schedule.

Clock In Remotely

NFC chips in Android devices make it easy for employees to clock in with their mobile devices. That means less paperwork–not to mention a higher level of honesty and integrity. By integrating this technology into your everyday processes, you can enhance your ability to keep up with important records and ensure that every employee is starting their work day on time for maximum efficiency and productivity.

Increase Connectivity

Rugged devices are specifically designed to go wherever your employees do — that doesn’t just mean they’re built tough. It also means that they have enhanced connectivity that makes it possible to access the internet, run important programs, and keep up with work tasks even when employees are out of reach of towers that normal devices would need to operate.

Better Sound Performance

When you work in a noisy environment, it can be difficult both to understand the person on the other end of the phone and to be understood by them. Rugged Android devices are designed to correct this critical fault: they have enhanced voice clarity and better speakers specifically engineered to make it easier for both parties to hear one another. This is the perfect solution when you can’t leave a noisy warehouse or construction site, but still need to answer your phone.

Enjoy Tough Devices

Phones are intended to go wherever their users go, but traditional Android devices are often very fragile, making them difficult for individuals in harsh environments. Rugged Android devices, on the other hand, were created with the specific needs of their users in mind. They’re perfect for individuals in a number of professions who find themselves going through traditional phones all too fast. Protections include:

  • Shock and vibration protection for individuals who find themselves in conditions where the phone is subjected to numerous small impacts over the course of a typical day
  • Drop protection to make up for phones that go flying in the worst of circumstances
  • Waterproofing that is designed to make devices usable not only in the rain, but even underwater

Rugged Android devices are becoming increasingly common in many work environments. From law enforcement professionals who need to know they can count on their device to keep working no matter where their daily job duties take them to construction workers who have sacrificed all too many phones to drops, shocks, and water damage over the course of their careers many individuals will find that rugged Android devices are the solution to a lifetime of problems. As conventional devices are becoming increasingly fragile, rugged devices are stepping up to the plate to ensure that people in challenging professions are able to count on their devices. To learn more about rugged Android devices, or for assistance in picking the best device for your needs, feel free to contact us. See our full list of featured rugged Android devices.

The Many Benefits Of Mobile Device Management — Why It’s So Important Today!

Mobile device management for enterprise is an evolving organizational trend that deals with the business as well as technological aspects of the rising trend of mobile and handheld device usage in routine business operations.

What is mobile device management? Mobile device management is the organizational area dealing with deploying, securing, monitoring, integrating and managing mobile devices, such as smartphones, tablets and laptops, in the workplace. Tablets, and smartphones are arguably less secure than desktop computers and laptops often because they lack pre-installed malware protection. Mobile device management for enterprise is an evolving organizational trend that deals with the business as well as technological aspects of the rising trend of mobile and handheld device usage in routine business operations. You might be wondering how Group Mobile can help — First off, those sleepless nights worrying about data safety will be over for good! Don’t leave your corporate data vulnerable to thieves, we will help prevent this from occurring with our iCare™ Mobile Device Management Service.

Whether you have employees out in the field, in a warehouse, or working remotely from home, they are likely connected with mobile devices. As you assign more employees mobile devices, it is important to focus on mobile device management. There are various benefits to these services, and it will allow you to have greater control over the IT aspect of your operations.

iCare Mobile Device Management

 

  • Tracking – Using the MDM software, Group Mobile will track the unit throughout its useful life. In cases where a unit is reported lost or stolen, it can be tracked and located.
  • Remote Software Management – Update your software remotely. Updates can be distributed to the entire list of devices, or be segmented by device type, location, work-group, or serial number.
  • Battery Management – Manage battery capacity remotely on every device to enable quick replacement when capacity falls below an acceptable level.
  • Remote Control – Have a problem or issue with a mobile device? We can remotely login to your device for troubleshooting and problem resolution.
  • Historical Data Collection – The MDM software logs activity as the device is used. The data log can be accessed for analysis that may require additional training or software updates.
  • Multiple OS Support – MDM services are available on Windows, Android, and iOS devices.

Stay Organized

It’s important to stay as organized as possible, especially when you have a large number of mobile devices deployed across your operations. Various mobile device management services will allow you to stay organized in different ways, including:

  • Tracking devices
  • Managing battery life
  • Remote management of software
  • Remote assistance
  • Historical data collection

It’s impractical for you to ask employees with mobile devices to provide you with information on the device. Additionally, it’s only going to set you back if you have to process everything manually regarding dozens of mobile devices. Through the use of mobile device management software, you will be able to maintain communications with the device as well as the back office server. With the iCare™ Mobile Device Management Software each device is loaded with a Mobile Device Management (MDM) client prior to shipping. The client software is initialized and tested to ensure communications to the back-office server. The server component can reside at the customers site or be hosted by Group Mobile for an additional fee.

A significant amount of money can be saved when you deploy mobile device management services as well. Your users may need assistance from time to time. You will be able to gain control of a mobile device remotely. This will allow you to resolve problems and troubleshoot to get your employee back to where they need to be.

Mobile device management services are customized to the individual needs of your business. Depending upon the number of employees you have, the number of mobile devices, and how often upgrades are made, the services may be more complex. You will be able to get the assistance you need so that you can focus more on your business and less on threats and security.

To learn more about mobile device management services, contact the Group Mobile iCare services team.

The ROI of Rugged Computers: Are They Worth the Investment?

Rugged mobile computers have the potential to offer a stunning return on investment for your business. When you work with a rugged laptop, tablet, or handheld you can be confident in the fact, no matter where work takes you, your rugged device can come along.

When you choose the ideal laptop or tablet for your computing needs away from the office, you want to be sure you’re getting a product that will stick with you for time to come. Rugged computers have a higher price tag than many consumer devices. You want to be sure, if you’re going to spend money on a ruggedized device, that it’s going to be worth the investment. Knowing the (ROI) return on investment of rugged computers can help you make those critical decisions for your business.

Rugged Computers Go the Extra Mile

For many individuals, from contractors working on-site to people who work outside on a regular basis, a computer is only as useful as the device will allow. Rugged computers are designed to be usable wherever you are. They can be used:

  • Out in the rain without having to worry about water damage
  • In the back of a truck, bouncing around with the rest of your equipment, without having to worry about damage from vibration
  • In locations exposed to dirt, dust, and other conditions that could cause a more traditional mobile computer to stop functioning

A rugged laptop or tablet’s greatest ROI is that it can go anywhere you can. Take it with you on those important trips, haul it along when you’re headed out to a job site or out into the wilderness: it’s tough enough to take it.

Rugged Computers are Highly Durable

In some cases, you might not be headed out to a job site or spending a great deal of time outside. That doesn’t mean, however, that accidents can’t happen wherever you are. Ask yourself a few key questions:

  • Do you travel frequently, hauling your computer along with you through airports, to hotels, and anywhere else you have to go?
  • Do you often find yourself setting up at restaurant tables that aren’t as clean as you’d like or where spills are more likely?
  • Are you naturally clumsy, with a tendency to drop your computer bag at the worst possible moment or spill a drink when you’re sitting behind your desk?
  • Do you work in dusty or otherwise dirty conditions on a regular basis?

If any of these conditions ring true for you, it doesn’t matter if you often work in rugged conditions or not. A rugged device could be the solution to everything you need! Any time your mobile computer has to be fixed, you’re losing time and money. Not only do you have to pay for it to be fixed, you also have to find a solution for handling your computing needs while your computer is out of service or put off that work until you have your computer back in your hands. A rugged mobile computer ensures less time lost because it’s less likely to become damaged over the course of a normal work day.

The Support You Need to Keep Running

In every stage of the new device implementation process, from pre-deployment question and answer sessions to support after you’ve gotten used to your new mobile computer, but faced with a problem, you’ll receive all the support you need to make the most of your rugged computer. This includes:

  • Solutions for your most common problems
  • Help figuring out which rugged technology is the right fit for you and your business
  • Vital technical support when you need it most
  • Smooth roll-out services that will have your new technology working seamlessly in no time
  • Training for members of the team who need it
  • Extended help desk and repair of broken items

The investment in a rugged device comes along with all of these vital services, ensuring that you’ll be able to keep your equipment running smoothly. That means minimal lost time for your business as a whole, from the pre-deployment phases to the post-deployment need for support.

Rugged mobile computers have the potential to offer a stunning return on investment for your business. When you work with a rugged laptop, tablet, or handheld you can be confident in the fact, no matter where work takes you, your rugged device can come along. With less lost time, the ability to use your computer even in rugged conditions, and high-quality support, rugged mobile computers are an investment that will certainly pay off. Contact Group Mobile today to learn how we can help choose the right rugged mobile solution for you.

The Getac E100 Ultra Portable Rugged Tablet PC

Weighing in at 3 pounds-making it the lightest rugged tablet PC on the market, the versatile, easy-to-maneuver Getac E100 Ultra Portable Rugged Tablet PC is designed with field and customer service applications in mind. Despite its trim look and feel, the GETAC E100 rugged tablet is every bit as tough as the heavyweights: It meets MIL-STD-810G and IP65 standards for durability and protection against dirt, dust, water, motion, vibration, temperature and other factors that would severely damage or disable a commercial-grade PC.

The Getac E100 tablet PC offers workers in the field an 8.4-inch TFT SVGA transmissive display with integrated touch screen panel. The Getac E100 also features an Ultra-Bright sunlight-readable display and 800 Nit backlit LCD screen that delivers astonishing readability. GETAC also reserves an array of expandable “mission boxes” designed for customized market applications that use RFID, barcode and magnetic strip readers or digital cameras.

Click here to read more about the Getac E100 Ultra Portable Rugged Tablet PC. For more information regarding rugged mobile computing visit www.groupmobile.com or call us at 1-866-RUGGED-8.

Have you checked out the 2009 Group Mobile Best Sellers Guide?

On our “Best Of” page we make recommendations based on our opinions and feedback from our customers. Click here to view the full page or keep reading for a sampling…

Best Multi Media Semi Rugged Laptop – This would be the Toughbook 52 (with bundle upgrade) from Panasonic. It has a large 15.4” display with WUXGA resolution. It comes with 512MB of Video RAM, a Firewire connection for fast uploads/download of photos and other digital files, as well as main memory (RAM) expandable to 4.0GB.

Read more about the Toughbook 52

Best Bargain in a Vehicle-Rated Ruggedized Laptop – Check out the General Dynamics-Itronix GD6000. This mobile computer is classified as semi-rugged, since it cannot handle use in a pouring rain, but it has all the features required for use in an in-vehicle computing setup. Police departments love this unit, for example, for use in their cruisers. And the GD6000 is priced less than the comparable fully-rugged laptops.

Read more about the GD-Itronix GD6000

Most Versatile Fully Rugged Laptop – The Getac A790 has incredible versatility. The customer can choose from a 12”, or 14” display screen. The customer can pick either the touchscreen or non-touchscreen; and between a regular or daylight-readable display. The customer can select additional RS232, RS422, RS485, or SCSI-II ports. One can even add 2 more ISA slots or 2 more PCI slots. And there are other options for this rugged mobile computer, as well. This is, without question, the most “configurable” rugged laptop in the world.

Read more about the Getac A790

For more information regarding rugged mobile computing visit http://www.groupmobile.com/ or call us at 1-866-RUGGED-8.

Introducing Nexcom Rugged Tablet PCs

NEXCOM is a leading automation solution provider, combining innovation, connectivity, flexibility, ruggedness and fan-less design with today’s latest and most reliable mobile computing technologies. With over 15 years of solid experience in the industrial PC field, NEXCOM offers new solutions to suit your rugged computer needs:

MRC 2100-E – Economical Mobile Rugged Computer
The NEXCOM MRC 2100-E is a cost-effective rugged handheld tablet computer designed for mobile workers requiring real-time information. This economical, yet rugged tablet PC comes equipped with the Intel® Atom™ Processor, integrated 802.11b/g/n, Bluetooth, optional 3.5G mobile broadband engine, optional barcode scanner and optional RFID interface. The MRC 2100-E’s IP54-rated rugged design makes this tablet PC suitable for use even in harsh environments.

MRC 2300 – Cost Effective Rugged Tablet PC
The NEXCOM MRC 2300 is an inexpensive, yet durable rugged tablet computer designed for mobile workers in need of real-time information. This economical rugged tablet PC has an 8″ LCD sunlight readable touch screen display that utilizes LED backlight technology to optimize power consumption. This display, combined with integrated wireless capabilities make the MRC 2300 tablet PC ideal for in-vehicle use or for remote and outdoor conditions.

Click here to read more about the new Nexcom tablet PCs or for more information regarding rugged mobile computing visit www.groupmobile.com or call us at 1-866-RUGGED-8.

Why is the right display screen so important?

If you have ever taken a commercial laptop to the beach or out by the pool, you quickly realized that the screen is almost impossible to read. Daylight-readable displays, like those found on many rugged computers, are much brighter. If you intend to use a computer outdoors or in a mobile environment, daylight-readable or sunlight-readable is a must. Many rugged computers either come standard with an outdoor display screen, or offer outdoor viewability as an option. Read More…

For more information regarding rugged mobile computing visit http://www.groupmobile.com/ or call us at 1-866-RUGGED-8.
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Great Article on Integrated Wireless in Laptops

An article was just published in Integrated Solutions magazine about the switch to integrated wireless vs. PC cards. The title of the article is: Rugged laptop and tablet vendors are improving integrated WWAN (wireless WAN) antennas for optimum uptime. Learn about the benefits of integrated wireless vs. external wirless PC cards.

Full Article