Rugged vs Consumer Mobile Computers
Compare the Physical Devices
We all have experience with how easily our cell phone screen cracks from a short fall to the cement. No matter how good the glass screen protector, and rubber case is, one day it will happen. Consumer device manufacturers’ have never claimed to meet any industry standard for rugged exteriors, water or dust-proof or internal components.
Rugged Devices however, are built from the component level out, to an exterior casing that is built to withstand multiple drops. They also include screens that can be seen outside in daylight, withstand extreme heat and cold and reduce network downtime. Secure software updates are controlled by the network administrator and can be completed off-shift with no interruptions. Batteries are replaceable and operating systems are upgradeable, extending a rugged device to typically well beyond 5 years of service.
Environmental Conditions
According to research conducted by the VDC Research Group, Inc., environmental conditions are a critical consideration for any mobility investment. Unique and varied work conditions create serious difficulties for consumer devices. Considerations include:
Using gloves or wet hands
Using device in direct sunlight
Extreme temperatures and vibrations
Exposure to rain, moisture, drops to cement and temperature shifts.
The Work Process
Texting, making phone calls, and accessing social media, music, movies, and games on consumer mobile devices are all designed to provide the greatest possible user experience. Commercial grade mobile devices, on the other hand, are designed specifically for businesses to improve work processes and enable quick access to business apps. Considerations include:
Ease of use including data entry, ergonomics and interface.
Integrated functionality and peripheral support
Security and OS upgrades
Barcode scanning performance
Battery power management
Productivity vs. Failure Effect
How a device influences productivity is more important than how big it is, how much it costs, or what operating system it runs. Considerations include:
• Product lifecycle
• Spares, repairs and support
• Average annual failure rates
• Exposure to rain, moisture, impact and temperature extremes
Total Cost of Ownership
A TCO study balances a technological option's initial investment costs with its ongoing support expenses (soft costs). Only 31.6 percent of firms did a TCO study during their most recent mobile computing implementation, despite the fact that TCO analysis is a valuable gauge of the eventual cost and impact of a technology investment.
Conclusion
Some of the once-clear distinctions between what is a consumer device and what is an enterprise mobile computer have vanished as mobile computers have evolved and become more ubiquitous in industry. As a result, deciding between enterprise and consumer devices has become increasingly difficult.
While consumer devices may be less expensive to buy up front, (and in some cases they cost more), than their tough enterprise counterparts, they have a shorter life span in the workplace.
Rugged devices may be more expensive up front, but they last longer in enterprise environments.
Rugged electronics cost much less over their full life span than conventional electronics when downtime, maintenance, and replacement expenses are taken into account. That life span is typically no less than 5 years and many companies extend the use of these rugged devices for 10 or more years.