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Maximize the Value of Warehouse Devices
Life Expectancy of Handheld Devices
Whether being used inside or outside the four walls, selecting the right mobile computer or tablet to match your environment is very important to the life expectancy of the product and productivity of your employees. Although consumer devices are attractive due to their cost, industrial devices are designed specifically for the rigors of a warehouse environment and are a much better choice for a true mobile workforce.
Selecting the Right Device
Your workers are on the move, sharing devices from shift to shift, and their mobile devices take a lot of abuse. Vehicle vibrations, drops to concrete, and other daily wear and tear are situations that a rugged handheld scanner, mobile computer or tablet is designed to handle. But they’re only as good as the care that is taken to keep them performing as expected; here are a few suggestions to help you get the most out of your equipment:
Charging Cradle Care – The occasional wiping down with a soft cloth is usually all that is needed to keep the battery contacts clean, and keep the device cradle free of debris. In an ultra-harsh environment, cleaning should be more frequent. Extreme temperatures can affect charging ability, so keeping the cradle in a relatively comfortable environment is key.
Use Compatible Accessories –Vendor approved accessories are your best bet to keeping devices safe and secure. For vehicle mounted computers or rugged tablets, proper mounting using approved hardware will ensure stability and ease of use. If a device is not mounted properly, it can cause excessive vibration and loosen components or connections which can cause failures. Frequent cleaning of the mounting hardware is also a great away to avoid debris collecting and affecting your device.
General Cleaning & Disinfecting – Frequent cleaning and following manufacturer recommended guidelines are critical to getting longer life out of your devices. The important thing to remember is that every device is different, and although they may all come from the same manufacturer, the method of cleaning and maintenance may be different. Here are some tips from Honeywell on cleaning their devices.
How to Extend the Life of Handheld Devices
Getting the most value out of your mobile computing devices takes some effort. Cleaning, charging, storage, and operating each one according to manufacturer recommendations are key. Your IT department also plays a key role in keeping these devices working optimally and requires occasional software updates and training so users know how to identify an issue if one should arise.
Software updates are a must, particularly for mobile computers and tablets because they can easily access the company network. Keeping your devices updated ensures the security of the device and reduces the risk of a cyberattack.
Mobility Edge™ platform from Honeywell
Honeywell’s Mobility Edge™ platform offers an integrated, repeatable, and scalable approach to devices. The solution is based on a common hardware and software platform, which creates uniformity across the varying devices. Mobility Edge is based on the Android™ OS, which allows for easy updates on compatible devices.
Incorporating Mobility Edge across devices can expedite development, certification, setup, and training with multiple form factors at once. There is no need to revalidate information, and therefore, you can deploy quicker. This, of course, reduces process time and associated costs.
Specific Handheld Devices for Your Needs
It’s no surprise that warehouse operations are tough environments that work best with rugged, durable devices. There are many choices on the market today, which can make it difficult to choose the right one for your specific needs. Within the Honeywell line, we often recommend products like the CK65, CT60, Thor VM1A, and RT10A Tablet. They’re designed specifically for harsh environments like warehouse, manufacturing, distribution, and all of these products work on Honeywell’s Mobility Edge™ platform.
Conclusion
Industrial-grade devices are always a best bet for a warehouse, manufacturing floor or distribution center, but the actual life expectancy of your device will be highly dependent on exposure to elements, cleaning regimen, and how the device is used. Following manufacturer recommendations and the advice of your solution provider will help tremendously because they know best how to operate and maintain these devices.
If you’re ready to modernize your warehouse with newer technology or are just looking for ways to improve productivity and control costs, we can help you select the right solution to meet your needs.
4136B Jersey Pike, Chattanooga, TN 37421
Phone (423) 855-1822 | Fax (423) 499-6317
sales@barcominc.com
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BARCOM, INC. • sales@barcominc.com • 423-855-1822