Integrated Technology Solution Provider Identifies How to Choose the Right Kind of Rugged or Durable Laptop or Tablet for First Responders, Law Enforcement Officers, Visiting Nurse Professionals, Field Service Technicians, Military Personnel and Sales Road Warriors
Most office workers have experienced a “keyboard spill” where they have accidentally splashed a cup of coffee or glass of water across their laptop keyboard, resulting in varying degrees of damage. But those spills are just table-stakes for First Responders, Law Enforcement Officers, Visiting Nurse Professionals, Field Service Technicians, Military Personnel and Sales Road Warriors who rely on rugged or durable laptops and tablets in the field. These professionals are used to all manner of abuse occurring to their computing equipment. According to the team at Island Tech Services (ITS) (www.itsg.us.com), a leading provider of advanced technology, mobility and vehicle solutions, the best way to be prepared for accidents, drops, spills, and splashes that leave your mobile computer intact is to choose the right kind of rugged or durable laptop or tablet in the first place.
The terms rugged and durable refer to a class of mobile computing devices that have achieved a specific ingress protection (IP) rating for guarding from dust and liquids. Ratings vary, but typically rugged and durable computing equipment must have a rating of IP65 – IP67 where the first digit means the device is protected from dust intrusion that may harm the equipment, while the second digit refers to the amount of water or liquid protection offered – from “water spray from all directions” to “strong water jets and waves.”
Rugged Mobile Computers for Every Use
ITS focuses on three levels of rugged mobile computers: Fully-rugged, semi-rugged and professional-rugged or prosumer.
- Fully-rugged. These devices are made to withstand the greatest amount of use and abuse. Fully-rugged laptops and tablets are often required in critical environments, like disaster zones, fires or in an emergency vehicle. “For users of these devices, the field is their office and the situation is critical,” says Danella. “Frontline teams of EMTs, Police Officers and Fire Fighters are working in the most high-pressure and extreme environments and they need tools – including fully-rugged laptops, that are capable of working beside them. However, the laptop is often just that – another tool they must use and share with others on their teams.” Extra-long battery life, multiple wireless communications options and extremely rugged and durable design are hallmarks of fully-rugged mobile computers.
- Semi-rugged. These devices are made to withstand spills and some level of abuse while operating in a wide range of environments. Semi-rugged laptops and tablets are typically used as a portable office for professionals who must operate from multiple offices, sub-stations or from command vehicles. “For users of these devices, the computer is their mobile office, so the protection of the computer and the data it collects is important,” says Danella. “Municipal workers, DPW employees, utility workers and fire chiefs moving among locations are typical users of semi-rugged computers.” Long battery life and durable design are typical of semi-rugged mobile computers.
- Professional-rugged or Prosumer. Like semi-rugged devices, professional-rugged or prosumer devices are made to withstand spills and some level of abuse while operating in a wide range of environments. Professional-rugged laptops and tablets are typically used where mobile computing solutions must be powerful enough to compute complex issues, while durable enough to withstand tough conditions, such as extreme temperatures, dust, humidity and accidental drops. “Visiting nurses, fire inspectors, oil and gas land men, sales professionals and other ‘road warriors’ are candidates for professional-rugged laptops and tablets,” says Danella. Increased battery life, high-performance computing and durable design are hallmarks of professional-rugged mobile computers.
Often the role of the user, rather than the type the device, dictates the level of durability required, according to Danella. “A candidate for a full-rugged laptop may be someone who shares the laptop with other users in an extreme environment but has little personal attachment to the device, while a professional-rugged user might guard the laptop like it is his or her personal property,” says Danella.
Want to Learn More?
- Looking for a specific rugged and durable laptop, tablet or vehicle mounting system? Check out what ITS offers at http://bit.ly/2HOSfY5.
- Learn more about the technology, mobility and vehicle solutions ITS offers at http://bit.ly/2C8nbDV.