Should My Company Use Consumer or Rugged Devices?

The above is a question that everyone company asks itself at some point in time. In the past, durability wasn’t a much of a factor when it came to data collection technologies. Most technologies sat on a desk, and their rugged counterparts were used in warehouses and manufacturing for data collection. Today, it’s important to ask this question because you want to know that your workers have the mobility to have the right tools when they need them, where they need them.

There are many device options available for mobile workers, including consumer and rugged devices. But which type is the best fit for your business? The short answer is: “It depends.” To clarify, you’ll need to ask yourself a few questions.

First you’ll need to ask yourself if you require scanning for data collection. If the answer is yes, or you anticipate it might be yes in the near future, then a rugged device with an integrated scanner is the best choice for faster decoding time and high volume scanning.

Second, what is your environment? If your chosen device will be exposed to extreme temperatures, need long batter life or be used outside or in other rugged environments, a rugged device is your best choice. Usually consumer devices have performance limitations when used in outdoor and harsh environments.

Finally, ask yourself how long you plan to use the device. The desired device life impacts a number of factors that lead to your final purchase decision, such as software maintenance, purchase costs, ongoing operational expenses for service plans and equipment warranties. In short, if you expect to use the device for more than three or four years, a consumer grade mobile device is not the best choice—despite the fact that these devices are more affordable originally.

With devices such as the Zebra TC55 personal touch computer, rugged vs. consumer is an easy choice. Though this mobile computer looks and functions like a user friendly smartphone, it’s actually a rugged device that’s perfect for even the harshest of environments.

Contact Us to learn more about which device is right for you.