Field services and operations – the energy, utilities and public sector – depend on the value mobile technology brings. Whether out in the field, in a vehicle or an office, workers need reliable technology enabling efficiency and productivity. But using the right type of mobile device is critical for field services – solutions that can stand up to serious wear and tear and be used for a range of applications including Geographic Information Systems (GIS), an application that determines locations. Rugged mobile tablets and computers deliver the reliability, connectivity and productivity required in field services and operations. Let’s break down how.
Ramp Up Efficiency with Rugged, Reliable Mobility
The days of field service workers lugging around bulky equipment are long gone. Mobile computers and tablets have transformed field services and operations, simplifying tasks such as collecting data in the field, improving efficiency.
Adding in a rugged design brings mobile devices to the next level, providing the durability needed to withstand extreme weather and temperatures, drops, shocks, vibrations and more. Field service workers spend time working outdoors through every season and require a mobile device that operates in any environment. Imagine being out on a job site, only for your device to stop working because of rain, extreme heat or cold. With a rugged mobile device, that concern doesn’t exist.
Beyond standing up to harsh environments, rugged mobile tablets and computers provide more versatility for field workers. For instance, wearing heavy gloves often comes with the job as part of personal protective equipment (PPE). Today’s latest Android rugged tablets offer glove-touch capable displays, and friction-hinge keyboards that transform tablets into laptops so it’s as easy to enter data in the field as when in the office.
When considering the best device with which to equip your field service workers, expand beyond just mobility to ruggedness. A rugged mobile tablet or computer can withstand the heavy use and potential damage that comes with using devices in field services and operations – think high-in-the-air bucket trucks servicing power lines, remote areas inspecting pipelines, or accidental drops to concrete and ongoing exposure to dust, dirt, vibration and water. Yet, they’re as easy to use as a personal mobile device or laptop, from any environment, including extreme cold or hot temperatures.
Keeping Field Workers Connected and Secure
It's not only about being tough when using rugged mobile tablets and computers in field services. Connectivity is just as critical, so workers can easily and securely access applications from the field.
Workers often use GIS to tell them where their next work assignment is, or where the assets for an assignment are located in nuanced detail, such as “three feet from the powerline underground.” Reliable connectivity also enhances worker safety enabling leaders and colleagues to know where workers are located, in case of an emergency, or if they need assistance in any way.
In the energy and utilities sector, in particular, the ability to connect and share data quickly and efficiently is a must. Rugged mobile devices with 5G connectivity provide the high-speed, high bandwidth, reliable and secure connectivity field services and operations require. It’s a game-changer for workers, whether they’re using GIS, uploading data to the cloud or sharing information with their teams.
Of course, security of devices and their data is always a concern, especially when devices are shared, or put down while someone is working, which is typical in the field. The latest biometric security tools can be used on rugged mobile tablets and computers to help prevent unauthorized users from accessing systems and data while also making it easier for workers to do so based on their role or profile.
If your field service workers need to share data in real time, maintain device and data security, and eliminate the need to continuously travel between the field and office, consider a rugged tablet or computer offering 5G connectivity.
It All Comes Together to Power Productivity
When you integrate the right type of mobile device such as a rugged tablet with 5G connectivity in field services and operations, productivity improves.
Workers in the field are regularly capturing data, recording and submitting reports for approval or referencing historical data. Before mobility, capturing data meant writing it, and referencing a work assignment meant scrambling through a stack of papers. With a mobile tablet or computer, all workflows from recording, reporting or referencing data are simplified and more efficient.
Huge time savings result as reports route automatically for review and approvals instead of waiting to return to an office at the end of a shift. Supervisors have visibility on how work is progressing, or if workers are ready to move to the next assignment and more.
But again, not all mobile devices are created equal. Rugged mobile tablets or computers further amplify productivity. Field services and operations need mobile devices that can keep working despite environmental challenges. Let’s say a worker is in a bucket truck and it’s raining, and the device drops and hits the ground. Productivity comes to a halt with a standard mobile device. But work continues seamlessly with a rugged mobile device—no breaks, no water damage, no problems.
There’s also the total cost of ownership to consider. A rugged mobile computer’s durability means replacements aren’t needed as frequently as with a non-rugged device. And device management software is included (with both mobile and rugged mobile devices) to manage devices, providing visibility into how devices are faring, enabling better control and overall management.
The bottom line? Rugged tablets and computers are second to none in powering productivity for your field service and operations workers.
Getting the Jobs Done
Rugged mobile tablets and computers have changed the game for field services and operations in a big way. With their tough resiliency and high-speed connectivity, productivity is maximized. When it comes to getting the job done in field services and operations, rugged tablets and computers are the clear win.