There are a number of key elements to consider when deciding on a tablet Pc for use in provide chain, medical, field service and industrial environments. These factors will narrow down to a far more manageable quantity what at very first sight may appear to be a bewildering option:

• Physical ergonomics – the device ought to permit useful interaction with no putting any strain on the user. Which elements are essential will differ according to the environment of use – e.g. in a cold-shop, by field service engineers, by delivery drivers, in a medical facility.
• • Is the device lightweight adequate for the user to carry it around for all or most of the day with out strain?
  • Does the device have a shoulder strap or hand-strap, possibly with a swivel for use by left-handed people?
  • Is the screen huge enough to display text clearly with out causing eye strain, and is the screen visible in sunlight?
  • Ought to the screen be operated with a stylus? Can it be operated when wearing gloves?
  • Will raindrops and splashes of water on the screen result in ‘false clicks’?
  • Does the operating temperature and humidity range of the device match the environment in which it might be utilized? This is obvious at the lower finish of the scale (e.g. use in cold-shops, outdoor use in winter, and so on.), but do not forget the upper end (e.g. left on the dashboard of a parked car in summer).
  • Can the device be employed in hazardous places?
  • Can the device be mounted in or on a car, pole or wall? Does it have a docking station?
  • Is there a physical keyboard for some widespread functions or is all interaction by way of the touch-screen?
• Software ergonomics- is the operating program and application designed for use on touch-screens, to take advantage of touch-screen functions?
• • Can the user zoom-in easily on diagrams?
  • Does screen orientation alter automatically as the device is rotated from vertical to horizontal?
  • Is signature capture accessible?
• Durability- is the device likely to survive use in the atmosphere(s) it is to be utilised in?
• • Will the device survive drops onto concrete? How a lot of occasions and from what height?
  • Can it cope with getting wet and dirty? Can it be washed down with water or disinfected with biocides to clean it? Can it even be submerged?
  • Can it cope with sand and dust?
  • Can it cope with vibration?
  • Are screen protectors available to avoid harm?
  • Does the device have a long item life (compare with the strategy adopted by most consumer tablet Computer producers, where new versions are launched following 12 to 18 months)?
• Connectivity- PCs can not operate stand-alone these days, they need to have to interact with other devices.
• • Is WiFi obtainable to enable mobile access to networks and the Net?
  • Is 3G or 4G connectivity provided to allow Internet access from anyplace (signal permitting)?
  • Is Bluetooth provided enabling communication with other devices – possibly a phone, yet another Pc, a printer or a barcode scanner?
  • Does it have a RJ45 LAN port for when WiFi isn’t readily available? Does it have USB or RSÃ�¢€’232 ports? Are these in the device itself or in a docking station?
• Functionality- does the tablet Computer have the functional attributes essential to carry out the tasks needed of it?
• • Is a barcode scanner or Rfid scanner essential? Is the barcode scanner capable of scanning all sorts of barcode or just linear or stacked 2D barcodes?
  • Is a camera integrated – e.g. proof of damage, proof of repair, proof of attempted delivery?
  • Does it have a card reader and, if so, which sort of card?
  • Is integrated GPS included?
  • Does it have an integral microphone and speakers, or are there microphone and headphone sockets?
  • Is the processor power, memory and storage capacity adequate to enable the applications in use to operate at acceptable speeds?
  • Will the battery last for a total shift with some to spare? How very easily can the battery be swapped and what impact does this have on the device?
• Security and control- what features are available to protect the organisation’s security, given that this sort of device has a higher threat of misuse or falling into the incorrect hands?
• • Can the device be locked down?
  • Can the device be managed remotely?
  • Can the device and its applications be integrated with back-office systems?
  • Is information security just a software package feature or really embedded in the hardware?
  • Can the device be secured to cope with it becoming physically removed from a predetermined area – e.g. alarms raised, location tracking enabled or storage automatically wiped?
• Cost of ownership- as with any other device, it is not necessarily the up-front value that is most crucial, it really is the overall price more than the life of the product.
  • What is the cost of the device as soon as all the required optional extras have been included?
  • Is the device most likely to need repair or replacement more than 3 or five years due to not becoming rugged sufficient for the envisaged use?
  • How lengthy is the common warranty, can it be extended and at what price?
  • What are the SLAs for repairs? Can the organisation survive with no the device for that lengthy, or are spare devices required just in case?
  • Can the battery be replaced if it fails?

Certainly not all the variables listed above will be relevant to you and this is not intended to be an exhaustive list of each single question that should be asked, but hopefully it will act as a excellent starting point for narrowing down the option from a lot of to one (or at least a couple of).

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