Getac Technology Corporation, a manufacturer of rugged technology, has disclosed findings from the Getac-sponsored IDC InfoBrief, "Redefining Total Cost of Ownership: Rugged Technologies to Empower Industrial Operation." The report reveals that rugged devices enhance competitiveness within industrial institutions by simplifying operations. The study offers insights from 990 IT decision-makers and highlights the benefits of rugged appliances across multiple sectors, including utilities, transportation and logistics, oil and gas, industrial manufacturing, and natural resources.
The IDC InfoBrief was a global research project with contributions from various regions such as North America, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, Asia (excluding China—APeC), and Latin America. The Informative document emphasises the versatility of rugged devices that aid organisations in enhancing worker productivity, reducing equipment downtime, and facilitating individual component upgrades without the need to replace the complete device.
In addition to streamlining operations, the survey outlined a number of other key benefits derived from the use of rugged technology: lower total cost of ownership (TCO) - rugged devices have been reported to reduce TCO by 10-20% for tablets and mobile devices and between 20-30% for personal computers and laptops. Improved sustainability was also highlighted, with 43% of organisations noting that rugged devices equipped with advanced sensors and connectivity had the capability to amass data on operations, supporting more informed decisions on energy consumption and waste reduction initiatives. The automation of certain processes was another significant advantage of these devices, with 37% of businesses claiming this helped to decrease the need for manual labour.
The criteria for vendor selection, according to customer insights captured in the brief, included factors like the ability to customise the solution, the cost-effectiveness of the services provided, and the breadth of devices and solutions offered.
Frank Baldrighi, Getac's Business Development Manager for Australia and New Zealand, opined, "These survey results show rugged devices are playing a transformative role in industrial operations by improving TCO and productivity and driving sustainability. These findings reaffirm our commitment to delivering solutions that redefine industry standards in an increasingly rugged world."
Baldrighi further elucidated the role of rugged devices in the Asia Pacific, excluding China (APeC) region and how their robustness and consistent performance have aided field operations. Their effectiveness is seen in their integration with Internet of Things applications, supply chain management systems, and mobile device management systems. Rugged devices have improved field service inspections and maintenance, manufacturing and production, and data collection and analysis.
Furthermore, these robust devices have enhanced operations through an increase in worker productivity, reduced equipment failure, saved replacement costs, and provided better remote access to data and systems. Their contribution to lower energy consumption and reduced e-waste through the use of advanced sensors for data collection underlines their criticality in an industrial scenario.
Baldrighi concluded by saying, "Rugged devices are becoming invaluable to industrial organisations that need to improve operational efficiencies, improve TCO, and provide field workers with reliable technology solutions for challenging environments. Getac's customised hardware and software solutions, combined with our white glove service, is helping enhance digital transformation across many industrial sectors."