Industrial Strength: The Growing Demand for Rugged Devices

In my time speaking with customers and helping them determine the best device for their use case, many are unaware of rugged devices and their benefits. Rugged devices are purpose built for tough conditions, more durable than most devices, and resistant to drops, dusty conditions, moisture, and extreme temperatures. 

Additionally, many rugged devices run the Android operating system, offering customers additional benefits of increased flexibility, greater customization opportunities, and choice. Rugged devices are the perfect choice for industries like retail and logistics and industrial settings where companies need handheld devices that can withstand extreme conditions.

Retail: Where Functionality Meets Durability 

While rugged devices may not be top-of-mind for most when thinking about devices in a retail setting, deploying rugged devices comes with many benefits. Let’s take mobile checkout as one example. If a sales team is given a rugged device specifically designed for mobile checkout/payments, these individuals are able to help customers regardless of where they are on the sales floor. Similarly, these devices can also track inventory and the location of specific items in many cases. If equipped with RFID technology, the device can also scan multiple items simultaneously. 

With these devices, customers spend less time waiting in lines, as you offer the information they are looking for and quick and convenient payment options, increasing their satisfaction and brand loyalty. By leveraging rugged devices in retail settings, there’s also less risk associated with breakage, resulting in longer device life and better ROI. This also allows sales associates to focus their attention on customers without fear of dropping and breaking an expensive piece of hardware. 

Logistics: Withstanding Harsh Environmental Conditions 

The logistics industry is a prime example of an industry that can benefit from leveraging rugged devices. With these devices, individuals don’t have to worry about operating in the harshest of conditions. Weather, humidity, and extreme temperatures are problems of the past when utilizing rugged devices. Just think about your favorite shipping company or service. The individuals delivering these packages leverage rugged devices to scan and deliver packages, regardless of weather conditions. Additionally, many of these devices contain “push to talk” capabilities that enable teams to communicate in areas with low connectivity, whether in a warehouse or the field in remote conditions, ensuring proactive communication and safety.    

Industrial Settings: Providing Safety and Reliability 

There is also a lot of opportunity for rugged devices in industrial settings like manufacturing and warehouses. With the extended battery life of rugged devices, industrial workers can use these devices in the field for longer without having to recharge them, saving time and energy. Many of these rugged devices also support RFID, giving industrial workers accurate tracking and inventory management insights. With this technology, workers can safely and quickly find what they’re looking for. Similarly, as these devices often function well in low connectivity areas, workers can receive notifications and details about safety concerns in real time, alerting them to any current or possible issues, further enhancing their safety.      

Finding the Right Vendor to Get Started

This is just the beginning for rugged device use cases. If you’re interested in leveraging rugged devices in your organization but unsure where to start, look no further than Esper. We work hand in glove with rugged device manufacturers like Zebra and support various use cases from retail, logistics, and industrial settings to manufacturing, emergency services, and so much more. This is paired with our industry-leading device management platform, and we’re here to support all your device needs.