Rugged tablets – redrawing the working landscape in the rail industry
Panasonic’s Russell Lane highlights the differences between ‘consumer’ tablets and ready-for-rail specialist devices, such as the two latest additions to the Toughpad range.
ablet PCs are becoming a regular part of our everyday lives. And they’re now beginning to make their presence felt in working situations. But there are fundamental differences between a ‘consumer’ tablet and a specialist ‘built-for- purpose’ professional device – and a significant distance between what they can both deliver in the challenging environments of the rail sector.
T
The first requirement of any tablet to be used in rail must be durability; can it withstand the bumps and bruises of working life on the platform, on trains or at the trackside? This is where ‘ruggedness’ becomes a priority.
The tablet that’s ready for anything
Rugged tablets, such as those found in Panasonic’s Toughpad family, are designed to be significantly more robust than their consumer-focused counterparts. Take the 7” Toughpad FZ-M1 and 10.1” Toughpad FZ-G1* as examples. These Windows 8.1 Pro (downgradable to Windows 7) devices are compact and lightweight, but they’re IP65-rated for water and dust resistance, feature military-grade shock resistance, outdoor-readable screens and can operate in temperatures ranging from -20C to +60C.
So they’re more than ready for anything the rail industry can throw at them.
Looking beyond the fundamental issue of durability, there are a number of valuable business benefits that rugged tablets can deliver to a rail organisation.
Service levels taken to new heights The first is the ability to raise customer service levels
to previously unattainable heights. The Toughpad FZ-M1 features integrated – rather than bolted on – serial and LAN port options, along with optional 2D barcode reader and NFC. The breadth and depth of its connectivity means that it’s capable of performing a multitude of tasks at the point of service, with passengers, on the platform or aboard a train.
By connecting via Bluetooth to a mobile printer, for example, the Toughpad can be used as a mobile ticketing device. Alternatively, in the hands of a conductor on a travelling train, it allows them to provide real-time feedback to passengers mid-journey. Equally, as more rail staff are expected to leave their desks and work in more mobile environments, Toughpad tablets are the perfect partner, providing up-to-the-second travel information and other applications.
So service is more immediate and accurate, mobile employees are able to respond to customers more effectively and the entire organisation benefits from enhanced brand perception – with the subsequent reward of repeat and more regular travel a distinct possibility.
Cutting costs across the rail sector
Another major benefit of deploying rugged tablets such as the Toughpad FZ-M1 or FZ-G1 is delivered in terms of cost. Thanks to specialist docks and rugged durability, the Toughpad tablets can travel safely and securely alongside rail drivers, eliminating the need for cumbersome, costly paperwork and document files. Instead, they can receive, record and share digital data quickly, easily and reliably. It’s an incredibly effective way of working and extremely cost-effective too.
Are they up to the demands of your field workers? Can they match the specialist rail Panasonic Toughpad?
abilities of
* The Toughpad FZ-G1 comes with Windows 8 Pro as standard.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
T: 01273 765 114 E:
panasonic.toughbook@
ttmc.co.uk W:
www.toughbook.eu
rail technology magazine Apr/May 14 | 89
The flexible configuration of Toughpad tablets (the FZ-G1, for example, can be configured with USB 2.0, micro SD and serial ports, LAN connector, and optional GPS and integrated smartcard reader) and their high brightness, outdoor readable screens mean they’re the ideal trackside toolkit.
Digital technical manuals and drawings stored on the tablets allow assets to be managed on-site; and video and photographic imagery can record and share information to inform appropriate repair work – all of which reduces rail possession time and alleviates the costly risk of regulatory penalties.
Add in the ability of the Toughpad tablets to perform outdoors, in the rain – even by the gloved hand of a maintenance engineer – and you have the ultimate digital companion for this challenging but business-critical work.
Make the Tough tablet choice
So if you’re considering a tablet roll-out across your rail business, take a moment to think: are the tablets you’re choosing built for purpose?
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