April 2016

In its latest blog, Xplroe Technologies points out that geospatial applications aren’t exclusively beneficial to traditional field service sectors. Thanks to the proliferation of more advanced mobile computing technologies and the collective efforts of organizations such as Esri and industry leaders, GIS information is influencing the operational efficiency of professionals in almost every global industry. Xplore's Vertical Solutions Architect Bob Ashenbrenner explains the situation and opportunities in considerable detail in Geo Informatics Magazine. [See Geo Informatics article]

IDC: overall tablet sales down, detachables gaining
According to IDC, worldwide tablet shipments were down 14.7% in Q1/2016 vs Q1/2015. Of the 39.6 million, 87.6% were pure tablets, though mostly low-end. Apple's marketshare was at 25.9%, Samsung's at 15.2% Detachable sales rose to 4.9 million units. "Microsoft arguably created the market for detachable tablets with the launch of their Surface line of products," said Jitesh Ubrani, senior research analyst with IDC's Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Device Trackers. "With the PC industry in decline, the detachable market stands to benefit as consumers and enterprises seek to replace their aging PCs with detachables." [See IDC media release] -- Posted Friday, April 29, 2016

Xplore gets $1 million order from leading US utility company
Xplore Technologies announced it has been awarded a $1 million order for its Xplore XSLATE B10 fully-rugged tablet from one of the nation’s top 10 electric power and natural gas utility company. The continued deployment and additional orders for the XSLATE B10 tablet are to help the company achieve cost savings and increase mobility in the utility field service. [See Xplore media release -- Posted Wednesday, April 27, 2016

San Jose PD again chooses Getac B300 to refresh fleet
The San Jose Police Department (SJPD) has ordered an additional 400 Getac B300 G5 ultra rugged notebook computers to replenish its fleet of squad cars, after first purchasing in 2009. They chose the Getac B300 again because it has consistently reduced equipment downtime and maintenance costs while improving productivity in the field. SJPD has cars patrolling around the clock in a wide range of temperatures, so the Getac B300 G5 provides a much-needed upgrade to advanced technology, connectivity and durability. [See Getac media release] -- Posted Tuesday, April 26, 2016

Zebra Technologies study finds seven in ten decision makers to accelerate warehouse technology investment by 2020
Zebra Technologies announced the results of its latest Warehouse Vision Study, which compares input from 1,378 IT and operations warehouse professionals. It shows how responses shifted between 2013 and 2015, as well as on expectations in 2015 versus 2020. In essence, consumer expectations will drive increased investment in IT and operational functions in warehouses over the next four years as manufacturing and logistics companies continue to adjust to delivering directly to consumers. In 2013 that meant more warehouse locations, but in 2015 emphasis is on more items shipped, shorter delivery times, labor performance and order accuracy. This means moving to more modern, full-featured warehouse management systems, real-time location systems, bar code scanning, voice picking, tablets, and IoT projects. Mark Wheeler, director, Warehouse Solutions, Zebra Technologies, said, "We see this as an enormous area of opportunity: providing workers with the tools they need to do their jobs accurately and productively will help companies meet and exceed customer expectations for accuracy and on-time delivery." [See Zebra news release and Warehousing 2020 infographic] -- Posted Tuesday, April 26, 2016

Full review: Trimble's impressive Kenai 10-inch rugged tablet
While Trimble is best known for its GPS products and expertise, the company integrates all sorts of positioning technologies (GPS, laser, optical and inertial) with application software, wireless communications, and services to provide complete commercial solutions. With the Intel Bay Trail-powered Kenai, Trimble adds a rugged, versatile 10-inch class Windows 10 tablet with full 1920 x 1200 resolution and finger, stylus and glove capable capacitive touch. RuggedPCReview has now had the chance for a full, in-depth review of the Trimble Kenai. [See full review of the Trimble Kenai rugged tablet -- Posted Wednesday, April 13, 2016

Full review: Getac's brand-new Skylake-powered 14-inch semi-rugged notebook, lighter and slimmer
Getac announced its new 14-inch S410 semi-rugged notebook featuring extensive security features, custom configurability, and Intel Skylake performance for public safety, insurance, field service and other mobile professionals. The S410, which offers 1920 x 1080 resolution and capacitive multi-touch, is 29% thinner and 23% lighter than previous Getac semi-rugged laptops, and now offers hot-swappable battery design. [See RuggedPCReview full review of the Getac S410] -- Posted Tuesday, April 12, 2016

VDC Research: Panasonic has top global marketshare in rugged notebooks and tablets
Panasonic announced the company has been recognized as the global leader in rugged notebook and tablets sales for 2015, according to VDC Research. The new report, “Strategic Insights 2015: Enterprise Mobility Solutions,” revealed Panasonic leads both categories in revenue and units shipped globally and in all regions the report tracks – the Americas, EMEA and Asia-Pacific. Panasonic sold 58.9% of the rugged notebooks and 50.7% of the rugged tablets purchased globally in 2015. -- Posted Monday, April 11, 2016

Juniper's Windows 10 Mesa 2 tablet now shipping
Rugged data collection solution provider Juniper Systems announced that its new Mesa 2 Rugged Tablet is now shipping. As the first Windows 10 device produced by Juniper Systems and the only IP68-rated Windows tablet on the market, the Mesa 2 joins a new category of data collection solutions—one that provides users with greater processing power and capabilities. [See Juniper media release and our preview of the Juniper Mesa 2] -- Posted Friday, April 8, 2016

BARTEC partners with Winmate to innovate the HazLoc market with advanced technology
Winmate and BARTEC, a leading provider of industrial safety technology, announced a partnership to accelerate the introduction of mobile enterprise solutions in the hazardous locations (HazLoc) market. The partnership has already resulted in the release of a Class 1, Division 2/ATEX Zone 2, 4G/LTE multi-carriers certified Windows platform-based industry tablet PC. A much anticipated Class 1 Division 1/ATEX Zone 1 will follow later in 2016. [ -- Posted Tuesday, April 5, 2016