The Ruggedized Computing Blog

In many ways utilities represent the front line of the battle between increasingly complex business performance demands and the need to control costs to remain profitable. It’s a volatile environment and your people and facilities are spread over a wide area. Your operation is the definition of “mobile,” the kind of workplace where a rugged tablet PC can really shine.

Despite industry-wide improvements in process management, those involved in logistics and supply chain operations continue to face a plethora of challenges. Companies that have already adopted mobile technology – typically a ruggedized tablet PC – understand the critical role these tools play in linking new processes with the people who need them.

Better visibility into your inventory and logistics systems can bring outstanding efficiencies and tangible savings – that “dynamic duo” of reduced costs and increased revenue that ensure a strong bottom line. But to grow and thrive, your business also needs loyal customers. In today’s volatile marketplace, that requires speed, accuracy and adaptability.

What’s all the buzz about in-transit visibility? ITV, as it’s commonly known, is something you’ve long wished for – the ability to track your entire logistics stream, to know exactly where your inventory, vehicles and personnel are at any time, at any point along the supply chain.

Achieving the perfect order may be a tall order, but food and beverage operations consciously working toward that goal are realizing considerable benefits. Exactly what constitutes “perfect order” may vary from company to company, but whatever your standards, meeting them depends on real-time tracking and responsiveness. That requires complete mobility, the kind provided by a tablet PC.

As part of MobileDemand's effort to consistently create new content for the industry in which rugged tablet PCs are utilized, an eBook has been created for the transportation and logistics industry. This eBook focuses on the benefits of ruggedized tablets and how they can help improve operational efficiency and productivity.

Certain industries – notably agriculture, utilities and logistics – have always had large populations of personnel working in the field, but today workers in virtually every industry are more mobile than ever. They’re working remotely, and they’re literally on the move. Many field workers now rely on mobile devices such as a tablet PC to add agility and automate their work.  

Better inventory management can do far more than streamline your warehouse. It can improve your image and your profitability.

Putting a rugged tablet PC into the hands of DSD drivers gives them instant access to software applications and data that automate the mundane aspects of their work. Instead of spending time filling out forms, they can focus their efforts on merchandising and customer interaction – the things that generate revenue and loyalty.

Using mobile technology in the warehouse isn’t necessarily new, but the widely increasing use of tablet computers is changing the dynamic once again. Tablets are making the warehouse more flexible, with far greater inventory visibility.