May 2022
New Cincoze DV-1000 industrial embedded computer brings power to edge computing
Today, rugged embedded computer brand Cincoze added the high-performance and essential DV-1000 rugged embedded computer series to its DIAMOND product line. The DV-1000 is a high-performance embedded computer with a compact chassis and flexible expansion options. It is an excellent fit for high-performance industrial applications with limited installation space, such as smart manufacturing, machine vision, and railway computing. [See Cincoze media release] -- Posted Thursday, May 26, 2022
Datalogic announces the new Matrix 320 5MP industrial scanner delivering the highest performance wide area
Datalogic, a global leader in the automatic data capture and factory automation markets, is excited to announce the new Matrix™ 320 5MP. This device extends the Matrix 320 family leadership. Built on a multicore platform with hardware acceleration and HDR capability, the Matrix 320 5MP delivers an impressive Field of View (FOV) to read multiple labels or codes in a single acquisition with a single reader. [See Datalogic media release] -- Posted Thursday, May 26, 2022
Havis launches docking stations for Panasonic’s new TOUGHBOOK 40 laptop
Havis is pleased to launch a new line of docking stations supporting Panasonic's new TOUGHBOOK 40 Laptop in Public Safety, Federal, Work Truck, and other rugged environments. The Havis DS-PAN-1500 docking station series is a TOUGHBOOK Certified Solution featuring standard and advanced port replication configurations. This light-weight and compact docking station with rounded edges ensure comfort and safety for end-users. [See Havis media release] -- Posted Wednesday, May 25, 2022
Survey ways 95% of bank employees prefer managing their schedules with mobile app
Zebra Technologies Corporation an innovator at the front line of business with solutions and partners that deliver a performance edge, today announced the results of its third annual International Branch Banking Employee Survey. The findings indicate nearly 80% of banks are operating without a software solution to assist with task management and employee scheduling, resulting in inaccurate scheduling of branch staff, less time to focus on the customer experience as well as risks related to security and compliance. [See Zebra media release] -- Posted Wednesday, May 25, 2022
First impressions: Panasonic TOUGHBOOK 40
Panasonic announced the Toughbook 40, a fully rugged modular laptop computer that seamlessly picks up where the old Toughbook 31, last updated in November 2018, left off. Those familiar with Toughbooks will recognize the shape and design of the new model right away; it's still much the same as the storied Toughbook of old, the one that started it all back in the '90s. But it's also brought up-to-date, and improved in many ways. [See description, analysis and specs of the Panasonic Toughbook 40] -- Posted Tuesday, May 24, 2022
Panasonic introduces the TOUGHBOOK 40, a fully rugged, high performance modular laptop that delivers extreme versatility to meet the evolving needs of today's mobile workforce
Panasonic Connect North America, Division of Panasonic Corporation of North America today announced the launch of the TOUGHBOOK® 40, a fully rugged, modular laptop that brings together the reliability and ruggedness of the TOUGHBOOK brand, modernized with more innovation to deliver unparalleled power, speed and connectivity to support the evolving needs of mobile workers in today's digitally transformed world. TOUGHBOOK 40 is over a pound lighter than the previous generation despite having a larger display, delivering the perfect blend of rugged strength and extreme performance. Along with the deployment and sustainment services provided by Panasonic ProServices, the TOUGHBOOK 40 allows customers across law enforcement departments, federal agencies and utility companies to improve efficiency and reduce operational costs. [See Panasonic media release] -- Posted Tuesday, May 24, 2022
Datalogic announces the new PowerScan 9600 industrial bar code scanner
Datalogic, a global leader in the automatic data capture and factory automation markets, is excited to announce the new PowerScan™ 9600 series of industrial handheld scanners. This flagship model brings much needed powerful new benefits to manufacturing, warehousing, and retail applications. The tough, rugged design, combined with wireless charging, interchangeable communications modules, and long-range STAR radio capability provides unmatched performance and reduced total cost of ownership that will guarantee many years of unparalleled performance. [See Datalogic media release] -- Posted Friday, May 20, 2022
EMDOOR INFO announces major update to fully rugged notebooks
EMDOOR INFO, a professional designer and manufacturer of rugged handhelds, tablets, notebooks, PCs and vehicle mount computers, as well as a provider of customized hardware and software solutions, announces a major upgrade to its popular X14U and X15U rugged laptop computers. The new X14T and X15T models feature Intel 11th generation Core i5 and i7 processor with Iris Xe graphics, Windows 11 OS, WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.1, 5G wireless broadband as well as numerous other enhancements. [See EMDOOR media release] -- Posted Thursday, May 19, 2022
The Pallet Network mobilises forklifts with Panasonic TOUGHBOOK tablets
The Pallet Network (TPN), the UK's leading pallet freight delivery network, has mobilised its forklift trucks at the company's three UK depots with 150 new Panasonic TOUGHBOOK A3 Android tablets, helping to improve productivity and customer service in the competitive logistics industry. A video detailing the story can be found here: https://youtu.be/NTDWq-btgsw [See Panasonic media release] -- Posted Tuesday, May 17, 2022
Motorola Solutions Q1 2022 financials
Motorola Solutions reported sales of $1.892 billion for Q1 of 2022, compared to $1.773 billion Q1 2021. GAP operating earnings for Q1 2022 were $239 million, versus $298 million same quarter a year ago. "Record first-quarter orders, sales and ending backlog position us well for continued growth in 2022, while we continue to navigate a challenging macroeconomic and supply chain environment”, said Greg Brown, chairman and CEO of Motorola Solutions. For Q2, 2022, Motorola Solutions expects revenue growth of 4% to 5% compared to the second quarter of 2021. [See Motorola Solutions press release] -- Posted Thursday, May 12, 2022
Trimble reports Q1 2022 financial results
Trimble reported sales of US$993.7 million for Q1, 2022, up from US$886.5 million for Q1, 2021. GAAP operating income for Q1 2022 was US$156.9 million, up from US$140.9 million for Q1 2021. "Record total revenue and annualized recurring revenue demonstrate the value of our continuing growth and commitment to innovation and sustainability. Excluding the impact of our recently announced divestitures and recent changes in foreign exchange rates, our updated guidance reflects a projection of higher ARR growth, revenue and earnings," said Rob Painter, Trimble's president and chief executive officer. [See Trimble media release] -- Posted Wednesday, May 11, 2022
MilDef signs a seven-year framework agreement with Swedish Defence Material Administration (FMV) and the Swedish Armed Forces
This new agreement with FMV and the Swedish Armed Forces is MilDef's most comprehensive framework agreement with FMV to date. The agreement comprises MilDef's full range of products in both hardware and software as well as services. The expected order volume is estimated to approximately SEK 870 million over the contract period. [See MilDef media release] -- Posted Wednesday, May 11, 2022
Juniper Systems launches Android 11 update for Mesa 3 Rugged Tablets
Juniper Systems is excited to announce that an Android™ 11 operating system update is now available for Mesa® 3 Rugged Tablets currently running on Android 9. Android 11 offers users several system updates as well as continued support for quarterly OS updates. This update is user optional. All new Mesa 3 Android devices now shipping to customers will be loaded with Android 11. [See Juniper Systems media release] -- Posted Tuesday, May 10, 2022
Updated xDIM Mobile adds large box dimensioning capabilities to speed parcel processing and reduce costs
Large box dimensioning just got easier. MobileDemand announces that the award-winning xDIM Mobile Dimensioning, powered by 4DMobile, has added the next step in large box dimensioning. xDIM Mobile Dimensioning is a box measurement system utilizing an Intel® RealSense™ camera on rugged tablets used by workers in warehousing and supply chain environments. The xDIM Mobile Dimensioning solution can now accurately measure the largest box dimensions up to 7-8 feet including 80-inch large screen TVs, refrigerators, washers, dryers and furniture. [See MobileDemand media release] -- Posted Tuesday, May 10, 2022
What happened in rugged computing 10 years ago: May 2012
In May 2012, with Windows 8 getting closer, we reviewed Winmate's M970D rugged Windows tablet, and noted that Android may finally get traction in vertical markets. Juniper Systems partnered with SDG to produce an Android version of the Mesa Rugged Notepad. The Houston PD announced it would outfit the city's 1,800 police cruisers with Getac B300 rugged notebook computers. A jury decided Google's Android did not infringe on Oracle's patents. DRS Tactical Systems announces two new lightweight 7-inch multi-touch tablets. DLI announced the 9.7-inch DLI 9000 Windows or Android tablet. Psion received a positive rating in a Gartner rugged handheld report. RIM announced approval of BlackBerry 7 smartphones for U.S. DoD networks. RuggedPCReview reported on the widening gulf between consumer and vertical market handhelds. ecom and Intermec announced the i.roc Ci70 -Ex intrinsically safe rugged handheld. Omnivision unveiled a 12.7mp still/1080p@60fps video sensor that we said we'd like to see in ruggedized professional handhelds and tablets. [See May 2012 RuggedPCReview archives] -- Posted Monday, May 9, 2022
Durabook Americas appoints Ben Baum Vice President of Sales in leadership team expansion
Durabook, the global rugged mobile solutions brand owned by Twinhead International Corporation, announced today that it has appointed Ben Baum as Vice President of Sales focusing on commercial sales for Durabook Americas. In this role, Baum will lead Durabook Americas' sales and business development for its rugged mobile product solutions and services. With a sole focus on the rugged technology sector, Baum has spent over a decade at Panasonic building and growing new sales channels and verticals. Being an experienced and successful sales executive with a deep understanding of go-to-market strategies, Baum brings a unique and diverse skillset to guide the Durabook Americas team to future success. [See Durabook Americas media release] -- Posted Thursday, May 5, 2022
Assessment: Zebra's new TC53/TC58 rugged mobile computers
While the rugged handheld computer market ($3.6 billion according to VDC) is very small compared to the overall global smartphone market (US$450 billion in 2021 according to Counterpoint), it is a sizable market nonetheless, and Zebra is the 800-pound gorilla in it. So when Zebra launches new versions of it's best-selling TC5x Series, it is big news. [See RuggedPCReview's assessment of Zebra's new TC53/TC58 rugged mobile computers] -- Posted Thursday, May 5, 2022
Zebra Technologies empowers front-lineworkers with next-generation mobile computing solution
Zebra Technologies Corporation, an innovator at the front line of business with solutions and partners that deliver a performance edge, today announced the new TC53/TC58 mobile computing series featuring innovative technologies that help business leaders and IT decision-makers across industries increase operational efficiency, deploy new capabilities to the front line, and reduce costs. Equipped with the latest 5G and Wi-Fi 6E wireless and sensor technologies and the largest, brightest and highest resolution screen in its class, the TC53/TC58 series enables front-line workers in retail, postal/courier and field service organizations to leverage mobile dimensioning, mobile point of sale (mPOS), and connected workforce applications that improve productivity and enhance the customer experience. [See Zebra media release] -- Posted Wednesday, May 4, 2022
Descartes ShipTrack™ solution certified for use with the Handheld Wearable SP500X ScanPrinter
Handheld Group, a leading manufacturer of rugged mobile computers, today announced that the Descartes ShipTrack™ solution has been certified to use with the Handheld SP500X ScanPrinter, an innovative wearable solution for package sorting and printing. The compact and wearable SP500X ScanPrinter eliminates the need for printed labels and is the only device to combine 2D imaging, inkjet printing and wireless communication in one device. [See Handheld media release] -- Posted Tuesday, May 3, 2022
Hytera launches dual-mode PDC680 rugged radio to accelerate the public safety intelligent experience
Hytera, announced the launch of its new PDC680 dual-mode rugged radio. The PDC680 combines a mission-critical DMR radio with an Android-based smartphone in a single device. It harnesses the power of narrowband and broadband technologies to provide mission-critical voice calls, video transmission, and positioning. This dual-mode rugged radio series features Android 10 and advanced hardware performance to optimize the user experience. [See Hytera media release] -- Posted Tuesday, May 3, 2022
Zebra Technologies announces first-quarter 2022 results
Zebra Technologies announced results for Q1 ended April 2, 2022. GAAP net sales were US$1,432 million in Q1 of 2022 compared to US$1,347 million in Q1 of 2021. Net income for Q1 of 2022 was US$205 million, compared to net income of $228 million for Q1 of 2021. "Our team delivered solid first quarter results, executing well in a challenging macro environment. Sales and earnings exceeded the high end of our guidance ranges, despite supply chain costs that were higher than our expectations,” said Anders Gustafsson, Chief Executive Officer of Zebra Technologies. The company expects Q2 2022 adjusted net sales to increase 3% to 7% compared to Q2 of 2021 which assumes a net neutral impact from acquisitions and foreign currency translation. [See Zebra Zebra First-Quarter 2022 Results] -- Posted Tuesday, May 3, 2022
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"Over the many years that we have been testing and reviewing rugged mobile computers, and in our professional careers prior, we have noticed that there is very little standardization and that potential clients are often confused where and what to buy," said Dr. Conrad H. Blickenstorfer, Editor-in-Chief of RuggedPCReview.com and former CIO of the New York State Dormitory Authority. "We hope that our new service will answer many questions and provide all the answers a client needs to make an informed decision."