![]() You don’t want them to have to stop or slow down for any reason – especially not to deal with a failing on-board computer. However, not all vehicle computer manufacturers have followed suit, driving many organizations to seek a forklift computing solution that’s easier to handle overall – whether that’s a fixed vehicle-mounted computer from Zebra or a rugged tablet-based solution.Īlex: Something else to remember is that forklifts should constantly be on the move if you want to maximize operational efficiency. In fact, demand for our vehicle computers continues to grow because we’ve made it simple to service the devices and manage the entire solution. So, this isn’t an issue that Zebra’s customers face. Now, I should stress that Zebra has worked hard to address this in our device design by offering a quick release mount that allows a vehicle computer to be removed in a similar grab-and-go manner as a rugged tablet. And we’ve heard from many in the industry that it is still very difficult and cumbersome to release some vehicle computers from their mounting systems and carry them into IT due to their size and weight. ![]() This can be inconvenient in today’s fast-paced operational environment. Because of the way fixed-mounted solutions are installed, cables must be unplugged and attachments unscrewed to remove the computer from the mount when it needs to be serviced or transferred to another forklift. ![]() Leonardo: Ironically, the break-fix scenario is what is driving some organizations to permanently remove fixed vehicle-mounted computers from forklifts and replace them with easily removable rugged tablets. Your Edge Blog Team: Then why are some organizations now compelled to switch to a more mobile, rugged tablet-based solution? Some might argue that “if it’s not broken, don’t fix it.” Why is that?Īlex: Fixed terminal solutions have been used for material handling applications over the past several decades because they have consistently proven to meet operational performance and durability standards for critical applications and use cases. Your Edge Blog Team: We understand that most forklifts and other heavy machinery used in manufacturing, warehousing, distribution and transportation have historically been equipped with fixed vehicle-mounted computers. ![]() But that’s just one of the reasons why Alex says that many customers shouldn’t be so quick to replace their installed base of fixed vehicle-mounted computers.īelow, Alex and Leonardo weigh in on a number of frequently asked questions to help you decide which form factor will best support your forklift applications moving forward: Yet, even the most rugged tablets may not be recommended for some forklift operators who spend all day inside the four walls – especially if they are used in freezers, cold outside environments or other areas where condensation may occur. With workflow models, worker demands, operating systems (OS) and wireless technologies quickly evolving, rugged tablets are gaining favor among those who spend their days on the move inside the cabs of forklifts, especially those who frequently work outside the four walls of a warehouse or factory. That’s one of the reasons why Leonardo says many manufacturers, warehouse and yard operators, distributors, and transportation and logistics managers are now reconsidering their in-cab computing technology. Yet, they are far from mobile in the traditional sense. As regional product managers for Zebra’s vehicle computing and rugged tablet solutions, respectively, Alex Holdsworth and Leonardo Borgini field a lot of questions about which form factor is better suited for use on material handing vehicles such as forklifts.įixed computers have been considered the gold standard for decades, mainly because of their durability and impressive endurance capabilities. ![]()
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