Rugged Device Management with MDM/EMM/UEM and its use cases

Hello there...

This post is regarding Rugged Device Management & its use case and why Business/ Customer should consider investing in the Rugged Device Fleet. I will be also covering the benefits which can be achieved with Rugged Device management but not with the Normal Smartphone/Tablet. Scope of this post will be primarily focusing around Android Rugged Device, its support with Android Enterprise and its management via AirWatch / Workspace ONE UEM.  

Challenges with Normal Smartphone/ Tablets/Laptop w.r.t Rugged form

• Not designed to work in Harsh conditions like Rain, Humidity, Temperature, Sand, Dust….
• Missing optimum End User UI and Device Hardware experience as it does not offers User-Friendly Design for the users who works on Field, Factory, Warehouse….
• Limited Power Supply with Battery.
• Limited Wireless Connectivity with cellular connections or WI-FI.
• Fragile Design. No shock and vibration resistant.
• Better Device computing missing.
• Peripheral like Printer support integration missing

Rugged Devices addresses all the above-mentioned challenges.  

What are Rugged Devices

Rugged Devices are the devices which are specifically designed to withstand the Harsh operable conditions on the Field service/ Warehouse/ Factories…. 

Forms of Rugged Devices

• Smartphone
• Laptop
• Tablets
• Mobile Computers

Major OS on Rugged Devices

• Android - Ruggedized devices are now powered by modern and popular operating systems like Android
• Windows CE, MOBILE. However, Windows OS for Rugged has almost phased out from the market due to its outdated technology and limited capabilities.

Benefits of using Rugged Devices

·        Durable - Rugged devices can withstand extremely harsh conditions, from rain to humidity to strong winds and sand/dust. For example, standard devices don’t allow users to interface with the screen with a wet finger, but ruggedized devices often do. Shock and vibration resistant frames.

·        User-friendly Design - advanced screen technology ensures that they provide clarity and brightness in any outdoor condition, even direct sunlight. Sunlight readable and shatterproof. Rugged devices are now much lighter and have better functionality overall, including better displays and improved ergonomic design.

·        Power Supply -multiple power supply options like Docking pad charging…

·        Wireless Connectivity - a wide variety of wireless options are available with rugged devices including, WIFI, WLAN, WWAN, Cellular networks.

·        Large Screen options - offer superior functionality and durability over standard devices and in turn, allow for long-term cost-saving and increased employee productivity.

·        Strong Warranties.

·        Printer option.

·        Seamless Enrolment Support.

·        Better computing experience. With Fully Rugged Device a solid state drive might be on board, instead of a mechanical hard drive and have quicker operating systems and amazing connectivity with Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and Long-Term evolution (LTE-A 4G wireless broadband technology) enabled devices

·        Accessories - replaceable batteries, multi-charging docks..

Major OEM vendors in market for Rugged Devices

• Zebra Technologies
• Datalogic
• Getac
• Honeywell International
• Panasonic
• Kyocera
• Sonim
• Bullitt
• Urovo
• Bluebird
• Spectralink
• Amrel

Market where Rugged devices are being used

• Retail
• Logistics
• Healthcare
• Utilities
• Manufacturing
• Emergency Services
• Military

 Rugged Device roadmap and support with Android Enterprise

Android Enterprise has a good roadmap around Rugged Device market share. It adds major support not only with respect to Functionalities but also to get most out of investment done on Rugged devices which justifies ROI Return on Investment over TCO Total cost of ownership. Here are the reasons and recommendations for this which comes from Android Enterprise

• Minimum hardware specifications for Android 7.0+ devices.
• Delivery of Android security updates within 90 days of release from Google, for a minimum of five years.
• Support for at least one additional major OS release.
• Certified for ingress protection.
• Rated for drop testing.
• Support for bulk deployment of devices including Android zero-touch enrolment.
• Processing speed recommendation as per current Market use cases.

Android Enterprise opens new open doors for Rugged devices with:

• Simplified Enrolment with options like NFC, QR code, Zero Touch Enrolment.
• Google Play integration
• Advanced APIs
• OEM Config support

Rugged Device Management with Workspace ONE UEM/ AirWatch

Workspace ONE UEM has enriched functionality support for management of Rugged Devices. Below is the brief capability support it provides.  

• Use of Relay server which acts as FTP servers. These FTP servers are used for Content Delivery to store product package and then distributing these packages on devices. This way it offloads the dependency on AirWatch Servers and enhances response time and performance.
• Enrolment option with Barcode and Sideload.
• Rapid Deployment and Provisioning
• Remote Management and Control
• App Delivery and User Enablement
• Device Security and Controls
• Device-Based Automation by defining condition and its related actions.
• Application delivery with the support of creating Dependency on another Application deployment status. Run Intent provides adds on and enriches the coordination of Activity within multiple apps. / within the app.
• Workspace ONE intelligence for device fleet analytics like Battery metrics from historical data to predict failure, remediate issues, Automate Replacement.
• Support of KIOSK and user less devices.
• Secure Launcher for Single OR Multi App support
• Product/ package delivery to rugged devices on demand, or based on a schedule or device conditions, such as Wi-Fi connectivity or battery level.
• Cold boot persistence to prevent devices from downloading configurations multiple times from the admin console.

When to consider Rugged Device Fleet

• Businesses that need to get long-term value and robust experience out of their technology purchases will almost universally benefit from an investment in rugged computing, both for notebooks and mobile devices.
• Rugged devices in fleet surely maximizes the uptime of devices, increased employee productivity and best user experience not only limited to field users but many more like Warehouse users, Trucks drivers, Terminals, Hospitals….
• Initial Total cost of Investment TCO is higher with Rugged but its long run computing lowers the TCO of technology, promising the higher ROI return of Investment

Take Away

Rugged devices are no longer built with outdated technology and limited capabilities. They have gone through a radical shift; from ugly, rough, and heavy, to smart, thin and lightweight.

Rugged devices have witnessed a radical shift and transitioning from Windows to Android.

These modern rugged devices have evolved to meet the demands of modern workers, such as the inclusion of detachable keyboards that enable workers to use the device in two ways, as a tablet or as a laptop. The rugged devices are capable of meeting transitional needs of workforce – from the field to the vehicle and back to the office with ease, multi-authentication security measures like fingerprint readers and more.

Rugged technology is no longer confined to those in construction and engineering fields, a range of industries are opting for rugged devices. 

Thanks for reading .. Have a nice weekend ??