Panasonic Toughbook and technology analyst VDC Research identified six points that companies should consider when purchasing tablets for professional use based on their contacts with IT managers.
The work environment
Every work environment has different requirements for the materials used. Regular tablets are perfectly adequate for standard office work, but their added value decreases significantly outside the standard office environment. For example, if the tablet is frequently used while traveling, it must be resistant to shocks, bumps, and drops to avoid frequent malfunctions. Direct sunlight can make a tablet unreadable if the screen glass is not adapted or if the screen brightness is too limited. If employees often work in humid, wet, extremely hot, or cold environments, the tablet must also be able to withstand those conditions. This can be achieved, for example, with waterproof ports, built-in heating elements, and sensors that can be adjusted not to react when raindrops fall on them.
Accessories
To use a tablet for their work, mobile workers often need accessories. This can include barcode scanners, card readers, or other useful tools. It is important to consider the costs and quality. Accessories often represent an additional investment on top of the purchase price of the tablet and are inherently prone to defects when externally connected. These tools have a different product life cycle that must be taken into account when calculating the Total Cost of Ownership.
Management costs
About 80 percent of the total costs of the tablets used in the workplace consist of management costs. When problems arise, the IT department is contacted, and a repair procedure must be initiated for defects. In both cases, the costs of lost productivity are added to the management costs. Therefore, it is important to ensure a well-developed tabletop solution that meets the needs of professional users before the actual purchase.
Applications
The operating system of the tablet is also an important factor in the choice. For most professional applications, there is no full-fledged alternative to mobile operating systems such as iOS or Android available. Custom programs for these systems are an option, but their development requires money and time. Factors such as stability and reliability also come into play. Each time an operating system receives an update, it must be installed on every device, and the compatibility of the used applications must be checked. This increases the costs for IT management.
Training and workshops
The transition from computer to tablet is not made lightly and requires some training. Even if the employee is already accustomed to a tablet, they will still need to adapt. It is important to consider the needs of employees. Very often, the final preference is for a hybrid device with a keyboard, as a touchscreen alone is not sufficient. The introduction of a mobile device affects entire work processes, brings new actions, and makes certain tasks redundant. It is therefore necessary to offer appropriate training and workshops for employees.
Battery life
According to research by VDC Research, 60 percent of companies report that the batteries of their tablets 'often' or 'regularly' do not last a full workday. A dead battery is, of course, disastrous for a professional working in the field or on location. Therefore, when choosing a tablet, it is important to consider battery life. If professionals need to work in the field for a long time or run energy-intensive applications, the option to replace the battery themselves is also very handy.
