For companies that are evaluating mobile computers, several key considerations should drive the decision. Among these are whether the solution fits now, whether it will fit in the future and whether it will pay for itself in the short term. This white paper explains how the features you select now can protect & extend your investment years into the future.
White paper
Future Proofing Your
Mobile Computers:
How the Features You Select
Now Can Protect & Extend Your
Investment Years into the FutureRugged mobile computers deployed to warehouses, DCs and other Equipment can be durable, consistent and long lasting, but transportation and distribution environments often aren't used business processes and integration requirements are ever as long as expected, and as result cost the organization more than changing. For example, a few years ago voice-directed picking was expected. Companies typically replace their DC computers after relatively rare, but is now considered a best practice. Similarly, 1about 3 /2 years, which is approximately seven months sooner 2D bar codes are no longer a novelty and have a permanent place 1than planned at the start of the deployment, according to a study . on many shipping label formats. Organizations need to consider Rugged devices can actually last even longer, but are retired emerging technologies when purchasing systems so that they can prematurely because the processors, software, communications easily benefit from productivity-enhancing processes based on data capture capabilities contained within the rugged housing are these technologies in the future rather than facing an expensive considered inefficient or obsolete (see table). rip-and-replace upgrade to gain the functionality.
Why are Mobile Computers Replaced Voice-directed picking and 2D bar coding will continue to grow, in Transportation/Distribution/Warehouse Environments? and other emerging technologies will probably be commonly used three years from now. But which will they be -- new speech and Technological obsolescence 59.1% voice applications? Delivering text, voice and video to handheld Attractive trade-in value 50.0% computers? Automated pallet verification with RFID? When these questions are answered, businesses will face a bigger one: can Prospect of more attractive TCO 47.7% the benefits of these processes offset the cost of the technology needed to support them?Desire to switch suppliers 18.2%Other 4.5% Ruggedized handheld computers available today can support all the future use cases highlighted above, and businesses Source: VDC Research Group don't necessarily have to pay a price premium today to get the Extending service life increases the value of mobile computers. functionality they might need tomorrow. By developing an When life cycles go down, so does the return on investment, understanding of current capabilities and features, companies and the total cost of ownership (TCO) goes up. The table below can specify mobile computers that will satisfy current needs while illustrates how changes in the replacement cycle impact the TCO providing a clear migration path to cost effectively integrate for mobile computing deployments. It reflects how much the additional technologies as they are needed. The following sections purchase price of a $3,000 rugged computer used in warehousing highlight key considerations for different mobile computer and distribution contributes to the annual and monthly TCO. Note components.that replacing mobile computers after 31/2 years instead of four (which is about the average intended life cycle) increases the Operating Systems & Softwareannual TCO allocation by $107, or 14.2 percent. Microsoft operating systems (including Windows Mobile, PocketPC and Windows CE) dominate the market for enterprise Years in Annual TCO Monthly ± TCO mobile computers, particularly for ruggedized handheld and service allocation cost expectations forklift-mounted models. These operating systems dominate the market for good reason, because the Microsoft environment 3.0 $1,000 $83 (33%) provides access to thousands of developers, integration with 3.5 $857 $71 (14.2%) leading enterprise software applications, compatibility with IT management systems, and a clear migration path.4.0 $750 $63 -- The real decision is not whether or not to choose a Microsoft-4.5 $667 $56 11.1% based operating system for ruggedized mobile computers, but 5.0 $600 $50 25% what additional capabilities the device can also support. Many warehouses have home-grown applications that were developed Organizations have a tremendous amount of control over these specifically for older, legacy mobile computers, and do not want costs, because they have more control over mobile computer to have to rewrite the applications when the ... [download for more]
