Whether you are upgrading your legacy devices or buying them for the first time, the confusion between customer-grade tablets and rugged industrial tablets is common. And it’s because the device you select determines the investment amount and the return from the same. Most importantly, the device affects the warehouse management process.
The inclination of warehouse owners is strongly towards consumer-grade tablets because they are inexpensive. But the thing is, consumer-grade tablets are not as efficient as rugged industrial tablets for warehouse management. Talking about the cost, the rugged industrial tablets are worth it because of their features.
Before you decide, take a look at the following points. You will understand which tablet is better and why. Or, you will get to know how rugged industrial tablets are better than customer-grade tablets.
Limitations of Operating System– In consumer-grade tablets, the options are very limited, including the operating system. For example, if you buy Apple’s iPads, you will have to work with their iPad operating system that doesn’t support warehouse or inventory management systems. This will create a huge problem for your business.
If you use cloud-based software that can be assessed via browser, you can overcome operating system limitations. But, for this, the wireless network has to be robust enough to handle the bandwidth, security, and availability needs. Setting up this structure might increase your expenses.
Suitability to the environment– Even if you invest in the best glass screen protector and a rugged case for your customer-grade tablets, they will not become rugged. It’s because when tablets fall or slip out of your hand, both the outer shell and internal components and connectors get affected. You can protect the outer shell with the protector and case but not the internal components. If such accidents happen frequently, the cost for you will increase. You might have to replace the tablets soon.
Another environmental sustainability point is screen brightness. Consumer-grade tablets become unreadable when used outside on a sunny day. They are designed to view in an indoor environment with controlled lighting. On the other hand, rugged industrial tablets come with much brighter displays that allow viewing in all lighting conditions. Also, the rugged industrial tablets survive dust, vibration, liquid spills, and extreme temperature.
Warranties and customer service offered- Whether you buy consumer-grade tablets or rugged industrial tablets, you will receive a warranty and customer service on them. But, the policy or the terms and conditions related to the warranty and customer service will change.
In most cases, the cost of manufacturing a consumer-grade tablet screen is more than the value of the device. Also, manufacturing is not possible for the internal IT staff members and most IT solution providers. The only hope left for you is the manufacturer and the warranty offered. But, if the manufacturing company finds that the device is used in the environment for which it wasn’t designed, it will not honor the warranty. In case the company covers up, you will get the repaired tablet after a long wait.
Usage limitations– With consumer-grade tablets, you can watch movies, check social media activities and browse the internet, but you cannot scan barcodes and take care of other business operations. It’s because these tablets lack external ports that support hardware add-ons such as scanners and scales.
Other than this, you will find a more comprehensive range of wireless connectivity options in rugged industrial tablets.
If you want proper warehouse management, you should invest in a rugged industrial tablet.