Categories
Technology

Here is why most rugged devices are “only” IP67 certified

To call a device ‘rugged’, devices have to be protected against water and dust

As most of our readers probably know, rugged enterprise devices are designed to endure rough handling and harsh environments. Lots of device manufacturers in our industry use so-called ‘IP ratings’ to show how strong their devices are. ‘IP’ is an acronym, standing for ‘Identification code for protection’. Normally after ‘IP’, there is a number following, like 67 or 68. That number defines which strength level the product is on. Specifically, which level of protection the enclosure provides against access to hazardous parts (like PCBs or moving parts) and the ingress of solid objects, such as dust or water. Besides the drop specification, the IP rating is another very important value to identify the ruggedness of a product.

First things first: What do the numbers mean?

In IP ratings, first number describes the protection level from solid objects, the second number (7) describes the protection level from water. The higher the number, the stronger. For the protection level from solid objects, 6 is the maximum, which means being perfectly protected against dust particles. For the protection level from water, 8 is the maximum. 7 means it is water proof up to 1m. It’s not maximum, but for normal industrial usage this is absolutely sufficient. For better understanding, take a look at the table below.

So why not IP68? And is there even IP69?

As mentioned before, rugged devices are designed to survive harsh work environments. That could be a warehouse with many forklifts potentially running over the device, or a construction side with heavy machinery that could smash it. Or simply a deep puddle your mobile computer could drop into. For those applications, IP67 has proven itself to be the allrounder of IP ratings. It covers a wide range of use cases and offers optimal protection. IP68 means a product or equipment will survive immersion of water under conditions “which shall be specified by the manufacturer”. Generally it means, that the test depth and duration is expected to be greater than the requirements for IP67, and other effects may be added as well, such as temperature cycling before the product is thrown in the water. So, since the requirement for the 7 in IP67 defines “immersion, up to 1m”, IP68 could survive depths of more than 1m (generally up to 3m).

As rugged mobile devices typically don’t fall into waters with a depth of more than 1m, IP67 became somewhat of the leading industry standard for most applications. Of course, there could be situations where an even higher IP rating is necessary. For those cases, there is something called IP69K: It gives protection against close-range high pressure and high temperature spray downs. This kind of protection is used for products that have to cleaned with a pressure washer for example. In the testing procedure, the product will be “attacked” by high pressure water with 1,450 psi (or 100 bar) from four specific angles ( (0°, 30°, 60°, 90°) for at least 30 seconds.

Almost all of our devices are IP67 certified, so they are specifically made to be used in rough environments without anxiety to break them. A while ago, we took one brand new PM90 (of course with IP67) out of the box and test how much it can really take. If it survived the test you’ll see in the video.

Conclusion

So, while there are higher IP ratings, they just don’t bring a whole lot more protection to the products used in our environments. Adding higher level of protection would only mean more complicated engineering and design, resulting in more expensive components and products.

Categories
Technology

Field workers will love this: Extra battery case for PM30

Sometimes you might need some extra battery power to make it through the day. If you have a device with a fixed battery, the only option there really is, is an extended battery pack. It’s usually heavy, you need to bring a cable and when you’re using it, your moving range is kind of limited – unless you want to carry the battery pack around, too. Wouldn’t it be nice if there was another, more convenient solution?

Since PM30’s internal battery is also fixed, we developed PMBooster™, an external battery case you simply slide PM30 onto. The battery inside of the case is of the same size as the PM30 battery and adds another 3,250mAh of juice. On the back of the case you’ll find some LEDs for charging status, which can be activated by pressing the small button next to it.

Here is how it works

  1. Slide the PM30 onto the PMBooster by simply pushing it down from the top. Make sure you pushed it all the way down, so the battery case connector connects with the PM30 physically.
  2. To activate the charging, press and hold the small black button on the back of the case for about 3 seconds. The case is being activated, and the charging starts.
  3. If you would like to stop charging, simply press and hold the small button again, and the charging will be discontinued (You may also just remove the PM30 from the PMBooster to stop the charging process).
  • PMBooster
  • Side view of PMBooster

Did you know?

Since the battery case can be turned on and off manually, you can always let PM30 be connected to PMBooster. Once you realize your battery level is critical, turn the battery case on as you need it.

When the case is connected to PM30, the USB-C plug won’t be accessible anymore, however you can use PMBooster’s USB-C plug to charge both PM30 and the PMBooster simultaneously.

Also: In case you own the Dual Slot Cradle for PM30, it’s good to know that besides charging a “naked” PM30, it also charges PM30 with the PMBooster attached to it. It even charges the PMBooster when no PM30 is attached to it.

Visit PM30’s product page 

Categories
Technology

Google’s guide for choosing enterprise devices

Although enterprise mobility devices have a relatively smaller market than consumer smartphones do, still there are thousands of devices with different specs and form factors to confuse you. To make it worse, while you can easily get reviews and comparisons of the latest smartphones through videos and blog posts created by well-renowned tech journalists or YouTubers, this is not the case for enterprise mobile devices. There is simply not much insightful public information you can get by just googling. When it comes to Android devices, however, there is one northern star that guides you through the rough terrain of scattered information: Android Enterprise Recommended.

What is Android Enterprise Recommended?

Android Enterprise Recommended (AER) is a program led by Google, designed to help businesses choose high-quality Android devices as well as software solutions. It is a list of validated devices against strict requirements, and through a public platform, it encourages manufacturers to match those requirements and register their devices to the program. The AER directory categorizes products by form factor, manufacturer, memories, etc., in which you can easily navigate it through to the product that you need. Currently, Point Mobile has five devices (PM30, PM451, PM90, PM45, and PM85) listed as Android Enterprise Recommended, and planning to register many more new products in the future, such as the PM67 or the upcoming PM75.

Point Mobile devices in Android Enterprise Recommended website
Point Mobile devices in Android Enterprise Recommended directory

What are the requirements that Google inspects?

Depending on the type of the device and the version of OS, Google sets a different standard. For a rugged device with Android 11.0, for example, it needs to be equipped with at least 2GB RAM / 16GB ROM, a processor faster than 1.1GHz, IP54 water/dust resistance, and MIL-STD-810G drop resistance. To keep the general user experience excellent, AER also requires manufacturers to include Google’s default system apps, additional device management apps and encourages them to follow the specific guidelines about how to design their interface, so that customers can enjoy standardized and intuitive experiences across different devices.

The security update standard requires manufacturers to publish update within 90 days with an announcement on their websites that has link to it from Google’s Security Bulletins. As most businesses buy devices in bulk and manage a fleet of mobile computers, AER states that manufacturers must offer at least two of the next three solutions: work profile management, full device management, dedicated device management.

Android Enterprise Recommended Badge.
Much sought after:
Android Enterprise Recommended Badge

Advantages of certified devices for businesses

So, why do manufacturers and software companies keep registering their products to AER? And why should buyers consider choosing a device or service from that list? Well, the answer is simple: AER guarantees that a product matches the minimum level of specs to be suitable for enterprise use, in terms of performance, security, and availability. The sheer amount of available products (of any kind really) can be confusing, and buyers don’t have time to check every single product on the market. So by recommending products that are safe to be used in a professional environment, Google is giving us a hand which makes it a lot easier to choose the right product.

Visit the Android Enterprise Recommended website
Find Point Mobile devices in the Enterprise Solutions Directory

Categories
Technology

RF851 UHF Sled: Pair with PM85 by Bluetooth

Just a few steps required: Pairing RF851 with PM85

You got yourself an RF851 UHF sled for your warehouse, but you are not sure how to connect it with your PM85? Worry not – this little tutorial will shed some light into the connecting process.

Follow these steps

  1. Download & install the RFID Demo app
  2. Turn on the RF851 by pressing the Power button on the right side. A red LED will light up on the left side.
  3. Now take your PM85 and open up the RFID Demo app
  4. On the top left side, tap “Bluetooth” to turn Bluetooth on
  5. Tap “Search Reader” on the top right side
  6. And then choose your RF851 from the list by tapping “CONNECT”

Done! The red LED on the left side will now turn green, which means both devices are paired successfully! All that’s left to do now is mount the PM85 on top of the RF851 like so: Slide the PM85 in with the left or right side first, then push down the other side to lock it in place.

Check out this illustration:

As you see, using RF851 and PM85 is fairly simple.

Did you know? You can also charge both devices simultaneously through the 1 Slot Cradle for RF851. Watch the video to find out how.

Visit RF851’s product page 

Categories
Technology

Android 8 vs. Android 9: Worth the update?

Are the changes of Android 9 just cosmetic, or is it a whole new innovative operating system? Is the update worth it? Many devices used in the professional world are still running on Android 8, and while also Android 9 is not exactly brand new, it could bring some new features. Considering you are managing a large fleet of devices, you might hesitate performing the update. Let’s take a closer look at the new functions!

Just cosmetic or more changes “under the hood”? Android 9 Pie on a PM85

What are the major differences between Android 8 and Android 9?

#1 Slight aesthetic changes

It is not a completely new look, but Android 9 brings in some small, but nice design changes: It is more colorful, and it looks as if Google made it overall a little softer to the edges. Many of the icons have been remodeled and to give a more modern look and feel. Android 8 shows “Recent apps” laying on top of each other, while Android 9 introduces a flat view that makes it easier to scroll through the applications.

#2 Feature updates

Android 9 brings a ton of new features and functions to the user. You can’t remember the button shortcut to take a screenshot? Luckily now you don’t have to anymore: With the new version, all you need to do is pressing the power button for a few seconds and then tap “Screenshot” and you are done. The new gesture function allow you also to quickly access the camera by pressing the power button twice, or prevent the ringer to go off when pressing power & volume up together. From Android 9, Google also added a new menu for digital wellbeing, similar to what iOS offers. It gives detailed information about how many times the device has been unlocked, how many notifications you’ve received and more.

#3 Enterprise related changes

Google added support for multiple users on dedicated devices. Android 9 makes it easy for users to share a single device, good for shift workers or public kiosks. It’s also possible now to visually separate your work apps from your private apps with the Work tab in the Launcher. Tap on the work tab to see work apps all in one place, and turn them off with a simple toggle when you get off work.

  • PM85 with Android 9

#4 AI-controlled brightness

Up until Android 8, the automatic brightness level was adjusted based on ambient lighting solely. This often resulted misinterpretation, forcing users to manually change the display brightness. In Android 9, user habits play a more significant role for regulating the brightness thanks to AI technology.

#5 Security

Android 9 will now perform client-side encryption. Any data encryption or decryption that takes place will now happen on your phone and will require authentication from your phone (password, PIN, pattern). Each time you access a network, your device shares its unique MAC address with that network. Android 9 offers a new feature that will allow you to create randomized MAC addresses for each network you access. While a random MAC address for each network is created, the address will not continue to change each time you access the network.

Also, it is not possible for apps ran in the background to have access to the camera and microphone. Android 9 will now alert you should an app try to turn on your camera or mic, which further protects users’ privacy.

#6 Improved battery life

An improved Battery Saver app in Android 9.0 makes it easier to enable Battery Saver as your battery begins to drain. Instead of the option to enable Battery Saver at 5 or 15%, there’s now a slider, allowing you to enable it once your battery reaches 70% or below. The Adaptive Battery feature uses machine learning to predict which apps are going to be used in the next few hours and which likely won’t, so battery power will only be spent on apps that are important.

#7 Multiple Bluetooth connections

Android 9 enables the option to connect up to five Bluetooth devices and switch between them seamlessly. Incoming phone calls will be sent to all connected Bluetooth devices that can accept.

Can my devices be updated?

The changes from Android 8 to Android 9 are quite significant, and updating seems to be a good idea to get better features but also lower the risk for security problems. But there’s a catch: Not all manufacturers are providing the new version for all devices. In case of our mobile computers, both PM45 and PM85 can be updated to Android 9 via FOTA from version 8. In order to receive the update, contact your sales representative upfront to unlock the devices you want to update. If you have a PM45 with Android 7.1, you first need to move over to Android 8 before Android 9 can be installed.

Learn more about Android 9 Pie 

Categories
Technology

PM45/PM85: How to connect Dual Slot Cradles for charging multiple devices simultaneously

How to connect Dual Slot Cradles – instruction video

In industrial settings, accessories take a big part to promote productivity – one of their roles is preventing workers from losing time on charging and then deploying devices. It is an essential element of keeping the workflow simple and efficient. Point Mobile’s Dual Slot Cradle for PM45 and PM85 is designed to charge multiple devices simultaneously with maximum convenience so that only minimal force is needed to insert and pick up the devices.

Let’s take an example of the PM45 Dual Slot Cradle. Here is an easy six-step instruction about how to connect the Cradles to charge them with one power supply (if you want better visualization, check out the video instruction above).

  1. Pick up the cradle and push out the cap by using both thumbs.
  2. Pick up to the other cradle and remove the cap by using fingernails.
  3. Connect the cradles to engage them.
  4. Turn the cradles upside down to mount the bracket.
  5. When you connect the bracket, check if it’s in the right direction.
  6. Screw in the two screws to firmly connect the cradles.

Now, connect Dual Slot Cradles to charge multiple devices at the same time, and enjoy easy charging and deployment keeping the workflow smooth.

Visit PM45’s product page 
Visit PM85’s product page 

Categories
News Technology

How barcode technology is helping the public sector to digitalize in Estonia

Every single day, millions of people suffer from long and arduous bureaucratic processes just to get a simple thing done, thanks to their government’s general inefficiency and unwillingness to adopt new technologies. Some are even worried that the data their government collects might fail to protect their privacy.

While it seems impossible to make any change to this big organization, a relatively new government has successfully transformed itself into an efficient and transparent system. That is the Estonian government, the birthplace of Skype and the former Soviet Union.

Deserting the traditional administrative forms, such as letters or visiting in person, Estonians can do every single task with the public sector with their computer including voting. The citizens use their eID cards to connect to their PCs, and then the eID authorizes access to government service. The eID has 1D and QR barcodes to enhance the security of the verification process.

They also allow foreigners to obtain virtual residency to open a bank account and a business through e-Residency policy, which also issues a card that has access to necessary services to start a company in Estonia.

This full digitalization of the government was only possible with a transparent yet secure system, intricate enough to protect itself from foreign cyber-attack. Technologies such as barcodes and QR codes helped to improve the efficiency and security of the system.

Based on their experiences of creating eID cards and highly digitalized government, Estonia started a global vaccine passport system last month. Partnered with WHO which chose Estonia as the right candidate to work alongside, they successfully developed and implemented a digital certificate that proves if you’re immune to Covid-19 either through a full vaccination or recovery from it.

Concept photo of Covid-19 vaccination certificate in hand of an immune person

Individuals can download their unique QR code to their smartphone or print it if they’re vaccinated or obtain immunity against Covid-19. People then will use the codes as passports to freely go through quarantine policies between borders, much needed for nations to recover from the economic recession caused by the pandemic.

It is a great example that how the inefficiency of the public sector can be overcome by digitalizing the whole system with a thought-out plan that integrates existing technologies like barcodes into a bold transformation.

Categories
Technology

5G: Will it come to rugged devices, and when?

As the fifth generation technology for cellular networks, 5G is expected to replace 4G as as the worldwide standard. In a few years, most devices in the market will take advantage of the higher speed, lower latency and possibly reduced error rate. It looks like a bright future for us consumers – but what does it mean for professionally used devices in the enterprise environment?

Traditionally, the Auto ID industry is always a bit slower in adapting new trends and technology. When Android was already a big hit on consumer phones, enterprise devices were still running Windows Mobile operating systems, and it took another 2-3 years until the first rugged Android device saw the light of day. Up until now, there is still a surprising amount of Windows device being used, despite having no access to any kind of bugfixing or security patches. But why does it take so long much longer to use newer technology? In the enterprise field, often times apps (and even peripherals) are built for a specific type of device, running a specific type of software. Those customized apps run on hundreds or thousands of devices all over the place. When one of them fails, it will be replaced with the exact same type of device. This ensures the user needs no training for another device, software does not have to be changed, and accessory can keep being used. All in all, it is about saving money. That’s why companies rely on the same hardware platform for years until they are ready to deploy new devices. While consumer phones are typically replaced every two years, enterprises use their rugged devices for five to seven years and sometimes even longer.

5G in the auto industry world
5G is up to 100 times faster than 4G – but is it necessary for the Auto ID industry?

Great for consumers – not yet so great for professional use

We all know the incredible power of 5G: It is up to 100 times fast than 4G, offering data rates up to 10Gbp/s. There is a lower latency (only 1 millisecond compared to 4G’s 200 milliseconds), and it eventually brings better security. Downloading high quality videos will be done in minutes, streaming in 4K will be even faster. All in all, 5G will soon make our lives even more connected and comfortable.

So, 5G is mostly useful when loading huge files or using streaming services for videos or games. But looking at the enterprise sector, the typical data packages are rather small, sending mainly numbers and text in the background, and sometimes pictures for proof of delivery, for example. While 5G might open up great new opportunities in our industry, at this point there is simply no usage for that kind of transfer speed.

The biggest downside for using 5G in the Auto ID industry however is battery life: Operating a 5G chip will reduce battery life considerably, making users be more dependent on recharging devices or carrying replaceable batteries.

Point Mobile is testing prototype hardware with 5G

Even though adapting 5G for the mass market doesn’t seem to be something the Auto ID industry will do in the near future, we are testing the power and performance of 5G modules in some of our devices. The market has been slow on adapting trends in the past, but as the majority of professionally used Android devices is going through the roof, newer technologies seem to arrive in our sector faster than before. As a manufacturer for rugged mobile devices, we are preparing ourselves for the adaption of 5G, and will be ready with an updated line-up in time.

Categories
Technology

Why you should choose a rugged enterprise smartphone for your business

PM45 with EmKit
EmKit running on a PM45 with Android 9

Companies are constantly looking for new technologies for better productivity and optimized workflows to save time and money. When it comes to choosing the right mobile hardware, keeping the TCO (Total Cost of Ownership) on a low is the key factor for most buyers. But while consumer smartphones are usually cheaper upon investment, professional enterprise devices are durable, repairable, and designed to be used for a much longer period of time.

In this article, we will take a closer look why choosing a rugged enterprise device is the better strategy in the long run.

Enterprise devices are designed for harsh environments

Using a consumer smartphone as an enterprise device can lead to many problems. Due to its frailness it may break easily in the active and demanding business environment, and the device would need to be repaired or even replaced. Typically, the life cycle of consumer devices ends approximately two years after launching, so sourcing a substitute can be troublesome. It could also generate extra costs – a different hardware may require software adjustments, new accessories or more training for your employees. This longsome procedure can be avoided with a device that was specifically optimized to be used professionally. Take our PM45 as an example: It is a rugged smartphone with an IP67 rating and can withstand multiple drops to concrete at 1.2m which makes it extremely durable and suited for rough usage environments. Additionally, there is a guaranteed and continuous supply of parts and services during its extended five-year lifecycle after the market launch. During that period, security updates as well as major OS releases are provided to keep businesses operative and help users focus on what?s important. Save valuable time and resources by taking advantage of PM45?s low TCO.

Comprehensive technical support and warranty

Professional device come with GMS/CTS certification by Google, which means most of the programming is following the standard Google SDK. However, for more advanced integration and customization, there is an additional SDK provided by us. Another advantage is to get the full support by a dedicated technical team: With professional enterprise-level support whenever required – should there be any technical questions or difficulties. Regular smartphone manufacturers typically do not offer those kinds of services.

To help companies selecting the right hardware, Google initiated its Android Enterprise Recommended program back in 2018. Devices that fulfill a strict set of requirements will be certified as a recommendable product, which gives confidence to businesses to choose the right device. Being part of this program e

We have to keep on thing in mind though: Even the most rugged device can break, which is why professional devices like PM45 come with optional warranty extensions (up to five years). There are various models to choose from-a basic warranty extension or the premium package, which includes all wear and tear, staging service and even battery swapping, as well as damages caused by the user. Off-the-shelf consumer smartphones are hard to be repaired and don?t have professional warranty extensions. Even worse: Sometimes they cannot even be repaired at all and go to waste immediately. 

Enterprise-level barcode scanner software via camera

Most enterprise applications require barcode scanning at some point. Those barcodes can be often in locations that are hard to reach or even worse, they are damaged. While a consumer smartphone lacks the proper technology to read barcodes in imperfect conditions, an enterprise smartphone such as PM45 comes with a powerful, enterprise-level barcode scanning software using the built-in autofocus camera. The scanning software reads 1D and 2D barcodes and operates as fast as a 2D imager, while it also captures pictures brightly under relatively dark areas without using the camera flash.

Professional devices come with a broad range of complementary accessories

Included software solutions, wide range of accessories and more

It is often required to stage and prepare several hundred devices to be used out in the field. Without dedicated enterprise tools, this tough job will waste a lot of precious time, since each device needs to be staged manually. It can also lead to mistakes and be a big source of errors. Luckily there is a solution for that, too: Point Mobile provides EmKit (Enterprise Mobility Kit), a value-added service kit, including kiosk mode, clone and back up tools – all free of charge and pre-installed. Well-known MDM solutions such as SOTI and Airwatch have certified PM45 and clients are pre-installed and ready to go on every unit. It helps companies to manage and utilize their mobile devices remotely.

Now think about accessory: While consumer smartphones usually only come with a simple USB charger, a wide range of accessories for PM45 is available for various applications. The dual-slot cradle charges two devices at a time, and up to three can be connected to make a six-slot cradle. High-quality car cradles are also available by companies like Brodit and CarComm. A user-replaceable battery enables users to conveniently switch batteries or have more power, with the extended battery of 5,800mAh – which lasts almost two days in a row. Extended battery options for replaceable batteries as well as multi-slot cradles are some of the enterprise-level accessories that PM45 offers, designed for the optimal productivity of enterprise forces.

Learn more about PM45
Android Enterprise Recommended devices by Point Mobile

Categories
Technology

Fuchsia – a door to the future of enterprise mobility?

There was a time when Windows Mobile PDAs monopolized the market and it wasn’t even that long ago. Around 2012, Android started to take over a big chunk of the enterprise mobility industry and is now considered the operating system of choice without thinking for mobile devices in retail, transport & logistics, warehouse management, delivery service, etc.

While Android is now an excellent operating system for both general consumers and businesses, you may wonder if it would go through the same decline that happened to Windows Mobile – at least when it comes to enterprise devices. For me, this question began to feel more tangible when I accidentally encountered the fact that Google’s thought-provoking new operating system, Fuchsia, has been roaming around the internet for years. And the more I think about it, the more exciting future I see in this OS, especially when used for large business operations.

What is all the fuchs about?

So basically, Fuchsia is an operating system built from scratch. Unlike Android or Chrome OS, it does not run on a Linux kernel. The replacement is called Zircon – much younger than decades-old Linux and developed by Google itself. If you look at what Zircon kernel is built for, you’ll see why it sounds so promising for businesses who are eager to innovate for better productivity. This so-called micron kernel was designed to scale any application from embedded RTOS to mobile and desktop devices of all kinds. Obviously, that means Fuchsia was developed with the Internet Of Things in mind since it has the ability to run an electronic device as simple as a smart lightbulb and all the while running the latest desktop with a powerful main processor.

While consumer smartphones and personal computers are getting connected ever more than before thanks to the efforts of software developers in tech giants, all the new smart devices appearing in our homes every year seem still far from being “seamlessly connected” yet.

For businesses, the perfect connection and cooperation among all the smart devices, computers, and machines look even further away, although it makes perfect sense to make it happen. Amazon’s gigantic fulfillment centers are using more and more robots and machines, and retail businesses are getting more and more dependent on smart devices that help them achieve true digitalization and automation. For them, the OS that runs anything with a copper brain would be huge benefits already right now.

Google Fuchsia concept image on a Point Mobile PM30 mobile computer
Concept image of Google Fuchsia on PM30 mobile computer

Fuchsia could solve many issues at once

As I mentioned already, Android is dominating the market and it does that for very good reasons. However, there are problems: Too many manufacturers build customized versions, updates are not passed on to users in time and there is an alarming number of threats and attacks. With a new platform from scratch, Google could eliminate those problems once and for all.

Will Fuchsia replace Android?

So someday, when Fuchsia devices are coming out to the market and solution-providers take on developing a new business solution that counts dozens of different devices with alien form, function, and technologies to each other and integrates them into one system, this might be a game-changer for big businesses. The current Enterprise Mobility Management solutions might expand to control and monitor not just traditional mobile computers or PCs, but also all-new kinds of machines, robots, etc.

For now, there are only assumptions about what Google (or other companies) would do with Fuchsia OS, and Google officially stated in 2019 that while Fuchsia is not a replacement for Android, as it is targeted at “modern phones and PCs”. As Fuchsia is still under development and won’t see the light of day very soon, Android is going to keep dominating enterprise mobile devices for years to come. However, when the change starts, I can foresee that whole new types of devices coming into the market.