Rugged tablets play an integral role in the digital transformation taking place in the manufacturing industry currently. As warehouses digitize their operations, they depend on rugged handheld devices to assist with day-to-day operations from the production line all the way through to shipping.
Rugged tablets are dependable, reliable handheld computers that have multi-functional use across various departments. When warehouses invest in rugged tablets they are investing in a technology partner that moves from the production line to quality control, to packing and shipping, and even beyond.
Rugged tablets are built with the needs of warehouses in mind, with fully integrated CAC readers, RFID scanners, and built-in WiFi. Rugged tablets are handheld, portable computing solutions that are lightweight enough to be carried, and durable enough to be mounted to a forklift. Built-in Wifi and bluetooth mean the tablet can be used anywhere, at any time without the need for additional internet connections – thus improving efficiency and productivity.
These are a few of the ways rugged tablets improve warehouse operations at various stages.
Production Line
Rugged tablets improve communication among team members on production lines, while also improving the efficiency of the assembling process. Rugged tablets for warehousing documents, tracks, and reports on each part as it is completed. Data is entered into the tablet and recorded in real-time, so all team members are fully aware of where each part is in the process at all times. This improves decision-making in real-time, as well as increases productivity on the assembly line. Rugged tablets also log information and document the process so supervisors are aware of the stages of production and completion at all times.
Quality Control
Quality control teams can utilize rugged tablets for scanning items into the network and keeping a record of the products that are tagged in the system. Rugged tablets also have the ability to integrate with software to log defective products as they come through, reports can then be pulled in real-time to analyze the status of production at any given moment.
Shipping Logistics
Once products are complete and ready to be shipped, rugged tablets play a huge role in the effective measuring of each package to ensure it has accurate dimensions and weights. When putting products on a truck to be shipped, maximizing space efficiency is of utmost importance to save on the cost of shipping. Ensuring a product has been accurately measured ensures the right box and packaging is selected for the product, reducing oversized shipping containers for products that may only need a small box, thus reducing wasted space in trucks and containers.
RFID scanners and barcode scanners in the rugged tablet enable better tracking for shipments as the product is logged into the system. The 3D RealSense camera also logs an image of the product in the packaging so products can be assessed for damage upon arrival – thus determining when a product was damaged and who is responsible. This feature reduces the amount of damaged and lost products during shipping, enabling companies to save hundreds of thousands and sometimes millions per year.
Rugged tablets can be used on the warehouse floor to track products and take inventory. They are built with durability in mind to ensure optimal toughness, even in the harshest environments. They can withstand drops, spills, vibration, and extreme temperatures.
Rugged tablets for warehousing have been manufactured with the tasks and responsibilities of workers in mind, to reduce time spent on logging data and improve operational flow among the various departments and teams. Increasing productivity optimizes the functionality of warehouses providing more time to focus on what matters most in delivering quality goods on time.