Fragmented digital environments are common when it comes to site work. Companies tend to introduce new technologies on a case-by-case basis, increasing complexity and managing multiple platforms becomes costly and time-consuming. Furthermore, it does not help that most devices are location-bound and cannot be adapted to work in different work environments, whether that be the office, factory floor or forklift. They may also lack the durability required for jobs involving extreme temperatures, vibrations and water exposure.

Source: Zebra Technologies

A logical solution involves replacing disparate, legacy devices with a single, multipurpose digital solution capable of adapting to different work environments and tasks. This approach simplifies IT infrastructure, reduces expense and enhances productivity. Choosing a specialist provider with significant industrial experience also helps ensure a reliable solution for long-term satisfaction in diverse use cases.

Zebra Technologies‘ recently launched the ET60 and ET65 Android rugged enterprise tablets with ten-inch displays designed to address these challenges. The most versatile in the industry, they can be used primarily as tablets, fitted on a vehicle dock or converted into a laptop for intensive data entry by snapping on an optional fiction hinge keyboard. The models’ adaptability ensures they transition between all work environments, eliminating the need for multiple digital solutions and the headaches of a fragmented hardware environment.

The ET60 and ET65 are purpose-built for challenging working conditions and have been extensively stress-tested for drops onto hard surfaces that exceed MIL-STD-810H, liquid and dust resistance to IP66 standard and extreme temperatures. Both the display screen and scanner exit window are made from Corning Gorilla Glass for high durability, and the display screen is rated at 1000 nits to be clear even in bright sunlight.

In addition to excelling in varied environmental conditions, the ET60 and ET65 go beyond conventional capabilities. The devices come equipped with front and rear cameras that can capture diverse data types like barcodes, registration plates and Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) via Zebra’s proprietary OCR Wedge to improve workforce efficiency and accuracy. The 16MP camera is ideal for occasional barcode scanning, but users can also use the integrated SE55 scan engine with IntelliFocus™ technology to capture barcodes as far as 12.2 metres away. With removable batteries allowing for full-shift or multi-shift use, hot-swap battery mode and no-battery configurations when in-vehicle, the ET60/ET65 ensures uninterrupted operations wherever it is stationed.

To support the cold chain environment, Zebra has a purpose-built ET60 Freezer model that can be mounted on a patent-pending rugged vehicle dock. This model thrives in sub-zero environments through its heated touch panel that reduces condensation, heated pogo pins to avoid loss of connection, securely covered ports that increase its longevity and adjustable warehouse keyboard for gloved operations.

Source: Zebra Technologies

Another issue with retaining fragmented, legacy devices is their lack of ongoing support. This creates vulnerabilities and hampers the devices’ ability to adapt to evolving technological landscapes. However, Zebra’s ET60 and ET65 provide a long lifecycle with four years availability for sale and up to eight years of service and support. The tablets ship with Zebra’s Mobility DNA, a suite of complimentary software that helps optimise, integrate, manage, secure and deploy devices. Optional LifeGuard™ for Android provides regular operating system and security patches, offering greater protection against security threats – there was a hack on Australian assets every six minutes[1] in the first half of 2023 – reducing risk and extending the device’s lifespan.

ET60 and ET65 are powered by fast Qualcomm 6490 octa-core 2.7 GHz processors designed to support the fastest networks, plus the AI and machine learning apps of tomorrow. The devices are compatible with the latest wireless networks, Wi-Fi 6/6E and come with Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) for maximum IIoT connectivity. The ET65 model also adds 5G connectivity for public and private networks and improved outdoor performance.

The ET60 and ET65 tablets have been purpose-built to cater to diverse work environments, from warehouses, ports and yards to manufacturing plant floors, working outdoors and in freezer units. They offer multiple uses in one device, reliability, security and longevity. To learn more about the ET60 and ET65, visit the Zebra product site or contact one of the expert team today.