September 26, 2011

Do Rugged Computers Cost More or Less?

On a fairly frequent basis, Group Mobile provides a price quotation to a prospective customer on a ruggedized computer…and when we follow-up the prospect says something like, "Well, the decision was made to buy commercial computers since the ruggedized computers were higher in price. We felt like we could save quite a bit of money and if the plastic computers break, we can just buy new ones and we would still save money over buying ruggedized equipment."

Then invariably, a few weeks or months later, the same person calls back and says something like, "I guess we are ready for those ruggedized computers now. We tried the commercial plastic computers and they were failing every couple of weeks. Our guys were 'down' and without their computers for days at a time. It was costing us a fortune in lost productivity, not to mention the hassle of losing data and having to constantly re-load our software on the repaired computers."

So why does this scenario repeat itself over and over again? We can only blame ourselves…the people who are involved in manufacturing and selling rugged, mobile computers. We have not done a great job of educating people about the necessity of ruggedization when using a computer in a vehicle, in a factory, in a warehouse, in a service bay, or out in the field. Construction companies, utility departments, service, repair, inspection, delivery companies, police departments, etc, think nothing about spending thousands of dollars for the equipment specialized for their job or their business, but balk when it comes to buying specialized computers. They are just not fully aware that commercial grade computers are not designed for vehicle, warehouse or field use.

We all know that there is a difference in price and cost. The price is what you pay up front for an item. The cost is what you spend over the course of the life of the item. Rugged computers are priced higher but cost less. The primary reasons for this are less down time, less lost data, fewer repair costs and increased worker productivity. Obviously, this is only true when said computers are to be used in or on a vehicle, in a dusty dirty environment, in a hot or cold environment, outdoors, or on-site.

In every job there is a right and a wrong tool for the job. Commercial portable computers are perfect for indoor, white-collar, taking home at night, or flying on a business trip. Rugged mobile computers are the right tools for those with jobs in demanding environments. Rugged computers actually cost less! Read More...
 

September 19, 2011

Learn About the Latest Toughbook Products

Panasonic Toughbook H2
New fully rugged tablet 

The new rugged Panasonic Toughbook® H2 rugged tablet is an ideal productivity tool for mobile workers. The Toughbook H2 weighs only 3.5 pounds and is designed to protect against environmental conditions and accidental situations, such as bumps, drops, or exposure to wind, heat, and rain. The Toughbook H2 is powered by an Intel® Core™ i5-2557M vPro™ processor, 4GB SDRAM, and a 320GB 7200rpm shock-mounted, flex-connect hard drive for amazing speed and performance. It offers a complete range of embedded wireless options including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth®, and optional 4G LTE or Gobi™2000 3G mobile broadband to help users stay connected while in the field. Read More...

For a limited time Group Mobile will throw in a free screen protector with the purchase of the Toughbook H2. Simply mention this blog post or enter promo code CFH211 when you place an order on our website. Discount will be taken when order is processed. Offer ends September 30, 2011. Shop now!   


Panasonic Toughbook S10
New Business Rugged Notebook  

With a Magnesium alloy case, spill-resistant keyboard, and the ability to handle up to a 30" drop, the new Toughbook S10 is truly built to survive the bangs and bumps of a hectic day. It pairs an Intel Core i5-2520M 2.50GHz processor with Windows 7 for an incredible computing experience. It has a 12.1" sunlight-readable display for easy viewing in any lighting condition. The Toughbook S10 is also well equipped with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and a Gobi 3G (WWAN) upgrade that connects just about anywhere your cell phone can. With 4GB RAM, a 320GB shock-mounted hard drive, and an impressive 12.5 hours of battery life, this rugged notebook lets you accomplish more than you ever expected while on the go. Read More...    

For a limited time Group Mobile will throw in a free mobile mouse with the purchase of the Toughbook S10. Simply mention this blog post or enter promo code CFS1011 when you place an order on our website. Discount will be taken when order is processed. Offer ends September 30, 2011. Shop now! 

September 12, 2011

Trimble Nomad Extended Warranty Promotion

For a limited time, all Trimble Nomad Handheld Computers will come with an additional one year of Extended Warranty coverage. This promotion applies to purchases made between September 1, 2011 and October 31, 2011.

This extended warranty covers accidental damage in addition to the standard warranty. Accidents happen, particularly in challenging outdoor environments, and having an "Extraordinary" Extended Warranty can give customers extra peace of mind.

Every Nomad handheld comes with a standard manufacturer warranty so, with this promotion, purchasing an Extended Warranty upgrades the standard manufacturer warranty to include accidental damage coverage, and the length of the warranty period is extended by the length of the Extended Warranty purchased. For example, when you purchase a 24-month Extended Warranty, it is in addition to the 12-month manufacturer warranty period, resulting in 36 months of Extended Warranty coverage. During this special promotion, you get an additional one year of Extended Warranty coverage at no additional cost.

For more information regarding rugged mobile computing visit www.groupmobile.com or call us at 1-866-RUGGED-8.

September 7, 2011

Unbelievable Pricing on the Rugged Trimble Nomad 800LC!

Save Big with Special Discounted Pricing for a Limited Time. Original SRP $2,100 — Now only $999!

Group Mobile is please to offer a special limited-time discount on the Trimble Nomad 800LC! The Nomad offered in this amazing deal features an 806MHz processor, 1GB internal memory, a long-life hot-swappable battery, and built-in wireless capabilities like 802.11g, and Bluetooth. The Nomad 800LC also features a high-resolution, sunlight-visible VGA touchscreen display that presents graphics and maps in vivid detail.

The Nomad 800LC rugged handheld makes it simple to gather, save, and send out data with its many built-in capabilities including an integrated GPS receiver for navigation applications and a 2MP digital camera to capture color images in the field.

The Nomad 800LC is a fully rugged handheld and meets demanding MIL-STD-810F military standards for drops, vibration, humidity, altitude, and temperature extremes. It also comes with an IP67 rating, meaning the Nomad is completely sealed against dust, and can survive immersion in up to a meter of water for 30 minutes. The Nomad 800LC offered in this promotion comes in a gray housing.

*Offer good through October 31, 2011, or while supplies last. Order now.

For more information regarding rugged mobile computing visit www.groupmobile.com or call us at 1-866-RUGGED-8.