TCO of Rugged Computers

How much does it really cost?

Rugged mobile computers may have a higher initial price tag. However, studies have shown that rugged devices actually have a lower total cost of ownership (TCO) over time.

Total cost of ownership (TCO) is a financial estimate designed to help customers and finance managers assess both direct and indirect costs.

Some businesses tend to base their decisions to buy products on the purchase price and not on the product’s actual TCO. These businesses using low-cost non-rugged mobile computers pay a much higher price in repairs, increased support and lost productivity.

While a low-cost mobile non-rugged computer may appear to be the best bargain, the product’s total cost of ownership (TCO) is a more important consideration. That is why the majority of companies who take into account TCO, buy rugged computers instead of consumer-grade devices.

Total Cost of Ownership - Rugged Mobile Computers

In the Long Run, Do Rugged Computers Cost Less Than Regular Laptops?

A recent study published by Venture Development Corporation (VDC), an independent market research and strategy-consulting firm stated that “mobile device end users lost an average of 75 minutes of productivity each time the device failed. With the average device failing as many as 20 times per year, that can translate into as much as $4,000 in lost revenues per employee per year”. This study also found that the average annual failure rate for non-rugged notebooks was estimated at approximately 30% while annual failure rates for rugged notebooks were less than one-third the non-rugged rate, or approximately 9%. For more on this study, contact Group Mobile at gm-marketing@groupmobile.com and request that the TCO Study be sent to you.