Why Customizing Your Mobile Gear Is a Game‑Changer
When rugged tablets and handhelds become the new norm for field teams, Rob Blowers (General Manager – Engineering & Project Management, Panasonic Computer Products Solutions Europe) asks something that should strike a chord: Are companies really pulling their weight after spending big bucks on mobile tech?
All the Wrong Fit
Think about giving an office worker a laptop but leaving them without a desk – what’s the point? Rob spotlights the same issue in the mobile world. A recent IDC study caught him off guard: only 19 % of business tablets are vehicle‑mounted, and just 23 % of firms even consider putting them in cars. Yet, on the move, productivity is the target.
Without a solid place to “park” that tablet, workers end up juggling it, taking it out of doors, or even losing it. That’s the elephant in the room. If the technology is “upgraded” but the environment isn’t crated, the whole return on investment (ROI) falls short.
Beyond Vehicle Mounts
- Custom carriers that fit a tool‑belt or a work‑bag.
- Tailored software for secure content, device management, and local connectivity.
- Proprietary peripherals: USB readers, battery packs, external GPS, an antenna pass‑through.
Each of these tweaks turns a generic gadget into a mission‑critical tool, answering the hidden questions workers ask: “Where do I keep it?” and “How do I use it safely?”
Panasonic’s “Custom Design” Playbook
Seeing the gap, Panasonic Europe took the proactive route. They birthed a Custom Design Solutions team that strides from ideation to production – designing, prototyping, testing, tweaking, and finally shipping solutions that aren’t on the shelf. This bespoke approach has already spun several success stories.
Real‑World Wins
Automotive Testing – A leading car maker needed a rugged “on‑the‑line” test tool. Panasonic delivered the Automotive Mobile Test Solution (AMTS), built on a 7‑inch ToughPad FZ‑M1 and engineered for easy attachment to cars, while staying lightweight for line operators.
Fast‑Food Stations – A chain retrofitted a fingerprint reader to the ToughPad FZ‑G1 via a USB port, making staff log in before crowding the counter.
Postal Service – Racked 4 tablets at once, it was a quick win: the team nailed design and delivery in just a few months, securing the tender.
AA Patrol Cars – 3,000 vehicles needed a streamlined docking solution that fit eight different models. The custom dock boasted a swivel feature, an antenna pass‑through, and external GPS connectivity. Robust testing (30,000 insertions/ removals, crash & vibration) ensured 99.8 % of installations succeeded on first try.
Local Support & Android Integration
Panasonic doesn’t stop at hardware. Their ToughBook engineers provide on‑site support, tailor corporate images, set up secure recovery partitions, and implement driver integration packs with fine‑grained BIOS controls.
With COMPASS – a suite of Android‑based management and security services – businesses can confidently embrace the flexibility of Android, backed by Panasonic’s rigorous safety and support infrastructure.
The Bottom Line
Deploying the right tech is a huge boost to field productivity, but the real jackpot comes when you listen to your workforce’s unique needs and build solutions that snag every ounce of value. Customization isn’t a luxury; it’s an operational necessity. And if you’re in the game of boosting mobile output, don’t leave customization to chance—make it a core part of your strategy.
