Wireless Connectivity Challenges and Solutions for Field Workers
For decades, field workers have relied on wireless connectivity to successfully please customers and get work done. With wireless connectivity, field workers are able to access information in real-time, utilize GPS capabilities and communicate across networks to team members and HQ. When wireless signals are poor, however, the result is a decrease in worker productivity and efficiency. Wireless connectivity problems not only hinder job performance, but may even affect customer confidence or adversely affect a company’s return on investment.
While working in the field, users are constantly on the go, and moving in and out of coverage areas. As any mobile worker knows, one of the main reasons for wireless connectivity issues is often location. When in a remote area, a device might be too far removed from a cell site to receive a strong signal. Along with distance, man-made obstructions also cause unreliable connectivity. Being inside a vehicle or building, or around materials like concrete, metal objects and natural obstructions like mountains, hills and valleys can also affect wireless connectivity.
While wireless connectivity problems are a reality, solutions exist that can address unfavorable connectivity. For instance, Panasonic manufactures its rugged Toughbook laptops and Toughpad tablets with embedded modems that offer 3G and 4G LTE multi-carrier wireless broadband connectivity. This feature allows for the ability to easily connect to and interchange with major wireless carriers without restriction. The result means users can always maintain the optimum signal strength based on their location and take advantage of high-speed wireless connectivity from multiple providers.
Not only does Panasonic offer some of the most rugged computers with our Toughbook line, we also operate one of the largest anechoic chambers in the industry in Kobe, Japan. The aenochoic chamber provides a controlled environment for testing radio frequency by blocking unwanted radio signals and interference. Based on the results, Panasonic builds customized antennas and modules to maximize the wireless performance of our mobile computers. We also conduct tests in the heat, cold, rain, and other weather conditions that our products might endure. These tests are conducted to evaluate driver performance, connection manager software performance, and variable environmental and network conditions that are encountered through any situation that our Toughbook and Toughpad mobile computers might go through.
In today’s world, high-speed mobile connectivity for field workers matters more than ever. Not only does mobile broadband allow employees to stay connected to the home office, but it also enables them to use cloud-based applications, share photos and video from the field, and take advantage of other efficiency-boosting benefits. Knowing this, we make the embedded wireless connectivity of our devices a top priority as we develop and rigorously test our products.
To learn more about our rugged wireless computers, please visit our Computers & Tablets product page. To learn more about our wireless testing, visit our Wireless Technology page.
