Rugged tablet computers make their move in military logistics applications

Mar 1, 2008

By John Keller

People in the military who routinely use checklists ought to consider rugged tablet computers—particularly if they work outside or in other potentially harsh operating environments, manufacturers say.

“You don’t want to carry a laptop on a carrier flight deck; you want a tablet strapped to your leg or your waist,” says Jim Vercruyssen, product manager for tablet computing at General Dynamics Itronix Corp. in Spokane Valley, Wash.

The rugged tablet computer market breaks down essentially into two segments: the convertible, or a laptop computer with a reversible touch screen; and the slate, which has a touch screen, some function buttons, but no keyboard.

“The slate market is a small-form-factor, powerful handheld device in a form more like a clipboard,” Vercruyssen explains. “Anything you do in paper, like a checklist or inventory, is easily converted to a slate.”

Think of a slate computer as a large-screen PDA with a much faster processor, Windows-like functionality, and often with a direct wireless network connection to computer servers to convey data in real time, and also to lessen the need for large amounts of data storage in the tablet, like hard disks.

Rugged tablet computers like the General Dynamics Itronix
Duo-Touch Tablet PC, shown above, are gaining in
popularity for applications involving checklists and clipboards.

“Anyone who is doing forms applications, like lists and field inspections, is a potential user of rugged tablets,” says Robert Farr, business development manager for the Panasonic Computer Solutions federal segment in Secaucus, N.J. “On the flight line are a lot of tablet users, and also anyone doing logistics, moving inventory, and doing any kind of checklist operations.”

The popularity of tablet computers—particularly for military and aerospace applications—is growing, and manufacturers are responding with several innovations.

Although the market for rugged laptop computers is about three times the size of that of rugged tablets, the rugged tablet market is growing much more quickly, says Ben Thacker, vice president of strategic marketing at General Dynamics Itronix.

“Our rugged tablet customers are asking for information assurance; this is why you see growth in the rugged market in general,” says Panasonic’s Farr. “Users need to access information anytime, anywhere—especially in mission-critical applications where they can’t have data fail.”

So how rugged is rugged where tablet computers are concerned? “MIL-STD-810F is really the benchmark,” says Itronix’s Vercruyssen. “You’re really not considered rugged unless you meet those. Industrial products, at a minimum, have to meet 810F for shock and vibration, and IP-54 for dirt, dust, and water intrusion.”

For battlefield military applications, rugged tablets must meet IP-65 standards, or even better, Vercruyssen says. These kinds of applications are somewhat rare in today’s military, however. “On post and in staging areas are where tablets really shine,” he continues. “In battlefield conditions there is not a lot of paper, so you don’t get the full advantage of the slate.”

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Contributed by Bob Johnson's Computer Stuff

The Humvee of Laptops

Panasonic's Toughbook has found fans among troops in Iraq. That should boost sales for the whole "ruggedized" laptop segment

Early in the war in Iraq, a firefight broke out in a neighborhood that had supposedly been secured by coalition forces. As bullets whizzed by, a U.S. soldier did what came naturally: He held up his laptop computer, a Toughbook 72 from Panasonic Computer Solutions Co. (MC ) Unlike most plastic-covered laptops, this "semi-rugged" model has a hard magnesium shell and steel-reinforced innards. The improvised shield did the trick. "There's a bullet lodged in his hard drive," marvels Maria Leadingham, who manages technology for the Civil Affairs Psychological Operations Center at Fort Bragg, N.C.

No, Panasonic doesn't bill its Toughbooks as bulletproof. But its "fully ruggedized" models are all but impervious to sand and heat, and even the semi-rugged models can stand up to the daily jostling of war. As a result, more than 5,000 are in use in Iraq. Special Forces paratroopers pack a four-pound model in their backpacks. B-1 bomber crews use them for mission planning. 

So far, the machines are proving their mettle. After sandstorms in late March, 6 of 32 standard notebooks used in Leadingham's group suffered technical glitches, compared with only 3 of 200 Toughbooks. 

FALLING PRICES.  Just as the first Gulf War fueled postwar popularity for Humvees, the Iraq War may well accelerate sales of Toughbooks and their ilk long after the war ends. Why? Portable computers take a beating, whether they're being tossed into the trunk of a car, splashed with coffee, or knocked off tables. 

Fully rugged models are likely to remain niche items. They are completely sealed from the elements and hold up even when run over by a truck, but often cost $3,000-plus. That's well above the current average notebook price tag of $1,580. But some semi-rugged models, which come equipped with spill-resistant keyboards, hard casings, and gel-encased disk drives, cost just 10% more than garden-variety models. 

And thanks to falling PC prices, the premium is not so onerous. Panasonic, for example, recently unveiled a "ruggedized" one-pound, ultralight PC for $2,000 -- just $300 more than a similar, nonrugged model from Dell Computer Corp. (DELL ). 

DROP RATE.  The real appeal is reduced maintenance costs. Analysts say 20% of mainstream laptops fail in the first year, usually because of accidental damage. That rises to 35% once a notebook leaves its docking station and to more than 50% for machines that are used outdoors or on shop floors. But the failure rate of rugged or semi-rugged machines is just 5%. 

With the notebook business growing at 14.2% a year, nearly twice the clip of the desktop sector, "a lot more PCs are going to get dropped," notes Panasonic Computer CEO Rance Poehler. He says that increased breakdowns should drive demand for rugged and semi-rugged models. 

And Panasonic plans to cash in. While most PC makers do well to earn a 20% gross margin on notebook sales, Panasonic earns 25% or more. Panasonic's engineers work closely with customers to design products that meet specific needs -- and command premium pricing. Also, the company drives down costs by using low-cost components supplied by its parent, Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. 

To be sure, the PC powers need not tremble yet. Market watcher Venture Development Corp. says the rugged notebook market was just $600 million in 2002, less than 5% of the overall notebook PC market. Should demand for semi-rugged continue to grow, industry giants such as IBM (IBM ) and Dell could add features such as cushioned disk drives or magnesium casings. For now, Panasonic has carved out a business that looks likely to withstand the jolts and splashes ahead. 


One of the only places you can purchase cost-effective Toughbooks is at Bob Johnson's Computer Stuff. They have a wide refurbished selection with a Lifetime Labor Warranty.