Just because you’re moving around for work or leisure, doesn’t mean you can’t be connected to colleagues, family and friends. Whether you’re working away or travelling through remote areas of Australia, there are cost effective ways to stay in touch. If you’re planning a road trip with the family that will take you to areas that are out of mobile range, you’ll want the security of being connected to family and emergency services in case the unthinkable happens.
Staying connected means improved personal safety, peace of mind and more productive work. Look at your options for devices that meet the demands of being on the road with reliable connectivity.
#1 Cel-Fi GO
Cel-Fi GO is an all-in-one mobile coverage solution for indoor and outdoor use in stationary and mobile settings. GO allows you to switch between stationary and mobile depending on where you need to be. In stationary mode, the unit offers 1,000 dB gain, which is up to 1,000 times more than some competitor products and the highest carrier grade performance.
When you hit the road, simply use the built-in software switching to change to mobile mode, where the unit can provide a 65 dB gain.
GO is suitable for use in the car, caravan, truck, office, home, and even a boat to provide you with reliable connectivity. However, for the best coverage while on the road, choose the Cel-Fi GO Mobile. It supports voice and data, 3G and 4G LTE and can achieve a system gain of up to 70 dB.
Cel-Fi GO is built to last with its Ingress Protection 54 rating, meaning it’s weather resistant and can operate in up to 65°C temperatures. Cel-Fi GO won’t interfere with any other wireless devices you may have in your vehicle, with installation being quick and easy.
Cel-Fi GO is the only mobile phone repeater approved by all major Australian mobile carriers - Telstra, Optus and Vodafone.
#2 Rugged Smartphone
The smartphone is the smallest rugged device for keeping in contact while you’re working or travelling remotely. Most weigh less than 300g and are designed to fit in the palm of your hand, making the rugged smartphone comfortable to hold for long periods.
Just because you’re not in the metropolitan area doesn’t mean you have to compromise on call quality. Support for 4G and VoLTE gives high quality voice clarity and fast connection.
For remote workers or travellers who are in unforgiving environments, the Honeywell Dolphin CT 40 Rugged Android Handheld smartphone’s push to call feature means you can get help quickly in case of an emergency.
With an ingress protection rating of IP54, rugged smartphones can cope with almost anything, including dust, water, vibrations, drops and shock. The display on rugged phones are designed to be visible in bright sunlight, unlike regular consumer smartphones.
When a team of workers are out of earshot on a site, having smartphones that double as walkie talkies is ideal. Use the phone to contact just one colleague or the whole team. Although, if you prefer not to talk, the Zebra TC25 Fully Rugged Smartphone includes a secure text messaging function.
#3 Rugged Tablet
If you want a device with a larger display that has the capacity to access multiple programs while on the road, you might consider upgrading from a smartphone to a rugged tablet.
Rugged tablets need to be powerful to cope with multiple software applications and access to the same data as a worker in head office. Field workers can be entering data on a rugged tablet that’s available to a colleague anywhere in the world in real time.
Access to all the organisation’s data on mobile devices comes with a perceived security risk. However, manufacturers are using the highest level of security to keep hackers and thieves out. Roaming Technologies only stocks the most secure devices that we know are being used by law enforcement, defence and public utility organisations around the world. The leading brands of rugged tablets include Panasonic, Getac, Samsung and Zebra.
Rugged tablets can cope with extreme temperatures, even after being left in a scorching hot car, so there’s no risk of the device not working when you need it most. The tablets are built to be passed on from one worker to the next at the end of a shift so it will keep working 24/7 without missing a beat.
The screens on rugged tablets are built to last but they’re also functional. Choose between using your finger, gloved hand, stylus pen or digitiser on most makes and models.
A rugged tablet is ideal for workers who move between the field and office. Some tablets have an attachable, optional keyboard available, converting it from a tablet to a laptop. Check out the Getac UX10 Fully Rugged Tablet or the 2-in-1 Secure Core Panasonic Toughbook FZ-G2.
Accessories for Rugged Smartphones and Tablets
If you’ve decided to opt with a rugged smartphone or tablet to help stay connected, there are a range of accessories available depending on your needs and the make/model of the device you choose. For workers who are on foot while using their device, hand straps, hard handles or cases can help make using and carrying the device easier. There are also additional batteries, vehicle chargers and docking stations available to ensure your device never runs out of battery. However, it may not always be possible to keep your device charged. Take a look at 8 ways to prolong your tablet battery life in the field for tips on how to get the most out of your device’s battery life.
You can check out the full range of spares and accessories on the Rugged Accessories page.
Vehicle Mounting Options for Rugged Devices
If you’re in a vehicle for part of your working day and would like easy access to your device, be sure to have it mounted for proper accessibility and safety.
All the mounting kits available through Roaming Technologies are designed for the vehicle make and model. The kits must pass the rigid Australian Design Rules (ADR) and all state-based local traffic act rules. Dash mounting kits are supplied with full installation instructions and fasteners to reduce installation time and frustration. Installation sign-off documentation for your compliance engineer when required by local state law is also included. If you prefer, Roaming Technologies can fit mounting kits and vehicle docks into your vehicles, trucks and forklifts as we have done for Western Power, Department of Fire and Emergency Services, FMG, BHP, City of Townsville and io Glass (now Visy).
If you work in remote locations, you may need to fit your vehicle with an antenna or signal booster to ensure you have optimal connectivity.
For more information about the best device for your work situation, contact Roaming Technologies online or and speak to one of the rugged experts on 1300 131 933.