In order to fulfil this task and support customers as innovation drivers, providers of mobile devices for industrial use such as the Pepperl+Fuchs brand ECOM Instruments are focusing on further developing their own portfolio. Employees are supported and protected by the solution, while companies save time and resources when setting up a mobile worker concept thanks to a customised single-source approach.
Secure data exchange across all borders
Based on different industry sectors and international locations, each infrastructure differs in terms of processes and requirements. Nevertheless, the requirements for mobile working solutions can basically be divided into three areas: Interoperability, compatibility and security. Products by ECOM pay close attention to these requirements and thus offer companies and their employees’ significant advantages in their daily work – especially in the areas of lone worker protection, maintenance, push-to-talk, resource management, operations and asset management and augmented reality.
For example, fast data transfer and communication between employees with different expertise enables closer cooperation, which results in better maintenance of the plant, among other things. This not only reduces staffs workload, but also cuts costs thanks to lower material and personnel costs. Implicit online and on-the-fly documentation also makes compliance much easier.
Accessories for hands-free operations at work
Apart from this, appropriate accessories ensure hands-free operations for workers on site. Thanks to suitable carrying devices, headsets and cameras, they can be guided by experts in real time, even in complicated applications, without being restricted in their work. A comprehensive range of peripheral equipment, which is not only perfectly tailored to the brand’s mobile devices, but also to the needs of workers in industrial and/or hazardous environments, should therefore be part of the basic equipment of the mobile worker. This allows work processes to be carried out without errors and faults to be quickly rectified by the employees on site.
Mobile devices are perfect companions in everyday industrial life
To ensure flawless support with digital drawings, descriptions of maintenance steps or experts from a distance, a multifunctional terminal is needed. This must display complex applications without any problems even in strong sunlight. ECOM therefore offers tablets such as the new Tab-Ex Pro with a 10-inch screen in addition to its smartphone series.
The Tab-Ex Pro combines industrial use in the field with that in the office thanks to an integrated desktop mode that makes the tablet usable as a desktop alternative in no time.
Pogo-pin charging as well as a powerful and replaceable battery with a capacity of 7,400 mAh for a runtime of up to 15 hours additionally ensure flawless operation and long use of the Tab-Ex Pro in the field. The high-resolution screen also guarantees a flawless image when assisted by remote maintenance or video tutorials. Samsung KNOX and Android 9 (Android 11 is planned) guarantee high data and device security. The Tab-Ex Pro is available with ATEX/IECEx approval for Zone 2/22 and NEC/CEC approval for Div 2. This makes it the world’s only 10-inch Android tablet for hazardous areas and optimally complements the already existing product portfolio of mobile devices by ECOM.
From hardware provider to digitiser
Companies should make sure that all products can be combined individually and according to the requirements of the respective company. There are different solutions for digital products, from simple stand-alone protection applications to all-encompassing and evaluating enterprise solutions. Interfaces and a cloud concept allow a combination with different end devices and other software solutions. For this reason, it is important for companies to identify their specific requirements and choose the appropriate software.
Digital solutions offer new ways for mobile workers in the oil and gas, chemical, petro-chemical, pharmaceutical, energy, environmental and mining industries. Innovations and holistic solutions in mobile computing and communications technologies help companies increase productivity, improve the quality of their data, and accelerate and optimise decision-making. With mobile devices, complex systems can be realised that facilitate the daily work of mobile workers.
More than just communication tools
Guidance from experts at other locations and digital workflows support technicians in performing complex tasks directly in the plant. The integration of mobile devices and tools helps to get one step closer to a digital production, maintenance and repair.
ECOM therefore adapts its entire product portfolio perfectly to the needs of the modern mobile worker. Solutions support the technician sensibly in his daily work and at the same time meet the conditions of a harsh industrial environment and hazardous areas. The devices are also usable worldwide. In addition to general availability, this also requires compliance with various requirements and the ability to be used in diverse infrastructures and networks. The safety of the workers always comes first, so compliance with the highest safety standards and the prerequisites for setting up a solution for emergency alerting in the event of an emergency are given for all devices from ECOM.
Mobile devices are more than just communication tools. As part of an overall digital solution, they support mobile technicians in retrieving live data, recording and evaluating data and reacting quickly to any eventuality on their own while also keeping them and your data safe.
