How Ruggedized Tablets Improve a Driver’s Day

More than 90% of today’s truck drivers use mobile devices daily, so utilizing fleet smart devices to make drivers’ hauls more efficient, more simplified, and safer makes sense. However, fleets face a unique set of challenges and settings that require more of their smart devices: they must be rugged, easy to use, and responsive even while wearing work gloves.

A generation of rugged smart devices is filling these needs, as Samsung has partnered with Platform Science to deploy tablets optimized for commercial driver tasks. By leveraging features that make these tablets longer-lasting and more durable, drivers can streamline their days and spend less time on busywork and more time on the road. Fleet managers in turn can get more of their investment by knowing these devices will stand up to the higher demands of commercial trucking and integrate smoothly with other operating systems.

How do tablets help make drivers’ days more productive?

The ability to use specialized, ruggedized tablets to complete their daily required tasks saves drivers time and reduces errors in fleet data. For example:

• Direct data entry: Allowing the driver to input information directly into the fleet’s system on-location, rather than recording on paper and later reentering from a computer, reduces busywork and drives down data entry errors.
• Multimedia capabilities: Functionality – like the ability to take photos, conduct digital inspections, or accept signatures – save drivers substantial time and makes records more complete and accessible.
• Customization for trucking: Specialized tablets are easy to install in the cab in less than 20 minutes and are drop-resistant, helping them survive in harsh conditions.
• Ease-of-Use: With a long-lasting battery and a large screen that can be used even when wearing gloves, these tablets ensure drivers can always complete their tasks quickly and correctly.

Why it’s important to choose a ruggedized tablet

While there are many consumer tablets on the market today, choosing a model specifically designed for commercial trucking and other harsher environments makes a difference in your drivers’ experience and in your ROI. While drivers do their diligence to care for their fleet devices, the reality is that tablets are often exposed to sun or snow, dirt and water, and occasionally dropped or handled roughly. The ability to withstand these conditions without breaking or needing replacement means your hardware investment lasts longer, driving down the cost of ownership over time.

Additionally, the ability to use the tablet without removing your work gloves can save countless minutes throughout the work week that add up to bigger savings over time. Recent studies by MIT suggest that by adding just 18 minutes of active drive time to drivers’ days can help offset some of the impact from the driver shortage occuring in the U.S.

Platform Science and Samsung

As a leading provider of fleet management tools, Platform Science has partnered with Samsung to include ruggedized tablets in our fleet solutions. We support the Galaxy Tab Active5 which is  dust-, dirt-, sand-, and water-resistant, as well as IP68-rated for shock absorption in compliance with MIL-STD-810H. It can be safely sanitized and includes a long-lasting battery and a large, responsive touchscreen that can be used when wearing gloves.

These features all add up to extend the ROI of your hardware investment, while improving your drivers’ work experience and the quality of your data. Additionally, the Galaxy Tab Active5 has been provisioned to integrate smoothly with the apps and features in our Virtual Vehicle platform, extending productivity and connectivity throughout your fleet.

‍Learn more about the Platform Science suite of tools that optimize fleet operations, from the back office to the driver’s cab.