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Optimize your POS systems now with modernization using tablets for a faster, newer, and stronger point of sale experience. Unlock the potential of your business with these tips and strategies. Visit our page for more information about upgrading your devices.

Between new consumer expectations for faster service and several labor shortages across the nation, field teams face pressures from virtually every angle. In 2022, the US trucking sector lacked an estimated 78,000 drivers; however, studies show that 68% of consumers cited same-day delivery as the deciding factor driving purchases after the COVID-19 outbreak. Demands for service are only increasing, yet resources remain scarce. Surveyed field teams have cited the following five challenges they expect when navigating in today’s fast-paced supply chain:  Inclement weather – Besides being dangerous to the driver, extreme weather impacts connectivity signals, alienating teams from each other and crucial data. Late or missed dispatch calls – Poor communication with dispatch teams further complicates routing and enables delays since updates are not relayed in a timely fashion. Device outages – While devices may be built for outdoor use, battery power must also accommodate long shifts. Sudden outages keep teams from accessing the tools they need, stalling productivity. Complex integration plans – Although new technologies are widely available to optimize mobility, complex integration discourages businesses from modernizing.   Nevertheless, connectivity researchers remain optimistic since challenges push technology into making great leaps. As field teams travel farther, new connectivity solutions such as 5G and WiFi 6 are leading the charge in digital transformations, with the GDP expecting them to generate up to $280 billion by 2030 as they enhance mobility systems.   How is Technology Adapting to Overcome Challenges? Modern-day expectations demand agility, adaptability, and durability from today’s technology solutions. As teams learn to manage workflows with fewer resources and personnel, versatile devices and IT support become indispensable. To meet challenges, tech players design solutions leveraging: Intelligent, durable design to mitigate operational costs and repairs. Shatter-proof, waterproof, and dust-proof casings come in handy on the field as they maximize device availability. For example, rugged mobile printers empower teams to create labels and receipts from anywhere without cables or extensive setup. Flexible connectivity that connects field teams and dispatch. As new connectivity options become available, devices should incorporate them to deliver faster and stronger signals. Push-to-talk features and secured texting are also useful in creating secondary communication channels similar to consumer-grade devices, thus accelerating hardware adoption. Real-time battery management to pinpoint aging batteries and prevent downtime. By monitoring battery performance and charge status remotely, teams can predict when devices will become unusable, empowering teams to quickly charge and/or swap batteries for unbroken uptime. Versatile functionality to streamline multiple workflows through one terminal. Rugged tablets and mobile computers best exemplify this by streamlining data capture, push-to-talk communication, and data processing all through one device. Perhaps, that is why 80% of businesses plan to deploy rugged tablets in their field operations before 2025. Furthermore, versatile devices simplify integration by consolidating workflows in a user-friendly interface. Popular operating systems like Android have been shown to decrease training times, so teams can become productive faster.   As consumer expectations evolve, technology solutions should evolve beside them. In addition to adaptable systems, a proper modernization plan must include ongoing support to ensure future scalability as challenges change. For more information on how to enhance mobility, reach out to our modernization teams, and turn challenges into opportunities with solutions built for enterprise.

While most states have laws against distracting driving, it is generally agreed that public safety officials should have access to timely data and communication channels. Consequently, today’s patrol cars may serve as a high-tech mobile office, empowering officers to quickly respond to emergencies, update teams, and protect communities from virtually anywhere. However, while new technologies such as radios, cameras, and mobile computers are crucial for everyday work, they can also distract officers and put them at risk. In 2020 alone, the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund recorded 156 vehicle-related deaths, which is over a third of all line-of-duty fatalities. To continue empowering police officers while keeping them safe, many agencies now seek to consolidate disparate mobile technologies. By decluttering the patrol car with versatile systems, officers can expect multiple benefits such as:   Safe e-citation About 25% of traffic-related fatalities occur on the roadside. E-citation reduces time spent outside the vehicle, thus maximizing officer safety. Moreover, e-citation systems decrease the likelihood of errors since it does not require manual data entry. Instead of pen-and-paper, mobile terminals and printers like Brother’s Rugged Jet 4 accelerate ticketing, reducing a 15-minute ordeal to as little as 2 minutes. Furthermore, rugged mobile printers are lightweight and compact, taking up very little space in the patrol car.   Real-time personnel tracking Police recruitment and retention have been cited as a prevalent issue in law enforcement facilities. Therefore, to best serve communities, dispatch offices need clear visibility and counts on deployed personnel. Mobile devices and 2-in-1 tablets running on Android for Enterprise can accommodate tracking visibility applications within Android’s open application ecosystem.   Faster device adoption By consolidating several devices into one platform, officers no longer need to learn multiple workflows, accelerating deployment for faster productivity. Rugged Android tablets accomplish this successfully by translating workflows and reporting onto an easy-to-use touchscreen device. More modern devices go further by streamlining photographic documentation, reporting, and secured push-to-talk communication with dispatch, all in one device.      Better situational awareness Intelligent mounts can keep data at a better eye level, allowing officers to utilize peripheral vision and maintain situational awareness. Not only does this maximize officer safety, but it also keeps officers ready to respond immediately to emergencies.   Voice-enabled functions Modernized systems now leverage voice commands, accelerating workflows while keeping drivers’ eyes on the road. Electronic assistants can retrieve data and activate the radio without jeopardizing driver safety.   Transparent tracking Manual systems have been found to increase the likelihood of errors and accidents. In contrast, automated systems like Wasp’s Equipment Tracking empower agencies to quickly locate essential tools, from handcuffs to police cruisers, on a digital platform. Equipped with real-time asset tracking, teams can reallocate resources to where they are needed the most and replenish any items in low quantity.   As technology continues to make great strides, public safety agencies can no longer afford to overlook patrol car optimization. To best identify how to start your optimization plan, assess your current technology with a mobility expert. After carefully evaluating your fleet’s needs, your team can follow a scalable plan that maximizes safety without disrupting workflows.