A recent article in Control Design struck a cord with me as its focus was on usage of consumer-grade devices such as iPads and smart phones on the factory floor and future expectations of user adoption of such devices in industrial applications. Research from VDC’s Track 1: User Requirements and Channel Analysis wireline and wireless industrial networking infrastructure products reports published in January 2011 indicates that the usage of consumer-grade devices is already here today.
VDC asked respondents if they currently use, or have plans to use, commercial/consumer devices (i.e. iPad, Blackberry, etc.) in their industrial applications and connected via their industrial network. I was surprised at the results based on feedback from the 260 respondents who answered this specific question among the over 600 surveyed.
Even more surprising was there was not material difference in usage among respondents using wireless networking products versus those using wireline products (+ 3%). Given the many benefits provided by greater mobility via wireless connectivity I would have surmised that the share of respondents using consumer devices would have been higher as I can envision a plant manager walking the plant floor wirelessly monitoring operations from his mobile device, whether it be it a Blackberry, iPad or whatever.
However assuming that the 350 respondents who did not answer this specific question were indicating no current plans of using a consumer device than the usage share falls to 26%, which is a more believable level based on my experience.
There are compelling reasons why suppliers design industrial-grade devices for use in dirty, harsh, wet and even hazardous environments in which many industrial applications flourish. Companies such as Motorola, Panasonic, Intermec and others design rugged mobile computing devices including tablets, laptops, PDA and even smart phones.
These ruggedized mobile devices typically provide much of the same functionality of a consumer device although at a sizeable price premium to account for the enhanced product design and ruggedness which provides for the greater uptime, reliability and durability. However based on feedback from our respondents it seems that a growing share of users may be making the tradeoff in using a lower cost consumer device.
Comments