Many companies start their warehouse or delivery project with ordinary smartphones. They are cheap and familiar — but after a few months, broken screens, slow scanning and short battery life usually tell a different story. Here is what makes a rugged Android PDA different.
Built to survive the job
Warehouse devices are dropped, used in the rain and taken into cold stores. A rugged PDA is designed for this:
- Sealing: an IP67 rating means the device is dust-tight and protected against temporary immersion in water.
- Drop resistance: our H60 and H40 are tested for 1.5 m drops.
- Wide temperature range: they work from –20 °C to 55 °C, so they keep running in cold rooms and hot loading docks.
Scanning is the main task
A smartphone camera can read a barcode, but it is slow, needs good light and struggles with damaged or small labels. A PDA with a dedicated 1D/2D scan engine reads codes instantly, from a distance, in poor light and even when the label is wrinkled or dirty. Over thousands of scans per shift, those seconds add up to hours.
Side scan buttons also let workers scan with one hand while holding a parcel in the other.
Keypad or full touch?
- A full-touch device like the H60 has a large 5.5-inch screen for modern apps, maps and signatures, and works with gloves and wet hands.
- A keypad device like the H40 is smaller and lets workers type quantities and codes quickly without looking at the screen.
Connectivity and location
Look for 4G for field work, dual-band Wi-Fi for the warehouse, Bluetooth for printers and headsets, and multi-system GNSS (GPS, Galileo, GLONASS, BeiDou) for tracking deliveries. NFC is useful for reading tags and staff badges.
Total cost of ownership
A rugged PDA costs more than a smartphone up front, but it usually lasts much longer, needs fewer repairs and keeps workers productive. When you compare devices, include replacement devices, downtime and lost scans — not just the purchase price.
Add a scanner for fixed stations
For packing benches and receiving areas, a corded handheld scanner such as the rugged S31 connected to a PC is often the most efficient setup.
Want to test a device with your own app? Ask us for a sample.
