Numerous factors do their part in impacting the functionality of any computing equipment. Merely getting hardware to power on or work is only half the battle in leveraging the full functionality of powerful, industrial computing equipment. How your hardware works and the extent to which it benefits your organization comes down to a number of things.
Protection
Keeping hardware physically protected may seem like an obvious factor in functionality; but if you regularly work in rugged or dangerous workspaces, the reality of your environment slips your mind with ease. Industries which often see employees and equipment working in extreme conditions (like scientific outposts or within the military) will require more physical protection to remain functionality than those in other sectors.
Technical Support
Your computing equipment won’t do you any good at all if you don’t understand how to use it or you’re unable to troubleshoot problems as they arise. Partnering with a company who offers stellar customer and technical support is a sure-fire way to boost your equipment’s functionality and offer yourself some peace of mind, too.
Equipment quality
If you want to put out quality work, you’ll need quality equipment to get it done. Computer equipment that’s cheap, cuts corners, or comes with restrictions translates to limited functionality; and that translates to stunted growth in the workplace and trouble achieving your company’s full potential. High-quality equipment is a non-negotiable when it comes to working in industrial and extreme spaces.
The Importance of Building a Reliable Industrial Workstation
With so many factors at play that can influence your computer equipment’s functionality, it becomes clear that building a reliable industrial workstation is paramount to meeting goals and avoiding hardware loss or damage. For those within the manufacturing and military industries, creating an ergonomic and rugged workspace is becoming a necessity rather than a luxury.
Leaving Space
Many rugged industries regularly rely on the use of large equipment, machinery, and vehicles– that means that less space is available for everything else, including computer hardware. Work areas must be aggressively managed to ensure they comply with safety regulations and leave enough space for day-to-day activities. Crafting a reliable, personalized industrial workstation helps ensure that you don’t need to sacrifice computing equipment for space.
Compliance
In some industries, such as the food and beverage sector, workstations need to meet certain compliance requirements. Working with a trusted and experienced team to create VESA-compliant ergonomic workstations is an excellent way to ensure your setup is up to code. Not only does this protect your business from legal action, but it helps keep both your products and your hardware safe.
Improved Logistics and Distribution
Distribution and logistics professionals in the UK have long turned to innovative new technologies and processes to optimize workflow and ease the burden of processing huge amounts of data; but recently, there’s been a shift to improve operational efficiency in order to reduce costs and free up employees to focus on their jobs (rather than on fiddling with hardware).
Crafting workstations that take factors like warehouse capacity, transportation management software solutions, and operational visibility into account is becoming essential to success in the industry.
Key Factors to Consider Before Purchasing an Industrial Workstation
Quality
As with any purchase designed to benefit you in the long-term, quality should be one of your top concerns as you begin selecting the components of your industrial workstation. Look for second (and third) opinions if you’re unsure of whether a component or service offered by your company of choice is of good quality.
You can also be on the lookout for telltale certifications which indicate rigorous testing or verification processes have been applied to components.
Pre-Configured and Custom Designs
Sometimes, the perfect solution for your organization’s needs has already been pieced together for you. There’s nothing wrong with finding a pre-configured design that’ll work for your business and opting for that over fussy, custom options.
On the other hand, the option for customization is invaluable if you have specialized needs or requirements influencing your purchasing decisions. Take the time to consider whether you’re better off hunting for something pre-designed, or you have the time to work with a manufacturer to create something all your own.
Technology Interface
With so many details playing into the selection process, overlooking the very basic foundations of what you’re after becomes deceptively simple. After so much time spent selecting equipment, considering your workplace environment, and trying to find a trustworthy partner to build your workstation, make sure you don’t forget one of the most important factors of all: your workstation’s ability to integrate with your technology.
Your shiny new industrial workstation won’t do you much good at all if you can’t hook up the tools you need to complete daily work. Take stock of electrical outlet, data port, and utility duct options on your equipment to ensure you’ll be able to get use out of your investment.
Seek a Trusted Industrial Computer Manufacturer
The process of selecting industrial workstations for panel PCs comes down to a single silver bullet: seeking a trusted industrial computer manufacturer. Provided you’ve put in the research required to ensure the manufacturer you’ve chosen aligns with your values, can meet your needs, and is fully capable of helping you build a reliable workstation, the rest of your project will fall into place with ease.
If you’re looking to tackle the selection process for industrial workstations for your organization,get in touch with CKS Global today. Our team boasts more than thirty years’ worth of experience in the industrial computer industry. Thanks to our technical support staff’s varied skills and immense expertise, we’re well-positioned to help you understand the intricate details of your industrial hardware needs.
Looking for innovative new tech? Check out our projected capacitive touchscreen technology offerings. Concerned about hardware longevity? All of our products are backed by a three-year warranty with the freedom to upgrade to a five-year option should your application necessitate it. If you’re on the hunt for an industrial computer hardware supplier with a proven track record of success, CKS Global is what you’ve been looking for.