Panasonic Toughbook 19 Guide

THE FOLLOWING IS A WHITE PAPER ON:
MAPPING TECHNICAL AND
OPERATIONAL CHALLENGES OF
MOBILE COMPUTING DEPLOYMENTS
USING TCO ANALYSIS TO IDENTIFY THE IDEAL MOBILE
COMPUTING SOLUTION FOR FRONTLINE WORKERS
Prepared by:
David Krebs
Director, Mobile and Wireless Practice
Casey Holmes
Analyst, Mobile and Wireless Practice
April 2009
All Rights Reserved

© 2009 VDC Research Group, Inc. 1
A critical aspect of any successful TCO
analysis needs to include the business
elements of TCO.
Today’s enterprises are continuing their transformation to highly fluid and distributed
organizations where key decisions are being made at the point of interaction.
Ultimately, the ability to improve employee decision-making speed and scalability at
the edge of an organization is what is setting apart best-in-class operations. As a
result, organizations are looking to mobile computing and wireless communications
solutions to enable these real time remote transactions.
However, organizations are also frequently making these investment decisions with
incomplete information or a general misunderstanding of the environments within
which mobile technologies are being used. Coupled with the impact of today’s tough
economic climate and pressure to cut costs, this frequently translates into mobile
workers being equipped with devices that do not map to their real-world
requirements. The consequences can be severe, including higher ownership costs
and, potentially, customer service lapses and even lost revenue. To avoid these
missteps, VDC Research is proposing a fresh approach to how organizations
evaluate mobile computing solutions for their mobile workers.
VDC Research believes that a model that focuses on the most powerful technical and
operational cost drivers will provide customers with an accurate baseline from which
they can make mobile and wireless investment decisions. A critical aspect of any
successful TCO analysis needs to include the business elements of TCO. These
include anticipated length of deployment and planned replacement cycles, failure
rates and causes of failure, the opportunity cost of lost productivity—to name a few.
Of equal importance to TCO is an analysis of the end user’s needs based on their
work flow and work environment. This will impact decisions on the appropriateness of
a mobile platform in terms of form factor, functionality, connectivity and durability.
Only through this kind of analysis can organizations determine which solutions will
best serve the company.
I. IMPROVING MOBILE INVESTMENT DECISIONS
THROUGH TCO ANALYSIS
For nearly a decade, suppliers and users of both rugged and commercial grade
mobile computing solutions have been debating the merits and limitations of both
classes of solutions. TCO has often been upheld as the definitive metric by which
the cost-effectiveness of any mobile computing solution can be measured. During
that decade, however, definitions of every single dimension of the mobile computing
market have changed.
So, too, have the definitions of TCO. With all these moving parts, it is nearly
impossible for users to be confident in the accuracy of their TCO modeling during
their evaluation or deployment. In this challenging business climate, now is no time
to make the wrong investment decision based on flawed TCO modeling. It is critical
that users find and use a simple, reliable TCO model.

© 2009 VDC Research Group, Inc. 2
Understanding soft costs and being able
to marry the best possible mobile
computer with the target user and
application is ultimately what will set
apart mobility innovators and enable
companies to fully leverage mobility
investments as a true competitive
advantage.
To determine "true" TCO, it is imperative to consult both hard (direct) and soft
(indirect) costs. Hard costs consist of hardware and software costs, including
depreciation charged for capital expenditures, as well as salaries and benefits. Soft
costs are more difficult to determine and include expenses associated with operating
and maintaining any mobile solution. Downtime costs, including any productivity loss
and lost revenue streams, factor in here. VDC’s research shows that over 70% of the
cost of owning a mobility solution can come after the initial purchase. This
underscores the significance of taking a long term view during the initial selection
process.
Figure A
Total Cost of Ownership
Understanding soft costs and being able to marry the best possible mobile computer
with the target user and application is ultimately what will set apart mobility innovators
and enable companies to fully leverage mobility investments as a true competitive
advantage. However, organizations looking to cut expenditures will frequently opt for
lower cost mobile computing hardware. In many cases this means the use of a non-
rugged mobile computer for applications that are better served by rugged devices.
The subsequent high frequency of hardware failures in many of these deployments,
many supporting mission-critical applications, significantly impacts operational
effectiveness. According to VDC’s most recent research, annual mobile computer
failure rates exceeding 30% are not uncommon.

© 2009 VDC Research Group, Inc. 3
VDC’s TCO analysis of mobile
computing deployments demonstrates
that there is a correlation between
increasing ruggedness and decreased
cost over the life of the deployment
where there are hazards within the
deployment environment that can cause
failure.
VDC’s TCO analysis of mobile computing deployments demonstrates that there is a
correlation between increasing ruggedness and decreased cost over the life of the
deployment where there are hazards within the deployment environment that can
cause failure. In order to make appropriate investment decisions, organizations
should map device specifications to the potential hazards in the deployment
environment. Conditions as diverse as in-vehicle vibration and exposure to extreme
temperatures and/or humidity, to the drops and spills experience by frequent
travelers, all influence the performance of mobile investments in the field.
One frequently overlooked yet essential step in the mobile computing solution
evaluation process is segmenting target users by usage environment and job
requirements and prescribing the best possible mobile computing solution to fit their
needs. It is imperative to balance the user, application, deployment environment
and—perhaps most importantly—the mission criticality of the applications.
II. THE EVOLUTION OF RUGGED MOBILE COMPUTING
Use of mobile computing continues to extend beyond basic e-mail and PIMS
application to more integral business applications that can significantly heighten
operational efficiencies. VDC estimates the total number of mobile workers to have
reached 80 million in the United States in 2008.
This increasingly mobile workforce heightens the need for effective and appropriate
mobile computing and communications solutions. Consider, for instance, mobile
solutions that, through real time connectivity, allow Direct Store Delivery operations to
redirect trucks to fulfill same-day orders. Sealed mobile solutions that can be
disinfected for use in a laboratory permit researchers to directly enter data into the
computer system, eliminating the paper-to-computer data chain. Mobile CRM
platforms let field sales agents access vastly more information than they were ever
able to carry on paper into their clients.
Mobile computing extends the enterprise, allowing end users to achieve new levels of
efficiency and accuracy in their work. Because mobile solutions have become deeply
etched into the operations of the mobile workforce, a failed device has a direct effect
on worker productivity, customer service, and, ultimately, revenue. This increasing
importance of mobility has impacted investment philosophies, driving a new model of
how we think about computers, environments, and operators.
A significant development to meet the emerging needs of today’s mobile workers has
been the evolution of rugged mobile computing and emergence of various classes of
ruggedness or durability depending on a user’s needs. Once associated with high
adoption costs, significant bulk and weight and lagging several generations behind in
terms of computing performance, these solutions have evolved considerably.

© 2009 VDC Research Group, Inc. 4
Highly mobile workers operating outside
of the carpeted office space who
support applications deemed mission
critical to business operations should
consider some level of a rugged device.
Advancements in the technology around ruggedness have led to the creation of
smaller, lighter devices. In addition, today’s offerings incorporate most of the current
standards-based components and frequently lead with the integration of next
generation functionality such as wireless communications. Finally, recognizing the
limitations of two defined categories of commercial-grade and rugged, vendors have
expanded the levels of ruggedness to map better to various workforce requirements.
Categories now include:
•Commercial-grade: The most common type of enterprise notebook,
commercial-grade, indicates no official rugged specifications. Commercial-grade
notebooks provide levels of consistency and support that consumer grade
devices do not strive to match. The production of these units is usually
outsourced to an OEM to keep costs low.
•Business Rugged: These notebooks generally feature no official specifications
(although some do map to existing standards for rugged notebooks), but in
recognition of the increasing importance of durability, vendors have created
solutions with specialized/metal casing, shock-mounted hard drives, spill-proof
keyboards, other reinforcements to protect against drops and spills and
integrated mobile broadband radios. The result is a blended platform that
features a premium price point that can survive semi-hazardous, non-carpeted
environments.
•Semi-Rugged: The traditional semi-rugged notebook is not designed for use in
severe conditions but features some of the reinforcements of ruggedness such
as metal casing, spill resistance and sealed ports, daylight viewing technology,
and shock absorption reinforcement such as rubberized bumpers and internal
dampers.
•Fully Rugged: Created for the most hazardous environments, these notebooks
feature a specification of IP-54 or greater, comply with relevant MIL-STD-810F
environmental tests and are constructed with the most sophisticated
technologies for antenna pass-throughs, casing and reinforcements. These
systems are often UL-1604 certified, allowing them to be used in hazardous
environments such as oil and gas. A sub category of fully rugged is ultra-rugged
computers (at least IP-64, fully sealed with MIL-STD-461E specification).
Frankly, a majority of office bound users are served best by the commercial-grade
device. Yet, segments of the enterprise space could experience cost savings by
adopting a higher degree of ruggedness. Highly mobile workers operating outside of
the carpeted office space who support applications deemed mission critical to
business operations should consider some level of a rugged device. A TCO analysis,
conducted to properly account for the operational costs of mobile computing, can
help quantify the cost benefits.

© 2009 VDC Research Group, Inc. 5
“The customers who go with a rugged
solution are typically those who have
deployed commercial-grade solutions in
the past and experienced the soft costs
of downed equipment, continuous
upgrades, etc.”
– Tier I Wireless Carrier
III. SEGMENTING MOBILE WORKERS
When it comes to determining the optimal mobile computer, many evaluators
underestimate the risks associated with the deployment environment. This fault is
most common among first time adopters of mobility who fail to consider device
durability and deploy solutions without consideration of the soft costs. According to
VDC Research, of respondents who deployed solutions to non-carpeted
environments, 37.8% deployed commercial-grade solutions. Of this group, 61.7% did
not evaluate semi-rugged or fully rugged solutions. However, and perhaps most
interestingly, most users of rugged or durable/business rugged mobile solutions
initially adopted commercial grade hardware. In other words, having experienced the
pain of high rates of failure, they took a more proactive approach with subsequent
deployments.
As the various levels of ruggedness and protection have evolved so are the users
who frequently rely on mobile computing solutions to support their workflows. This
large user base – over 80 million mobile workers in the United States alone – ranges
from campus mobile workers (corridor warriors, to road warriors and mobile field
workers. Mobile computers used by these professionals are, to varying degrees,
exposed to a variety of environmental conditions. In addition, a non-deskbound
workforce is simply more prone to mishaps. If equipped with the wrong device, the
impact of failure and subsequent downtime can be significant.
Included among the core mobile user segments are:
•Field-based harsh: Field-based computing is perhaps the roughest on
the device due to the need for the computer to be used both inside and
outside the vehicle. Therefore along with all the specifications against
vibration, temperature, humidity, and altitude, mobile devices for field
based computing in harsh environments need to be built to withstand wet
and particulate laden environments, including dust, sand, dirt, snow, ice,
and rain. Finally, the solutions need to be built to withstand potential long
falls to a variety of surfaces. Solutions deployed to these environments
are typically classified as fully rugged solutions. Common adopters
include the military, utilities, marine and trucking industries.
•In-vehicle: Devices are exposed to a variety of hazards within the
vehicle including vibration, dust, humidity, temperature, thermal shock,
and altitude. The areas where vehicles are driven is one of the largest
factors determining the degree of ruggedness for the device. In the case
of off-road driving, devices can experience shock equal to a drop to
concrete. Mounts for solutions also need to be ruggedized depending on
the environmental demands. Common adopters of in-vehicle computers
include police, utility workers, and the military.

© 2009 VDC Research Group, Inc. 6
“The ability to disinfect is huge. We have
done-in our keyboards trying to apply
just a little disinfectant to stop the
spread of viruses”
– IT evaluator for a homecare service
provider organization
•Field-based moderate: The hazards of the field based moderate
environment align with field based harsh. Devices need to be designed
to resist vibration, temperature, humidity, and altitude, along with wet and
particulate laden environments. Yet, the degree of protection does not
need to be as robust as conditions are less harsh. Vehicles are typically
driven on smooth paved roads. Mobile workers will often choose not to
work outside during extremely harsh weather conditions. Granted the
solutions are still highly mobile, requiring strong protections against
normal wear and tear, drops, and liquid. Key industries that deploy
solutions to field based moderate environments include field sales, field
service, professional services, trucking, DSD, and mail/courier.
•Road warrior: Currently most road warriors use their devices primarily in
carpeted office areas except for during transit. As a result, commercial-
grade devices are the most commonly adopted platform. Integration of
more durable components such as spill-proof keyboards and some form
of hard drive protection received favorable reception from this community
which is resulting in adoption of more business-rugged or durable mobile
computing solutions.
•Campus: Organizations that work in areas of tiled floors or concrete
often demand more active workloads (namely not desk work). Devices
need to be protected against shock to concrete or tiled floors from arm
level. Depending on the environment, specifications may need to be
specialized to withstand exposure to industry specific hazards. For
instance, healthcare facilities require solutions that can be disinfected to
prevent the spread of germs. Warehousing operations often require
solutions that can withstand cold temperatures for use in freezer
environments. Industries covered in this category include healthcare,
manufacturing, warehousing, and retail.
•Healthcare: In reaction to a lack of a “perfect” platform, hospitals have
mainly adopted commercial-grade devices, stapling them to carts to
prevent falls and enhance the ergonomics. Recently, increasing adoption
of more sophisticated applications, such as e-prescribing and
prescription verification, is demanding that computers be further
integrated into the workflow. Subsequently, demand for truly mobile
platforms is on the rise. To meet this new trend, vendors developed
Mobile Clinical Assistants (MCAs) such as Panasonic’s Toughbook H1,
which is a tablet featuring rugged construction, disinfectable casing, and
a competitive price point. Currently, MCAs have received favorable
reception from the medical community, especially for the ability to
disinfect, and are starting to be used in full scale deployments at
hospitals. Indicators point to the MCA category as a successful new form
factor due to the creation of platforms consisting of the distinct set of
ruggedness and ergonomic features demanded by the healthcare
environment.

© 2009 VDC Research Group, Inc. 7
Figure B
Mapping Users, Environments, and Mobile Requirements
Figure B summarizes each environment in terms of their core users and application
environments and the level of protection required in their mobile computers. Although
VDC is not explicitly recommending rugged or business rugged/durable solutions for
the vast majority of today’s mobile computing users, the high failure rates associated
with many mobile computing deployments suggests that a there is a large number of
users equipped with an inappropriate solution. The consequences of these
deployments are substantially higher ownership costs, poor customer service
performance and lost revenue.
IV. THE IMPACT OF TCO: BEHIND THE NUMBERS
TCO is not a standard measurement implemented in mobile deployment evaluations.
According to VDC end user data, only 31.6% of respondents performed a TCO
analysis during their most recent mobile computing deployment. Key reasons for the
lack of TCO analysis is the expense, mistrust of outsider assessment, and lack of
justification.

© 2009 VDC Research Group, Inc. 8
One of the most striking
misunderstandings in TCO is how little
hard costs actually matter in the total
cost of the deployment, yet price
remains the leading product selection
criteria among end users.
However, the core idea behind TCO – to measure direct and indirect costs of an
investment over time to determine its viability – is a sound and useful business
concept. Having a full view of the cost of a mobile computing deployment over its
lifetime provides insight into the type of solution that needs to be deployed. In
particular, TCO analysis can show the significance in cost of mobile device failure.
One of the most compelling aspects of this solution is the availability of a Web-based
reporting tool and supporting analytic engine that makes information regarding what’s
happening on the retail floor available to other locations, including participating
trading partners, providing a platform for item-level intelligence:
VDC defines TCO to include the following components:
•Hard costs (Deployment costs): hardware, accessories, software,
implementation, and training costs
•Soft costs (Operational costs): productivity loss, opportunity loss, and IT
support, costs of repairs and replacement parts
Easily quantified through supplier estimates, a majority of TCO analyses overly rely
on hard costs. In fact, hard costs for a commercial-grade notebook only account for
18% of the deployment’s TCO over a five year period. One of the most striking
misunderstandings in TCO is how little hard costs actually matter in the total cost of
the deployment, yet price remains the leading product selection criteria among end
users.
Exhibit I-1
TCO Comparison Over Five Years
Fully
Rugged
Notebook Rugged
Notebook
Business-
Rugged
Notebook
Consumer
Grade
Notebook
Hard/Deployment Costs 34.0% 29.2% 20.8% 18.2%
Soft/Operational Costs 66.0% 70.8% 79.2% 81.8%
Soft costs make up the bulk of TCO and the greatest expenses in soft costs relate to
lost productivity, IT expenses, and opportunity cost when a device fails. Annual
device failures for non-rugged hardware can exceed 30%. This is a staggering figure
considering that each percentage point of failure results in an increase of almost 5%
in the mobile computing indirect or soft costs.

© 2009 VDC Research Group, Inc. 9
“Evaluators struggle to wrap their head
around the soft costs of mobile
solutions”
– GM, Mobile Computing
System Integrator
According to VDC end-user research, the leading causes of device failure are
dropping the device and water liquid exposure, two relatively common experiences.
Furthermore, failure rates of non-rugged mobile computers in many of the previously
described user environments exceeded 20%.
0%
25%
50%
75%
100%
1st Year 2nd Year 3rd Year 4th Year 5th Year
Figure C
Cumulative Mobile Replacement Cycles by Platform
Rugged Mobile Computers Non-Rugged Mobile Computers
Rugged mobile computers are replaced far less often than commercial-grade
devices. While it is expected that commercial-grade solutions have a shorter life span
than rugged mobile computers, a higher amount of commercial-grade failures leads
to early replacement, rather than repair. These costs start to replicate in various ways
that continue to increase the TCO for commercial units.
Over 60% difference
in units replaced by
third year
Over 20% even
at year 5