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9 Powerful Business Uses For Tablet Computers

Start The Discussion | Chris Murphy | February 10, 2012 15:00 PM

From the warehouse to the sales floor, see how companies creatively use iPads and other tablets to save time and money, sell more, and delight customers. Tablets may even find a home on garbage trucks.

9 Powerful Business Uses For Tablet Computers

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Outdoor Work

In harsh, outdoor environments, conventional ruggedized tablets still hold their own over consumer tablets like iPads. iPads don't do water. Conventional ruggedized tablets are generally Windows based and use a stylus, though manufacturers are starting to deliver rugged touchscreens based on Android. Advantages over an iPad include screen durability, the ability to view the screen in sunlight, and batteries or hard drives that can be replaced, says Doug Petteway, marketing VP of GD-Itronix, a General Dynamics subsidiary that makes rugged tablets.

Rugged tablets can be built to withstand a soaking from a firehose or a drop on a concrete floor. They can be made to not emit any sparks so they can be used around oil and gas. But they also cost about $2,000 to $4,000 each. Motorola Solutions has a semi-rugged, Android-based enterprise touchscreen device for around $1,000 that aims to bridge the gap between conventional rugged, Windows-based tablets and consumer tablets.

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