Utility companies are under increasing pressure to provide the fairest deals for consumers while meeting tough climate change targets and adhering to stringent compliance legislation.
Beyond these external factors, work spaces can be in challenging environments, while costly maintenance and security are always at the forefront of any technical investment. So, how do organisations within the sector juggle these demands while keeping a weather eye on capital outlay?
Here, Durabook, who specialise in rugged laptops for use by the U.S. Armed Forces, public safety agencies, numerous field service organizations, as well as companies that specialize in oil & gas, logistics, healthcare, utilities and automotive industries, explore what their range could do to help the UK water industry.
Setting the standard for on-site safety
Worker safety is critical, with the latest legislation requiring safe conditions of work for employees operating in hazardous areas and potentially explosive atmospheres. As a result, several of Durabook’s devices, including its Z14I, U11I, R11, R11L and R8 models, are C1D2 certified under the certification number ANSI/UL 121201. This means they are designed specifically for work in hazardous locations across oil and gas, petrochemical manufacturing, industrial manufacturing, and other industries with potentially explosive atmospheres. This standard identifies three types of hazardous locations categorised by class and includes flammable gases and vapours, combustible dust and ignitable fibres. In addition, it identifies two divisions and seven groups that indicate the level of explosive elements anticipated in each work location and the safety risks.
By achieving this certification, Durabook devices offer reassurance that these rugged devices are explosion-proof in even the most hazardous environments.
Built for an uninterrupted performance
Durabook is also the only rugged manufacturer to produce a fanless solution to further mitigate the risk of on-site explosions while ensuring that devices remain operational in any environment. The presence of dust poses a serious problem for computers, laptops or tablets, as the fan introduces solid mineral or organic dust particles into the hardware from the outside.
This dust then builds up in the system, affecting the computer’s components, such as the electrical circuit, creating blockages and limiting the movement of mechanical parts, which can cause the fan to malfunction. The implications of this failure can be catastrophic, including data loss, hardware downtime and reduced productivity in addition to the dangers associated with an overheating computer in a volatile environment.
To combat this problem, Durabook’s fanless R8, U11I and Z14I devices comprise an integrated passive cooling system that eliminates the need for a fan. Additionally, the passive cooling system’s efficiency allows the devices to work with even the most powerful processors that operate at a higher frequency and dissipate more heat.
This evolution in rugged technology means these devices are equipped to operate safely where standard computers can’t, for example, near moisture or outside. They are also more reliable, with fewer repairs due to fan failure from dust particles that can cause the device to overheat and damage other components. With fewer moving parts, there is also less risk of the hardware malfunctioning or needing replacing, which means a stronger return on investment over time. For example, research has shown that, compared with standard consumer models, rugged devices have lower total cost ownership (TCO) by up to 50% over a five-year lifespan, due to decreased downtime and less need for hardware replacement.
Robust and durable cutting-edge technology
Durabook understands that workers need technology that can withstand the demands of challenging environments for maximum operational efficiency. Most of Durabook devices carry at least an IP65 rating, protecting it against dust and water ingress, MIL-STD 810H certification and drop resistance of up to six feet. They have also been tested for explosive atmosphere, solar radiation, or even for salt fog and fungus resistance. In addition, many devices are equipped with Durabook’s proprietary DynaVue® technology and high-definition multi-touch screen, offering the highest contrast ratio. This helps to eliminate internal reflections and enhance viewing clarity from different angles, even in bright sunshine or low light conditions.
Durable and reliable devices reduce the risk of disruption to workflows, lost productivity and the potential for customer service erosion and employee fatigue, which is why leading devices are equipped with the latest Intel®processors and graphics capabilities, such as Intel® Iris® Xe, for an enhanced performance. Ultra-high speed data transmission, Intel® Wi-Fi and Bluetooth technology mean all data can be instantly synchronised and seamlessly fed back to the data centre with speed and accuracy, boosting productivity and efficiency. Ultra-long battery life and multiple add-ons, including Thunderbolt 4 technology, help field service operatives to gather, track and transmit data with ease.
For more information on Durabook, visit www.durabook.com
