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VDC Research Group, Inc. 

679 Worcester Road | Suite 2 | Natick, MA 01760 
T: 508.653.9000 | F: 508.653.9836 | E: info@vdcresearch.com | W: www.vdcresearch.com 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

While slimmer IT budgets will tempt evaluators to pick solutions with the lower price 
tag, often organizations will end up spending significantly more on downgraded 
solutions over time. Organizations looking to deploy mobile computers outside the 
office space with operational-critical or even high value, applications will want to 
consider a higher grade of ruggedness through the lens of a TCO analysis.  
 
Such a TCO analysis must quantify the differences between rugged and commercial-
grade solutions. They must also take into account the increasing cost of lost 
productivity and IT support due to further integration of mobile computing into core 
operations and company image. Through such a metric, organizations can determine 
the solution which will best serve the company and cost the least over the life of the 
deployment. 
 
 

A B O U T   V D C   R E S EA R C H   G R O U P  

 
VDC Research Group (VDC) is a technology market research and strategy consulting 
firm that advises clients in a number of technology markets including: Automatic 
Identification and Data Collection, Embedded Hardware and Systems, Embedded 
Software and Tools, Industrial Automation and Control, Mobile and Wireless, and 
Power Conversion and Control. Using rigorous primary research and analysis 
techniques, the firm helps its clients identify, plan for, and capitalize on current and 
emerging market opportunities. We strive to deliver exceptional value to our clients 
by leveraging the considerable technical, operational, educational and professional 
experience of our research and consulting staff. During our nearly four decades of 
ongoing operation, we have had the pleasure of serving most of the world’s leading 
technology companies, many high-profile start-ups, and numerous blue-chip early 
and later stage investors. Our products and services consist of research reports, 
annual research programs, and custom research and consulting services. Founded in 
1971, the firm is located in the Boston area. Please visit our Web site at 

www.vdcresearch.com

 to learn more. 

 
 
 
 

 

Summary of Contents for Toughbook 19

Page 1: ...LLENGES 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 Hol...

Page 2: ...ill 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 element...

Page 3: ...ost 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...

Page 4: ...pplications 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 w...

Page 5: ...ther 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...

Page 6: ...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...

Page 7: ...at 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...

Page 8: ...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 ownershi...

Page 9: ...sts 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 par...

Page 10: ...0 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...

Page 11: ...and often frustration for IT staff to support two or three versions of hardware in troubleshooting and purchasing software solutions that work across units Devices bought at subsidized prices at the...

Page 12: ...igned to achieve In current recessionary times VDC recognizes that organizations are looking to streamline investments to gain the most bang for the buck However ruggedness should not be viewed as a l...

Page 13: ...T VDC RESEARCH GROUP VDC Research Group VDC is a technology market research and strategy consulting firm that advises clients in a number of technology markets including Automatic Identification and D...

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