According to recent research by Opinion Matters and Panasonic, handheld mobile computing failures are frustrating delivery drivers, warehouse workers, retailers and emergency services personnel across the UK and costing business.
The research revealed that on average, handheld mobile computing devices with barcode readers fail more than 2.5 times a year and take 2.6 days or more to replace or repair. Furthermore, on average over 63% of workers felt their handheld device was more prone to failure than other technology devices they used.
The research, called Handheld Troubles, spoke to 250 workers who use handheld devices for their job. It highlighted a number of design improvements workers would like to see included anti-scratch coating (30%), a hand or shoulder strap (28%), and heat reflective coating (18%).
Jan Kaempfer, general manager of marketing for Mobile Solutions Business Division – Europe, said, “It is more critical than ever that technology buyers understand the device design factors that will have the biggest impact on their workforce and their business– ergonomic design, rugged protection and technology differentiators like hot swappable batteries and daylight visible screens.”