Panasonic Solutions Company announced its plan to deliver an
enterprise-grade Google Android-based tablet to the market later this
year. The Toughbook tablet is designed to address a current gap in the
market by introducing a secure, durable and functional device that will
feature a high brightness, daylight viewable 10.1″ screen and include
an integrated active stylus to enable signature capture in the field.
Panasonic is also addressing security needs in the market by embedding
security features at the hardware level.
From a functionality standpoint, the Toughbook tablet will avoid the
typical glossy screens found on current tablet offerings that are
difficult to read in outdoor environments. The Toughbook tablet will
include a high brightness, daylight viewable screen so that mobile
workers, in markets like field service, home healthcare and public
safety, can see data and operate the device regardless of lighting
conditions.
The new tablet will also include an active stylus, allowing mobile
workers in sales, customer service and mobile point-of-sale
environments to capture signatures, as well as satellite-based GPS,
full-shift battery life, professional-grade accessories and optional
embedded 3G/4G mobile broadband connectivity. Combined with mobile
broadband connectivity, the Android-based Toughbook tablet is designed
to provide quick access to applications and data that could improve a
field worker’s ability to make critical decisions that enhance customer
service, improve response times and deliver results, the company said
in a release.
“Enterprise customers are very interested in the tablet market, but
have been frustrated by the lack of appropriate solutions,” said Rance
Poehler, president of the Panasonic Solutions Company. “The vast
majority of tablet devices—regardless of the OS—are engineered for
consumers and don’t offer appropriate levels of security and durability
or the functionality needed for business use. Like all Toughbook
products, our Toughbook tablet will be designed and constructed with
the mission-critical mobile user in mind.”
The Panasonic Solutions Company delivers collaboration,
information-sharing and decision-support solutions for customers in
government, healthcare, education and a variety of commercial
enterprises. Products and services within the company’s portfolio
include Panasonic Toughbook mobile computing solutions, projectors,
professional displays (including both plasma and LCD), and HD and 3D
video acquisition and production solutions.