Imagine managing a fleet of trucks where vehicles are constantly on the move, facing tight delivery schedules and unpredictable road conditions. Drivers need to log trip data, navigate safely, and stay connected with dispatch.
However, instead of using rugged tablets designed for such demanding environments, drivers are struggling with fragile smartphones that cannot withstand the wear and tear of life on the road. In high-risk settings like transportation and logistics, devices must be as durable as the jobs they are designed for.
This is where rugged devices come into play.
In this article, we will explore how YellowFox Telematics Systems—developers of telematic solutions for optimizing fleet, personnel, and object management—utilizes Samsung rugged devices to improve productivity.
Before we dive in, let’s tackle some common questions about rugged devices!
Table of contents:
- What is a rugged device?
- What is rugged device management?
- Should I use consumer-grade devices in the workplace?
- Top Android rugged devices for productivity
- How YellowFox uses rugged devices to increase productivity
- Rugged device management with Samsung Knox
- Future-proof your rugged device management with Samsung Knox
What is a rugged device?
Rugged devices are specialized electronic equipment designed to endure harsh conditions, including extreme temperatures, humidity, dust, vibrations, and impacts from drops.
They are developed through a process called ruggedization, which involves reinforcing conventional consumer devices' internal components and external structures. This enhances their resistance to physical damage and environmental exposure, making them suitable for the toughest conditions.
They are used in high-intensity industries where standard consumer devices may fail, such as manufacturing, warehousing, construction, defense, and healthcare.
These traits have made rugged devices a popular choice for many businesses seeking to reduce costs and improve productivity in the workplace.
What is rugged device management?
The growing popularity of rugged devices across various industries highlights the need for robust management strategies. Simply deploying these durable technologies is not sufficient; ensuring their continuous performance, security, and longevity requires a strategic approach.
Rugged device management is a comprehensive process that involves monitoring, maintaining, and optimizing rugged devices throughout their lifecycle. Given that these devices are often used in extreme environments, specialized management strategies are necessary to ensure consistent performance, security, and efficiency.
This management approach ensures that these devices remain secure, functional, and efficiently deployed, which is crucial for minimizing disruptions. Poor management can lead to various problems that may hinder productivity and increase costs, such as:
- Device failures
- Security vulnerabilities
- Operational inefficiencies
From the initial deployment to fieldwork, effective rugged device management helps businesses maximize uptime, protect sensitive data, and streamline operations.
Should I use consumer-grade devices in the workplace?
Consumer-grade electronics are susceptible to damage when used in harsh environments. Businesses that depend on them face frequent device failures, higher maintenance costs, and operational delays.
Without adequate durability, these consumer devices often fall short, resulting in increased expenses and decreased efficiency.
Here are the top risks of consumer-grade device damage:
- Environmental hazards: Extreme temperatures can cause battery failure or screen malfunctions. Moisture and dust entry can also lead to internal corrosion or hardware failure.
- Physical impact and wear: Accidental impact can crack screens or damage internal components. Constant vibration from industrial machinery or vehicles can loosen internal connections over time.
- Operational stress and heavy usage: Regular use in high-pressure environments, such as warehouses and construction sites, leads to increased wear and tear. In fields with exposure to chemicals or industrial materials, devices can degrade more rapidly.
- Security and data risks: Device damage can cause system malfunctions, increasing vulnerability to cyber threats—for example, broken authentication mechanisms (e.g., fingerprint scanners or keypads) can expose confidential data. Additionally, handheld devices are at a higher risk of being lost or stolen, potentially leading to data breaches.
- Connectivity and performance issues: Damaged ports, antennas, or internal components can disrupt Wi-Fi, cellular, and Bluetooth connectivity necessary for daily work. Battery degradation from prolonged exposure to extreme conditions can also reduce productivity and increase data costs.
Top Android rugged devices for productivity
Don't worry—the Samsung Galaxy rugged device lineup, which includes the Galaxy XCover and Galaxy Tab Active series, is designed to help businesses enhance efficiency, security, and durability in the field.
Why Samsung Galaxy rugged devices excel in the field:
- Reliable in tough conditions: MIL-STD-810H durability and IP68 water/dust resistance ensure devices survive drops, extreme temperatures, and harsh environments, minimizing costly replacements.
- Long-lasting power: Replaceable batteries keep devices operational for entire work shifts without interruptions.
- Fast and efficient workflows: Glove-friendly and wet-touch displays allow seamless use in all weather conditions.
- Easy authentication and tracking: Programmable keys and NFC capabilities enable quick authentication, asset tracking, and contactless transactions for smoother workflows.
- Seamless security and device management: Both the Galaxy Tab Active and XCover series are compatible with Samsung Knox Suite, an enterprise-grade solution that enables remote management, security enforcement, and software updates to help businesses protect and maintain their devices efficiently.
Choosing the right device: tablet or smartphone?
- Galaxy Tab Active series: Ideal for workers needing a larger screen for data input, S Pen functionality for signatures, and a more tablet-like experience in tougher environments.
- Galaxy XCover series: Ideal for busy professionals who need a compact device with quick access to essential applications like push-to-talk, barcode scanning, or real-time data.
How YellowFox uses rugged devices to increase productivity
Since its creation in 2003, YellowFox has become a leading provider of fleet management solutions across Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, specializing in transport, logistics, and construction.
Their YellowFleetApp integrates fleets, mobile employees, and assets into a single platform, helping businesses automate and digitize operations for greater efficiency.
However, as YellowFox expanded, they needed a rugged, enterprise-grade hardware and software solution to complement their telematics platform. After evaluating different options, they chose the Samsung Galaxy Tab Active series Enterprise Edition, a rugged solution designed for demanding work environments.
Key features of the device include:
- S Pen functionality for digital signatures
- Swappable batteries for uninterrupted use
- Near-field communication (NFC) for seamless license verification
To further improve device management, YellowFox integrated Samsung Knox Suite, which:
- Automated device enrollment and provisioning, eliminating the need for manual setup
- Enabled remote troubleshooting, reducing downtime and the need for physical repairs
- Streamlined software updates, ensuring devices stay secure without disrupting operations
- Enhanced security with remote locking, data wiping, and policy enforcement to protect fleet data
By combining rugged Samsung tablets with Knox Suite enterprise-level management tools, YellowFox has increased its productivity with reliable uninterrupted service.
With over 4,500 Samsung Galaxy Devices enrolled and a vast network of 6,000 companies relying on YellowFox, their partnership with Samsung has provided the scalability and efficiency needed to support a growing fleet management ecosystem.
Rugged device management with Samsung Knox
When paired with Samsung Knox Suite, the Samsung rugged device range—including the Galaxy XCover mobile and Galaxy Tab Active series—gains enterprise-grade security, remote management, and real-time updates, ensuring minimal downtime and maximum productivity for businesses.
Here are five ways businesses can save time using Samsung Knox:
- Bulk enrollment: Allows multiple devices to be registered simultaneously into a preferred EMM or IT policy system, streamlining the deployment phase and eliminating the need for manual configuration of each device.
- Firmware management: Device OS versions can be monitored and updated outside of business hours to ensure workers aren’t pulled away from critical work.
- Remote troubleshooting: Enables IT admins to resolve issues faster than ever, without needing the physical device for troubleshooting.
- Industry-leading security: Confidential data is protected even when devices are lost, as IT admins can remotely lock, reset, or clear missing or stolen devices immediately after being notified.
- App provisioning and management: Provides IT admins the ability to assign devices to specific profiles or groups, restricting app usage and website access to prevent security risks, ensure adherence to company policies, and improve productivity.
Future-proof your rugged device management with Samsung Knox
For businesses operating in demanding environments, Samsung Knox solutions offer a comprehensive, secure, and efficient way to manage rugged devices at scale.
As Hendrik Sherf, founder and director of YellowFox, puts it,
Paired with the rugged and reliable Galaxy Tab Active series, Knox Suite solutions provide an all-in-one package for enterprises looking to optimize productivity, security, and device longevity.
For organizations seeking a future-proof solution that simplifies mobile device management while enhancing efficiency and security, Samsung Knox stands out as the ideal choice.
Learn more about how we support YellowFox.
Frequently Asked Questions
Rugged devices are specialized electronic equipment designed to endure harsh conditions, including extreme temperatures, humidity, dust, vibrations, and impacts from drops.
They are developed through a process called ruggedization, which involves reinforcing conventional consumer devices' internal components and external structures. This enhances their resistance to physical damage and environmental exposure, making them suitable for the toughest conditions.
They are used in high-intensity industries where standard consumer devices may fail, such as manufacturing, warehousing, construction, defense, and healthcare.
These traits have made rugged devices a popular choice for many businesses seeking to reduce costs and improve productivity in the workplace.
Rugged device management is a comprehensive process that involves monitoring, maintaining, and optimizing rugged devices throughout their lifecycle. Given that these devices are often used in extreme environments, specialized management strategies are necessary to ensure consistent performance, security, and efficiency.
