Manufacturing environments expose both equipment and processes to constant stress. Heat, vibration, airborne particulates, moisture, and noise all affect how people work and how well operations run. Even in these tough conditions, manufacturers push to improve speed, accuracy and system responsiveness. Rugged devices support these efforts by reducing delays, improving visibility and connecting decision-making directly to the point of action, according to Getac.

Frank Baldrighi, business development manager – Australia and New Zealand, Getac, said, “Work no longer depends on desktop access or end-of-shift reporting to progress. Rugged devices provide mobile, durable access to the tools and data that workers require in real time. Teams can track workflow progress, review equipment histories, update maintenance logs, and verify task details onsite, all without leaving the immediate work area. This removes unnecessary downtime, compresses feedback cycles, and improves responsiveness across teams.”

Access to live data at the point of use eliminates ambiguity so workers can verify specifications, update quality data, and escalate emerging issues without interrupting production. Many of these tasks would have involved manual paperwork or communication through supervisory layers in traditional environments. However, rugged devices reduce those handovers and bring execution and oversight closer together, letting operators make better, faster decisions based on current conditions and clear instructions.

Training also improves when workers interact with real systems while guided by context-specific instructions. Augmented and mixed reality applications help new employees follow correct procedures while completing actual tasks. This approach accelerates learning and reduces reliance on legacy knowledge held by a small group of experienced staff.

Sustainability efforts similarly benefit from this shift in visibility. Workers can identify avoidable waste, inefficiencies, and asset fatigue during the task, not after production has ended. Energy usage, cycle timing, material flow, and process deviations become measurable and actionable in real time. Maintenance teams can use live readings instead of relying on fixed schedules, helping them act sooner and reduce equipment strain.

Frank Baldrighi said, “Rugged devices connect directly to enterprise resource planning (ERP), manufacturing execution systems (MES), and warehouse management platforms (WMS), so the information captured in the field drives real outcomes. Stock levels update in real time, maintenance logs trigger parts reordering, and repair records link straight to compliance documentation. This kind of integration removes double handling, reduces errors, and keeps execution consistent across teams.

“Rugged devices also support advanced manufacturing techniques such as remote computer numerical control, 3D printing task initiation, and edge analytics. The right application layer can help operators modify machine settings, run diagnostic checks, and initiate production adjustments in real time. These capabilities provide greater flexibility and help reduce the time required for setup, handover, or shift transition.”

Manufacturers can realise these benefits by matching device specifications to operational conditions. Resistance to heat, shock, dust, and moisture must be balanced with long battery life, daylight-readable displays, and secure connectivity. Devices must support the manufacturer’s current application stack and provide room for future upgrades. Reliability across environmental extremes is essential, as is compatibility with both general business software and industry-specific systems.

Real-time data capture also supports compliance with clear, trackable documentation. Time-stamped photos, procedural checklists, and asset scans provide a defensible trail of activity to improve traceability, support audit requirements, and contribute to ongoing process improvement.

Frank Baldrighi said, “Rugged devices put critical information in the hands of the people doing the work, where and when it’s needed. That means fewer mistakes, faster decisions, and more consistent results for gains that make a real difference in high-pressure environments where downtime hurts.”