3 Things to Consider when Transitioning from Windows CE End of Life to Android

Windows CE End of Life is near, leaving warehouses scrambling to find an alternate OS such as Android, that will allow them to continue maximizing productivity without experiencing downtime during the transition. A disruption in productivity can significantly affect your bottom line, so it’s important to find the right tools to keep your operations running smoothly.

Here are three things to consider when transitioning to Android.

Increased Productivity

When looking for a new vehicle-mount computer for your forklifts, your top priority should be finding one that will increase your productivity. The device you choose should be rugged, and able to withstand the conditions that it will need to work in, as well as the vibrations from the machine itself.

With Windows CE End of Life approaching, it’s important to find a new device soon, but don’t compromise on power. The device needs to have the capabilities to run any applications you need, without waiting for pages to load or data to process. Any device that runs too slow will dampen your productivity.

Another way to streamline operations and increase productivity is through error reduction. When your workers don’t have access to the data they need at all times, the time they spend retrieving it can cause huge delays. If they don’t have the time, they may try to go without, risking errors popping up. Prevent this by transitioning to Android devices built to perform and provide all necessary data instantly.

Lower Cost of Ownership

Many warehouse operators make the unfortunate mistake of never looking beyond the initial investment, but what you really need to consider is the total cost of ownership. Inexpensive solutions will always make you pay elsewhere with maintenance costs, planned obsolescence, or hidden fees.

Some may only be compatible with certain accessories, forcing you to purchase them instead of allowing to utilize the perfectly good ones you already have. Try to find products that offer backwards-compatible accessories, like docks, mounts, keyboards, and scanners to help you save money.

You also want to make sure your device is future-proof, with support in place for any upcoming Android updates.

Adopt a Platform to Prepare for the Future

Transitioning to Android-based devices can help ensure better warehouse productivity. With Honeywell’s Mobility Edge platform, you can get unified hardware and software architecture that makes it easy to deploy new devices and software applications.

The Mobility Edge takes an integrated and scalable approach to helping solve the Windows CE End of Life issue. Devices built on the Mobility Edge platform are ideal for simplified deployments and maximum productivity.

Consider a solution like the Thor VM1A, which is a compact, ergonomic solution that can accelerate provisioning, application certification, and deployment. It also features extended security update support, to maximize ROI.

Conclusion:

Windows CE End of Life is looming, but if you plan ahead and prepare, transitioning to Android devices doesn’t have to hurt your bottom line. The right technology, like devices built on the Mobility Edge platform, can help you easily navigate this transition and achieve higher productivity, while still providing a lower total cost of ownership.

Contact us for more information on Windows End of Life, and how we can help you avoid downtime and gain better productivity during this transition.