CCJ

July 2018

Fleet Management News & Business Info | Commercial Carrier Journal

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40 commercial carrier journal | july 2018 technology Tough tablet Xplore's XBook D10 could fill security niche for fleets BY AARON HUFF A mong the factors to consider when selecting a tablet to support your present and future mobility needs: Can it withstand constant vibration? Can it survive occa- sional drops? Does it have everything needed to perform tasks inside and outside the cab, such as inspecting equipment and capturing data, signatures and documents electronically? Xplore Technologies recently sent CCJ its latest rugged mo- bile platform to test in person — the Android-powered XBook D10. The company also offers a Windows-powered version, the XBook B10. Judging by looks alone, the XBook D10 has more features than needed to run common fleet management apps such as electronic logging devices, driver vehicle inspection reports and dispatch messaging and workflow. While the Wi-Fi and attached stylus pen would come in handy, the I/O ports – USB, Ethernet, HDMI and SD cards – are more for an office environment. This is by design, since the company has more industries in mind than transportation. "The recent uptick in worker mobility has led to increased market demand for more convertible computing devices that equally satisfy the data-intensive workflow demands of em- ployees who tend to spend their time at a desk, as well as those frequently called into the field," says John Graff, Xplore's vice president of marketing. The XBook D10 could fill a niche for some transportation fleets, especially those that want added security. The device comes with an integrated fingerprint reader that companies with slip-seat operations could use to authenticate drivers and secure sensitive mobile apps. Within a few minutes of testing the XBook D10, it was ap- parent that the computer has functions that rival any laptop or desktop computer. Its touch mouse pad is a nice addition to the keyboard by making it easy to transition between the office and the field. It has a flexible footprint that allows for easy setup at home, on a desk or when mounted to a vehicle dash or secured to a field worker with the hand strap on the backside. The XBook D10 appears to be durable, with added protec- tion around the corners of the touchscreen and a spill-resistant keyboard. Speaking of the keyboard, it is just as easy to use as a full-sized one, and it swings open and shut to cover the touch- screen display when not in use. When closed, the keyboard stays attached to the display with a light magnetic seal. It can be detached from the tablet quickly if desired. For mobile use, the touchscreen works with gloves and is viewable in broad sunlight for data collection, review and shar- ing. Be warned, though, that at 2.4 pounds, the rugged tablet is significantly heavier than a consumer-style device. Xplore offers vehicle docks that have the VESA standard mounting pattern, as well as a variety of mounting components to attach the dock to practically any vehicle. The company's sales and service teams consult with customers to determine the best mounting solution for any vehicle. The picture quality of its 5-megapixel camera is adequate for capturing images of documents and other items in the field. T E C H R E V I E W : X P L O R E X B O O K D 1 0 A flexible footprint allows for easy setup at home, on a desk or when mounted to a vehicle dash or secured to a field worker with the hand strap on the backside. Xplore Technologies' Android-powered XBook D10 rugged mobile computer has functions that rival any laptop or desktop device. While the Wi-Fi and attached stylus pen would come in handy, the I/O ports – USB, Ethernet, HDMI and SD cards – are more for an office environment.

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