Enterprise Mobility is Easier with Panasonic’s Toughbook N1
The Panasonic TOUGHBOOK® N1 mobile computer is the ideal handheld companion for your everyday work adventures. This stylish, tough powerhouse is an uncompromising, all-in-one mobility solution. The Panasonic FZ-N1 has your back whether you’re braving the elements or navigating difficult environments.
Panasonic FZ-N1: Uncompromising Mobility
First and foremost, let’s discuss the FZ-N1’s power. This rugged handheld has an octa-core processor that keeps you on top of your tasks without fail.
Do you need to scan barcodes while on the go? Panasonic included a handy, rear-facing barcode reader.
The rain and glove mode touch-screen keeps you in command, rain or shine.
Not to be forgotten, the Toughbook battery is not only long-lasting, but also hot-swappable for long shifts of uninterrupted barcode scanning.
Android Enterprise Recommended
The TOUGHBOOK N1 is powered by the Android operating system, allowing you to work in an open environment. The Google Play store as well as Panasonic’s trusted partners provides teams with access to a treasure trove of enterprise-grade applications.
Flexible Connectivity & Communication
Do you need to stay connected while on the go? It’s all about adaptability. Optional WWAN capabilities on the TOUGHBOOK N1 include Multi-carrier 4G LTE, FirstNet ReadyTM with Band 14, cellular voice, and dual SIM card support.
Speaking of communication, this rugged beauty is AT&T-certified to support Enhanced Push-to-Talk (EPTT) and can connect with other EPTT handsets and LMR devices.
Living Up to the Namesake
The best part? The Toughbook N1 is made to last. A drop of seven feet? No problem, the handheld is up to the task. So, whether you’re heading to a construction site or a field mission, this device is your dependable companion through thick and thin.
In a nutshell, the Panasonic FZ-N1 is the perfect work companion. It’s ready to face challenges head on, and is an excellent mobile computer from Panasonic. See it in action here:
Full Specifications of the Toughbook N1
- 4.7″ Fully Rugged Handheld with Android™ 11 (R) - Qualcomm® SDM660-2 64bit 2.2GHzx4+1.8GHzx4 Octa-Core with 4GB/64GB RAM/Flash
- Wi-Fi, optional 4G LTE WWAN with GPS – Dual Nano SIM, Bluetooth® with Low Energy, NFC, 1280×720 550 NIT screen 10-point touch.
- MIL-STD-810G, 7′ drop, IP66 and IP68 dust and water-resistant, NIAP and FIPS 140-2 security certification, Android Enterprise Recommended
- 12-hours (19-hour long life battery) depending on user profile; 8-hour rated (or 16-hours with the long-life battery) in continuous data use. User-replaceable battery that is warm-swap capable
- Standard: USB 2.0 (with option for Host or Client mode), front and rear facing cameras, rear-facing angled barcode reader with a scan engine
For a detailed list of key features, download the FZ-N1 spec sheet.
Ready to learn more? Contact a rugged smartphone expert today to explore applications, bulk pricing, and custom integrations and deployments from Barcodes, Inc.
Living on the Edge: Barcodes 2nd Annual Sales Kick off
Which Toughbook Should I Buy? The Buyer’s Guide
A few tips on choosing a toughbook that’s right for the job,
- Determine where the toughbook is going to be used
- Seek the durability and size that you need
- Understand what operating system you need to work with (most software requires Windows)
- Any custom configuration (memory, mobile broadband, gps, barcode readers, webcam, fingerprint authentication)
Here is why we recommend the Panasonic Toughbook 33, because no matter what your need might be this 2-in-1 Toughbook is can outperform your task on the field. With a detachable screen and hot-swappable battery, you can take this anywhere. Hello Maximum Mobility! Give the workers what they need to complete their task with ease to increase productivity and efficiency for your daily operation.
- 2-in-1 laptop or tablet mode, foldable and detachable
- Windows 10 Pro or Windows 7 Pro downgrade
- Ultimate Endurance with 12″ display designed for dust and dirt resistance
- Optional Mobile Broadband Carrier with Satellite GPS, Insertable and Contactless Smartcard readers
- IP65 certified with rain/glove mode to be used in weather demanding conditions and with gloves
- 4-foot drop rating
- 10-point multi touch screen
- Hot-swappable battery that lasts for up to 10(standard)-20(long life) battery
- A large line of accessories that keeps the Toughbook charged and strapped
The best part of it all is that each Toughbook is customizable, whether a feature is needed or not you can choose one that’s right for you and your price point. The value of a Toughbook is a function of the price, these rugged and durable computers are made to last for years. The Toughbook 33 provides reliability, longevity, and value to your daily tasks. It is engineered to equip the extraordinary.
Contact us if you like to learn about the configurable part that you need or check out other Panasonic Toughbooks for your daily operations. We can help you find the solution, stage what you need, and even provide services to keep your equipment up and working for long periods to come.
What You Need To Know About The ELD Mandate
What is the ELD Mandate?
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) published the final electronic logging device rule — or ELD Mandate. An electronic logging device is used to electronically record a driver’s record of duty status, which replaces the paper logbook for drivers to record their hours of service (HOS) requirements. Fleets that were equipped with electronic logging technology (AOBRDs) before Dec. 2017 have until Dec. 2019 to ensure compliance with the published specifications.
Benefits of an ELDs:
- Save driver time by reducing paperwork to ensure it is recorded properly
- Keep a dispatcher up to date on driver’s status
- Reduce a hassle of keeping a paper log
- Easy tracking driver’s HOS
- Ensure driving segments are recorded from truck’s engine
- Ease of data transfer from driver to fleet manager where one can see e-logs
Rugged Handhelds:
The FMCSA addressed that rugged handhelds and tablets can be used as long as the system meets the ELD requirements. With the overwhelming adoption of rugged handhelds, truck drivers find them easy to use and easy to track their hours of service while they are on the road.
What are some mobile device options?
While there are hundreds of devices to choose from, here are some of the newest technologies that are ideal for the on-the-go driver:
To learn more about the ELD Mandate or need an ELD solution, reach out to our one of our dedicated account managers.
Panasonic FZ-T1: The Toughest Hand Held Around
Panasonic has announced its latest rugged hand held, the FZ-T1. The 5- inch Android device is designed for the mobile work force in industries, including retail, hospitality, manufacturing, transportation, and logistics. The FZ-T1 will come in two options: with WiFi or WiFi and 4G/LTE functionalities. Designed to operate a full shift, it comes with a battery that can operate for 12 hours suited for operators scanning regularly.
This slim and lightweight hand held will be available for purchase in August 2018. Keep checking our blog for more updates!
Key Specs
- Display: 5.00 inches
- Processor: 1.1GHz quad-core
- Resolution: 720 x1280 pixels
- RAM: 2GB
- OS: Android 8.1 Oreo
- Storage: 16GB
- Rear Camera: 8-megapixel
- Battery Capacity: 3200 mAh
Contact us if you are interested in more information for the handheld or similar devices in your work force.
ELD Enforcement is Here
The Electronic Logging Device (ELD) Mandate took effect on December 18, 2017. Since then drivers were given some leeway. If they were caught without the proper ELD equipment, documents, or training they were written up, but neither they nor the companies they drive for were penalized for it. That leeway officially ended on April 1st.
Under the Compliance, Safety, and Accountability program (CSA) any driver now caught without the proper ELD equipment will have CSA points levied against them and their companies. Furthermore, according to Kerri Wirachowsky, Director of the roadside inspection program at the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance, trucks will be put into the penalty box, in most cases for up to 10 hours.
With the ELD Mandate drivers must have and be able to do the following.
- Tell enforcement that there is an electronic user manual with instructions for using the device, on the device, in the form of help screens.
- Be able to produce recent data and transfer it to an inspector electronically.
- Instructions for reporting malfunctions and record-keeping procedures during malfunctions.
- Have at least an eight day supply of blank forms for recording a driver’s hours of service in the event the mobile device fails.
April 1st has come and gone, hence if drivers are not ELD compliant by now its important to do so. Mainly because just having an ELD does not mean the driver is in compliance. The driver must also be able to operate the ELD. Not being able to do so will be treated as if the driver didn’t have the proper equipment on board.
To comply with the ELD Mandate you’ll need a device, below are some of the newest mobile device options for ELD:
- Zebra TC56 rugged smartphone
- Honeywell CT50 rugged smartphone
- Panasonic Toughpad FZ-G1 rugged tablet
- Samsung Galaxy Tab tablet
To learn more about the ELD Mandate or to get a free consultation on an ELD hardware and software solution, reach out to one of our Barcodes, Inc. representatives.
Electronic Logging Device (ELD) Mandate
What you need to know?
In 2012, the United States Congress enacted the “Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century” bill, which included a provision requiring the FMCSA to develop a rule mandating the use of Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs). The purpose of the ELD was to electronically record a driver’s Record of Duty Status (RODS), which replaces the paper log book that drivers use to record their compliance with Hours of Service (HOS) requirements. In December 2015, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) published the final electronic logging device rule, or ELD Mandate. In accordance with the mandate, fleets have until December 2017 to implement certified ELDs to record HOS. Additionally, fleets that are already equipped with ELD technology will have until December 2019 to ensure compliance with the published specifications.
What does an ELD do?
ELDs installed in motor vehicles can monitor and record a whole host of data about the vehicle and its driver that go beyond RODS – from Driver Vehicle Inspection Reports (DVIR) to driver behavior reporting on speeding, idling, and hard braking. Many systems are capable of integrating map and route optimization solutions as well, which can help drivers navigate through the best routes on any given day.
What are the benefits of ELD?
Besides being in compliance and avoiding heavy fees, many fleets are already seeing the benefits of ELDs, such as:
- Saves the drive time by reducing paperwork
- Keeps a dispatcher updated on a driver’s status, while letting them plan for loads better in light of HOS compliance needs
- Reduces the hassle of keeping a paper
- Tracks a driver’s HOS electronically
- Ensures drive segments are capture through being “integrally synchronized” with a truck’s engine
- Synchronizes driver with fleet manager by passing data to a system where one can see e-logs in a near real-time basis
- Save money by reducing fuel costs
Can I use rugged smartphones and tablets instead?
Knowing that there is a cost burden associated with adopting new technology, the FMCSA has authorized the use of rugged handhelds, smartphones, and tablets as the system as a whole meets ELD requirements, including a hardwired connection to the truck’s engine. This helps address the start-up costs associated with some of the HOS compliance systems. Furthermore, most truck drivers are already using rugged devices as part of their other operations, such as direct store delivery, signature capture, route optimization, and inventory management. They also allow the drivers the flexibility to choose from a wide range of mobile devices that they are comfortable using.
What are some mobile device options?
While there are hundreds of devices to choose from, here are some of the newest technologies that are ideal for the on-the-go driver:
- Zebra TC56 rugged smartphone
- Honeywell CT50 rugged smartphone
- Panasonic Toughpad FZ-G1 rugged tablet
- Samsung Galaxy Tab tablet
To learn more about the ELD Mandate or to get a free consultation on an ELD hardware and software solution, reach out to one of our Barcodes, Inc. representatives.
Panasonic Toughbook Helping Fight Crime
The Panasonic Toughbook 31 is more than just a reliable laptop equipped with Intel Core i5 and i3 processors. The leader in fully rugged design is also being used by the Chicago Police Department (CPD) in their roll out of new police squad cars. The new squad cars will be used to help reduce the gun violence in the city of Chicago and the Toughbook 31 will be lending a helping hand.
The rugged laptop computer will come equipped with ShotSpotter app, an app that will instantly alert law enforcement personnel of gunfire. Each alert will provide crucial information for each incident including: incident time, number of rounds, and the location of the incident with a highlighted evidence search area. Along with the ShotSpotter app the Toughbook 31 will also have real-time crime mapping, police databases, and electronic crash reporting.
The first roll out of the new CPD squad cars will feature 40 vehicles and should reach a total of 550 vehicles patrolling the street come early next year. All to help keep the streets of Chicago safe.
Panasonic Introduces Toughpad FZ-A2 Fully Rugged 10.1” Android Tablet
Panasonic has announced their new fully rugged 10.1″ FZ-A2 Android Toughpad, the latest addition to its Toughbook family. Equipped with powerful enterprise class features, the FZ-A2 comes with the Android 6.0 Marshmallow operating system and Android for Work’s enterprise security built-in.
At just under two pounds, the FZ-A2 tablet is light weight for easy portability and has been certified by an independent third party testing lab to meet MIL-STD-810G certification to ensure unmatched durability. The FZ-A2 offers protection from drops of up to five feet1 and has achieved an IP65 rating for protection from dust and water.
Equipped with an 800 nit, 10-point capacitive touchscreen display, the FZ-A2 tablet provides bright, crisp imagery in any condition whether workers are using their mobile devices in an indoor hospitality environment or outdoors in the field. Additionally, its screen can be used with or without gloves to capture signatures or other annotations in direct sunlight or even in the rain. The FZ-A2 tablet is also equipped with an 8MP rear camera for high-quality, professional image capture.
Panasonic’s Toughpad FZ-B2: Affordable Professional-grade Performance for the Field
Panasonic has announced the launch of the Toughpad FZ-B2, a rugged 7-inch tablet powered by Android for field-based workforces. With durability, power and a range of configurability options— at a price within reach of any business — the Toughpad FZ-B2 is an ideal tool for field service, inspections, reporting, or as an upgrade from clipboards and pen-and-paper processes.
Running the Android 4.4 operating system and powered by a Quad-core Intel Celeron Processor, the Toughpad FZ-B2 offers exclusive features not available on any consumer-grade tablet. These include enhanced enterprise features; a quick-charging, user-replaceable full-shift battery with optional bridge battery and high-capacity battery; a 5-point capacitive multi-touch screen that works even when the user is wearing gloves, as well as with a fine tip stylus pen; and a wide range of configuration options to allow organizations to customize the ideal tool for their workforces.
