Educating the Utilities Market on Rugged Mobility at Utility Week Live 2025

As a key strategic industry for Panasonic TOUGHBOOK, Utility Week Live 2025 was an invaluable opportunity to educate decision makers on what’s possible when working with a trusted mobility partner providing rugged, fit-for-purpose technology for mobile workers.

 

written by: Aaron Dosa, Business Manager (Enterprise) at Panasonic TOUGHBOOK

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More than a Rugged Hardware Provider

There is sometimes an assumption that the utilities industry is well-resourced in technology terms. However, speaking to attendees at Utility Week Live, it’s clear that there remains a significant knowledge gap on the importance of deploying fit-for-purpose devices. 

Firstly, utilities companies need to understand the unique requirements of each worker within their organisation. There will be different age profiles, locations, working environments, and application requirements in each organisation – all of which will influence what each mobile worker requires in their mobile devices and support infrastructure.

Without first doing this, many utilities companies continue to utilise non-rugged devices, attempting to maximise their value despite inherent limitations. These organisations often perceive rugged devices as an expense rather than an enabler of efficiency and productivity.

It is crucial to shift this perception by highlighting the long-term benefits of rugged devices, which deliver a vastly superior return on investment, and lower total cost of ownership (TCO). This includes enhanced battery life that can last a full shift, reliable connectivity, superior screen brightness and size, robust processing power, and modularity – not to mention the end-to-end lifecycle support provided by a trusted mobility partner such as Panasonic TOUGHBOOK. 

These elements are vital for delivering long-term efficiency and productivity with a durable, fit-for-purpose solution built for demanding environments.

Maximising In-Vehicle Efficiency

Panasonic’s tailored vehicle connectivity solutions were a focal point of discussions at the TOUGHBOOK booth at Utility Week LiveDecision makers were keen to explore what’s possible when seamlessly transitioning technology in and out of vehicles when attending a job.

They expressed significant interest in Panasonic's collaboration with The AA, where we comprehensively managed the installation of over 2,500 ruggedised 5G routers across their roadside vehicle fleet. This initiative has resulted in enhanced connectivity, operational efficiency, and cost savings.

Going beyond the mounting of rugged devices in custom-made docking solutions, the TOUGHBOOK team demonstrated how to best utilise its new Screen Mirroring Solution, developed in conjunction with VNC Automotive. This allows on-screen information from a TOUGHBOOK to be seamlessly duplicated onto a vehicle’s existing OEM touchscreen.

For many in utilities, they’re simply scratching the surface in realising what’s possible in maximising in-vehicle connectivity and efficiency. This is where Panasonic’s knowledge of how in-vehicle solutions are redefining the day-to-day role of mobile workers is key. It is how we are helping utilities workers to maximise flexibility, performance and efficiency.

Time is Ticking on Migrating to Windows 11

The transition from Windows 10 to 11 remains a pressing issue within the utilities sector. With just four months until Windows 10 reaches end-of-life, there is a palpable sense of urgency to migrate to ensure enhanced security and operational efficiency. This is where Panasonic can help facilitate a smooth transition, providing the necessary support and compatibility to minimise any operational disruption. 

With many still asking about the finer details of transitioning, utilities will hopefully prioritise this upon returning from the NEC!

 

The Role of AI in Utilities

Naturally, as in every industry, conversations on how to best harness AI weren’t far away in Birmingham – literally. With the Panasonic TOUGHBOOK booth directly opposite the keynote stage, we were normally the first port-of-call to discuss how AI is quickly becoming a cornerstone for modern deployments 

With Panasonic’s latest TOUGHBOOK G2 and 40 devices featuring Intel® AI-enabled NPUs, we’re already helping to deliver a wide range of capabilities for utilities workers on the frontline. This includes using computer vision technologies to analyse the schematics of equipment, or for improving communication, collaboration and data collection to quickly produce automated reports before the next job. 

By leveraging AI, utilities companies can significantly enhance field operations, but the industry is still in the early stages of exploring how to integrate its capabilities into their infrastructure.

What’s Next: The Art of the Possible in Utilities

Ultimately, Utility Week Live highlighted the critical need to educate the attending IT service management professionals, operations directors, and procurement heads on the benefits of not only deploying rugged devices in the field, but also of having a trusted mobility partner backing them up. 

Panasonic TOUGHBOOK remains dedicated to supporting the utilities sector with cutting-edge technology and comprehensive services that drive operational excellence and long-term success.

 

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