The future of mobile IT – answers to trends and the complex challenges of mobile working

Interview with Steven Vindevogel.

Those on the front lines ensuring we have electricity and running water or saving lives need end-to-end solutions tailored to specific infrastructures and applications. In addition to robust, fail-safe hardware that keeps employees and technology working reliably even in adverse working conditions, it is also about multifunctionality and optimal connectivity for data access and processing - even in remote regions. Steven Vindevogel, Head of PANASONIC Mobile Solutions Business Division Europe, provides answers to complex mobility requirements.

Mobile or hybrid working, whether in the home office or coworking space, is now the norm. However, extraordinary challenges are faced by people working on the front lines in extreme environments, such as utilities, emergency services, defense forces and logistics. As one of the leading providers of robust hardware, you talk about “remote areas” and “hyper-mobility”, what is behind these terms?

The pandemic has blurred the previously clear distinction between mobile and desktop workstations. Many employees today work hybrid. You are mobile in your home office and switch between working in the office and from home. Regardless, there is a completely different group of employees for whom mobile working was already part of everyday life before the pandemic. These operate in so-called “remote areas”, in remote locations, often under unique circumstances with special requirements. They are not mobile in the home office, but as hyper-mobile specialists, they are always on the go in harsh working environments and often in strenuous shift work. They are used in many different roles and functions and often have to take different, individual work equipment with them.

In general, the development of the global market for rugged laptops shows a clear trend: from a volume of 2.56 billion US dollars in 2022, it is expected to grow to 4.87 billion US dollars by 2028. This would correspond to an annual growth rate of 11.44 percent and shows that specialized professionals increasingly have to rely on robust hardware. Ongoing technological advances in the design and functionality of these devices suitable for hyper-mobile use, which Panasonic TOUGHBOOK continues to strategically advance, are increasing the demand for these solutions for professional use.

What is the difference between mobile and hyper-mobile workplaces?

Let's take a closer look at mobile and hyper-mobile workplaces and the special requirements of the skilled workers who work there. Mobile workers, like you and me, largely have access to electricity. And we can work remotely at home, in a coworking space or in a coffee shop if we want. All we need is access to the Internet – usually via WLAN. The resilience of the end devices does not play a major role for us and if necessary, we can simply rely on on-site IT support.

The situation for hyper-mobile emergency services in remote areas is completely different. Frontline workers must remain productive and able to work, for example to collect and analyze measurement data, carry out repairs or make the right decisions in disaster relief operations. You rarely have constant access to electricity and secure WiFi. Other important criteria include the battery performance of your notebooks or tablets and their durability.

The increasing demand for hyper-mobile devices and solutions is being driven globally by sectors such as military and defense, construction, mining, and utilities and renewable energy organizations. Added to this is the growing need for highly efficient, highly productive services for various industries with challenging environments. The widespread adoption of cloud computing and the Internet of Things (IoT) is increasing the need for hyper-mobile devices for real-time data collection and transmission. Data security and analytics applications are increasingly critical for professionals in remote and IT-challenged locations.

Panasonic offers mobile solutions precisely for this target group, who use technologies completely differently and cannot, for example, rely on direct on-site support. Fail-safe TOUGHBOOK notebooks and tablets are the basis and are characterized not only by their particular robustness. The scope of performance of the devices today goes far beyond this core criterion. We offer end-to-end solutions for use in highly specialized application areas.

Which trends will determine mobility in the coming years?

Advanced technologies in the form of communication infrastructure, cloud computing and mobile devices have made mobile working possible and will continue to be essential for it.

The cloud has established itself as an indispensable element of modern business processes. According to a current study by the digital association Bitkom, 89 percent of German companies are currently relying on cloud solutions - and the trend is rising.

At the same time, edge computing is becoming increasingly important. This enables data processing directly at the point of origin, thereby achieving advantages in terms of speed and efficiency - for applications that require rapid responsiveness, such as augmented reality and virtual reality technologies (AR/VR).

In addition, with the rapid increase in AI, especially generative AI, we are experiencing a variety of new applications - especially for hyper-mobile experts. An important topic is AI applications directly at the edge. Examples of this include AI-supported analysis of data or experience-based detection of vulnerabilities.

In addition to an optionally integrated 5G standalone module, the latest generation of the TOUGHBOOK G2 and TOUGHBOOK 40 feature a dedicated AI chipset for AI processing in the edge area. This allows field workers to collect, store and analyze data using artificial intelligence without uploading and downloading it via a cloud connection - and without impacting the device's overall performance and computing power.

A further push for modernization is being triggered – especially in Germany – by 5G. Faster data transfer and increased connectivity must be combined with security measures. With TOUGHBOOK devices from Panasonic we are already prepared for this development: with both optionally integrated 5G standalone modules, our customers with TOUGHBOOK end devices benefit from the full 5G speed and low latency. We also offer advice and the construction of private 5G networks powered by TOUGHBOOK, which are easy to set up and handle and offer the necessary security for handling sensitive data.

How do customers master the different aspects of mobility?

There's no question that mobility is not an easy topic: AI, 5G, access to critical data and platforms at the edge, maximum performance throughout the entire workload, minimal downtime and low costs - these are all complex requirements. Customers are fighting for resources to keep up with the multitude of technologies. You need a solution partner who comprehensively examines the topic of mobility, has experience with it and develops the right steps to benefit from new technologies.

Panasonic solves the complexity of mobility for its customers: We have developed from a hardware provider into a full-service partner that offers real added value with its highly specialized teams and cooperation partners. Our end-to-end solutions are a strong combination of specific technology components and services as well as individual support modules for an excellent user experience (UX) for hyper-mobile employees.

If desired, our customers can put together exactly the hardware service packages they need and conveniently purchase them in a monthly “Mobile-IT As-A-Service” subscription.

This is how we support our customers according to the motto “Removing Complexity out of Mobility”.

The future of mobile IT – answers to trends and the complex challenges of mobile working

What is the difference between mobile and hyper-mobile workplaces?

Which trends will determine mobility in the coming years?

How do customers master the different aspects of mobility?

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