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Rugged tablet: Panasonic has
announced the U.S. launch of its
Toughpad FZ-M1 rugged 7-inch tablet PC powered by the Intel Celeron
Processor. This tablet is meant to be
a more affordable version of the standard Toughpad FZ-M1, which features a
high-performance fourth-generation Intel
Core i5 processor.
According to Panasonic, the tablet is suitable for use by mobile workers in field service
and transportation /logistics applications. The Touchpad FZ-M1 can serve as a
platform for cloud-based applications, delivery routing, e-mail connectivity, and
other everyday tasks in the field. Because the tablet is more affordable than the
standard version, Panasonic believes it will be attractive to customers looking to
replace aging PDA-type devices or even pen-and-paper–based processes.
The new Toughpad FZ-M1 is thin ( 7. 1 inches) and lightweight ( 1. 2 pounds).
It has a rugged and fanless design, and features Windows 8. 1 with the Bing
operating system and enterprise-grade security features, such as Trusted Platform
Module.
The new tablet offers many of the same features as the standard Toughpad
FZ-M1. It has a sunlight-readable, glove-enabled touchscreen and a broad range
of configuration options to allow organizations to customize the tool for their
workforces. It also features full-shift battery life with a built-in “bridge battery”
that enables users to switch out batteries without powering down the device.
(Panasonic, www.Panasonic Toughpad.com)
Forklift accident prevention: Zonesafe is a
warning system that helps to reduce accidents
between personnel and industrial vehicles. The
system provides an early warning to vehicle and
machine operators when a perimeter detection
zone, blind spot, or danger area has been
breached.
Zonesafe is easily installed on industrial vehicles, according to manufacturer Intella Liftparts
Inc. It uses active RFID technology and includes
an in-cab unit, proximity antennas, and personal safety transponders.
Under this system, pedestrians wear transponder tags. When the tags come within a
specified proximity to a forklift, a visual warning and alarm in the cab of the vehicle alert the
operator.
The perimeter detection zone is set using
specially designed proximity antennas and can
be set at anywhere from six to 25 feet. (Intella,
http://store.intellaliftparts.com)
Material handling equipment apps: With
the goal of giving customers the tools to help
themselves, Hytrol has released new mobile
apps in its Hytrol Toolbox. The apps give customers the ability to obtain a wealth of information about their current Hytrol equipment
on their mobile devices.
Users can scan the serial number on their
equipment. This will produce information about
that system’s order history, parts numbers, suggested parts they should have on hand, and
more. Users can also create a “wish list” of
parts they wish to order that can be forwarded
to their integrator or Hytrol distributor. Access
to current Hytrol installation and maintenance
manuals is also available through the mobile
Hytrol Toolbox.
The new apps for the Hytrol Toolbox are
now available for iOS and Windows platforms.
An Android version will be coming soon. In
addition, Hytrol is planning to lease a Genesis
Mobile App later this year that will allow mobile
devices to diagnose maintenance issues and
make changes to system controllers. (Hytrol
Conveyor Co., www.hytrol.com)
Labor management system: TZA, an engineering, technology, and consulting company,
has extended its cloud-based ProTrack Labor
Management Software with a new module
designed specifically to improve the productivity of production teams in light manufacturing,
assembly, and kitting operations.
The new Manufacturing module is designed
to dynamically build and schedule teams to
minimize the need for overtime and temporary
labor. (TZA, www.tza.com)
