April 2011 - Control Global

T h e M o b i l e W o r k e r
body builds a mobile device useable in
explosion-proof, non-incendive and corrosive
environments.
Even now there are workarounds.
Bossard says that while there are places
he wouldn’t take an iPad, “We have a
few options even in wash-down areas.
It’s not the most attractive option, but
you could use a zipped plastic storage
bag. You can also get very hard neoprene
exterior skins with the inner part made
of a softer rubber.” And ultimately, he
adds, “As long as the device isn’t going
to interfere with safety it should be OK
in about 75% of applications.”
And there are always the ruggedized
laptops. Panasonic has been selling its
Toughbooks (www.panasonic.com/business/toughbook/laptop-computers.asp)
for years. At least one model, the 29s, is
Class 1, Div 2-certified.
Stone Energy of Lafayette, La.,
equipped its offshore oil rig workers
with Model 29s Toughbooks to give
them real-time access to sensor information
near the drill bit.
Dave Kennedy, Stone’s director of
information technology, says, “Having
the Toughbook connected wirelessly to
information systems behind the drill
bit facilitates real-time decision making.
That information can translate to
the accelerated completion of operations
and huge cost savings.”
And not every plant-floor situation
will require these ruggedized or specially
certified units. “The consumer
market is far bigger than the industrial
market,” observes Rockwell’s
Brooks. “There’s a huge cost benefit
in using consumer devices because
of the size of the market. If
you have a $300 netbook
with a vir-
Courtesy Cisco Systems. Copyright 2010, Cisco Systems
Just How Many Mobile Devices Are Out tHere?