As manufacturing companies face increasing global competition, they must continuously look for ways to streamline their operations and improve efficiency. However, for companies operating in the chemical, petrochemical, pharmaceutical and oil & gas industries that work with hazardous materials, they face a special set of challenges.
For instance, streamlining processes through automated data collection can help businesses remain competitive, but most standard electronic devices typically used for automated data collection – such as mobile phones and Pocket PC’s, cannot be used in areas that have potentially explosive atmospheres or flammable liquids and combustible materials.
Therefore, many companies operating in hazardous environments still employ labour-intensive, manual data collection processes.
To help companies improve efficiency and safety, ecom instruments has introduced the intrinsically-Safe PDA x20-Ex i.roc Windows Mobile powered Pocket PC.
Ergonomic and ruggedly optimised for high productivity,
the ecom i.roc x20-Ex is a high performance industrial PDA with compact external dimensions based on Windows Mobile with an integrated WLAN 802.11b, Bluetooth and an IrDA infrared port.
Designed to meet the diverse needs and requirements of industry both inside and outside hazardous areas this latest i.roc device carries multiple intrinsic safety certifications, including an NEC Class 1, Division 1 AD Label certified by Factory Mutual Global and ATEX Zone 1 clearance as safe to use within areas that may contain both inflammable gas and dust, the i.roc x20-Ex has an IP 65 rating which indicates that it is virtually impervious to water and dust ingress.
These safety ratings combined with the flexible Windows Mobile software makes ecom’s i.roc readily adaptable to a host of industries – worldwide!
Service Technicians in the petrochemical industries for example could use the device for routine pipeline inspection. Engineers checking flange connections, valve covers and fluid pumps simply enter their results into an integrated line-of-business application. The application then compares the data entered with acceptable operating tolerances and makes appropriate recommendations. If technicians notice any problems, such as small leaks of volatile fluids; they can access Microsoft Office Outlook Mobile, running on the device to immediately send an e-mail to the process control centre enabling operators to address the situation, often before the Service Technicians have returned from their inspections.
The i.roc’s data collection and transport options give mobile customers greater flexibility in extending their field of operation in a variety of environments by collecting data by point-to-point data transfer with either Bluetooth technology or an infra-red (IrDA) port, or enter data directly into the i.roc via the touch screen and keypad.
Data can then be up-loaded either via wireless LAN to a corporate server, or stored on an integrated SD disk for later download through a USB docking station to a corporate database.
In addition, the i.roc also offers customers the opportunity to access Bluetooth enabled point-to-point data transfer and wireless LAN connectivity, simultaneously. For instance, customers can use the i.roc to read radio frequency identification tags (RFID) whilst sending data over wireless LAN. The i.roc can also be safely used in hazardous areas that do not have access to WLAN. Operators can use Bluetooth technology to send data between the i.roc and an intrinsically safe Windows Mobile powered mobile phone for upload through a cellular network.
However, data collection can encompass more than just monitoring and inspection requirements; consequently customers can take advantage of the devices for reading RFID tags and bar codes for procedures such as inventory control and risk management.
In addition to equipping the i.roc device with Microsoft Office Mobile programmes, ecom instruments offer a total software package that includes automated installation; a virtual full-screen keyboard; and a lock-down feature called KioskMode, which can be configured to restrict users to certain applications. Finally an automated back up and restore feature helps protect stored data and ensure continuous use in the field.
ecom instruments UK
01246 564 800
