Intrinsically Safe Tablets for Use in Transport Logistics

Over the past 10 years, Pepperl+Fuchs has supplied many transportation companies that deliver hazardous goods with a wide variety of mobile devices. Many of them now operate as multinational companies with large fleets that have recognized the benefits of using Tab-Ex series tablets and are phasing out old devices. This includes a logistics company with a large geographic footprint that specializes in the handling and transportation of liquid goods in the food, gas, oil, and chemical industries.

Particularly high requirements apply to the transportation of hazardous goods. To ensure a smooth process, the technology should be state-of-the-art, feature-rich, and future-oriented in order to optimize the tight margins by increasing efficiency and therefore meet the expectations of the market.

The basis for modern work processes is a continuous (data) exchange between truck drivers, logistics companies, customers, and suppliers. It was therefore necessary to replace the customer's central IT telematics system, as the old system had neither the required LTE connectivity nor a modern operating system. The logistics company wanted more transparency about the current position of each driver and a platform that could also be expanded to meet future requirements. The company was therefore looking for a reliable partner who could supply hardware and support worldwide in the long term.

Digital workflows increase efficiency, reduce or eliminate paper and the manual transfer of data—and therefore also frequent sources of error. With a tablet from the Tab-Ex® series, drivers can also record quantities of goods outside the driver's cab, have deliveries acknowledged, and forward this live data directly to the head office or customers.

The tablets can also be used to document meter readings, damage, incorrect deliveries and much more, making the associated processing much more efficient. The multitouch screen can be operated in the rain, with gloves, or using the Samsung S Pen.

For the mobile worker, the tablet becomes a mobile database front end, a workflow and task management tool, and a navigation system with special overlays for the transportation of hazardous goods. The implementation of lone worker protection functions also increases the safety of the employee. Together with the docking holder in the vehicle, the tablet can be used stationary in the driver's cab, charged at any time, and paired with a headset available as an accessory.

In order to modernize the previously used system, the mobile devices of the Tab-Ex series were rolled out to the entire fleet within a few months. As a full-service provider, Pepperl+Fuchs organized the changeover in cooperation with the customer and took over the coordination with the desired telematics provider.

By using the modern tablets, the logistics company has significantly increased transparency and can react more quickly to problems in the supply chain, traffic jams, and last-minute delivery requests and provide the drivers with up-to-date data at all times and without delay.

• Modern tablets from the Tab-Ex series ensure smooth transportation of hazardous goods
• Digital workflows replace cumbersome paper documentation and create the basis for transparent, efficient workflows
• Improved employee safety due to lone worker protection functions