How "Consumerized" Will Rugged Handhelds Get?

By Brian Albright, Field Technologies magazine

Typically, when one thinks about field technology, rugged handhelds come to mind. Despite the economy, this market has actually remained strong and constant as enterprises continue to find more ways to apply the technology. As a result, the rugged handheld market grew by 19% from January, 2010 to January, 2011 to reach $580M, according to an October, 2011 study from VDC Research. "Beyond the fence" applications are helping enterprises improve productivity, enhance customer service, and raise sales and revenue. VDC's study highlights an increasing interest in field mobility among organizations of all sizes.