In today’s connected workplace, innovations in technology have made it possible for businesses operating in extreme conditions to get and stay online. Industrial strength, or rugged routers are designed and tested to perform in all environments, and are able to handle temperature extremes, air quality, contamination, vibration and shock. They prevent costly delays to communication and production due to Internet service interruptions.
Rugged routers can cost in the thousands, as opposed to hundreds of dollars for consumer grade equipment. “But if you are going to lose production -- $1,000 an hour, then it’s critical to have specialized equipment,” advises Harvey Juster, an Ann Arbor, MI-based IT consultant and network engineer. “The more it costs if something were to go down, then you want to spend more initially to prevent a loss of service.”
Cost vs. Benefit
This means it’s important to do a cost/benefit analysis so you don’t spend more than you need to on a rugged router. You need to evaluate the total anticipated cost of a project compared to the total expected benefits. This way you can determine, using actual data, whether purchasing a rugged router is worthwhile for your business needs.
In addition, be sure you know how rugged a router you need. According to whatis.techtarget.com, “there are three generally accepted levels of ruggedization: semi-rugged, fully-rugged and ultra-rugged. The levels describe a product's ability to survive drops, vibration, dust, immersion and extreme temperatures.”
Just be aware that the vendor alone determines the degree of ruggedization. As you would with any technology purchase, conduct the necessary due diligence before making a final decision on any rugged router.
Here to Stay
As businesses continue to turn to intelligent electronic devices for fleet management and other monitoring systems that are controlled remotely, industrial grade routers are providing a competitive edge for businesses that operate off site. Even as the U.S. military faces continued budget constraints, they prioritized rugged routers for military vehicles that rely on satellite and radio networking technology. Similarly, small and medium business owners will want to ensure their team can communicate when needed. Investing in a rugged router ensures your business suffers no disruptions due to loss of connectivity.
SooJi Min is a freelance writer and nonprofit executive based in Ann Arbor, MI. She has written on small business topics for Crain’s, Imagination Publishing and The University of Chicago Booth School of Business.
