Panasonic launches world’s lightest fully-rugged Android 10.1” Toughpad tablet
Announcement posted by Panasonic 31 Oct 2016
Panasonic launches world’s lightest fully-rugged Android 10.1” Toughpad tablet
Toughpad FZ-A2 delivers military grade rugged performance and increased productivity to a wide range of Australian employees
Sydney, 31 October 2016: Panasonic has today launched the world’s lightest fully-rugged Android 10.1” Toughpad tablet, providing Australian workers with a more effective mobile solution across multiple work applications and environments. The FZ-A2 Android tablet opens up military-standard rugged capabilities to a broader range of Australian enterprises, delivering fully-rugged protection against drops and shocks, heat and cold, vibration, contamination, dust, rain and more.
Today, the majority of Australian organisations have staff who regularly perform their jobs outside of the traditional office environment. These flexible workers are turning to technology such as smartphones and tablets, with BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) now an option for many employees.[i]
However, these consumer grade devices are not suitably rugged enough for the working environment and bring the risk of failing in the field, with the annual failure rate of consumer tablets as much as 400% higher than rugged enterprise tablets.[ii]
“More and more workers are working outside traditional office environments to get closer to their customers,” said Stuart Buxton, Senior Product Manager, Toughbook, Panasonic. “This trend is empowering staff, but they need the right technology to suit their work environment.
“Consumer tablets used in the workplace are prone to operational failure, which can cause businesses thousands of dollars in downtime, disruption and repair. The FZ-A2 draws on Panasonic’s 20-year expertise in manufacturing fit-for-purpose rugged devices. By launching the new Toughpad, we’re helping a wide range of organisations who haven’t traditionally used fully rugged devices to boost productivity, minimise downtime, slash field failure rates and reduce Total Cost of Ownership.”
Powerful, rugged and user-friendly
The Toughpad FZ-A2 combines Intel and Android productivity with full ruggedisation and is suited to a range of mobile users, including servicing, repair and technical support teams; local, state and federal governments; utility and infrastructure providers; logistics and transport operators; healthcare providers and retailers.
It is ideal for highly mobile outdoor workers in challenging conditions. With its sunlight-viewable 10-finger multi-touch IPS display, flexible configurable ports and business expansion capability, plus enterprise class security, the FZ-A2 is perfect for use in the field. In addition, it has the ability to work below zero or above 50o C and to use the touchscreen in the rain or while wearing gloves.
Buxton continued: “Research shows around 8 in 10[iii] of mobile IT devices are exposed to stressors, including heat, dust and moisture as well as drops and shocks. The FZ-A2 supports a wide range of employees by delivering military certified protection while offering a new entry point to a tough tablet solution. This latest addition to our line-up of Android Toughpad tablets from 4.7 inch to 10.1 inch underpins Panasonic’s commitment to offering businesses easy to manage and easy to use mobile devices.”
The Panasonic Toughpad FZ-A2 is lightweight (880g) and slim (16.4mm deep) with a fanless design and runs the latest Android 6.0 Marshmallow operating system with Enterprise Security from Android for Work. It is equipped with the latest, more powerful Intel® AtomTM x5-Z8550 Quad Core processor (2 MB cache, 1.44GHz up to 2.4GHz) with 4GB RAM and a 32GB eMMC.
The Toughpad FZ-A2 starts from RRP $2199 with a model that includes these core capabilities plus daylight-readable display, rear camera, dedicated GPS, MIL-STD-810G certification and IP65 rating. It is available now from authorised Panasonic Toughbook distributors and resellers.
Working tough
The Toughpad FZ-A2 has a robust military-grade fully-rugged magnesium alloy design – it can withstand 1.2-metre drops, is sealed against dust and water spills with an IP65 ingress protection rating, and will operate in harsh temperature extremes ranging from -10 to +50°C.
At launch, the device will come with a rich ecosystem of peripherals from desktop cradle to four bay battery charger. The device will also have the option of two vehicle docks – a slimline and expanded version depending on the device configuration.
Viewing clarity inside or out
The 10.1-inch daylight-readable display (1920x1200), with high visibility (800cd/m2), has been designed for easy use and clarity of vision in all conditions both outside and indoors. The 10-point capacitive touchscreen display can be used by hand, with gloves or with the capacitive stylus pen for accurate annotation or signature collection even in the rain.
Rich business functionality
The Panasonic Toughpad FZ-A2 tablet also comes with a rich set of customisable business interfaces and wireless connectivity options to tailor the device to exact business requirements. Alongside a full range of business features (1xUSB 3.0 Type A, 1xUSB 3.1 Type C OTG, 1xHDMI and 1xMicro SD, GPS), optional smartcard reader, 2D barcode reader and 4G can be specified. The USB 3.1 Type C OTG port for reversible connection comes with transmission speeds of up to 5Gbps, power charging (up to 5V 900mA - USB PD is not supported) and USB On The Go functionality for easily copying and transferring files from one Android device to another.
The Toughpad FZ-A2 is optimised for connectivity whatever the location and includes the latest WLAN 802.11ac Intel® Dual Band® Wireless-AC 8260 technology for the fastest data transfer and Bluetooth® v4.2 class 1.
Easy to manage
For increased manageability, the device includes Google Android for Work allowing separate work and personal profiles to be included on the device. It provides IT administrators with flexibility and enterprise security while ensuring users have private access to their own personal applications and data. Google Android for Work also includes a range of built-in productivity tools for everyday tasks such as email, contacts and calendar.
Battery to last
The Panasonic Toughpad FZ-A2 tablet has a user-removable battery with a nine hour working life to match the needs of the work shift, with an optional hot swappable battery capability for when around the clock usage is required.
Cameras and fast communications
For users needing live video conference capabilities or to capture photographic images of documentation in the field, the FZ-A2 is equipped with Full HD front web and 8MP rear camera with flash. It also comes equipped with built-in directional array microphones ideal for communication, video conferencing and voice recognition software.
Key Features
**Optional
For further information, please visit www.panasonic.com.au/toughbook
oOo
RELEASED BY PANASONIC AUSTRALIA
Media Enquiries
Shona Hannon Louise Caldicott
(Panasonic Australia) (Porter Novelli)
(02) 9491 7629 (02) 8987 2100
Shona.hannon@au.panasonic.com lcaldicott@porternovelli.com.au
Toughpad FZ-A2 delivers military grade rugged performance and increased productivity to a wide range of Australian employees
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Sydney, 31 October 2016: Panasonic has today launched the world’s lightest fully-rugged Android 10.1” Toughpad tablet, providing Australian workers with a more effective mobile solution across multiple work applications and environments. The FZ-A2 Android tablet opens up military-standard rugged capabilities to a broader range of Australian enterprises, delivering fully-rugged protection against drops and shocks, heat and cold, vibration, contamination, dust, rain and more.
Today, the majority of Australian organisations have staff who regularly perform their jobs outside of the traditional office environment. These flexible workers are turning to technology such as smartphones and tablets, with BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) now an option for many employees.[i]
However, these consumer grade devices are not suitably rugged enough for the working environment and bring the risk of failing in the field, with the annual failure rate of consumer tablets as much as 400% higher than rugged enterprise tablets.[ii]
“More and more workers are working outside traditional office environments to get closer to their customers,” said Stuart Buxton, Senior Product Manager, Toughbook, Panasonic. “This trend is empowering staff, but they need the right technology to suit their work environment.
“Consumer tablets used in the workplace are prone to operational failure, which can cause businesses thousands of dollars in downtime, disruption and repair. The FZ-A2 draws on Panasonic’s 20-year expertise in manufacturing fit-for-purpose rugged devices. By launching the new Toughpad, we’re helping a wide range of organisations who haven’t traditionally used fully rugged devices to boost productivity, minimise downtime, slash field failure rates and reduce Total Cost of Ownership.”
Powerful, rugged and user-friendly
The Toughpad FZ-A2 combines Intel and Android productivity with full ruggedisation and is suited to a range of mobile users, including servicing, repair and technical support teams; local, state and federal governments; utility and infrastructure providers; logistics and transport operators; healthcare providers and retailers.
It is ideal for highly mobile outdoor workers in challenging conditions. With its sunlight-viewable 10-finger multi-touch IPS display, flexible configurable ports and business expansion capability, plus enterprise class security, the FZ-A2 is perfect for use in the field. In addition, it has the ability to work below zero or above 50o C and to use the touchscreen in the rain or while wearing gloves.
Buxton continued: “Research shows around 8 in 10[iii] of mobile IT devices are exposed to stressors, including heat, dust and moisture as well as drops and shocks. The FZ-A2 supports a wide range of employees by delivering military certified protection while offering a new entry point to a tough tablet solution. This latest addition to our line-up of Android Toughpad tablets from 4.7 inch to 10.1 inch underpins Panasonic’s commitment to offering businesses easy to manage and easy to use mobile devices.”
The Panasonic Toughpad FZ-A2 is lightweight (880g) and slim (16.4mm deep) with a fanless design and runs the latest Android 6.0 Marshmallow operating system with Enterprise Security from Android for Work. It is equipped with the latest, more powerful Intel® AtomTM x5-Z8550 Quad Core processor (2 MB cache, 1.44GHz up to 2.4GHz) with 4GB RAM and a 32GB eMMC.
The Toughpad FZ-A2 starts from RRP $2199 with a model that includes these core capabilities plus daylight-readable display, rear camera, dedicated GPS, MIL-STD-810G certification and IP65 rating. It is available now from authorised Panasonic Toughbook distributors and resellers.
Working tough
The Toughpad FZ-A2 has a robust military-grade fully-rugged magnesium alloy design – it can withstand 1.2-metre drops, is sealed against dust and water spills with an IP65 ingress protection rating, and will operate in harsh temperature extremes ranging from -10 to +50°C.
At launch, the device will come with a rich ecosystem of peripherals from desktop cradle to four bay battery charger. The device will also have the option of two vehicle docks – a slimline and expanded version depending on the device configuration.
Viewing clarity inside or out
The 10.1-inch daylight-readable display (1920x1200), with high visibility (800cd/m2), has been designed for easy use and clarity of vision in all conditions both outside and indoors. The 10-point capacitive touchscreen display can be used by hand, with gloves or with the capacitive stylus pen for accurate annotation or signature collection even in the rain.
Rich business functionality
The Panasonic Toughpad FZ-A2 tablet also comes with a rich set of customisable business interfaces and wireless connectivity options to tailor the device to exact business requirements. Alongside a full range of business features (1xUSB 3.0 Type A, 1xUSB 3.1 Type C OTG, 1xHDMI and 1xMicro SD, GPS), optional smartcard reader, 2D barcode reader and 4G can be specified. The USB 3.1 Type C OTG port for reversible connection comes with transmission speeds of up to 5Gbps, power charging (up to 5V 900mA - USB PD is not supported) and USB On The Go functionality for easily copying and transferring files from one Android device to another.
The Toughpad FZ-A2 is optimised for connectivity whatever the location and includes the latest WLAN 802.11ac Intel® Dual Band® Wireless-AC 8260 technology for the fastest data transfer and Bluetooth® v4.2 class 1.
Easy to manage
For increased manageability, the device includes Google Android for Work allowing separate work and personal profiles to be included on the device. It provides IT administrators with flexibility and enterprise security while ensuring users have private access to their own personal applications and data. Google Android for Work also includes a range of built-in productivity tools for everyday tasks such as email, contacts and calendar.
Battery to last
The Panasonic Toughpad FZ-A2 tablet has a user-removable battery with a nine hour working life to match the needs of the work shift, with an optional hot swappable battery capability for when around the clock usage is required.
Cameras and fast communications
For users needing live video conference capabilities or to capture photographic images of documentation in the field, the FZ-A2 is equipped with Full HD front web and 8MP rear camera with flash. It also comes equipped with built-in directional array microphones ideal for communication, video conferencing and voice recognition software.
Key Features
- Intel Atom x5-Z8550 processor
- Android 6.0 Marshmallow (Including Android for Work)
- Fanless design for enhanced protection from temperature, water and dirt
- Intel HD graphics
- 10.1 WUXGA (1,920 x1,200) outdoor display (up to 800 cd/m2
- Capacitive 10-finger multi-touchscreen
- 120cm shock-resistant*
- Water and dust resistant (IP65)*
- Up to 9 hours battery life
- User field exchangeable battery
- Hot swap battery optional (in combination with business expansion module)
- USB 3.1 type C OTG
- Flexible configuration port (20 Barcode Reader, LAN)**
- Integrated business expansion module (Smartcard Reader)**
- Lightweight at approx. 880g
**Optional
For further information, please visit www.panasonic.com.au/toughbook
oOo
RELEASED BY PANASONIC AUSTRALIA
Media Enquiries
Shona Hannon Louise Caldicott
(Panasonic Australia) (Porter Novelli)
(02) 9491 7629 (02) 8987 2100
Shona.hannon@au.panasonic.com lcaldicott@porternovelli.com.au
[i]http://www.telsyte.com.au/announcements/2015/7/21/enterprise-mobility-market-to-near-5-billion-by-2019-as-mobility-becomes-strategic-to-australian-organisations
ii The annual failure rate of consumer tablets is 19% compared to 4.5% for a rugged enterprise tablet. Research commissioned by Panasonic in March 2014 by VDC Research among 186 mobile IT decision makers and software developers:
ftp://ftp.panasonic.com/pub/panasonic/business-solutions/whitepapers/Panasonic_Whitepaper_Enterprise_Gov_Tablet.pdf
[iii] Research commissioned by Panasonic in September 2015 by Quantum Research among 160 national respondents in the Transport and Logistics industry.
ftp://ftp.panasonic.com/pub/panasonic/business-solutions/whitepapers/Panasonic_Whitepaper_Enterprise_Gov_Tablet.pdf
[iii] Research commissioned by Panasonic in September 2015 by Quantum Research among 160 national respondents in the Transport and Logistics industry.