Businessweekcalls the smartphone revolution an Android revolution. So much so that the article recounts how the operating system was on Steve Jobs’ hit list. Worried about the impact on the Apple iPhone, in 2010 he declared, “I’m going to destroy Android.”
众所周知，Android仍然站着，现在当许多人想到这种操作系统时，智能手机就会浮现在脑海中。尽管许多人将智能手机视为手持计算机，但Android是一种为智能手机开发的技术，它继续成为许多形式的计算机的操作系统，包括OEM在其设备中安装的工业面板PC。考虑到Android在低成本手机中的起源，直到最近，该操作系统都被认为适合业务或工业空间。
但是，未来几年将导致思想变化。越来越多的组织需要灵活的工业运营。越来越多的工厂和DC转向面板PC，以监视和控制在其上安装Android操作系统的生产和材料处理操作。这些计算机将找到自己的生产和供应链用户生产的设备和系统。
Working in the Industrial Environment
Given the complexity of the industrial manufacturing process and the supply chain, the increasing compliance standards, the tight profit margins in this business, and the risk to a company's reputation, if a breakdown in safety occurs, this isn’t a place for outmoded technology.
Many in management claim they like to be on the cutting edge. Yet, Android is an example of a technology that’s not finding its way into the business space as fast as the cutting edge would imply.
Despite the promise of this and other technology, no matter how revolutionary the development that appears over the horizon is, these advances generally seep in rather than charge into general use on the processing plant or DC floor. Often, management views change as risky, waiting to find out if these advances work elsewhere before they bring new systems, equipment, or processes into their operations. For many managing these operations, their jobs depend on the type of approaches and equipment they bring onto the floor.
Anyone who owns a cell phone—even iOS users—know that the Android operating system has been around for more than a decade. The release of the Android 10 OS was just this past September. It’s a long history for a software platform and shows consistency and continual improvement that benefits both the cell-phone market and the industrial business market.
You Will Be Using Android—Eventually
The time of Android as a business tool is coming. This system has been operating in a growing number of rugged mobile devices and touchscreen panels in processing, production, distribution, and other business essential applications, particularly for two reasons.
Android是一个更健壮的和强大的操作系统stem thanlegacycompact Windows technology. However, if management isn't sold yet on this operating system, then consider Microsoft is sunsetting mobile OS platforms such as Windows Embedded CE 6.0, Windows Embedded Handheld 6.5, and Windows Embedded Compact 7. The deathwatch of these long-used platforms is ticking onward.
A recent survey of logistics professionals found that56% of respondents计划在未来三年内增加Android使用。毫无疑问，在设备制造商关闭支撑柱之前，他们的遗留系统要额外多年。
So, with the door being shut on these legacy Window’s OS platforms, operations will eventually come to find that they will be benefitting from Android's benefits. These include low cost, its built-in Bluetooth, near-field communications for transferring data between two Android devices, and an effective support for voice sensors.
Android操作系统的优势
对于具有独特要求的生产和材料处理操作，应用程序开发可能是巨大的好处。Android计算的演变伴随着一组Android软件开发人员，它们利用了简化的软件开发环境。
Android是开发应用程序的绝佳系统。对于只需要特定程序即可在其上运行的机械或设备，Android面板PC将是操作这些流程的理想选择。
Customizable:According to Tom Warren, writing for边缘on a closed-source OS like Windows, the code can only be modified by Microsoft, along with a few selected customers like big companies. With the code underlying open-source operating systems like Android, that code is freely available for anyone to view and modify under the terms of open-source licenses. This gives the end user more complete control over the software running on their equipment
Android developers can easily customize applications to accommodate unique I/O devices and create GUIs to manage any industrial application. The mobility and device-agnostic aspects of this software is the basis for many new industrial-automation infrastructure implementations.
Energy efficient:由于它是为电池供电设备而设计的，因此与大多数其他操作系统相比，Android使用的系统资源少，因此它需要功能较小的处理器。这种设计可节省能源，并允许Android在较小的设备上运行。如果您的应用程序很简单，并且您只需要运行一个或几个程序即可。您将花费更少的钱，获得具有较小计算能力的面板PC，从而使工作完成。
Cost-effective:Android panel PCs are a lower-cost alternative to traditional Windows panel PCs for several reasons. Android computers typically include Arm processors, which are more cost-effective than Intel processors. Android industrial computers aren’t subject to the operating-system license fees required with Windows-based computers.
Android不需要additio工业电脑nal storage capacity and memory requirements that are necessary for Windows-based computers. The significant cost savings associated with these differences is driving the industrial factory automation industry toward Android-based computing.
Since units operating on Android are also generally smaller with less-demanding computing requirements, operations can reduce costs by deploying just the right-sized device needed. Android Panel PC sizes can range from 7 in. up to 21.5 in., while industrial tablet PCs and handheld devices can range in screen sizes from 4 to 12 in.
Can the PC Panel Live up to Industrial Environment Demands?
Just like all of the other equipment and systems that make an industrial environment run, here are some critical musts when selecting a PC Panel to run Android for these operations:
触摸屏设计
当然，制造商合作的任何PC的胆量对于性能都是必不可少的。但是对于这些系统的操作，屏幕至关重要。
Seeing what’s on that screen is essential. The information must be viewed off the screen quickly, with any miscomprehension leading to severe consequences. Consider units that offer high resolution, readable under bright lights (sunlight or artificial), TFT screens that are CCFL backlit with high brightness, and a wide viewing angle.
许多软件应用程序旨在以特定的LCD分辨率和长宽比运行。基于Web的应用程序可能需要面板PC屏幕分辨率为1920×1080像素，因为在以较低分辨率的LCD上显示屏幕菜单和标签的布局。
Bigger isn’t always better. Often there are physical space constraints in production areas. In this case, the application would require a 15.6-, 18.5-, or 21.5-in. LCD size, as these are the only common LCD sizes that support 1920 × 1080 pixels. It’s crucial to consider the software application requirements when selecting the LCD size of your panel PC.
In some environments, these screens must be sensitive to gloved hands. Computer panels with resistive touchscreens are still the most prevalent in low-temp computer applications, as they’re pressure-sensitive, which means they can be used with gloves, as well as bare hands, or a stylus.
Water Resistant
Given that panel PCs house sensitive electronics, they must withstand blasts of water and chemicals from clean-in-place operations in food, pharmaceuticals, and similar processes. PCs with stainless-steel front bezels protect the components and will not degrade or rust from exposure to liquids. An IP66-rated front panel will stand up to the water jets.
Keeping it Clean
面板PC不仅需要掌握清洁区域的设备，还必须适合频繁，易于清洁以避免污染。无风扇，坚固的面板PC满足了最少的开口处，可以掩盖细菌的开口，以及可以承受工业清洁剂的外壳。
将计算到下一代
在科技界，变革是生活的事实。不可避免地，Android有一天将被另一种形式的技术取代。尽管利用最新进步是一回事，但对于系统运行的设备来说，这是整个技术周期的一路。
ti我改变
工业级计算机是制造和移动产品的工具。这些是控制操作的任何系统的人机接口。随着生产和材料处理的未来，指定的用于监视和控制这些功能的工业储藏的PC逐渐并且肯定会迁移到Android操作系统。
Along with the advantages the Android OS gives your equipment users, you have the ability to provide practically whatever they want. Some of the rugged industrial computers are geared toward the needs of industries such as food and beverage, and industrial automation. Your rugged-industrial PC source has an array of options to find the form and function of your equipment and systems.
Bryce Keeney is Product Manager atTeguar。
