The challenges

The demands of modern fleet management are high. There is often no precise way of locating vehicles, determining their arrival times or tracking their routes. Irregular driving behavior can cause damage and generate unnecessary costs. Another problem is that outside the company there is often insufficient information about the whereabouts and driving behavior of vehicles. As a result, valuable data for analyzing operational processes and safety aspects is lost. Manual management processes are time-consuming and often not accurate enough to map actual vehicle operation.

Our spo-comm RUGGED tablets (and our sales team) support you in finding individual solutions.

The solution

The use of a RUGGED tablet as a permanently integrated vehicle device enables the recording and evaluation of operationally relevant information in real time. This includes data such as speed, driving behavior and vehicle distance. This forms the basis for intelligent traffic solutions that allow managers to dynamically monitor vehicle positions and routes and react quickly. This makes particularly efficient fleet management a reality.

Key features of the spo-comm RUGGED tablets

RUGGED Tab for storage and picking system (1)

RUGGED Tab 10 i5 Entry

  • Robust 10″ tablet
  • Industry Tablet
  • -20°C to +60°C
  • 1x USB 3.0, 1x USB 3.1, 1x LAN
  • IP 65 Dust and water protected

RUGGED Tab 10 N5100 Entry

  • Robust, fanless 10″ tablet
  • Industrial and logistics PC
  • -20°C to +60°C
  • 1x USB 3.0, 1x SIM, 1x SD, 1x mini HDMI 1.4a
  • IP 65 and MIL-STD-810G certification
RUGGED Tab for storage and picking system (2)

Advantages of an industrial tablet in the vehicle

An industrial tablet enables the precise recording of all vehicle-related data. This data is automatically transferred to the management system – for precise analyses and a sound basis for decision-making. The calculation of optimal routes reduces unnecessary journeys, saves fuel and thus also contributes to environmental protection.

At the same time, the system supports proactive driving behavior analysis in order to identify risks at an early stage and increase the safety of drivers, cargo and vehicles. External cameras can be easily connected and provide additional image and video material for better documentation.

Thanks to its robust design, the outdoor tablet is protected against shocks, vibrations, moisture and extreme temperatures – ideal for use in demanding conditions. Easy assembly and disassembly as well as functions such as fast scanning of shipping documents make the devices versatile all-rounders in everyday use.

To our RUGGED tablets

The RUGGED tablets from spo-comm have been specially developed for professional use in demanding industrial and outdoor environments. They combine maximum durability with state-of-the-art technology – making them the ideal solution for digitized, efficient fleet management.

Note on data protection:

The functions described in this article for collecting vehicle and driver information serve the sole purpose of operational optimization, safety and route planning as part of fleet management. All data collected should be processed in accordance with the applicable data protection regulations (in particular the GDPR). Personal data may only be collected with the appropriate legal basis or with the consent of the data subjects. Companies are obliged to inform their employees transparently about the type, scope and purpose of data collection.

The central challenges

  1. Gaps in communication:
    There is often a lack of direct, timely contact between management headquarters and players.
  2. Lack of data availability:
    Weather information, exact location coordinates and optimal routes are often not available to players in real time.
  3. Missing history:
    players have no access to past consumption and performance data – their experience therefore remains incomplete.

Our RUGGED tablets (and our sales team) support you in finding individual solutions.

The solution: outdoor tablets with integrated management system

To overcome these hurdles, spo-comm industrial tablets are used, which are specially designed for demanding environments. The RUGGED tablets…

  1. … optimize operational processes through seamless data transmission via mobile radio and WLAN.
  2. improve communication by providing weather data, personnel and vehicle locations in real time both to the management and directly to the players.
  3. enable exact navigation on the course thanks to high-precision GPS positioning.
  4. ensure real-time recording of scores and match statistics – available to players and management at any time.

The use of outdoor tablets guarantees that the devices work reliably even in wet, dusty or shocky conditions.

Key features of the spo-comm RUGGED tablets

RUGGED Tab for storage and picking system (1)

RUGGED Tab 10 i5 Entry

  • Robust 10″ tablet
  • Industry Tablet
  • -20°C to +60°C
  • 1x USB 3.0, 1x USB 3.1, 1x LAN
  • IP 65 Dust and water protected

RUGGED Tab 10 N5100 Entry

  • Robust, fanless 10″ tablet
  • Industrial and logistics PC
  • -20°C to +60°C
  • 1x USB 3.0, 1x SIM, 1x SD, 1x mini HDMI 1.4a
  • IP 65 and MIL-STD-810G certification
RUGGED Tab for storage and picking system (2)

Implementation and integration using a practical example

A golf resort in southern Spain uses around 50 RUGGED tablets and after three months reports 20% shorter service cycles for caddy coordination, 15% more sales through in-app store ads and 90% praise in the member survey for the new navigation and statistics function. The implementation process in bullet points:

  1. Project start: Joint analysis of the site structure and communication channels
  2. Hosting: Setting up a cloud-based management backend
  3. Roll-out: Distribution of RUGGED tablets to caddy stations, administration offices and player lobby.
  4. Training: Instruction of employees and golf instructors in the operation of the system
  5. Continuous support: software updates and remote maintenance via a central dashboard

Economic benefits and ROI

Reduced operating costs through optimized personnel planning and vehicle use.

More sales through targeted advertising and upselling via the tablet.

Customer loyalty through a personalized gaming experience and thus an increase in customer satisfaction.

Rapid amortization: Investments in industrial tablets generally pay for themselves within a year through savings and additional revenue.

Robust tablets from spo-comm not only simplify these processes, but many more. You can find more information about our outdoor tablets and their use cases on the overview page:

If you have any questions about our products, discover our website or contact our sales team:

The challenges of storage and picking systems

Problems often occur when leaving the warehouse as operators cannot find the correct location, which significantly impairs efficiency. New employees are often unfamiliar with the materials and their locations when entering the warehouse, which complicates the workflow. In addition, the complexity and volume of data during stocktaking makes the work more difficult and leads to a high expenditure of time.

The solution: RUGGED tablets for clarity and structure

An industrial tablet guides employees to the relevant locations using visual cues at shelves and storage locations. By using the rugged handheld device, which scans QR codes and offers user-friendly touchscreen interaction, tasks such as storage, retrieval and stocktaking can be carried out efficiently. This technological support transforms the traditional, personnel-oriented warehouse management system into an assisted system that makes warehouse management more structured, automated, standardized and efficient.

Key features of the spo-comm RUGGED tablets

RUGGED Tab for storage and picking system (1)

RUGGED Tab 10 i5 Entry

  • Robust 10″ tablet
  • Industry Tablet
  • -20°C to +60°C
  • 1x USB 3.0, 1x USB 3.1, 1x LAN
  • IP 65 Dust and water protected

RUGGED Tab 10 N5100 Entry

  • Robust, fanless 10″ tablet
  • Industrial and logistics PC
  • -20°C to +60°C
  • 1x USB 3.0, 1x SIM, 1x SD, 1x mini HDMI 1.4a
  • IP 65 and MIL-STD-810G certification
RUGGED Tab for storage and picking system (2)

Advantages of using an industrial tablet

A RUGGED tablet enables a paperless way of working by making picking quick and easy by scanning materials. When leaving the warehouse, the system helps to increase the efficiency and accuracy of material preparation through the use of warehouse lights. During the putaway process, the system automatically links the information of the materials to the corresponding storage locations and organizes them systematically. Stock levels are displayed in real time, ensuring a continuous overview. In addition, no in-depth knowledge of materials is required, which means that new employees can be trained quickly. Overall, the device helps to solve efficiency problems in storage and picking systems and to optimize operational processes.

Robust tablets from spo-comm not only simplify these processes, but many more. You can find more information about our outdoor tablets and their use cases on the overview page:

If you have any questions about our products, discover our website or contact our sales team:

Flexible working – our everyday life:

6:15 – 8:00 am: Early start and family time

Out of the village, into the historic old town – Patricia gets into the car at 6:15 a.m. to drive to the Nuremberg headquarters. Meanwhile, Chiara starts her day with a walk in Spalter Hopfenland to get fit for the day. Julia has already provided her two kids with breakfast, lunch boxes etc. and takes her little one to nursery at 8 a.m. – always on foot and occasionally followed by a jog.

In the morning with us:

  • Patricia spruces up her workplace, enjoys her first coffee and prepares breakfast.
  • Chiara checks her emails and appointments at around 8 a.m. – the first coffee is a must, of course.
  • Julia uses the quiet morning to get straight down to business.
Start of work

9:00 – 12:00: Focus and teamwork

The morning belongs to meetings – whether in the office or virtually, most meetings take place between 9 a.m. and 12 noon. The entire marketing team regularly discusses current projects, new products, SEO/SEA and general marketing topics.

In the morning with us:

  • Virtual and face-to-face meetings on projects, to-dos and content.
  • Concentrated work on website maintenance, processes and content preparation and evaluation.
Flexible working in the morning

12:00 – 13:00: Lunch break according to individual rhythm

Chiara gets a dose of vitamin D in the fresh air and enjoys a quick lunch. Patricia eats with her colleagues on site – in good weather on the spo-comm roof terrace and every Thursday regularly at subway. In the meantime, Julia finishes her working day as soon as her older child comes home from school – her family afternoon begins.

Lunchtime with us:

  • Everyone takes their lunch break when it fits in with their daily routine.
  • Whether alone in the home office or together in the office – the main thing is that it feels good.
Lunch break

13:00 – 16:00: Creative energy in the afternoon

When the weather is sunny, Chiara particularly enjoys working on her terrace with a beautiful view, headphones and a good podcast. To-dos such as website updates or creating new products are completed. Patricia has a similar afternoon, with good music or a podcast to listen to and focus on. During this time, she usually devotes herself to evaluating content, creating/editing images and other to-dos.

In the afternoon with us:

  • We work where and how we feel most comfortable.
  • Structured to-dos and creative tasks with personal responsibility.
Flexible working in the afternoon

15:30 – 16:00: Time for closing time and private to-dos

While Patricia gets into the car and drives back home, Chiara slowly closes her laptop. Time for some relaxation and to do some private to-dos.

Flexible working is a privilege – and our everyday life!

Whether you’re an early riser, a commuter, a home office fan or a parent with a busy daily schedule – at spo-comm, work fits in with your life. Our collaboration is based on trust, clear goals and genuine flexibility.

After all, it’s not those who sit at their desk the longest who are productive – but those who are motivated, focused and work in their own flow.

The challenges of power line inspection

  • Manual entry: Handwritten notes can be difficult to read or get lost. Data entry errors are possible.
  • Delayed data transmission: If inspection data is only passed on later, problems cannot be detected and rectified immediately.
  • Complex documentation: Reworking inspections on paper takes time and makes tracking more difficult.

The solution: RUGGED tablets for outdoor use

A robust RUGGED tablet – specially developed for use in demanding conditions – can make everyday work in power line inspection much easier. As an outdoor tablet, it is protected against dust, water, extreme temperatures and vibrations thanks to IP65 certification and is ideal for working in the field.

Our spo-comm RUGGED tablets make this easier:

  • the processing of digital checklists
  • Automatic reading of device information (e.g. via RFID)
  • Direct capture of photos or measurement data on site
  • upload the data immediately to a central system

This means that all information is available in real time – for quick decisions and targeted measures.

Key features of the spo-comm RUGGED tablets

RUGGED Tab 10 i5 for logistics robots

RUGGED Tab 10 i5 Entry

  • Robust 10″ tablet
  • Industry Tablet
  • -20°C to +60°C
  • 1x USB 3.0, 1x USB 3.1, 1x LAN
  • IP 65 Dust and water protected

RUGGED Tab 10 N5100 Entry

  • Robust, fanless 10″ tablet
  • Industrial and logistics PC
  • -20°C to +60°C
  • 1x USB 3.0, 1x SIM, 1x SD, 1x mini HDMI 1.4a
  • IP 65 and MIL-STD-810G certification
RUGGED Tab 10 N5100 for logistics robots

Localization via GPS can also offer advantages: This makes it possible to track which pipe sections have already been checked and how long the respective checks took. On this basis, work processes can be better planned and documented.

The recorded data can also be used to create so-called operating curves. These show how the condition of individual pipes develops over time – and help to identify maintenance requirements at an early stage.

Conclusion

The use of modern industrial tablets – especially rugged tablets for outdoor use – makes power line inspections more efficient, reliable and transparent. These robust solutions replace paper forms and simplify day-to-day work – to the benefit of network operators, employees and consumers alike.

Robust tablets from spo-comm not only simplify these processes, but many more. You can find more information about our tablets and their use cases on the overview page:

If you have any questions about our products, discover our website or contact our sales team:

How to arrange your personal consultation

Open the website and select the “Contact” section

Visit our website and navigate to the company > Contact.
Right at the top of the page you will find a prominent button labeled:

Consultation_1

Click on the button and go to the date selection

Click on the button.

You will be automatically redirected to our booking page where you can choose a date.

Select date and time

Select a date and time that suits you.

The available days and time slots are displayed in black, the occupied ones in gray.

Enter contact details

In the next step, please enter your contact details in the fields provided.

The following information is required from you: Name, e-mail address, telephone number.

Describe your request (optional, but helpful)
So that we can optimally prepare for the conversation, you have the option of indicating your request or special wishes in a free text field – on the right-hand side, next to the contact details.

Whether you have questions about a specific Mini PC or are looking for a customized solution for your IT infrastructure – please let us know in advance.

Agree to the privacy policy and book an appointment

Please read our privacy policy carefully and agree to it before you make a final booking.

Click on the “Book” button to complete your appointment reservation with our spo-comm sales team.

Confirmation of appointment

You will be redirected to another page with your appointment confirmation and the selected appointment will be displayed. Here you can change or cancel the appointment if you have made a mistake.

You will also receive a confirmation e-mail with your booked appointment.

Your advantages at a glance

Fast appointment booking – online, uncomplicated, in just a few minutes

Flexible – choose a date that fits your calendar

Individual advice – whether mini PC for industry, digital signage, outdoor or a RUGGED tablet

Direct support – personal contact is irreplaceable for us!

Make an appointment now and get advice!

Whether you need robust industrial PCs for continuous use, compact mini PCs for digital signage or solutions for complex IT services – our experts will be happy to help you.

We look forward to receiving your inquiry and to working with you to find the best solution for your requirements.

What is the Intel vPro® platform?

The Intel vPro® platform is a combination of hardware and firmware technologies designed to improve the security, manageability and performance of business computers. It integrates features such as Intel® Active Management Technology (AMT) and Intel® Endpoint Management Assistant (EMA), which enable efficient remote management. It also offers comprehensive protection at hardware level with the Intel® Hardware Shield.

Advantages for industrial mini PCs

  1. Compact performance for demanding environments
    Industrial Mini PCs are designed for use in harsh environments where space and power consumption are limited. The integration of the Intel vPro® platform enables these devices to offer high computing power and reliability despite their compact size – ideal for applications in manufacturing, automation and logistics.
  2. Enhanced security
    With Intel® Hardware Shield, the vPro® platform offers multi-layered protection that detects and defends against threats at the hardware level. This is crucial for companies that process sensitive data and need to be protected against cyber attacks.
  3. Efficient remote management
    Thanks to Intel® AMT and EMA, devices can be monitored, maintained and even restarted in the event of system crashes regardless of location – even if the operating system is no longer responding. This reduces downtime and lowers operating costs.
  4. Long-term stability and compatibility
    The Intel Stable IT Platform Program(Intel SIPP) ensures that hardware and software components remain compatible over a longer period of time – an advantage for companies with long-term planned IT structures.

vPro® Essentials, – Enterprise or – Evo™ Design?

This Intel platform is available in different versions – each adapted to the requirements of different company sizes and application scenarios.

  • For smaller companies, vPro® Essentials offers basic security and management functions.
  • vPro® Enterprise is aimed at larger IT infrastructures and offers comprehensive remote maintenance, hardware protection and stability.
  • With vPro® Enterprise for Chrome, there is also a variant for ChromeOS devices.
  • While vPro® with Evo™ Design is specially designed for particularly powerful, mobile notebooks – ideal for hybrid work models.

A closer look at the versions helps to find the right solution for individual requirements.

Practical example: Use at a medium-sized mechanical engineering company

A German mechanical engineering company with over 200 employees was looking for a solution to better network its decentralized production sites. The previous industrial PCs did not offer sufficient remote maintenance functions, which led to costly downtimes in the event of system failures.

After the introduction of devices with Intel vPro® compatibility, the situation changed fundamentally:

  • Centralized remote IT maintenance: Using Intel® AMT, the IT department was able to completely remotely control PCs in factory halls 600 km away – including BIOS access.
  • Faster recovery: A defective PC no longer had to be replaced – out-of-band management meant that an IT technician could get the system up and running again remotely within a few minutes.
  • Security compliance: With Intel® Hardware Shield, the company’s security guidelines were also enforced on machine controllers for the first time, as BIOS accesses could be logged and secured centrally.

The result: average downtime was reduced by 65% and maintenance costs fell by more than 30% in the first year. In addition, the IT department was able to use the time gained to tackle more strategic projects in the areas of automation and predictive maintenance.

An interesting article on this topic can be found at it-techblog.de.

Conclusion and spo-comm Mini-PCs with vPro® compatibility

The integration of this Intel platform in industrial mini PCs offers companies a powerful solution to make their IT infrastructure secure, efficient and future-proof. Especially in distributed industrial environments with high security and maintainability requirements, these systems offer real added value.

The following of our spo-comm systems are compatible:

If you have any questions about this or other topics, please do not hesitate to contact us.

embedded world 2025 in Nuremberg

Where? Booth 1-389 (Hall 1, Booth 389)

When? 11.03. – 13.03.2025

Members of our team will be on site at the stand on both Tuesday and Wednesday.

More details

In cooperation with ConSys, we will be exhibiting at the msi-ipc stand and providing a few insights into our product portfolio in digital form – more precisely, into the mini PCs that we have been distributing as a long-standing msi partner. Visit our stand and experience our spo-comm products live, talk to our experts about current trends and innovations and gather inspiration for your next project.

We are looking forward to a good exchange and hope to see some familiar and new faces!

If you have any questions about your visit to the fair, please contact us:

Exchange rates have changed significantly in recent months, which has also affected the purchase price of some of our Mini PC models. In order to take these developments into account, we have to adjust the prices of certain products in our range.

Price adjustment for the following Mini-PCs

The Mini PCs listed here now have a new entry-level price:

  • WINDBOX III Ultra: from 945€
  • BRICK N305: from 800€
  • NOVA R680E: from 1290€
  • NINETEEN Q670E: from 1275€
  • ONE H610: from 690€
  • ONE i5: from 595€
  • ONE J6412: 325€
  • SQUARE 18: from 1175€
  • SQUARE 21: 1275€
  • RUGGED Tab 10 N5100 Entry: from €920
  • RUGGED Tab 10 i5 Entry: from 1635€
  • RUGGED Tab 8A Entry: from €505

Important for our customers:

Existing offers and ongoing projects remain unaffected by this adjustment. Anyone who has already received an offer or is involved in an ongoing project can continue to rely on the previous prices.

We thank you for your understanding and are always available to answer your questions. It remains our goal to offer high-quality Mini PCs at fair conditions – even in times of economic fluctuations.

Deep learning vs. machine learning – what’s the difference?

Both machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL) are based on algorithms that learn from data. The difference lies in the complexity and structure of the models:

  • Machine learning mainly uses flatter models such as decision trees or linear regressions. These often require manual feature engineering, i.e. experts have to extract relevant features from the data.
  • Deep learning, on the other hand, is based on neural networks with multiple layers (“deep neural networks”). These networks learn independently which features are important and can therefore recognize more complex patterns.

A simple example: While a classic ML model defines image features such as edges or shapes by hand, a DL model can extract these features independently from the raw data.

How does deep learning work?

The system is based on neural networks inspired by the structure of the human brain. These networks consist of “neurons” that are arranged in several layers:

  • Input layer: Receives the data (e.g. image or text)
  • Hidden layers: Perform calculations to recognize patterns
  • Output layer: Delivers the result (e.g. classification or prediction)

Each connection between the neurons has a weight that is adjusted during training to improve accuracy.

Use of deep learning on mini PCs

Mini PCs can also run complex deep learning applications thanks to powerful hardware and optimized software. We have put together a few examples:

  • Image and object recognition: With deep learning frameworks such as TensorFlow Lite or PyTorch, mini PCs can recognize faces or identify objects in real time. This is useful in surveillance systems or smart home devices, for example.
  • Speech recognition: Projects such as Jasper or DeepSpeech make it possible to recognize speech on mini PCs and convert it into text. This technology is used in voice assistants.
  • Predictive maintenance: In an industrial environment, mini PCs can analyze data from sensors and detect anomalies in order to predict maintenance requirements.

Deep learning on mini PCs offers numerous advantages, but also presents some challenges. The compact design of the mini PCs is an advantage, and the little helpers are also more energy and cost efficient than traditional servers.

However, there are challenges in terms of limited computing power and memory. However, special hardware such as AI accelerators (e.g. NIVIDIA Jetson Nano) can partially overcome these limitations.

Deep learning with spo-comm Mini-PCs

Our product portfolio also includes the odd mini PC that masters deep learning with flying colors. For example, our NINETEEN Q670E, which should not be reduced solely to its 19-inch size, but also to what’s inside it. The NINETEEN impresses with an Intel® Core™ i5-12500T CPU, up to 65GB RAM and optional NVIDIA RTX graphics card. It also offers some special features, such as a PCIe slot for an additional graphics card, RAID network with multiple SSDs, iAMT, Wake on LAN and much more!

Conclusion

Deep learning is revolutionizing numerous industries and is becoming increasingly accessible, even on mini PCs. From image and speech recognition to industrial applications – the possibilities are almost limitless.

Whether in research, industry or the smart home sector – mini PCs make deep learning more tangible and affordable. With the right combination of hardware and software, (almost) no AI application stands in the way!