Category: Customer Service

Important Battery Optimization Update [Issue & Solution]

If you missed our battery management overview in October, this is a great time to revisit it and provide product-specific information following a customer issue with battery life. They report going through batteries at a “rapid rate” on units that are primarily left in the dock and connected to power all of the time.

From the guidance we shared in October,

Smart Charging Habits can double battery lifespan by reducing cycle wear and preventing thermal damage. Limit charges to 80% to minimize cell stress. Avoid full discharges below 20% or overcharging. Use only manufacturer-approved chargers and charge at room temperature (avoid temperatures below 0°C/32°F or above 40°C/104°F). For storage, keep at 40-50% in a cool, dry place.

It is also recommended that you discharge and manually calibrate the batteries in your tablets, laptops, and handhelds every two to three months. Your rugged devices include settings management software, and while they won’t remind you to do that, you can automate functions to optimize battery life. In the example above, the Getac F110 G-Manager has a battery settings options page that lets you set the charging mode to economy.

For always-powered-on Rugged Tablets in cradles, like the example above, this feature will extend battery life for operations that require tablets or laptops to remain always-on and ready, say, in medical or public safety environments where on-call demand requires the device to be available at a moment’s notice.

That’s not a use case where you want to experience battery failure in the middle of a call or an emergency, even when you’ve got warm or hot swap capability. And it doesn’t necessarily represent the majority of users or uses, but good Battery Management is Good For Your Business and Your Bottom Line, no matter what your business.

Check out our October overview on battery management for more tips, tricks, and hints to help you get the most out of your batteries and devices.

And check out the Glacier blog for more news, tips, industry updates, and more.

Contact one of our experts to learn more about this or to ask any rugged device, logistics, or data collection questions.

Battery Getac

2017: An Extraordinary Year for Glacier Computer

The past year has been an extraordinary one for Glacier Computer and we wanted to take a moment to share some thoughts about 2017 as we look forward to 2018.

Customer Focus Before All Else.

Our ongoing success is born from a commitment to helping customers maintain their competitive advantage by providing rugged mobile data collection solutions with superior value as Glacier’s “anything within reason” philosophy continues to provide the product flexibility and engineering vision to get our customers over, around, or through their technology hurdles today, tomorrow, and for years to come.

When You do Something Well Find Ways to Do It Better.

Glacier’s Kodiak set a new industry standard in 2017. This rugged Industrial computer represents over 15 years of real-world experience, engineering, and feedback from supply chain managers, forklift operators, and partners in the logistics and supply chain world. Warehouse managers want the price-point of a tablet but need a very rugged, reliable, and dedicated forklift-mounted solution. The entire KODIAK line was designed to meet that very demand. And we’re just getting started. The Android OS for Kodiak is coming in 2018.

Is There a ‘Wolf’ Feeding On Your Warehouse?

You’ve heard the story. Big wolf. Little pigs. Three houses. Guess what? They were Warehouses for bricks, lumber, and yes—straw. The big bad wolf? That was inefficiency eating away at the bottom line.

It was becoming a serious problem.

They’d each taken it on the chinny-chin-chin and were huffing and puffing about improving profits. A much-needed equipment upgrade to go with their Warehouse Management System could do the trick. But what sort of mobile wireless solutions would help them optimize their bottom line and kick the wolf to the curb?

As one of the leaders in the industry, Glacier Computer has spent nearly two decades helping customers build some of the best solutions on the planet. Our forklift mounted computers, rugged tablets, industrial tablet PCs scanners and software solutions are increasing efficiency across an array of industries.

Even after the initial installation, your investment in a Glacier industrial computer system will provide dependability and versatility for years to come; the average life of a Glacier Computer industrial tablet PC is over 5.5 years with manufacturing repairs of less than 4%.

And if we don’t have it, we’ll either create it or source it for you!

If you’ve got a Big Bad Wolf we’ve got his number. And now you’ve got ours. 603.882.1560. Or email us at Sales@glaciercomputer.com, and live happily ever after.

Find our more about Glacier – Request a Free Product Demo – Contact us

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Helping City Furniture Maintain Superior Efficiency

Modern Materials Handling Magazine published a piece about the durability of rugged computer terminals used by City Furniture, in Florida. Ricky Maharaj had this to say about the Everest E2000 CE systems they were using.

“In a fast-paced, rugged environment, operations depend on equipment that is durable, able to sustain rough usage, and can maintain superior efficiency.”

Glacier engineers worked with Ricky and the warehouse managers to customize a rugged hardware and software solution for their operation.

“The customer and supplier worked closely to design a customized interface on the new operating system, which works seamlessly with the existing warehouse management system (WMS). The interface reduces configuration, maintenance time, and the risk associated with moving to a new operating system.”

Glacier and City Furniture continue to have regular conversations to maintain that fine-tuned success. And last month, City Furniture began adding Kodiak’s to their growing operation.

Kodiak is Glacier Computer’s newest, 5th generation lift mounted rugged computer. A system designed to meet wants and needs expressed during hundreds of hours of conversations with customers and resellers accross a wide range of industries.

Find our more about Glacier – Everest – Kodiak – MMH

Where Do You Begin?

We are interested in learning how customers begin their search for a rugged computer. If you begin with a web search please take an additional moment to write what search terms you might use in the comments section.

If you have a different starting point, please add that in comments as well. (Click this link after you vote to leave a comment)

Thanks!

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Best Wishes During This Holiday Season

The entire team at Glacier Computer extends our Best Wishes to you and yours during this holiday season. And we hope that 2014 is a happy, prosperous year for you.

We certainly want to take this opportunity to extend our thanks to our customers and our “significant others” for making 2013 a solid year and period of growth.

Within a week or so we’ll all enter the New Year with hopes and expectations. We at Glacier Computer will do so with anticipation of continued expansion of our rugged tablets, rugged hand-held devices, and the further acceleration of the rugged vehicle-mount devices. These rugged devices help our customers face their challenges with the reliable platforms they need to manage data, people, equipment, and logistics efficiently.

Please accept our Best Wishes!

Sincerely,

Ron D’Ambrosio

President

Glacier Computer
46 Bridge St.
New Milford, CT 06776
603-882-1560 x 3203

www.glaciercomputer.com

Helping You Prosper in Harsh Environments

In medical, industrial, vehicle-mount, and military deployments, Glacier Computer rugged tablets and rugged PCs have withstood harsh temperatures, vibration, and humidity in wet and dirty environments.

If you need a rugged tablet, check out the Glacier Computer Rugged Tablet Comparison Chart available from this link. If you see a unit that may meet your needs, and want to put one to the test we’ll gladly provide you with a free evaluation unit so you can see for yourself.

One of my roles and functions at Glacier Computer is to help you. If you’d like to discuss your application and how we can help if not “conquer the elements,” at least prosper within harsh environments, or if you just need more information … just give me a call or drop me a line.

AND … if you don’t see the exact rugged device that you need, let’s discuss how Glacier can customize and build the exact rugged unit that does!

Thanks very much!

Best regards,

Dave Hewett
Client Relationship Specialist

GLACIER COMPUTER
10 Northern Blvd
Amherst, NH 03031
866-724-6257 x3209
daveh@glaciercomputer.com
www.glaciercomputer.com

MCFA Partners with Glacier Computer for Rugged Forklift Computers

MCFA Partners with Glacier Computer for Rugged Forklift Computers

For immediate release:

New Milford, CT, November 15, 2013 – Rapidparts Inc. (Rapidparts), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mitsubishi Caterpillar Forklift America Inc. (MCFA), supplies service parts for competitive forklift brands and other aftermarket products to authorized Cat® lift truck, Mitsubishi forklift truck and Jungheinrich® dealers under the Promatch® brand name. The Promatch® parts program has partnered with Glacier Computer LLC (Glacier Computer), a manufacturer of rugged mobile computing solutions, to offer forklift-mounted computers and other rugged mobile computing devices.

“Real-time, reliable information is the key to everything from maximizing floor space, keeping inventory up to date, and avoiding costly mishandling of goods,” said Jerry Sytsma, general manager of Rapidparts. “We must continue to provide our customers with the technology and innovative equipment that their business applications demand.”

Glacier industrial computers are designed for harsh applications where adverse temperatures, shock and vibration are standard conditions. Designed to help people who manage data, logistics, equipment, and other workers within these environments, the computers are ready to be integrated into a new or existing warehouse or distribution center in any industry. Glacier’s versatile product line includes industrial all-in-one computers, handhelds and rugged tablet computers. And because most harsh environments are unique to each customer, MCFA dealers can provide customization services through Glacier that deliver a complete forklift data collection solution. “Securing partner relationships in key verticals is a strategic part of our future success,” states Ron D’Ambrosio, CEO of Glacier Computer. “The MCFA agreement is one of several that we plan to announce in the coming months.”

About Rapidparts Inc. (Rapidparts)
Rapidparts Inc. (Rapidparts) is a wholly-owned company of Mitsubishi Caterpillar Forklift America Inc. (MCFA). Since the company’s inception in 1986, Rapidparts has experienced more than 20 years of continuous growth, supplying replacement forklift parts to Cat® lift truck, Mitsubishi forklift truck and Jungheinrich® dealers throughout North America under the Promatch® brand name. For more information about Rapidparts or the Promatch brand, visit http://www.rpionline.com.

About Mitsubishi Caterpillar Forklift America Inc. (MCFA)
Manufacturer of Industry-Leading Material Handling Equipment Mitsubishi Caterpillar Forklift America Inc. (MCFA) is a leading manufacturer of forklifts in the United States, Mexico, Canada and Latin America. Based in Houston, Texas, the company distributes three distinct brands – Mitsubishi forklift trucks, Cat® lift trucks and Jungheinrich® warehouse products. MCFA features the industry’s most extensive dealer network in North, Central and South America. The company provides customers with quality products that range from warehousing to industrial applications and are backed by industry-leading customer service. For more information about MCFA or any of the brands it manufactures and distributes, visit www.mcfa.com, www.cat-lift.com, www.mit-lift.com or www.jungheinrich-lift.com.

About Glacier Computer
Glacier Computer LLC. (Glacier Computer) develops versatile, rugged industrial computing solutions for use within harsh environments. Founded in 2000, our products are used in stationary, portable, and vehicle-mount applications. Our customers use our rugged devices in industries including field service, construction, utilities, retail, warehouse, freight, healthcare, and for public safety applications at home and abroad.

Glacier Computer’s company standards include a knowledgeable staff, an array of high-quality, value-based products, and a deep sense of customer service. Together with our strategic partners, we deliver comprehensive solutions to specific industry segments and resolve the unique needs of each customer. Glacier employees are committed to, and share in the mutual success of our business and possess a desire to help our partners and customers succeed.

For more information about all Glacier Computer products and services, visit our website at www.glaciercomputer.com.

“Glacier is, where Rugged lives”

Dave Hewett daveh@glaciercomputer.com 866-724-6257 x 3205

Being A Good Neighbor Just Makes “Cents”

Being a good neighbor to the communities you operate in makes good business sense. If being cost-conscious improves that relationship then that is even better.

Take recycling for example. There are several forms of “recycling” you can employ that are both cost-conscious and good neighbor policies, and at Glacier we’ve embraced them all.

You always want to dispose or discard materials properly, but that is only the end of your waste/recycle process. You can take advantage of opportunities that reduce or eliminate waste by re-purposing material rather than just discarding it, and by choosing to use materials that are multi-use by design.

We prefer sturdy cartons that the customer can reuse if they need to send a product back for a modification, upgrade, or repair. We redesigned the packaging for our rugged systems so that we could use the same cartons and packing material across a wider range of products. Now, both Glacier and our customers can re-use that packaging, sometimes for months or even years before having to dispose of it or replace it.

Whenever possible, we save and reuse cartons and other varieties of packing material we receive, for less commonly shipped products, parts, or other components. We save and reuse vendor provided packing whenever it is in good condition, and meets our requirements.

Any paper or cardboard that cannot be re-purposed is recycled by our waste handler. Electronic scrap is picked up by a recycler who reuses or re-purposes that material to keep it out of the waste stream.

We have also adjusted internal processes to cut back or eliminate the need for printed paper and other office supplies. This has reduced our use of printer paper in the material, production and shipping departments by as much as 75%.

Some folks would say we are being green. After a fashion, I suppose we are. But our goal was to avoid waste, to keep the operation lean and efficient, and to keep costs down. Keeping costs down affords us the opportunity to pass that savings along to the customer or to help offset costs that might be beyond our control. It just makes good business sense. But it is also environmentally responsible. So we get to think about our customers and be a good neighbor, all at the same time.