Online article shows how ARMOR computers work with people and machines on the factory floor

Situation Analysis:
ARMOR rugged mobile computers survive and perform in the world's most extreme environments, including the industrial plant floor where exposure to oil, dirt, heat and cold, harsh cleaning agents, bumps, vibration, and drops are routine. However, the manufacturing automation and control or Human-Machine Interface (HMI) field is currently being serviced by automation machinery and thin clients (hardwired server connections), rather than by true mobile computers. Although ARMOR rugged mobile computers have inherent advantages over competing technologies, this solution was not well known and manufacturers have not fully considered the advantages of a truly mobile, full-function computing solution. In order to gain a foothold in this significant market, ARMOR needed to get this message to shop-floor technicians, supervisors, process engineers, and industrial IT managers.

Statement of Objectives:

• Introduce the ARMOR product line to the manufacturing industry.
• Create greater awareness of the benefits of truly mobile computing in manufacturing, especially the HMI.
• Educate audiences about how wireless mobile computing is an advantage.
• Drive audience to website and generate leads.

Strategy:
In order to position ARMOR as the "thought leader" - that is, the company that has really thought about plant floor computing - we looked for an online publication that covers the topic of manufacturing automation in depth. We considered several options, and chose ControlEngineering.com based on its audience profile and the type of content it offers. We provided Senior Editor Renee Robbins with background information in the form of a white paper as well as comments we had gathered from Wonderware, an ARMOR manufacturing customer.

Winning Results:
Ms. Robbins used our input in an article entitled "Rugged HMIs deliver handheld photo capture/send, sealed full-function PC abilities" in which ARMOR was one of only two companies mentioned. The article clearly demonstrated the value of a fully rugged mobile computer in the manufacturing environment, including durability and wireless capability.

[E]xperience with previous generations of mobile computers, including military systems, can provide a foundation for enhanced durability and performance in harsh industrial environments. For Armor X10 designers, such lessons led to environmental design improvements in critical areas, including keeping out water and dust, blunting the effects of high and low temperatures, and protecting against the harmful effects of shock and vibration.

From virtually no interest from potential industrial customers prior to the article being posted, ARMOR reported a spike in website page hits, inquiries and requests for demonstrations.