In today’s landscape of remote work and learning, the demand for uninterrupted connectivity has reached unprecedented levels. Dell’s Connected PCs, renowned for their robust security, high-speed connections and always-on reliability, have become essential for enhancing productivity, user experience and security.
These devices seamlessly combine smartphone-like connectivity with PC capabilities, thanks to integrated mobile broadband modules. This ensures secure access to both 4G and 5G cellular networks, offering a secure and high-speed connection even when you’re away from trusted Wi-Fi networks.
Let’s explore the diverse range of applications for these PCs, which I’d like to delve into today. Imagine scenarios like a natural disaster or a mass casualty incident, where the need for a dependable network connection is crucial for managing communication across hospitals, sharing medical data with emergency responders, coordinating emergency evacuations and relief efforts. In these critical situations, having a reliable connection could make the difference between life and death.
Disasters and Disruptions
Disasters or internet disruptions can result in significant productivity losses, and Connected PCs can help minimize these interruptions, enabling employees to continue working with a cellular connection. According to Gartner’s “Top Growth Trends in WAN Branch Office Connectivity for 2023” report, published in February 2023, “By 2025, 10% of enterprise sites will use 5G as a primary or backup fixed wireless connectivity option in their WANs, up from less than 1% in 2021.”1
Dell’s Connected PCs, including the Rugged series, play a vital role in healthcare and emergency services. They empower first responders and healthcare providers to communicate critical information during emergencies, natural disasters, and other critical situations. These devices support real-time coordination, and the sharing of sensitive medical data, and they aid in search and rescue operations, weather tracking and remote missions.
Field Services
Connected PCs are also an excellent choice for field services such as oil and gas, construction and agriculture, providing real-time data access and communication in remote areas. For instance, field workers and service representatives can access customer data and provide real-time support or process orders even in areas without Wi-Fi access. They also prove invaluable for utility meter readings, where field technicians need mobile broadband-equipped PCs to access data and readings and to transmit information in real-time. Construction engineers and project managers can also benefit by accessing plans and status updates on the go.
According to Forrester Research Inc.’s report “Get Connected With Private 5G In Rural America,” dated December 2022, “Albemarle Corporation, a specialty chemicals company with leading positions in lithium, bromine, and refining catalysts, implemented a private 5G network at its lithium mine in Kings Mountain, North Carolina. The initial 5G trial included enhancing the company’s hybrid work environment and reducing global travel through remote operations support while workers conducted surveys, technical assistance, and maintenance activities.” 2
Research and Education
Connected PCs have a significant impact on e-learning and remote education. They empower higher education researchers with access to global digital libraries and academic databases, making virtual classes more accessible for educators and students at various educational levels, regardless of their location.
Another critical application is in professions such as environmental scientists, geologists, wildlife conservationists and researchers who rely on maps, research databases, sensor data and wildlife tracking in remote areas to make quicker analyses and improve decision-making for global environmental and wildlife protection.
For example, my son’s virtual Montessori class included a student whose family really seized the opportunity during the pandemic to travel and learn remotely. They were traveling the world on a boat, and their son was learning remotely from various locations worldwide. Similarly, the teacher traveled abroad while teaching the class. Connected PCs ensured reliable internet access in these extraordinary scenarios.
The Future of Connectivity
Dell Connected PCs have a profound impact across multiple industries, ensuring secure, seamless and reliable connectivity. What’s more, their cellular connectivity adds an extra layer of security, making them ideal for professionals who require a secure connection for their work, especially in industries where data privacy and security are of paramount importance. From healthcare and field services to business operations and education, these PCs play a pivotal role in enhancing productivity, securing data access, and facilitating communication in both urban and remote settings.
1 Gartner, Top Growth Trends in WAN Branch Office Connectivity for 2023, By Gaspar Valdivia, Grigory Betskov, 22 February 2023.
2 Forrester, Get Connected With Private 5G In Rural America, By Octavio Garcia Granados, 27 December 2022.
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