US-based rugged tablet provider Xplore Technologies has revealed it has joined Microsoft Azure Certified for Internet of Things (IoT).
The collaboration will ensure customers are able to get their IoT solutions working as quickly as possible with hardware and software that has been pre-tested and verified to work with Microsoft Azure IoT services.
Microsoft Azure Certified for IoT allows businesses to reach customers where they are, working with a network of devices and platforms, allowing for faster time to production.
Xplore’s XSLATE R12, XSLATE B10, Bobcat and F5m have now been certified to work with Microsoft Azure IoT services, and the company is accelerating and simplifying the integration of rugged mobility solutions into today’s industrial manufacturing and field applications.
Xplore has been working with technology innovators such as Microsoft for more than 20 years to engineer rugged tablet-based mobility solutions that boast the right feature sets, workflow capabilities, and accessories for customers’ current and future business needs.
With Xplore’s Windows-powered rugged tablets now Microsoft Azure Certified for IoT, it will be easy and quick for manufacturers, utilities, public safety agencies and other customers to deploy completely integrated mobile workforce solutions within their existing technology architectures.
Xplore vice-president of marketing John Graff said: "With the increased connectivity and digitalisation occurring across industries, the need for rugged mobility is only increasing. Xplore has always built our rugged tablets with customers’ interoperability requirements in mind.
"They’re meant to stay in the field for three-to-five years minimum. As such, we ensure our mobile computing platforms can connect to a host of operational technologies and specialty peripherals.
"Microsoft Azure Certified for IoT validates Xplore’s ability to jump-start customers’ IoT projects with pre-tested device and operating system combinations.
"We not only decrease the usual customisation and work required by other devices to achieve compatibility, but we accelerate customers’ efficiency gains and overall mobility ROI when they deploy an Xplore Windows tablet."
Microsoft general manager for Data Platform and Internet of Things Barb Edson added: "Microsoft Azure Certified for IoT extends our promise to bring IoT to business scale, starting with interoperable solutions from leading technology companies around the world.
"With trusted offerings and verified partners, Microsoft Azure Certified for IoT accelerates the deployment of IoT even further."
IoT projects are complex and take a long time to implement, and customers find that choosing and connecting the right set of devices, assets or sensors to the cloud can be time-consuming.
To jump-start their IoT projects with confidence, customers are looking for certified devices and platforms that are tested for readiness, compatibility and usability with the Microsoft Azure IoT Suite.
By choosing a partner from the Microsoft Azure Certified for IoT program, customers can save time and effort on project specs and RFP processes by knowing in advance what devices and offerings will work with the Azure IoT Suite.
Please contact Xplore via the enquiries form for more information.