Samsung survey reveals deep need for rugged tech in construction industry

More than 40% of Toronto Construction Association members surveyed said their current mobile devices are not built to withstand the job

Canadian construction workers face some of the harshest conditions of any industry. Yet too often, they go without mobile devices to match their own toughness, according to a new survey sponsored by Samsung Electronics Canada.

Extreme weather conditions like snowstorms, exposure to dirt, dust, and water along with the kinds of everyday shocks and bumps associated with construction work require devices built to withstand them. However, according to the Samsung survey, more than 40% of the 713 respondents from the Toronto Construction Association said none or less than half of the mobile devices used at work are built for the extreme environments that come with the territory.

“This is an industry that builds our communities and keeps them growing stronger, but durable technology to support the work remains a blind spot. This is the exact issue that Samsung is equipped to support,” said Paul Edwards, Vice President and General Manager of Enterprise Mobility at Samsung Electronics Canada. “This survey demonstrates the need for increased adoption of rugged mobile devices across all construction environments.”

More than two thirds (67%) of respondents reported they spend up to half of their workday in the field, with nearly half (46% ) saying the most prevalent condition they face is dust and dirt. About one quarter of respondents said they face wet environments or deal with extreme temperatures that could potentially lead to device breaks.

These environments are detrimental to mobile technology that is not fit to handle them. As a result of current deficient technology, close to one in every three (31%) respondents said up to five mobile devices are broken or damaged every year on the job, with nearly 10% estimating that number to be closer to 10.

“It goes without saying the unwelcome financial burden that comes from having to deal with repeated device breaks and damage,” Edwards says. “Not only in the costs spent to repair or replace the devices themselves, but also in lost productivity on the work site.”

Galaxy Rugged technology for the construction sector

The current Samsung Galaxy Rugged lineup – the Galaxy Tab Active4 Pro and Galaxy XCover6 Pro  – have set a new standard for technology that withstands the rigours of doing business on the frontline. Serving the varied needs of field workers across Canada, Galaxy Rugged devices are built to match the grit and resilience of the construction workers who need them most.

Survey respondents were also asked to report on the key features they’re looking for in their mobile devices. More than two thirds (64%) of respondents said that a device able to withstand drops would better support their productivity. Exactly half of respondents (50%) said they would benefit from having a mobile device that’s resistant to dust and water.

Samsung’s latest Galaxy Rugged devices address these needs and more with their military-grade certification[1] that provides protection against drops, knocks, and vibrations. The devices themselves are also IP68[2]-rated against dust and water damage – a rating that extends to the S Pen accompanying the Galaxy Tab Active4 Pro, allowing construction workers to take notes, mark-up documents and capture digital signatures without incident in wet and dusty conditions.

A further 41% of respondents reported a need for a replaceable battery to help them power through their workdays uninterrupted. This was another need that Samsung anticipated with the Galaxy Rugged line up. Both the Galaxy Tab Active4 Pro and Galaxy XCover6 Pro come with a replaceable battery[3] that can be easily swapped out with a fully charged extra battery.

While today’s construction workers have a clear need for technology that is up to par with their working conditions, there is fortunately a solution that exists presented by the Galaxy Rugged lineup. To learn more about the Samsung Rugged range for business and its applications for the construction sector, visit samsung.com/ca/business/mobile/rugged

[1] These devices passed U.S. military specification (MIL-STD-810G/MIL-STD-810H) testing against a subset of 21 and 23 specific environmental conditions, respectively, including temperature, dust, shock/vibration, and low pressure/high altitude. Real world usage varies from the specific environmental conditions used in MIL-STD-810G/MIL-STD-810H testing. Samsung does not guarantee device performance in all extreme conditions.

[2] IP68 rating: Water resistant in up to 1.5 meters of fresh water for up to 30 minutes and protected from dust, dirt and sand. Rinse residue/dry after wet. Not advised for beach or pool use.

[3] Extra replaceable battery sold separately.