Labatt Food Service deploys Toughbook

Panasonic Solutions Company has published a new case study highlighting the successful deployment of a Toughbook U1-based system by its customer Labatt Food Service.

In 2008, Labatt realized that two issues needed to be addressed to maintain its competitive edge in the transportation arena: delivery efficiency and driver satisfaction.

The company was using pen and paper to track arrivals, departures, returns and to update hours-of-service logs to comply with internal documentation needs and DOT regulations. By moving to a digital system, Labatt could realize significant improvements in operational efficiency.

Labatt looked at shrink-wrapped systems available to the trucking market, but found these devices were too restrictive—not allowing for upgrades, modifications, and customization. After research, the company selected the Toughbook U1 for its durability, full Windows OS, daylight viewable touch screen, embedded mobile broadband, and GPS.

“Because the U1 runs a full Windows operating system, we are able to develop solutions on our own laptops without some type of emulation software to mimic a handheld operating environment. We know if it works on our laptops it will work on the U1,” said Miguel Escobedo, lead project architect, Labatt Food Service.

With wireless connectivity a critical component of the deployment, Labatt tested multiple providers to establish which offered the best mobile broadband service in its operating area—ultimately determining that mobile broadband service from AT&T was best-suited to address its needs.

Since adopting the new Toughbook U1-based system, the benefits have been clear. The new solution automatically logs route data and customer interactions, eliminating the time spent entering data by pen and re-entering paperwork at the distribution center.

For more information on Toughbook mobile computers, go to www.toughbook.com.