The 5 Best and Most Reliable Charging Stations For Schools and Classrooms
11.09.23 in Blog, Product News
If your school is equipped with iPads or laptops for students, teachers and staff to complete their tasks and enhance their learning experience, it is crucial to have a reliable and secure solution for storing, charging, and distributing these devices. A high quality Charging Station or Cart can effectively address this requirement while also offering fast, effortless, and convenient device access.
It can be incredibly frustrating when you go to use a device, only to find that it hasn't been fully charged and is not ready for use.
Choosing the right charging station for your school depends on many factors, such as how many devices you need to store at once and if device portability is important to your workflow. You should also consider warranty, the quality of product you choose and the after sales support you will get.
PC Locs are experts when it comes to charging stations and carts. With over 25 years of experience in the education industry, unbeatable local customer support and lifetime warranty on products, you can have complete confidence that you are dealing with the best in the market and receiving the highest quality products and service available.
Compatibility: iPad and Tablet Devices
Capacity: 10 Devices
The iQ 10 Charging Station offers a compact and versatile charging solution for your devices. Now with USB-C PD, you can charge the latest USB-C iPad and Tablet devices with ease. With its sleek design and the ability to be mounted on a desk or wall, this charging station provides convenience and efficiency for your school's device management needs.
One standout feature of PC Locs iPad carts and charging stations is their unique storage system. Devices are neatly organized in baskets, with each basket holding up to five devices. This makes device distribution a breeze for both teachers and students, ensuring easy access and seamless workflow.
Your iPad devices are safeguarded with the durable welded steel construction and a hardened steel padlock when they are not in use. Plus, you can enjoy the peace of mind that comes with a lifetime warranty on the product.
Compatibility: iPad, Tablet and Mobile Phone Devices
Capacity: 8 or 16 Devices (depending on which model selected)
The Putnam Charging Stations are specifically designed to provide efficient charging, secure storage and reliable protection for up to 8 or 16 iPad or Tablet devices. This versatile charging station can be easily mounted on the wall or stacked, offering a space-saving solution for your school. With its innovative color-coded LED displays, you can conveniently and easily see when your devices are fully charged and ready to use.
The Putnam Charging Stations are equipped with 8 or 16 MFi-approved Lightning cables that are perfectly sized for effortlessly plugging in devices and eliminating cable mess. These cables are integrated into the station, ensuring they cannot be removed or misplaced.
Built with welded steel construction makes these units ultra secure and lifetime warranty adds peace of mind. With a built-in mechanical combination lock, you won't have to worry about carrying keys. In case the combination is forgotten, a master override key is included as a fail-safe.
Compatibility: iPad, Tablet, Laptop, Chromebook and MacBook Devices
Capacity: 10 or 15 Devices (depending on which model selected)
The Carrier Charging Stations offer unmatched device compatibility, making them truly universal. Whether you have iPads, iPad Pros, Laptops, Chromebooks, MacBooks, or just about any device, you can charge, store, and secure them efficiently and with ease.
The Charging Stations come equipped with Baskets that not only add portability but also make device deployments a breeze. These Baskets can easily be swapped with device racks to accommodate larger devices.
The Carrier iPad Charging Station offers a sleek and space-saving solution as it can effortlessly be mounted on the wall or to a bench or desk. With a separate compartment for cables and power bricks, you can say goodbye to missing or tangled cords.
Compatibility: iPad, Tablet, Laptop, Chromebook and MacBook Devices
Capacity: 32 Devices
The Revolution 32 Cabinet is an innovative and compact solution that allows you to efficiently charge, store, and secure up to 32 devices, including laptops, Chromebooks, iPads, and tablets. With its space-saving design, it is ideal for classrooms or locations with limited space availability.
The Revolution 32 Charging Cabinet comes equipped with an innovative ECO Safe Charge power distribution unit, ensuring the safe and efficient charging of all your connected devices from just one power outlet.
If you prefer to have baskets instead of the device racks, or a combination of both, you can easily swap out the device rack with Large Baskets for an additional cost.
Compatibility: iPad and Tablet Devices
Capacity: 5 Devices
The CarryOn Charging Station is the most compact and portable charging station on the market. The CarryOn is designed to charge, store, and transport up to five iPad or tablet devices in a sleek and compact unit.
Now with USB-C PD, you can store and charge the latest USB-C iPad and Tablet devices with ease. With its unique design and the ability to be mounted to a wall, this charging station provides convenience and efficiency for your school's device management needs.
Its aluminium outer shell makes it both lightweight and durable, protecting the devices inside. The transparent acrylic door lets you quickly see that all devices are there, while the impact-resistant alloy edging gives it a classy look. The CarryOn’s door includes a keyed lock to keep devices safe.
Ready to trim your workload?
Contact us to learn how a charging station can make all the difference.
Partnership is Everything | MTA Deploys Carrier 20 Carts
21.06.23 in Blog, Testimonials
Background
The Motor Trade Association of Western Australia is a member-based organisation. It’s operated by industry members, for the benefit of industry members. They harness their collective strength for advocacy, lobbying, business development, training and apprenticeship services for thousands of businesses and employees across Western Australia. It’s a model that empowers profitable, confident and sustainable businesses and leaders.
Challenge
The not-for-profit side of MTA WA focuses on automotive industry training. They support individuals training to become qualified automotive professionals - from pre apprenticeships to post trade training and licensing. Part of that support was the purchase of a fleet of 60 laptops for students to use while taking exams. MTA WA knew they’d need a plan for organised storage, charging and mobility to go along with those devices.
Solution
The organisation built on strong partnerships knew exactly where to turn first: PC Locs.
“Partnerships are everything to me. If you invest with a good reliable company, you won’t have any issues and if you do, you’ll be backed up anyway,” said Tony Cawley, the Chief Information Officer at MTA WA.
Cawley had confidence in the compatibility, charging efficiency and high security of the Carrier 20 Cart™ by PC Locs. The association purchased three of them. Each cart comes equipped with four Large Baskets by PC Locs, designed to accommodate almost any device, which means quick, effortless access to the laptops for MTA WA students. Each cart also comes backed by a lifetime warranty, just like all PC Locs products: they’re built to last and built to adapt to future needs.
Results
Cawley and his team are 100% satisfied. They found a solid and complete solution that they believe will outlive many hardware refreshments.
It is our goal at PC Locs to offer solutions that have been developed for and by our customers. We are a partner in helping make life easier. And when we succeed, our partners succeed. The key stakeholders for MTA WA have recognised that the Carrier Carts are doing their job perfectly.
What's Next?
Once all their courses go live and expand, MTA WA has plans to double the number of devices and Carrier Carts they use. PC Locs will be there - growing and evolving right alongside them.
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Calculate Your Lost Productivity for Manual Broken Device Exchanges
27.04.23 in Blog
Many organisations now provide one laptop, tablet, Chromebook or phone device for each employee, student, teacher and others.
Due to the sheer volume of devices now in circulation, highly-successful executives and managers who are responsible for managing these tech programs tell us they are frustrated by the following:
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- Specialised IT staff are wasting valuable time on entry-level tasks such as delivering, tracking and managing broken or lost devices.
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- Device users are unable to work/learn while they wait for a replacement device, putting them behind.
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- Organisations are unable to acquire adequate talent to keep up with increased workload.
If any of these pain points sound familiar, the first step toward finding a solution is to quantify the problem at hand.
Calculate Lost Resources and Productivity for Manual Broken Device Exchanges
Calculate Lost Productivity for Check In/Out Device Programs
Many organisations also experience frustrations with managing devices that are checked out on both a short-term or long-term basis. Click the link below to calculate the productivity loss of your check in/out program.
Calculate Your Lost Productivity for a Manual Check In/Out Device Workflow
27.04.23 in Blog
Many organisations offer short-term or long-term mobile device check outs for employees, shift workers, field workers, students, teachers, substitute teachers, guests or others.
Highly-successful executives and managers who are responsible for managing these mobile device programs tell us they are frustrated by the following:
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- Shared devices are not readily accessible nor reliably charged, delaying the day.
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- Managers are forced to prioritise distributing and collecting devices over their primary operational roles.
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- Device breakage and loss is significant for shared devices that are not secured or tracked.
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- Data is exposed when devices are not securely stored, and MDM software is not enough.
If any of these pain points sound familiar, the first step toward finding a solution is to quantify the problem.
Calculate Lost Resources and Productivity for a Manual Check In/Out Device Workflow
Calculate Lost Productivity for Manual Broken Device Exchanges
Many organizations also experience frustrations with manual broken device exchanges. Click the link below to calculate the productivity loss of your manual break/fix workflow.
What is Industry 4.0?
06.04.23 in Blog, Industry News
The world of manufacturing is changing – and changing fast. Tablets and smartphones are becoming factory floor essentials – much like the coal-fired steam engine during the 1st industrial revolution, the implementation of the assembly line in the 2nd revolution and computers in the 3rd revolution. 21st century technology and digital transformation have enabled the shift into Industry 4.0.
When did industry 4.0 start?
Industry 4.0 has been talked about since the start of the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) and began to gain traction around 2018. Put simply, Industry 4.0 is automated communication between machines and computers over a Cloud-connected network.
There are a number of facets to the concept – M2M Learning, AI, additive manufacturing such as 3D Printing, autonomous robotics and data management to name a few – but at the heart of the concept is tech-driven efficiency and productivity. In a nutshell, working smarter in every area of production to reduce waste, save time and increase margins.
What are the benefits of Industry 4.0 in manufacturing?
- Increased productivity. Identifying bottlenecks in production can decrease production times, and predicting maintenance with smart machines can mitigate production issues before requiring shut-down.
- Greater profitability. Automating order processing, materials handling, repetitive assembly tasks and supply chain tasks will speed up production times and improve the consistency and quality of the product. Less wasted time and materials, coupled with lower margins for error, mean greater profit.
- Better data. As communication between machines improves, so does big data collection. The ability for computers and people to turn data into insight can improve operations – with the net result of hitting sustainability and efficiency targets.
- Increased competitiveness. The US, Western European and Australian markets can benefit from Industry 4.0 technology investments that lower the costs of domestic production. This competitive edge allows a more manageable supply chain – keeping the manufacturing facility in closer proximity to consumer demand while also supporting the local economy.
- Future proofing. In a post-pandemic McKinsey & Co survey of global industry, 94% of businesses surveyed stated that digital technologies allowed them to continue to function effectively during the COVID crisis. Conversely, those who had been slow to adopt technology – or even those who were still pondering the benefits of Industry 4.0 in manufacturing – fared significantly less well.
What is data management in manufacturing?
One way manufacturing facilities are working smarter is by utilising digital management systems that ensure each industrial component is working at maximum efficiency. It is like individual components taking responsibility for their own health. To embrace this process, industry is undertaking a rapid transition to what is known as CMMS (Computerised Maintenance Management Software) and more recently EAM (Enterprise Asset Management).
The smart machines, enabled with CMMS and EAM, require two other vital components to complete the successful implementation of Industry 4.0 in manufacturing. The first of these is The Cloud – the centralised storage hub for data that can be accessed from anywhere with an internet connection. This centralisation integrates each part of the product journey from manufacture through to customer delivery – all stored safely and securely. The final piece of the puzzle are the handheld devices that provide the link between man and machine.
The value of mobile devices for Industry 4.0 in manufacturing.
From as early as 2015, CEOs of manufacturing businesses recognised the importance of mobile technology in improving industrial processes. In a PWC survey of manufacturing CEOs, mobility was considered the top tech priority. Since that time, as devices have become more accessible, more robust, and more powerful, they have become essential for facilitating Industry 4.0.
Mobile devices in manufacturing provide:
- Portable and cost-effective tech to connect the component parts of the manufacturing process.
- Real-time interaction between managers, maintenance teams and machines.
- Powerful operating systems that enable complex applications such as augmented reality to facilitate problem solving and output planning.
- Familiarity which reduces training time and increases adoption rates.
How are smart charging lockers being used in smart manufacturing?
Mobile device hardware provides the interface that delivers the information into the hands of human decision makers, and it is this part of the process that is vulnerable to loss, theft, breakage and mismanagement.
Traditional approaches to sharing hardware between shift workers can result in devices going missing, not being charged or not being updated regularly. With a simple adjustment toward providing centralized device management and storage, these issues can be overcome.
Real world application of smart lockers in manufacturing.
Blédina, an infant food brand owned by Danone France, has been working with PC Locs on managing mobile device on their factory floor. Devices are being used by engineers to report issues on a production line to a remote manager. The engineer can receive a solution on the device and troubleshoot immediately.
Mobile devices are critical to this process so devices must be accessible, charged, and secure when needed. In tandem with the Poka web and mobile app, Blédina uses FUYL Tower Smart Lockers powered by PC Locs Cloud to improve employee efficiencies and deliver an effective device management program.
Factory workers and engineers can easily check out a device from a FUYL Tower at the beginning of their shift, without manager oversight. Tower access is tracked via the PC Locs Cloud portal so managers know when a device was taken and if it has been returned. Device accountability for employees can deter device loss, theft and mismanagement.
The time saving benefits of intuitive, simple-to-use hardware and straightforward processes have led to eager adoption and tangible efficiency benefits. As one of the world’s leading B Corporations, going paperless and 100% digital was a critical pillar of Danone’s business strategy that has been enabled with PC Locs' Smart Locker solution.
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