Tough boasts for ultra-rugged computers

A Dolch Computer Systems (UK) product story

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Sep 3, 2002

One manufacturer claims to be able to supply computing equipment that is tough enough to withstand the daily abuse of any environment in any industry.

With the ever-growing use of computers, there is demand for computing products that can cope with increasingly harsh conditions.

Many manufacturers offer equipment that will cope with factory environments, while some have systems that can even survive being subjected to regular washdowns with high-pressure hoses.

But there is only one manufacturer that claims to be able to supply computing equipment that is tough enough to withstand the daily abuse of any environment in any industry: Dolch.

Dolch has an extensive standard range of ultra-rugged portable computers, workstations, touchscreen interfaces and vandal-proof systems for public access kiosks, as well as peripheral equipment such as barcode readers, switches, keyboards and fibre-optic communications systems.

The portable computers are not targeted at the classic notebook PC market, but at the light industrial, heavy industrial and military markets.

Furthermore, Dolch is differentiated from its competitors by being able to work with customers to configure, design and develop customised systems to suit specific applications, no matter how severe the operating environment.

For example, if a bullet-proof touchscreen is required, the customer only has to ask for it.

With over 25 years in the market for ultra-rugged computing, Dolch has established a strong reputation for the high quality and reliability of its products.

The equipment is not just assembled from conventional components housed within rugged casings, rather it incorporates sophisticated features to ensure that extreme temperatures, humidities, shocks and vibrations can be withstood, as well as harsh electromagnetic fields and other conditions (all within the bounds of the customer's specification).

Whatever the specification for the product, today's users demand more than just goods that fit the bill.

Dolch recognises this and therefore strives to provide best-of-breed customer service to match its superior-quality products.

The company understands the diverse markets in which it operates and is well positioned to respond to its customers' ever-changing needs.

Dolch has grown steadily since it was formed in Silicon Valley, California, and the company now has 200 employees worldwide, with operations in the USA, Canada and Europe, together with 28 distributors in regions including Asia, Japan, Australia and South America.

This global presence is one of the reasons why Dolch is able to provide outstanding levels of customer support, wherever the customer is operating.

Rod Thorne, UK Sales Manager, comments: "We often talk about 'the Dolch difference' yet customers don't always appreciate how different our products are.

Dolch equipment uses state-of-the-art technology, designed so that it will survive whatever it has to, and tested to prove that it meets the specification.

We also have lifetime configuration control, so customers will never be left out in the cold - and lifetime technical assistance is always provided with all of our products.

It's no wonder that so many of our customers consider us to be more of a strategic partner than a supplier".

Comprehensive technical literature is available from Dolch providing detailed information about the company and its wide range of products and services.