JLT Mobile Computers is Sweden’s largest PC manufacturer and specializes in the design, manufacture, deployment and support of rugged vehicle-mounted computers, tablets, and handheld devices for demanding industrial use cases.
Primary markets include logistics, material handling, transportation, and mining, in operationally and environmentally hostile applications. The company empowers businesses by enabling hassle-free data communication in challenging environments.
Interview with Per Holmberg, CEO at JLT Mobile Computers.
Easy Engineering: What are the main areas of activity of the company?
Per Holmberg: JLT offers a comprehensive range of rugged IT solutions, which it designs, develops, and builds in house for a global market.
In addition to our broad hardware portfolio, we also supply complementary productivity-enhancing software solutions and services, as well as handheld products and a range of value-add accessories and services from trusted third parties.
Supporting all these efforts is the state-of-the-art JLT Test Center, where we test our solutions to the absolute limit, ensuring years of trouble-free operation in the most hostile of applications.
Per Holmberg, CEO at JLT Mobile Computers
E.E: What’s the news about new products?
P.H: At JLT, we always listen to our customers and develop products and solutions that match their specific needs. Recent developments include the deployment of the Android OS for industrial environments.
This market demand led to the creation of the JLT6012A™ product, an Android version of our popular JLT6012™ Series of rugged logistics terminals. Certified for Google Mobile Services (GMS), the JLT6012A product merges professional-grade rugged computer hardware with Android’s simplicity, familiarity, and ease of use.
E.E: What are the ranges of products?
P.H: In addition to our extensive range of vehicle-mount computers, we also supply rugged Windows and Android tablets and bar code scanners.
Our carefully vetted partner ecosystem also gives our customers access to class-leading hardware and software solutions that ultimately result in best-practice communication infrastructures, no matter the application.
E.E: At what stage is the market where you are currently active?
P.H: JLT operates in multiple markets, all of which are at various stages of technology adoption and digital transformation.
Our open-platform and comms approach removes integration barriers and allows companies to deploy advanced IT solutions in even the most challenging operating environment. No one should be prevented from using IT to optimize their operations.
E.E: What can you tell us about market trends?
P.H: Industry 4.0 has led to the demand of data-capable supply chains, where stakeholders at every stage can get a snapshot of the entire chain.
By making IT capabilities available in what are often manual and paper-based applications, we are helping companies evolve their Industry 4.0 aspirations and are underpinning the efficiency and transparency demanded by modern operations.
This data collation is also helping with sustainability objectives, as rich operational data allows companies to highlight areas of concern far quicker. A great example of this is in our recent partnership with Volvo and its evolution of high-capacity transportation. There’s a case study here.
E.E: What are the most innovative products marketed?
P.H: Innovation is the lifeblood of JLT and every product we develop is full of our R&D DNA.
Our most recent success story is the JLT6012 Series which has proved incredibly popular thanks to the way it addresses so many market requests. As user friendly as it is smart, it is available with Windows or Android, and can be installed in virtually any vehicle. With the latest sensor technology built-in and accompanying software solutions, customers will be able to use our IoT solutions to optimize their operation far beyond the computer usage itself.
State-of-the-art wireless technology that ensures reliable connectivity in less-than-optimal conditions and a virtually unbreakable touchscreen overcome two of the most common weaknesses of other rugged computers.
E.E: What estimations do you have for 2022?
P.H: Industry-wise, the demand for connectivity and operational data will proliferate, and more and more companies will be looking for robust IT solutions to undertake what were traditionally manual applications.
From a technological perspective, our JLT6012 Series will offer a raft of new valuable functions soon, covering operations, safety, and driver interactions; as well as proactive process-improvement capabilities, based on sensors information related to acceleration, gyroscopes, ambient light, temperature, GPS, and access points. These new functions are realized by the recent creation of JLT Software Solutions, a wholly owned subsidiary dedicated entirely to software development.
Finally, the whole package will be put through its paces at our test center to ensure our customers get the absolute pinnacle in rugged industrial computing solutions.