What protection class do I need for a cold store?

For cold storage environments, sufficient IP protection (typically IP65 or higher) is important, but the certified operating temperature range and condensation resistance are equally critical. Batteries lose capacity in cold conditions, so pay close attention to the low-temperature operating specifications in the manufacturer's datasheet. Which exact values are sufficient depends on your specific storage temperatures.

How do I centrally manage a large fleet of mobile computers?

For centralized management, you deploy a Mobile Device Management (MDM) system. This allows you to centrally control app distribution, OS updates, device lockdowns, and configuration profiles. Without MDM, administration becomes complex and error-prone once you have more than a few dozen devices.

When does a wearable computer make more sense than a handheld?

Wearables are a good fit when both hands are continuously needed for handling tasks, such as gripping and placing goods. In these scenarios, they reduce switching movements and can improve picking performance. Whether the benefits justify the higher acquisition and onboarding costs should be analyzed on a process-specific basis.

Which WLAN standards should a mobile computer in a warehouse support?

Current devices should support at least Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac); Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) improves performance in densely populated wireless networks. Roaming behavior between access points is also important, since warehouse staff move continuously and connection drops can lead to booking errors.

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Mobile Computer

Also: Mobile Computer, Mobiler Computer, Mobile Endgeräte Logistik, Handheld Computer, Mobile Datenerfassungsgerät, MDE-Gerät, Mobilgerät Lager, tragbares Endgerät Logistik

AI-generated

In brief

Mobile computers are portable devices used in intralogistics for operational processes such as picking, goods receipt, and inventory management. They combine scanner, radio, and WMS client in a rugged housing designed for demanding warehouse environments.

Key facts

Mobile computer is the umbrella term for portable devices in intralogistics; MDE terminals, wearables, and tablets are specific implementations.
Real-time communication with the WMS or ERP via WLAN enables immediate inventory transactions and reduces paper-based processes.
Ruggedness, protection class, and shift-long battery capability are the central technical selection criteria for warehouse use.
Mobile Device Management (MDM) is a prerequisite for scalable, secure operation of larger device fleets.
Total Cost of Ownership encompasses not only the purchase price, but also repair rates, spare parts availability, and OS lifecycle.

What are mobile computers?

Mobile computers are portable, battery-powered devices developed specifically for use in logistics, manufacturing, and retail. Unlike standard smartphones or tablets, they are designed for continuous operation, mechanical stress, and varying environmental conditions. Typical form factors include handhelds with integrated barcode or RFID scanners, tablets for paperless processes, and body-worn wearables that keep both hands free. The term is an umbrella category; MDE terminals, handheld scanners, and wearable computers are specific implementations.

How do mobile computers work in warehouse operations?

At their core, these devices communicate via WLAN — or in some environments via mobile network — with the warehouse management system (WMS) or ERP. This enables real-time transactions: a picker scans a barcode, the WMS client immediately confirms the withdrawal and updates the inventory. Depending on the device class, input options include keyboards, touchscreens, or voice output. In pick-by-voice scenarios, the device provides acoustic process guidance; in pick-by-vision approaches, it is combined with AR glasses.

Typical use cases include:

Goods receipt and putaway with scan confirmation
Picking based on WMS instructions, paperless or voice-guided
Inventory counts and ongoing stock control
Goods issue, loading verification, and transport accompaniment

What matters when selecting a device?

The first priority is fit with the process category: a handheld scanner suits high-frequency scanning tasks, a tablet is appropriate for document-intensive tasks such as goods receipt with photo documentation, and a wearable fits two-handed activities. Beyond that, the following criteria are relevant:

Protection class and ruggedness: IP protection against dust and moisture, drop resistance (MIL-STD-810) and operating temperature range are critical for cold stores or outdoor warehouses.
Battery and shift operation: Hot-swappable batteries or fast-charging capability determine whether devices remain productive throughout an entire shift.
WLAN compatibility: Support for current WLAN standards and roaming behavior within the warehouse directly affect connection stability.
Mobile Device Management (MDM): Without a centralized MDM, firmware updates, app rollouts, and device lockdowns are difficult to manage at scale.
Total Cost of Ownership: Beyond purchase costs, repair rates, spare parts availability, licensing models, and OS lifecycle all play a role.

Whether you should opt for a uniform device portfolio or a mix of form factors depends on process diversity, your IT team's MDM capacity, and your negotiating position with manufacturers — blanket recommendations are not appropriate here.

Frequently asked questions

Mobile computer is the umbrella term for all portable devices used in logistics environments. MDE terminals (mobile data capture) are a specific implementation, primarily designed for barcode scanning processes. Tablets and wearables also fall under mobile computers, but are rarely referred to as MDE terminals.

Related terms

AR
Augmented Reality (AR) is a technology that overlays digital information onto the real field of view in real time. In intralogistics, AR is used primarily in picking, maintenance and training.
Akustische Kommissionierung
Acoustic order picking is a paperless picking method in which warehouse employees receive pick instructions via voice and confirm each step using spoken responses. Both hands remain free throughout the actual picking process.
Augmented Reality
Augmented Reality (AR) overlays the real environment in real time with digital information such as text, graphics, or 3D models. In intralogistics, AR primarily supports picking, maintenance, and the onboarding of new employees.
BDE-Terminals
BDE terminals are stationary or mobile devices used for operational data capture, enabling employees at workstations, machines, or warehouse areas to digitally record process, time, and quantity data directly at the point of origin.
Barcode
A barcode is a machine-readable optical code that represents information as a pattern of bars and spaces or as a two-dimensional matrix. It enables the automatic identification of items, load carriers, and documents along the entire supply chain.
Barcodescanner
A barcode scanner is an optical reading device that captures printed barcodes and converts them into machine-readable data. It is used in intralogistics for the seamless identification of goods, load carriers, and storage locations.
Beleglose Kommissionierung
Paperless picking refers to the assembly of orders in the warehouse without paper pick lists, where all instructions are transmitted digitally via terminals, displays, voice, or optical signals.
Datenfunkgeräte
Data radio devices are mobile or stationary hardware components that transmit data wirelessly via radio protocols such as WLAN or cellular. In warehouse and transport environments, they form the operational interface between employees and IT systems such as WMS or ERP.
Datenfunkterminal
A data radio terminal is a mobile device for wireless data capture and transmission in the warehouse, combining a display, input, and scanner in one unit. It typically communicates with a warehouse management system via Wi-Fi and supports processes such as goods receipt, picking, and inventory counting.
RFID
RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) is a technology for contactless, automatic identification of objects using radio waves. A reader retrieves data from a transponder attached to the object — without line of sight and, in many cases, simultaneously from multiple tags.

Matching categories

Hardware Reduce error rate Automate warehousing Data, IT & Integration Consulting & Implementation