HP Tech@Work
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Taking Workstations on the Road
February 8, 2018
When we think of mobility in business, the first thing that often comes to mind is sales reps out in the field using devices like tablets, smartphones, and 2-in-1s. But sales presentations aren't the only reason for a business to think mobile. Engineers, designers, editors—as well as executives and professionals looking for high-performance devices—can all greatly benefit from the ability to do their work on the go. Mobile workstations allow power users to take even the most advanced applications out of the office, from engineering programs to ultra-high-definition video editing, finance, inventory, and real-time rendering. Here are four reasons why you should, too.
1. You can cruise through your To-Do list
Getting ahead of your workload is tougher than ever. More employees are turning to after-hours mobility to increase their productivity. 43% of people polled connect to email on their smartphones in order to get ahead and ease their workloads for the following business day, and a full 70% with smartphones regularly check email outside of normal business hours. [1]
But without the proper tools at hand, professionals often can't act on the new information they're getting on-site, eliminating many of the benefits of mobility. Software from vendors like Adobe®, Autodesk, and Avid need hardware tested and certified to run their programs in order to maximize both reliability and performance. Consumer-grade notebooks or tablets simply won't do. Portable options, however, can weigh as little as 3.77 lbs. while packing professional-level graphics and advanced quad-core processors powerful enough and certified to run essential software.
2. You can capture inspiration wherever you go
Working with mobile workstations out of the office isn't just about getting more done after-hours. It also means having the tools to do demanding, time-sensitive tasks in the field, like edit high-definition video on the fly. Devin “Super Tramp” Graham, for example, regularly produces Hollywood-quality videos on location for brands like Ford, Mountain Dew and Panasonic that have earned over 300 million views (see more about on-site editing in this video). Other professionals in media and entertainment use on-site workstations for critical color calibration, or real-time Autodesk designing.
Powerful mobile workstations also allow pros to respond directly to customer input and facts-on-the-ground. In manufacturing, engineers and managers can take mobile workstations directly onto the factory floor to troubleshoot production issues. And in healthcare and finance, users can better respond to interactions with patients, or create custom output in response to client feedback. These in-person interactions can provide valuable feedback that improves efficiency. MIT computer scientist Alexander Pentland, for example, has run studies that show how informal, serendipitous communication among call center workers increased their productivity by 20%. [2]
3. You can work with confidence
Having a consistent, powerful system that can get the work done anywhere, at full resolution and without compromise, also helps minimizes time spent managing transitions and formats. Workstation solutions like Thunderbolt™ 2.0—the industry's fastest, most versatile I/O connection—allow for seamless transitions, while high-performance displays help ensure views in the field match the final product. And when returning to the office, users can also return to a full desktop-like experience with a docking station that allows them to easily connect to a full-size keyboard and mouse, displays, and other peripherals.
HP Z Workstations also come with a 3-year parts, 3-year labor, and 3-year on-site limited warranty, as well as a priority tech support number. While users of most consumer-grade devices are turning in their hardware to be repaired, Z Workstation users can maximize productivity by having the repair technician come to them.
4. You can customize to meet your demands
The average U.S. computer user loses about one working week every year just waiting for slow devices to respond.[3] Employees can't take advantage of mobility benefits—like effective use of downtime, face-to-face interaction, and [seamless transitions—if their devices simply take too long to perform their tasks.
Mobile workstations allow users to take advantage of the powerful software and consistent interfaces they're accustomed to on their desktop machines. Advanced hardware like the HP Z Turbo Drives are able to handle large files and reduce work time from hours to minutes with 4 times the read performance of traditional SSDs. And the exclusive HP Performance Advisor further enhances application performance by helping non-technical users customize their system to their specific hardware and software configuration—without the need for costly additional IT support.
Mobile workstations continue to advance at breakneck speed in their capabilities, performance, and expandability, with top models even matching or exceeding the performance of some desktop workstations. More than just a space-saving measure, mobile workstations allow demanding, valuable work to get done faster, in whatever situation is best for the current job. From entertainment to healthcare to engineering, any professional or power user can benefit from being able to create where their work takes them.
[1] Cisco, Connected Technology World Report, 2010.
[2] Forbes, Why We Need to Meet in Person, 2011.
[3] Sandisk, The time we lose to slow computers, 2013.
