The industrial computer industry is expected to grow by 5.4% between now and 2025. That’s pretty impressive considering the economy will still be recovering from a global pandemic over the next few years.

That’s mostly due to high demand in the food and beverage, defense, and pharmaceutical industries. These are just some industries that rely on industrial computers.

The fact is, there are many industries that require the power and ruggedness of an industrial computer. That doesn’t mean that all industrial PC workstations meet the needs of all businesses, though.

What can you do to make sure that you have enough durability and power to meet your business needs? Read on to find the best PC workstation provider for your business.

What Are Industrial PC Workstations?

Let’s say you work in a really demanding environment. Why wouldn’t you just get a regular PC or workstation computer?

It’s probably less expensive, right? So why not save money on computers.

Well, PCs aren’t designed for tough environments. They’re designed for office use, multitasking, and internet surfing.

Industrial PC workstations are designed to last a long time in difficult circumstances. You can use industrial PCs in manufacturing to automate complex tasks. You won’t be in the middle of a production run and suffer downtime because the computer stopped working.

Differences Between PCs and Industrial PCs

There are distinct differences between industrial PCs and the rest of the pack. Here are reasons why you want to consider industrial PC workstations for your business environment.

Shock Absorption

Imagine what would happen to your PC if you put it in a high-vibration area, like a production floor with a lot of machinery. A part would surely break or loosen to the point where the computer broke down.

Industrial PCs are built to withstand high levels of shock and vibration.

Dirt and Dust Handling

Have you ever taken a PC apart to find it full of dust and debris? That’s a common issue that causes PCs to malfunction.

The dirt and dust are usually circulated by cooling fans in PCs, and that dirt accumulates over time.

Manufacturing and production floors have a ton of dirt and dust circulating in the air. The cooling fans of regular PCs would only funnel that into the computer.

Industrial PCs have cooling fans, too. However, they’re equipped with filters to keep them running clean.

Heat Capabilities

Speaking of cooling fans, PCs can only handle so much heat before you have to shut them down. You need to make sure that you have the right machine for the right environment.

Industrial PCs can handle heat of about 130 degrees Fahrenheit, while PCs max out at about 95 degrees.

Interference

Electromagnetic interference can disrupt communications across your entire network. Unfortunately, this type of interference is common with businesses that operate large machinery.

Industrial PCs are designed to handle interference and power spikes that can wear computers down.

Waterproof Ratings

You don’t normally think about waterproof ratings until you spill your water or coffee at your desk. You should know that your PC isn’t likely to have an IP rating.

An IP rating is standard on industrial PCs, protecting them from water, dust, and other contaminants.

How to Choose an Industrial PC

You just learned why industrial PC workstations are necessary. These are the main things you need to know when you need to shop for computing solution options.

Pre-Configured or Custom?

You have a choice when you get an industrial PC workstation. A company should offer pre-configured machines and custom machines to meet your specific needs.

You need to figure out how much room you have for the workstations, where they’ll be on the production line, and what the demands are.

You may be able to find everything you need in a pre-configured solution. If not, then you’ll have to have a customized industrial PC.

Ready for the Future

Industrial PC providers should have industrial computers that meet your needs now and in the future. You’re about to make a significant investment, and you need to make sure it’s an investment that will grow with your business.

For example, does the provider have industrial workstations that can handle IoT devices and robust automation. After all, that’s a manufacturing trend that is not going away anytime soon.

Systems Integrations

Most businesses are turning to cloud computing for storage and ease of use. Not only that, but your business already has dozens of other systems for daily operations.

It’s important to check that your industrial PC workstation works well with your existing systems. That ensures efficiency.

Meets Compliance Standards

There are some industries, such as pharmaceuticals and food and beverage, that have to meet compliance regulations.

Not only that, but you have to make sure that the workstations meet all security standards. You will lower the risk to your business from painful legal issues.

Technical and Customer Support

An industrial PC provider has to be able to support your business if and when something goes wrong. You want to know who your point of contact is and what kind of support you have.

Some providers may go the extra mile to help you decide the best solution for your needs.

Industrial PC Workstations for Powerful Computing

Do you need a powerful and durable computer to meet the demands of your business? Look no further than industrial PC workstations.

They are engineered to handle everything from power surges to high levels of vibration. When you look for an industrial PC provider, think about your needs and integrations.

You’ll need to find a provider that meets your needs and provides outstanding support. Be sure to check out the latest in technology news on this site.