Frequently Asked Questions

• Why is customization a more cost-effective option when purchasing a ruggedized mobile computing solution?
• How do I know that my Custom Mobile configuration will work in the field, and that the selected components will be compatible?
• How is Grayhill different than other companies when it comes to product customization?
• On average, how quickly can I obtain Custom Mobile in quantity for my field force?
• You mention “modest quantities.” What kind of minimum order is required to customize my Custom Mobile Solution?
• What are the key features that set Custom Mobile apart from other mobile computing solutions?
• I’m a reseller or VAR. Can I re-brand the Custom Mobile unit using a name of my own choosing?
• How long will my customized Custom Mobile unit be available?

Why is customization a more cost-effective option when purchasing a ruggedized mobile computing solution?

It isn’t always – unless it’s implemented by a supplier that has optimized its in-house expertise to understand hardware, software functionality, wireless technology, packaging and testing. When this is the case, the entire production process is designed to accommodate unique user configuration and quantity requirements, without sacrificing field performance or turnaround time. And that’s when customization allows you to quickly, cost-effectively create a ruggedized solution that’s ideally suited to the way you work, and to your specific software application. There’s no need to spend more for features or functionality you don’t plan to utilize; or to purchase a system that falls short of addressing a critical need. Instead, you can invest in fully customized hardware that supports your unique software functionality, and is specifically customized to grow with you over time.

How do I know that my Custom Mobile configuration will work in the field, and that the selected components will be fully compatible?

• We custom-engineer a rugged, reliable hardware solution to accommodate your specialized software application.
• We re-use our established IP (Intellectual Property) to streamline time-to-market and enhance dependability.
• Grayhill’s in-house configuration facility is optimized to rapidly prototype your Custom Mobile unit, getting the process off the ground quickly. If you’d like, you can also begin with a pre-configured base platform unit as a starting point.

• Our experienced engineers continuously test and re-test your Custom Mobile unit throughout the production process, identifying quality or compatibility issues before they have a chance to impact production time or field performance. We can also pre-certify the unit across a range of variables, even recommending necessary field tests based upon your specific application.
• Our standardized component library simplifies the development process; and our extensive integration expertise spans a broad range of components, software, middleware, and peripherals.
• Once your customized system is completed, it receives its own unique part number and can continue to be manufactured indefinitely. Even if a component becomes obsolete, we’ll re-engineer a subsection of the product and test it for full compatibility.
• This rigorous yet client-focused approach is unique to Grayhill, and we’ve perfected it through more than six decades of successful client collaboration.

How is Grayhill different than other companies when it comes to product customization?

See the response to Question #2, above.  Here are some additional elements that characterize the Grayhill difference:

• More than 60 years of reliable field performance and satisfied repeat business. Most suppliers can’t come close to this track record.
• Proven, integrated, in-house cross-expertise with hardware, software functionality, wireless technology, packaging and testing. This optimizes the entire customization process, ensuring that the finished product delivers the highest degree of functionality, reliability and compatibility.
• Key public and private sector clients that trust our customized solutions to handle some of the most critical applications in the world -- including national defense initiatives and space shuttle missions.
• A production and testing facility that is specifically geared to accommodate cost-effective customization at even low volumes. Our specialized process involves a carefully calibrated combination of human interaction, ongoing testing and automation, to minimize turnaround time and investment while maximizing finished product quality.
• A rigorous, continuous testing sequence that occurs throughout the development process – not just at its conclusion -- resulting in a more robust and reliable finished system.
• The ability to quickly, accurately prototype proposed units for client review, facilitating faster production time. 
• The assigning of a unique part number to your customized system, which Grayhill will continue to manufacture at your request. Even if a component becomes obsolete, we’ll re-engineer a subsection of the product and test it for full compatibility.

On average, how quickly can I obtain a Custom Mobile Solution in quantity for my field force?

This, of course, depends upon the level of customization and number of units you require. However, Grayhill specializes in rapid-turnaround customization with low up-front costs, even at low volumes. We re-use our established Intellectual Property (IP), to streamline time to market and enhance reliability. And we can deliver prototypes in as little as four hours; and optimize circuit boards and components in as little as three days. Click here to review our clients’ latest comments on our customization capabilities. So when off-the-shelf isn’t providing the precise mix of features and function you need, let Grayhill develop a cost-effective, customized hardware solution that accommodates your specialized software application.

You mention “modest quantities.” What kind of minimum order is required to customize my Custom Mobile Solution?

Grayhill Custom Mobile units can be quickly, cost-effectively customized in quantities as low as 100 units. Clients are not required to take delivery of the units simultaneously – they can be scheduled to ship in increments of up to one year apart.

What are the key features that set Custom Mobile apart from other mobile computing solutions?

Repeated studies have demonstrated that the key points of failure on a ruggedized handheld computer are the hard drive and the display. Accordingly, the Custom Mobile Base Platform Tablet 8.4 has been configured to address this issue. The Tablet 8.4:

• Serves as a rugged, reliable customization starting point for those clients who require one.
• Is equipped with a versatile Intel XScale PXA 255 processor, to maximize reliability while minimizing concerns over product availability or longevity.
• Utilizes the Windows CE operating system, eliminating the need for a hard drive.
• Includes an LCD display that offers the highest impact resistance and daylight readability ratings in its class, a reflection of Grayhill’s extensive display engineering expertise. Thanks to this experience, the display can be modified and re-integrated without sacrificing its impact resistance, extreme readability or reliability.
• Is housed in an extremely ruggedized, fully sealed, overmolded enclosure and meets rigid IP67 and MIL-STD 810F requirements. Customized systems can be re-tested to ensure that they meet these and other key environmental and performance certifications.
• Fully supports optional 2D scanning and a broad array of wireless connectivity options -- including 802.11x, GPRS, CDMA, and WWAN  – thereby leveraging Grayhill’s extensive expertise with integrated wireless technology.
• Can be fully customized – even re-branded – in low quantities for a cost-effective system that’s performance optimized to fit the way each client works.
• Is assigned a different, unique part number each time it is customized for a new client. In this way, the unit can continue to be manufactured, shipped and/or upgraded indefinitely.

I’m a reseller or VAR. Can I re-brand the Custom Mobile unit using a name of my own choosing?

Yes. Grayhill will manufacture your specific Custom Mobile Solution in quantities as low as 100, and will even re-brand the unit if you so specify.

How long will my customized Custom Mobile unit be available?

As soon as your customized system is ordered, it receives its own unique part number and can continue to be manufactured indefinitely. Even if a component becomes obsolete, we’ll re-engineer a subsection of the product and test it for full compatibility. And even if you buy a customizable base platform “off-the-shelf,” we’ll still assign a part number that’s unique to your order. This gives you the flexibility to customize the unit in the future.