As 2026 gets underway, many Australian organisations are resetting priorities, confirming budgets and pressure-testing the tools that support day-to-day operations. It is an ideal time to reassess the devices your teams rely on, particularly those operating in remote, rugged or high-risk environments where performance, longevity and reliability matter most.

Every field operation today runs on more tech than it did five years ago. What once meant one rugged tablet per supervisor has evolved into entire connected fleets equipped with Getac tablets, Panasonic Toughbooks, and Zebra Smartphones each carrying sensitive data, custom software, and safety-critical apps.

 

For IT teams managing devices scattered across remote mine sites, regional depots, and construction zones, keeping everything secure, up-to-date, and online has become one of the hardest jobs in digital operations.

Australia has one of the highest rates of mobile device use in the world. By January 2025, there were 34.4 million active cellular mobile connections in the country, which is about 128 percent of the total population. This means many Australians rely on more than one mobile device every day. Internet penetration sits at 97.1 percent of the population, and nearly four out of five Australians own a smartphone.

 

In industries where a single spark can trigger catastrophe, safety isn't just a compliance box. From mine sites to processing plants, the wrong device in the wrong hands can shut down operations, breach legal obligations, or worse. This article dives into what "intrinsically safe" really means, not from a sales sheet, but from a frontline risk perspective. And for business leaders overseeing remote teams and volatile worksites, understanding this could protect your people, your reputation, and your bottom line.

Out in the field, technology isn’t just a tool, it’s part of the team. Whether you're responding to emergencies, inspecting infrastructure, or coordinating logistics in remote terrain, you need computing power that’s portable, durable, and built for the real world.

Tablets and iPads are now a staple in work vehicles across Australia. Whether it's a tradie navigating between job sites, a paramedic accessing digital records en route, or a field engineer logging job data on the go, mobile computing is part of the job.

When you're out on the warehouse floor, deep in the field, or working against the clock in a high-pressure environment, the last thing you need is gear that gives out. A barcode scanner isn’t just another device. It's part of the job, and it needs to keep up.

Getac devices are built to handle just about anything - dust, drops, heat, cold, and even the occasional coffee spill. Whether you’re using a Getac laptop out in the field or a Getac tablet on the workshop floor, these rugged machines are designed for tough environments.

Drop a standard laptop on a worksite, and chances are it won’t survive the fall. Spill water on it, expose it to dust, or try to use it in freezing conditions, and you’ll quickly see why off-the-shelf laptops don’t belong in demanding industries. This is where the Panasonic Toughbook steps in.