We have a very dirty, hot/cold, environment on shop floor -
Wondering what others are using for data collection on shop floor this is very rugged and reliable with of course low cost.
We do have barcode scanners that we would like to use (so will need the available USB ports for keyboard, mouse and scanner) - we do have the hardwired connections (no wireless) in these areas. We have DATA COLLECTION licenses.
If a Windows 7 box is best - any recommended ones that meet requirements needed just to run the MES client for data collection?
Anyone using any recommended encasements for these machines?
What are pros/cons of devices you’ve used in similar environment?
We initially had sealed enclosures with filtration devices, the works. Over the years with hardware prices dropping we put pc’s out at nearly all our resources, without enclosures. Surprisingly we have had very few failures. We also have a fairly dirty and temperature erratic environment. The enclosures are now long gone and we continue to use either PC’s or thin clients without issue. From a cost and deployment standpoint if you have a virtual environment to leverage, thin clients are the way to go.
We are planning to use ruggedized chromebooks (like the kind designed for education) and RDP into a Windows server. The thought is the chromebooks are cheap (~$200ea), require almost no configuration, and are designed for rough handling (drop tested, splash proof keyboard, etc.) so if one is damaged, they can just grab another and go. In addition, IS only needs to maintain the server installation of the MES client instead of 45 separate locations on the floor.
Does thin client require WIRELESS or can it connect hardwire?
By virtual environment - Do you mean RDS thru a terminal server?
We do have a terminal server to support our shipping handhelds (CK71s) that required Microsoft terminal services licenses - not sure if I have to be sure that our server specs meet any minimum to sustain a certain number of those types of connections (in additional to the additional licenses that would be required)…?
I’m guessing I do have to see if my terminal services server (to remote desktop into) meets specs to support # of remote connections that would be added in addition to the Microsoft licenses for Remote Services -
You can install Epicor MES client (data collection license) - on a Chromebook? I thought it needed a Windows O/S. Or is there a add-in or something that allows the Chromebook to remote in and emulate a windows client?
There is a native chromebook app for RDP. No need to run Android. We are looking at the ASUS C220SA as a likely option. I don’t know if it can be hard wired. To be clear, we do not run MES on the chromebook, but RDP to a Windows server running MES. The chromebook in this case is pretty much a dumb terminal running RDP in kiosk mode.
Right now we haven’t used the Chromebooks in the shop, only Android tablets. Most Chromebooks don’t come with an Ethernet port but I hear you can get a USB-Ethernet adapter if wireless is a problem in area.
I am surprised at the breadth of options on the Chromebooks. You can get HP or Acer for little money (<$200) or pay a lot for a Google Pixel ($1,000). There’s a rugged version by ASUS on Amazon for about $200. Make sure that the Chrome OS is 53 or higher to run Android Apps (specifically, the Microsoft Remote Desktop app)
I’d like the idea of thin clinets but wireless is an issue in these areas of the shop floor - I need to do a hardwired connection. I also have the Epicor Data Collection licenses to use
We are going to give the Asus C300SA a try with a USB 3.0 to 1gb Ethernet adapter a try - Which RDP extension/app has anyone used successfully to rdp into the terminal server? I’m sure it is somewhat similar to setting up a handheld device that runs through the terminal server. Any tips? Anyone have any issues or success using a handheld Honeywell scanner attached to the Chromebook? I’ll post back if it works!
Thanks Brad! I just ordered the C300SA yesterday (slightly improved specs) for same price yesterday - I also ordered a USB 3.0 to 1gb Ethernet adapter - We’ll see how it goes! Do you know which app/extension for RDP works? I see there a couple out there - Also - are you purchasing a license for each of these to ‘enroll’ them and administer them? Or just controlling all settings from the device itself and hoping users don’t mess around?
Let me know what works for you as we may add from time to time and are just testing different things out but with such a small shop- we don’t have much ability to test.
The app is just Chrome RDP and is available in the appstore. We set the chromebooks up as managed devices and the RDP app in kiosk mode so it goes to this when the chromebook is powered on. The servers provide terminal services and have enough licenses for the number of concurrent users we need. We are also still in the testing phase.
Was it much trouble to set up the management console for the Chromebooks? I tried last night and it was requesting my domain info and all as if we were converting to all Google services or something - it made me halt there. We will only need a couple of these devices so wasn’t sure if I had to purchase something (license) for admin console other than the device KIOSK license to administer the devices.
We are using Google to manage our e-mail, calendars, etc. so are already a Google apps for business customer. I am not sure what is available otherwise. I suspect you have to have at least one paid Google account and authenticate it to your domain before you will be able to manage the Chromebook.
What do you have to do on the Windows server to allow the Chrome RDP connection?
We went ahead and got the ASUS C300sa along with an adapter for hard-wired Ethernet - that works fine. I installed CHROME RDP on the Chromebook but not sure what I need to do on the Windows Server to allow these to connect.
Currently that server only has Handhelds connecting use windows remote desktop