CRN Exclusive: Janam Propels Partner Ecosystem With New Rugged Mobile Computer

Mobile computer manufacturer Janam Technologies is bolstering its mobile rugged computer lineup with the XG3-ER long-range bar-code scanning device, which it says will propel its channel partners who specialize in niche markets.

Eric Sutter, president of EMS Barcode Solutions, a Plano, Texas-based Janam Technologies partner, said the new mobile computing device fits his company's customer base, 90 percent of which is made up by either the education vertical or the warehouse and manufacturing vertical.

"In warehousing, our customers are using mobility while they are out in the field," Sutter said. "When we sell solutions, a customer in the warehouse can use this device to scan ... something 30 feet away. They want something that is durable -- things like that really enhance the solution value to day-to-day users."

[Related: 10 Tough Trends Partners Are Grappling With In The Rugged Market]

The gun-shaped XG3-ER is designed for manufacturing, transportation, logistics and warehouse applications, runs on Microsoft's Windows Embedded Handheld 6.5 operating system, and is powered by an ARM Cortex A8 processor running at 1GHz.

Made available with Intermec's EX25 near and far imager, the new mobile computer contains auto-focus technology and bar-code reading long-range features for 1-D and 2-D bar code, which reads from as close as 6 inches to as far as 50 feet, according to Janam Technologies.

Harry Lerner, CEO of Janam Technologies, said he hopes the newest addition to the company's XG3 line will top a competitive industry dominated by players like Zebra Technologies and Honeywell.

It will also broaden opportunities for the portfolios of Janam's 600 global partners in the channel, according to the company. Janam's partner program is made up of solution providers who provide printing solutions, wireless network solutions, payment solutions and software for mission-critical applications.

"When there are two major players with 70 percent of the market share, many partners are bringing the same set of products from these two vendors. … Janam becomes attractive, because partners can come to the table with something smaller and lighter, and can differentiate themselves from others," said Lerner. "XG3-ER is for customers who need technology for mission-critical activities with zero tolerance for failure. These devices need to survive in challenging environments."

XG3-ER was built to survive such challenging environments, as the rugged product can survive 6-foot drops to concrete, is sealed for use in wet and dirty environments, and contains a hardened-glass 3.5-inch VGA display.

Lerner said one feature that will differentiate the mobile computer is its 5,200 mAh hot-swappable lithium-ion battery, which he stressed is essential to workers who are out in the field and cannot go back to their home base to charge up their devices.

Beyond its new mobile computing devices, Lerner says, Janam Technologies hopes to maintain a simplified platform for partners in an industry that is dealing with highly competitive prices and consolidation across the board.

"We want to build the right features with the right price for our partners -- we're fortunate to work with a population of like-minded partners who want to shake up the mobile computing industry," he said. "A lot of the frustration in this industry's partner community comes from the complexity and red tape from some of the larger companies, but we try to keep things streamlined and simple."

The XG3-ER will be priced at $2,895 and will be released in September, according to Janam Technologies.

PUBLISHED SEPT. 10, 2015