Issues to consider when selecting vehicle mounting equipment

In this tough economy, with manufacturing and sales taking a serious hit, it would be easy to simply slow down and stick with what worked last year rather than continue to spend money on R&D and innovate in a less than favorable market. After all, the products offered a short time ago were making money and paying the bills, so why wouldn’t they continue to be a reliable source of revenue this year? The problem is that when a company supplies products marketed as accessories to consumer and industrial electronics, last year’s products do not necessarily meet this year’s customer needs and demands. Often times, manufacturers in this type of business are left with two choices; innovate or risk being left in the dust trail of their innovative competitors.

Form and function can change greatly in a year's time. Vehicles are getting smaller and electronics more compact and powerful. This equates to organizations having the option to upgrade their equipment to better suit their needs at a fraction of the cost of their initial implementation. The custom docking station or mounting system designed for last year's hot products are now obsolete right along with the device it was created for. With the ability to learn about upcoming products well in advance of their release, customers want to know what will be offered to support the latest technology once it hits the market. In this economy, manufacturers of mounting systems can't just say that times are tight and there are no plans to support upcoming products. Once that conversation is over or that email sent, shortly thereafter the customer will be out seeking a company that will be offering what they want.  If someone likes your products enough to come to you first, you've got something special and it's worthwhile to continue to be the innovator. Very few companies have the market cornered and there are typically multiple sources that offer similar products that support a vast range of technologies. Competition is stiff and loyal customers are exceptionally valuable. To give up on the economy and play it safe may help in the short term, but long term success requires constant effort and determination. Constantly staying ahead of the curve and offering new and innovative ways to solve problems is the only way to stay competitive and survive in a tight economy.

When fleet managers are looking for the best possible solution for mounting their various electronic devices, they should consider a variety of aspects prior to making their decision.  Cost typically is a key factor that needs to be considered to assure that the project will come within budget. Safety is paramount given that any fleet manager's first priority is to keep their operators safe while in the mobile working environment. A fleet manager will need to make sure that they are choosing a solution that can meet their current needs, as well as their future needs. Most of the time a fleet manager will not know their future needs so it is important that they choose a system that is highly configurable, modular, and adaptable to assure they have room to grow. In addition, the fleet manager will want to assure that they are choosing the most innovative product that will meet their needs while putting them at the cutting edge of technology so their solution isn't quickly outdated. With the high cost of technology and shrinking budgets, it is extremely important to make the most out of expenditures and assure the latest and most effective technology is being implemented.  RAM Mounting Systems has a wide variety of fleet vehicle products that will undoubtedly address all of the issues that a fleet manager will likely encounter on their quest to find the best possible mounting solution for their in vehicle technologies. 

RAM Mounting Systems, located in Seattle Washington, keeps the spirit of innovation as one of its core company focuses. Keeping it simple, a utility company's fleet of service vehicles, a manager's company truck or a cable company's fleet of installation vans, all of them have something in common. They all have equipment that needs to be safely and securely installed in the vehicle. From laptop computers to radios, light switches to mobile data terminals, all of these items must be secured in the vehicle so they are accessible and easy to use for the operator.  Typically these various devices are all consolidated into a console system which enables the user to have all of their vital electronics located in one easily accessible location.  With the necessary power and data connections integrated, the mobile office can be nearly as efficient as the standard office. There are several manufacturers catering to this industry who have taken a similar approach to design when creating products to address the needs of mobile professionals. Most manufacturers focus on the obvious need: to have all of the electronics mounted in one location. Until now safety, aesthetics, ease of installation and use, and cost have not played a significant role in the design process. Most manufacturers simply created a basic product that fit a basic need without taking the time to address all of the issues which fleet managers will find important through the equipment selection process.

RAM Mounting Systems has set out to change this approach to design, offering a truly revolutionary product line that addresses all of the obvious needs of fleet vehicles as well as taking an innovative approach to addressing some of the less than obvious needs. The creation of a mobile command or work station in vehicles has been commonplace for years and is essential to the daily activities of fleets across America. RAM has dedicated significant resources to creating a truly unique solution for a common need. RAM Mounting Systems, a company known worldwide for electronics mounting solutions, has introduced the RAM Tough Box™ line of vehicle products. The evolution of a common fleet vehicle product has finally taken a huge leap forward. Up to 30% lighter than similar products on the market, the RAM Tough Box™ vehicle console is functional and durable but without all of that unnecessary weight and bulk. Constructed of high strength composite, steel, and aluminum materials, the RAM Tough-Box™ system has dramatically improved and increased the options when selecting a console system. Outstanding performance and a long product life are just a few of the initial benefits when choosing a RAM Tough-Box™ console system. Another key feature is the incorporation of molded parts which create tight seams and eliminate sharp corners. This helps to avoid contamination of sensitive electronics mounted in the console and assures that occupants aren't injured in an accident by sharp edges and corners. Keeping in mind the safety of the vehicle occupants and ease of use and installation, these consoles were crafted to meet and exceed expectations from an operational and safety standpoint. 

As a US manufacturer, RAM has the ability to quickly adapt and adjust to its customers' needs and expectations. Through vertically integrated manufacturing processes, RAM can quickly and easily manufacture custom faceplates to accommodate virtually any device which needs to be mounted in the vehicle. For the end user this equates to less down time for their fleet vehicles which means more time for the vehicle to be on the road doing the job and keeping the company profitable.

In terms of dramatic change, all in one solutions are often time and space savers but force the user to sacrifice quality and/or performance. Changing that perception is the goal of the new RAM Angled Consoles which are part of the Tough Box™ line of products. The Angled Console is truly one of a kind. You will not find anything else like it on the market today. This new design is easily modified by the installer to work in a wide range of applications. With a single part number or SKU, customers have a product that is almost universal for a variety of fleet vehicles. Quite often console systems are manufactured so the user needs to order the exact size to suit their needs. Factors which affect the size of the console box include the number of devices that need to be mounted, any optional accessories required such as cup holders, arm rest or printer mounts, as well as if a computer or mobile data terminal needs to be mounted as well. This can equate to a logistical nightmare for fleet managers or installers as many times they will not know what equipment needs to be mounted in the vehicle until the installation process begins. Through strategically positioned perforations on the side plates of the RAM Angled console, the box can be easily resized to accommodate the exact needs of each specific vehicle. This can be achieved using a standard set of tools so there is no need for specialty tools or services which can increase the installation time and cost as well as increase the downtime for an organization's fleet. Beyond being able to change the length, these consoles also offer openings for cooling fans, accommodate 12 volt power panels for wiring accessories, and have a variety of mounting hole patterns around the perimeter for mounting additional items such as GPS or cell phones. In addition, the Angled console is delivered in pieces rather than as a large, bulky product.  This equates to less shipping costs and inventory space which all equates to saving money and time.  Although these changes may seem almost insignificant, every penny saved is money that can go to paying salaries, advancing technologies and keeping Americans employed. Now more than ever it is important to consider these facts and assure that decisions are made in the best interest of the organization from an economic and operational standpoint.

RAM understands that while time is extremely valuable, comfortable and useable workspace is also of great importance. RAM products always make the most of usable space and are ergonomically sound. Even at first glance you can see subtle but significant differences between existing console solutions and what RAM now has to offer. Those familiar with RAM products know they are modular in design, interchangeable, and expandable. What this equates to for the user is the ability to upgrade their current system with new components to meet their ever-changing technological needs and avoid costly full system replacements.  Now fleet managers can simply upgrade the items that are absolutely necessary and keep the equipment which is still fully functional to save money. This unique ability will undoubtedly enable organizations to get more out of their tight budgets. Using a RAM system in place of another manufacturer will allow the organization to outfit more vehicles with their allocated funds. All of this comes without a sacrifice in quality or functionality. In fact, organizations will find that RAM offers products that are at the leading edge of innovation and durability at a fraction of the competitor's price.

Selecting an appropriate mounting solution for a fleet application can undoubtedly be overlooked when specifying a system for a project. Many times a fleet manager will select the in-vehicle technology without considering how this technology will be implemented in the vehicle. Most of the time the mounting system is selected at the last minute and commonly a fleet manager will go with the most convenient solution, without considering all of the options that are available. Fleet managers can rest assured knowing that there are innovative products readily available and that they can be implemented quickly and efficiently. Many times, all that it takes to find this is a quick online search and a few phone calls to get in touch with experts who know the industry and can provide the innovative solutions needed to best solve the problem. Through all of the tough economic times everyone should keep in mind that tough times typically inspire individuals and organizations to come up with better technology and more efficient ways to achieve their goals. RAM Mounting Systems has proven that tough economic times can truly inspire innovation and creativity.