IIoT
Browse IIoT
IIoT
Browse IIoT
The short answer
What you see
Find the symptom closest to yours. The fixes come from the makers' own documents.
| What you see | Likely cause | Quick test | What to do |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scans in the demo app but not in yours | No scan profile for your app (Zebra: DataWedge profile) | Scan into the demo or notes app, then into yours | Create a DataWedge profile for your app, or ask us to set it up. Other makers have their own scan settings |
| Characters go missing on fast scans | The app cannot take characters as fast as the scanner sends them | Scan the same code slowly into a notes app | Set an inter-character delay in DataWedge (0 to 1000 ms) and pilot it in your real app |
| Web ERP or WMS page does not get scans | The browser page does not receive scan data the way the app expects | Scan into a plain text field on the same page | Zebra Enterprise Browser works with DataWedge (it is licensed, with a 30-day evaluation). Pilot your real pages before you buy for the fleet |
| Battery does not last the shift | An aged battery, or a heavier workload than the battery was chosen for | Check the battery health in the device settings or your management tool | Replace worn batteries and keep spares. Zebra's tools flag a PowerPrecision battery for replacement at 400 charge cycles |
| Changing the battery restarts the device | The model needs to be switched off for a battery change | Check your model's battery change procedure | Zebra's TC53/TC58 keep memory for about 30 seconds during a swap; TC21/TC26 must be powered off first. For multi-shift work, choose a model with warm or hot swap |
| Wi-Fi drops as people move | Roaming, power-save or band settings, or gaps in access point coverage | Walk the route with the device and note where it drops | Tune roaming and power-save settings, check the access points, and do a Wi-Fi site survey before a large rollout |
| SIM data works but calls fail | VoLTE calls depend on your carrier supporting the device | Test your own Jio, Airtel or Vi SIM for a call | Test one device on your carrier before a bulk order. Some models (for example Zebra TC22, TC53) are Wi-Fi only |
| No more security updates | The model's Android version has reached the end of its patch period | Check the maker's update roadmap for your model and Android version | Upgrade Android where the maker offers it, or plan the replacement. Patch periods count from the model's launch |
Downgrading Android on Zebra devices wipes the device: back up and plan with your IT team first.
Many devices
Export your scan profiles and settings once and push them to every device with your device management (MDM) tool, instead of setting each handheld by hand.
When one handheld passes between users, test that the last user is logged out of your app and browser before go-live.
Zebra's Enterprise Home Screen is free for locking a device to your apps. Test your MDM's kiosk mode with the exact model, and plan how supervisors exit it.
Allmark's own warehouse software works on handheld mobile computers, and we have supplied it with them.
Plan ahead
Security updates matter for any device on your network. Each maker publishes its own policy.
Zebra LifeGuard gives at least 24 months of security updates per Android version from launch, and keeps the previous version for 12 months after a new one. Updates come under the initial software warranty or a Zebra OneCare plan.
Google's rugged-device programme asks for security patches within 90 days of release, for 5 years from the device's first ship date.
Newland publishes a roadmap per model and Android version. For example, its roadmap ends MT93 patches on Android 13 in Q4 2025 (the MT93 units we supply ship with Android 13: ask us about newer options), and gives the MT95 on Android 15 (Newland's roadmap calls it Kambur Pro III) patches to Q4 2029.
Ask for the Android version supplied and its patch end date in writing, and include a service plan where updates depend on one.
Windows handhelds
Microsoft has ended support for Windows CE, Windows Embedded Compact, Windows Embedded Handheld and Windows Mobile, the systems used on older rugged handhelds, so these devices get no more security updates. The current Zebra, Honeywell and Newland handhelds we supply run Android.
| Operating system | Microsoft support ended |
|---|---|
| Windows Embedded CE 6.0 | 11 April 2018 |
| Windows Embedded Handheld 6.5 | 15 January 2020 |
| Windows 10 Mobile (including Mobile Enterprise) | 10 December 2019 |
| Windows Embedded Compact 7 | 14 April 2021 |
| Windows Embedded Compact 2013 | 11 October 2023 |
Dates as published on Microsoft's Lifecycle pages (Pacific Time); for CE and Compact versions this is the end of extended support. A handheld without security updates is a risk on your company network.
Moving to Android
Zebra's Windows models are past or near the end of service: the MC3190 ended in October 2020, the MC9190-G in December 2020, and the MC9200 Windows ends on 30 December 2026. Honeywell's CK3 and CK75 end of service is December 2026.
Zebra names the Android MC9300 as the MC9200's replacement and says it eases the move from Windows to Android; its current MC9400/MC9450 also runs Android. Honeywell lists the CK65 and EDA61K as replacements for its CK3 family.
Check how your warehouse or ERP app will run on Android (native app, browser or terminal emulation) and pilot it on one device before replacing the fleet.
Allmark's own WMS runs on Android handhelds. We suggest the replacement model, set up scanning into your app and help you plan the changeover.
The decision
Pickers waiting on a handheld can cost more than a battery or a profile set up properly. Choose the fix that keeps the shift moving.
Scan profile, inter-character delay, roaming, kiosk: these are settings we can set up once and copy to every device.
If a device dies mid-shift but is otherwise sound, a new battery or a spare per device is often the quickest fix. Send us the model.
Cracked screens, failed scan engines, charging faults or a device that will not start need a service call. We tell you the cost before any paid work.
If the model has reached the end of its updates or support, or runs Windows CE, plan a move to a current Android model rather than repairing it.
What next
Pick the case closest to yours. The button tells us what you need.
Tell us the model and the app (or web page). We set up the scan profile and can prepare one setup for every device.
Send the model and how many devices you run per shift. We confirm the right batteries and chargers from the maker's part numbers.
Consider: Mobile computer accessories
Windows CE or out-of-update models: we suggest current Android models and plan the move with your app.
Consider: Mobile computer buying guide
Questions buyers ask
On Zebra devices, scans reach an app through DataWedge, and an app usually needs its own DataWedge profile. Other makers have their own scan settings. We can set it up for your app.
It depends on the battery, the workload and its age. Zebra's tools flag a PowerPrecision battery for replacement at 400 charge cycles. For multi-shift work, keep spares and choose a model with warm or hot swap.
Each maker publishes its policy: Zebra gives at least 24 months per Android version from launch; Newland publishes dates per model. The period counts from the model's launch, not your purchase.
VoLTE calls depend on your carrier supporting the device. Test one device with your SIM before a bulk order.
Plan their replacement. Microsoft has ended support for Windows CE, Windows Embedded Compact, Windows Embedded Handheld and Windows Mobile (Embedded Handheld 6.5 on 15 January 2020, Compact 2013 on 11 October 2023), so these devices get no security updates, and the current Zebra, Honeywell and Newland handhelds we supply run Android. Send us the model and we check the options, including how your app or WMS will run on Android.
Yes, for the brands we sell, whoever sold you the device. We tell you the cost before any paid work.
Send us the model, the app you use and what happens. We fix the setup, supply batteries, repair, or suggest the right replacement.
If a barcode stops scanning or printing, call or WhatsApp us: we check the printer, label, ribbon and scanner settings with you remotely, and visit or take the unit in when that does not fix it.
Sources