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PUBLISHER: VDC Research Group, Inc. | PRODUCT CODE: 1323312

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PUBLISHER: VDC Research Group, Inc. | PRODUCT CODE: 1323312

The Global Market for Rugged Handheld Computers & Smartphones for Line-of-Business Applications

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PAGES: 36 Pages/28 Exhibits; plus 48 Exhibits/Excel
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INSIDE THIS REPORT:

This report covers the overall market opportunity for rugged handheld computers, rugged smartphones and consumer-grade smartphones used to support enterprise line-of-business applications. It includes market sizing and forecasts, segmenting the market opportunity by region, country, industry, application environments, OS, display size and level of ruggedness. The report provides market participants with strategic insights, discussing current commercial and technical trends driving enterprise mobility investments and assessing the competitive landscape.

WHAT QUESTIONS ARE ADDRESSED?

  • What is the outlook for rugged handheld computers and smartphones used for enterprise and government mobility applications?
  • What impact is the COVID-19 pandemic having on mobile solution investments and how enterprises are leveraging digital solutions to support new workflow requirements?
  • How have frontline worker employee empowerment initiatives factored into enterprise mobility investments?
  • With the increasing focus on employee empowerment, is HR becoming more involved in enterprise mobility investment decision making?
  • What is the relative opportunity by regional market, industry, and application?
  • What is the outlook for rugged handheld computers and to what extent are they affected and potentially displaced by consumer devices? Are rugged smartphones becoming more of a direct competitive threat to rugged handheld computers?
  • Is there an opportunity for a value-tier rugged handheld computer to bridge the gap with lower cost consumer-grade devices?
  • With Android supplanting Windows as the dominant OS for rugged handheld computers, what is the installed base of legacy Windows devices and for how long will end users continue to support these devices?
  • How is the competitive landscape evolving as the market matures? What is the impact of low-cost Asia brands as they expand beyond their home country markets?
  • How will the market respond to increasing prices?
  • What share of demand will remain unfulfilled due to supply chain and sourcing constraints?
  • How do mobile device requirements align with specific vertical markets and applications?
  • From 5G, CBRS, Band 14 to WiFi 6/6e, how are connectivity requirements evolving for enterprise mobility solutions?

WHO SHOULD READ THIS REPORT?

The target audience for this report are decision-makers with marketing, sales, product development and/or partner development functional responsibilities within mobile device OEMs; organizations distributing, reselling and/or integrating enterprise mobility solutions in addition to enterprise mobility investment decision makers.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:

Following a more resilient than expected 2020, the rugged handheld and smartphone market supporting frontline mobile workers hit hyper-drive in 2021. Overall, the rugged handheld market grew by 3.1% in 2020 (which was substantial considering the expectations for significant contraction) and followed that up with an explosive 30.0% growth in 2021 to reach $3.5B. The rugged handheld market's performance remained relatively robust in the first half of 2022. However, headwinds caught up in the second half as the overall market dropped by 5% to $3.3B. The rugged smartphone market contracted by almost 12% in 2020 while rebounding with an increase of 12.0% in 2021 to reach $1.6B. In 2022 the rugged smartphone market slowed again as revenues dropped to 2020 levels.

The key theme over the past 12-18 months has been balancing the torrid (COVID-19 influenced) demand driven largely by transportation/logistics investments and e-commerce influenced retail spend with the challenges of navigating component shortages and impact on pricing. Heading into 2022 component shortages and pricing increases showed no signs of abating, creating a more challenging investment climate moving forward. Another key theme centered on labor shortage issues plaguing most sectors - from warehouse and retail operations to delivery drivers and healthcare workers. To attract and retain workers organizations are focusing a larger share of their IT/digital investments towards these employees. As a result, involvement by HR to influence enterprise mobility investments - in addition to IT and operations technology decision makers - is growing across many industries. A leading example of this has been Walmart's investment in 1M+ rugged smartphones for its in-store associates.

A challenge for vendors in 2021 that continued in 2022 has been access to components. For rugged handheld computers this has especially impacted accessories creating lead time challenges. In addition scarcity of certain components - Bluetooth chips, for example - has lead to substantial price increases. Vendors are passing along these increased costs to customer with systematic price increases in 2021 and 2022. ASPs of rugged handheld computers increased by 3.6% in 2021 and projected to increased by a further 2.3% in 2022. Access to components is expected to improve in 2023 and restore to pre-pandemic levels.

In addition to special purpose ruggedized handheld computers, enterprises are leveraging general-purpose smartphones for various line of business workflows. This represents a combination of low end/entry class smartphones and flagship devices from the leading smartphone OEMs. VDC estimates that approximately 160M+ smartphones annually are issued to enterprise workers. Of those, approximately 15% - or 20-25M smartphones - are being deployed to support line of business applications in retail, healthcare, transportation and other market segments. A small share (less than 5%) of these smartphones are being coupled with smart accessories - such as sleds with dedicated scanning or payment functionality - to deliver a more application specific solution. However, with the improvement of SDK-based scanning solutions, organizations are increasingly relying on smartphone cameras to support barcode scanning and data capture applications.

KEY FINDINGS:

After the slowdown in 2020, shipments of rugged handheld shipments grew by 30% to reach $3.5B in 2021. Unit shipments grew by 26%, reflecting a 3.5% increase in ASP. The market is expected to contract by 5% in 2022 as organizations significantly slowed investments in response to growing economic uncertainty and the difficult comparison to 2021. Moreover, many organizations overinvested in 2021 and are now recalibrating operations. The outlook for 2023 is mixed with the first half expected to remain challenging with demand picking up in the second half.

Android accounted for 95%+ of rugged handheld devices in 2021, up from 85%+ in 2020. Some legacy Windows CE customers continue to stubbornly demand these products driving vendors to continue offering and supporting them. However, components for these devices have become massively scarce and with the Windows CE OS no longer supported by Microsoft, shipments will soon stop altogether. VDC estimates that the remaining installed base of rugged handheld computers running CE has declined to less than 3 million units in 2022.

Transportation/logistics and retail represent the two largest sectors investing rugged handheld solution while also driving growth in 2021 and 2022. Investments in delivery solutions, logistics and warehouse automation and retail services were strong themes over the past 12-18 months.

Zebra Technologies retained its position as the rugged handheld market bell weather with a market share of over 50%. The strongest performer in 2021 among the leading rugged handheld vendors was Honeywell with YoY revenue growth of 70%+ propelling its market share to more than 15%. However, while Zebra's performance remained level with the overall market, Honeywell's performance lagged in 2022.

Asia-based vendors - especially from China - continue to grow their footprint and market reach outside of their home market. However, few have made a meaningful global impact and still lack the support infrastructure to effectively compete in North America and Western Europe.

Connectivity requirements continue to evolve. Approximately 35-40% of rugged handheld devices are cellular connected with 5G-enabled devices becoming more widely available in 2022. With telcos sun-setting their 3G networks, an upgrade opportunity for legacy 3G rugged handheld devices is emerging. Growing demand for WiFi 6/6e connectivity will also impact connectivity requirements in 2022 and beyond. Moreover, with growing investments in private cellular networks in manufacturing, logistics, mining and other sectors, demand for connected endpoints - including rugged handheld computers and smartphones - is growing.

The rugged smartphone market reached $1.6 billion in 2021. A key development was Samsung's deal with Walmart to equip over 1M retail associates with their XCover Pro. What was especially unique about the deal was the 1:1 deployment model (mobile devices issued to retail associates have traditionally been shared devices) and the role Walmart HR played in orchestrating this deal. Demand for rugged smartphones continues to grow in the government and more specifically the public safety sector, especially as they transition to next generation broadband networks, including support of next generation MCPTT. France-based Crosscall secured a major contract for 200K rugged smartphones with the French Gendarmerie. There is growing demand for broadband public safety.

The market for enterprise issued smartphones is estimated at 160M units in 2021 and is forecast to reach 200M units by 2026. Employee engagement has been a key investment theme over the past 18-24 months; in particular among frontline mobile workers. Smartphones issued to frontline workers - in sectors such as retail, healthcare, transportation/logistics and others - is estimated at 25M units in 2021 and projected to reach 30-35M units by 2026.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS:

David Krebs

David has more than ten years experience covering the markets for enterprise and government mobility solutions, wireless data communication technologies and automatic data-capture research and consulting. David focuses on identifying the key drivers and enablers in the adoption of mobile and wireless solutions among mobile workers in the extended enterprise. David's consulting and strategic advisory experience is far reaching and includes technology and market opportunity assessments, technology penetration and adoption enablers, partner profiling and development, new product development and M&A due diligence support. David has extensive primary market research management and execution experience to support market sizing and forecasting, total cost of ownership (TCO), comparative product performance evaluation, competitive benchmarking and end user requirements analysis. David is a graduate of Boston University (BSBA).

Table of Contents

Executive Summary

  • Key Findings

Global Market Overview and Forecast

  • Global Market Ideas & Insights
    • Empowering the Frontline Worker
    • Installed Base of Legacy Windows Devices Drops Below 3M
    • Units as Android Firmly Establishes its Footprint in the Enterprise
    • Distinguishing between Rugged Handheld & Rugged Smartphone Market

Regional Forecasts

  • The Americas
    • Unprecedented 2021 Growth Driven by Retail & Logistics Investments
  • Europe, the Middle East, & Africa (EMEA)
    • EMEA Leads Rugged Handheld YoY Growth
  • Asia-Pacific (APAC)
    • Continued Market Contraction in Asia-Pacific

Competitive Landscape

  • Rugged Handheld Market Overview

Forecasts by Vertical

  • Industrial & Manufacturing
  • Warehousing, Distribution Centers X Port Facilities
  • Retail Shop Floor
  • Transportation
  • Field Services
  • Healthcare Services
  • Public Safety

About VDC Research

Report Exhibits

  • Exhibit 1: Worldwide Shipment Forecasts for Rugged Handheld Mobile Computers
  • Exhibit 2: Worldwide Shipment Forecasts for Rugged Smartphones
  • Exhibit 3: Post-COVID Impact on Mobile Device Deployment Models
  • Exhibit 4: Mobile Device Analytics Supporting Employee Onboarding
  • Exhibit 5: Mobile Device Selection Criteria: Quality, Reliability & Ease of Use Key
  • Exhibit 6: Mobile Device Selection Criteria by Sector
  • Exhibit 7: Mobile Device Replacement Cycles
  • Exhibit 8: OS Share of Rugged Handheld Computer Shipments
  • Exhibit 9: Global Installed Base of Rugged Handheld Computers by OS
  • Exhibit 10: Americas: Rugged Handheld & Smartphone Forecast
  • Exhibit 11: EMEA Rugged Handheld & Smartphone Forecast
  • Exhibit 12: APAC Rugged Handheld & Smartphone Forecast
  • Exhibit 13: Rugged Handheld Devices: Vendor Global Market Shares
  • Exhibit 14: Rugged Smartphones: Vendor Global Market Share
  • Exhibit 15: Global Rugged Handheld & Rugged Smartphone Shipments to Industrial/Manufacturing Sector
  • Exhibit 16: Leading Priorities Driving Mobile Solution Investments in Manufacturing
  • Exhibit 17: Global Rugged Handheld & Rugged Smartphone Shipments to Warehouse/DC
  • Exhibit 18: Leading Warehouse Mobility Solution Investment Priorities
  • Exhibit 19: Global Rugged Handheld & Rugged Smartphone Shipments to Retail Sector
  • Exhibit 20: Leading Mobile Solution Investment Priorities
  • Exhibit 21: Global Rugged Handheld & Rugged Smartphone Shipments to Transportation Sector (USD, Millions)
  • Exhibit 22: Leading Priorities Driving Investments in Mobile Transportation Solutions
  • Exhibit 23: Global Rugged Handheld & Rugged Smartphone Shipments to Field Service
  • Exhibit 24: Top Priorities Driving Investments in Mobile Field Service Solutions
  • Exhibit 25: Global Rugged Handheld & Rugged Smartphone Shipments to Healthcare
  • Exhibit 26: Top Priorities Driving Investments in Mobile Healthcare Solutions
  • Exhibit 27: Global Rugged Handheld & Rugged Smartphone Shipments to Public Safety
  • Exhibit 28: Technical Solutions of Strategic Importance to Public Safety Organizations

Excel Exhibits

Total Rugged

  • Exhibit I-1: Worldwide Shipment & Average Selling Price Forecasts for Total Rugged Form Factor Mobile Computers
  • Exhibit I-2: Americas Shipment & Average Selling Price Forecasts for Total Rugged Form Factor Mobile Computers
  • Exhibit I-3: EMEA Shipment & Average Selling Price Forecasts for Total Rugged Form Factor Mobile Computers
  • Exhibit I-4: Asia-Pacific Shipment & Average Selling Price Forecasts for Total Rugged Form Factor Mobile Computers
  • Exhibit I-5: Current & Forecast Total Rugged Mobile Computer Small Form Factor Shipments for Consumption in Regions & Major Countries
  • Exhibit I-6: Current & Forecast Worldwide Total Rugged Mobile Form Factor Computer Shipments for Consumption by Industries/Sectors
  • Exhibit I-7: Current & Forecast Americas Total Rugged Mobile Form Factor Computer Shipments for Consumption by Industries/Sectors
  • Exhibit I-8: Current & Forecast EMEA Total Rugged Mobile Form Factor Computer Shipments for Consumption by Industries/Sectors
  • Exhibit I-9: Current & Forecast Asia/Pacific Total Rugged Mobile Form Factor Computer Shipments for Consumption by Industries/Sectors
  • Exhibit I-10: Current & Forecast Worldwide Total Rugged Mobile Form Factor Computer Shipments for Consumption by Major Deployment Environment
  • Exhibit I-11: Current & Forecast Americas Total Rugged Mobile Form Factor Computer Shipments for Consumption by Major Deployment Environment
  • Exhibit I-12: Current & Forecast EMEA Total Rugged Mobile Form Factor Computer Shipments for Consumption by Industries/Sectors
  • Exhibit I-13: Current & Forecast Asia/Pacific Total Rugged Mobile Form Factor Computer Shipments for Consumption by Industries/Sectors
  • Exhibit I-14: Current & Forecast Rugged Handheld Shipments by Display Size
  • Exhibit I-15: Current & Forecast Rugged Handheld Shipments by Keyboard-Centric vs. Touch-Centric
  • Exhibit I-16: Current & Forecast Rugged Handheld Shipments by Operating System

Fully Rugged

  • Exhibit II-1: Worldwide Shipment & Average Selling Price Forecasts for Fully Rugged Form Factor Mobile Computers
  • Exhibit II-2: Americas Shipment & Average Selling Price Forecasts for Fully Rugged Form Factor Mobile Computers
  • Exhibit II-3: EMEA Shipment & Average Selling Price Forecasts for Fully Rugged Form Factor Mobile Computers
  • Exhibit II-4: Asia-Pacific Shipment & Average Selling Price Forecasts for Fully Rugged Form Factor Mobile Computers
  • Exhibit II-5: Current & Forecast Fully Rugged Mobile Computer Small Form Factor Shipments for Consumption in Regions & Major Countries
  • Exhibit II-6: Current & Forecast Worldwide Fully Rugged Mobile Form Factor Computer Shipments for Consumption by Industries/Sectors
  • Exhibit II-7: Current & Forecast Americas Fully Rugged Mobile Form Factor Computer Shipments for Consumption by Industries/Sectors
  • Exhibit II-8: Current & Forecast EMEA Fully Rugged Mobile Form Factor Computer Shipments for Consumption by Industries/Sectors
  • Exhibit II-9: Current & Forecast Asia/Pacific Fully Rugged Mobile Form Factor Computer Shipments for Consumption by Industries/Sectors
  • Exhibit II-10: Current & Forecast Worldwide Fully Rugged Mobile Form Factor Computer Shipments for Consumption by Major Deployment Environment
  • Exhibit II-11: Current & Forecast Americas Fully Rugged Mobile Form Factor Computer Shipments for Consumption by Major Deployment Environment
  • Exhibit II-12: Current & Forecast EMEA Fully Rugged Mobile Form Factor Computer Shipments for Consumption by Industries/Sectors
  • Exhibit II-13: Current & Forecast Asia/Pacific Fully Rugged Mobile Form Factor Computer Shipments for Consumption by Industries/Sectors

Semi Rugged

  • Exhibit III-1: Worldwide Shipment & Average Selling Price Forecasts for SemI-SemIRugged Form Factor Mobile Computers
  • Exhibit III-2: Americas Shipment & Average Selling Price Forecasts for SemI-Rugged Form Factor Mobile Computers
  • Exhibit III-3: EMEA Shipment & Average Selling Price Forecasts for SemI-Rugged Form Factor Mobile Computers
  • Exhibit III-4: Asia-Pacific Shipment & Average Selling Price Forecasts for SemIRugged Form Factor Mobile Computers
  • Exhibit III-5: Current & Forecast SemI-Rugged Mobile Computer Small Form Factor Shipments for Consumption in Regions & Major Countries
  • Exhibit III-6: Current & Forecast Worldwide SemI-Rugged Mobile Form Factor Computer Shipments for Consumption by Industries/Sectors
  • Exhibit III-7: Current & Forecast Americas SemI-Rugged Mobile Form Factor Computer Shipments for Consumption by Industries/Sectors
  • Exhibit III-8: Current & Forecast EMEA SemI-Rugged Mobile Form Factor Computer Shipments for Consumption by Industries/Sectors
  • Exhibit III-9: Current & Forecast Asia/Pacific SemI-Rugged Mobile Form Factor Computer Shipments for Consumption by Industries/Sectors
  • Exhibit III-10: Current & Forecast Worldwide SemI-Rugged Mobile Form Factor Computer Shipments for Consumption by Major Deployment Environment
  • Exhibit III-11: Current & Forecast Americas SemI-Rugged Mobile Form Factor Computer Shipments for Consumption by Major Deployment Environment
  • Exhibit III-12: Current & Forecast EMEA SemI-Rugged Mobile Form Factor Computer Shipments for Consumption by Industries/Sectors
  • Exhibit III-13: Current & Forecast Asia/Pacific SemI-Rugged Mobile Form FactorComputer Shipments for Consumption by Industries/Sectors

Market Shares

  • Exhibit IV-1: Handheld/PDA Form Factor Rugged Mobile Computer Shipments by Regional Market
  • Exhibit IV-1a: Global 2021 & 2022 Q1-Q3 Handheld/PDA Form Factor Rugged Mobile Computer Shipments by Regional Market
  • Exhibit IV-2: Handheld/PDA Form Factor Rugged Mobile Computer Shipments by Regional & Country Market
  • Exhibit IV-3: Handheld/PDA Form Factor Rugged Mobile Computer Shipments by Level of Ruggeddness
  • Exhibit IV-4: Worldwide Vendor Shipments & Shares of Rugged Handheld/PDA Mobile Computers Segmented by Vertical Market/Industry
  • Exhibit IV-5: Handheld/PDA Form Factor Rugged Mobile Computer Shipments by Regional Market
  • Exhibit IV-6: Rugged Smartphone Shipments by Regional Market (including cellular enabled Rugged Handheld Computers)
  • Exhibit IV-7: Rugged Smartphone Unit Shipments by Regional Market
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Jeroen Van Heghe

Manager - EMEA

+32-2-535-7543

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Christine Sirois

Manager - Americas

+1-860-674-8796

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