Organizing and securing server and network equipment is a must for IT departments and industrial companies of all sizes.

Finding the perfect enclosure is not always an easy task. Safely securing equipment is just one factor that is applicable. Before buying enclosures for a factory or floor use, there are a number of questions that a company should carefully answer. 

A number of challenges present themselves when deploying sensitive electronics in a manufacturing setting.

Computer enclosures make for a safe, reliable way for system integrators to protect equipment. However, before agreeing upon a computer enclosure for a harsh, industrial environment, a number of significant issues should be considered. For example, what kind of material should the enclosure be made of or how many peripherals will be stored inside of the enclosure? The following 6 items should play a key role in the enclosure selection process.

When a Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) is interested in deploying outdoor digital menu boards, ease of use, reliability, and scalability of the hardware and software solution is essential.

QSR’s are constantly coming up with the next big product, delicious value meals, or the wittiest of branding messages. Digital menus makes it possible to ‘change it up’ on a weekly, daily, or even hourly basis. Although it might seem costly in the beginning, digital menu boards can pay for themselves in the long run. Digital menu boards can reduce costs on exorbitant advertising materials/signage, are designed to be more energy efficient, and will save time/money with swift updates!

In most manufacturing settings, electrical and electronic equipment is housed in an industrial computer enclosure that is specifically designed to protect against the exterior environment (which is often harsh or hazardous). However, even in a sealed NEMA rated enclosure, moisture and water can enter the enclosure under a variety of circumstances. The designated person in charge of quality control should note issues that may occur and stop them before they have a chance to destroy equipment that is vital for the company.

In most cases, electronics overheating will ruin chances for their survival and effectiveness.

In order to work properly, most commercial grade LCDs need to reside in an environment that is between 40° F – 104° F. Conversely, there are also LCDs available - in the ever-increasing marketplace - that are referred to as “In Plane Switching” (IPS) panels. IPS displays boast a much higher heat tolerance on the front of the screen, which allows for a less complex cooling scheme. However, when deploying LCDs outdoors, one must also take into consideration the other electronics that will be installed inside of the enclosure. What heat will they give off? In addition to the LCD, thermal management must be adequate enough for the media player, because it is the heart and soul of the entire electronic arrangement.

Food and beverage settings require the utmost cleanliness!

When using electronics in production areas, it is important to keep them dry and still maintain a sanitary environment. The collective, protective requirement regulations for electronic equipment, deployed in industrial environments, have given rise to safety classifications developed by a number of manufacturing organizations, notably the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA). Enclosure classifications of specific relevance to wash-down environments is referred to as NEMA 4X. The operative descriptors for NEMA 4X (indoor or outdoor) enclosures are airtight protection against hose‐directed water and resistance to corrosion and harsh chemicals, which normally dictates stainless steel construction. Proper wash-down cleaning can remove the possibility of contamination or costly recalls caused by unsanitary conditions.

Ready to move forward with digital boards inside of the store and outside at the drive-thru?

A vibrant digital presence can garner a sales surge and make a quick service restaurant (QSR) stand out from the overcrowded ‘fast food’ pack. Making the decision to switch to digital menu boards is the first step, but it is simply not enough to sell more double cheeseburgers and banana smoothies. A strong, digital content strategy is absolutely crucial to the overall success of the project. The strategy should be well thought out and focused on the goals of the restaurant. It will take a savvy team of experts to create the content that will lead to an increase in sales. The return on investment (ROI) is critical and should be at the forefront of the planning stage. What needs to be analyzed, before the introduction of digital menu boards?

Looking for a computer enclosure that can house a monitor, keyboard, mouse, computer, and printer?  

Have you met the NEMA 12 IceStation TITAN by ITSENCLOSURES? 

Looking to install a computer enclosure in a hazardous area? 

The drive to improve productivity and overall quality has pushed the PC from an office environment to the factory floor. Continuing demand for process control and access to real time information is requiring computer systems to withstand environments where they were not intended to be used. The need to protect computers in hostile environments (flammable gases, vapors, or combustible dust) is extremely important. Commonly referred to as “hazardous locations,” these areas can contain flammables in concentrations that could quickly ignite if exposed to an electrical spark, flame, or sufficient heat. The lack of proper protection could result in the ignition of these explosives, which may lead to a loss of property or even a life.

As Quick Service Restaurants (QSRs) install digital menu boards across the country, one might say, ‘It is cheaper to install interior digital boards at our restaurants. We do not want to deal with sourcing special, brighter, LCDs and environmentally sealed enclosures.' This could be true, but it is also true that approximately 60-70% of QSR customers are buying their chicken sandwiches, fries, and medium Coke at the drive-thru.  If a restaurant only has digital menu boards on the inside, they are simply not influencing the majority of their customers (over two-thirds). With digital, the options are endless and with static, the options are limited - unless new menus are printed every time that the restaurant makes a change to their prices or food choices (wow, that is a lot of menus!).