27 Novembre 2025

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Industrial-Grade vs Consumer Devices: Why Professional Hardware Always Wins

INDUSTRIAL-GRADE VS CONSUMER DEVICES Why Professional Hardware Always Wins November 12, 2025 09:30 am In the world of connected mobility, public transport and fleet management, the difference between industrial-grade vs consumer devices determines much more than performance – it impacts safety, uptime, and the long-term sustainability of every operation. At first glance, tablets and smartphones designed for everyday use may seem attractive from a budget perspective. However, only true industrial-grade, automotive-compliant hardware can deliver the 24/7 reliability that modern fleets, transport authorities and operators actually require. Digitax devices – such as the ATOMO 10 MDT, ATOMO 10 ETS, ATOMO 7 Smart Ticket Validator and X-One Android family – are purpose-built for professional mobility ecosystems, not adapted consumer electronics. They are designed to integrate deeply with on-board systems, withstand harsh environments and evolve over time thanks to modular, future-proof architectures. 1. DESIGNED FOR AUTOMOTIVE RELIABILITY Industrial-grade devices for mobility must survive far more than office use. They are installed in buses, taxis, emergency vehicles, logistics and special vehicles fleets that operate all day, every day. Therefore, Digitax on-board systems are: industrial grade and automotive compliant, designed specifically for fleet management, public transport and special vehicles. engineered for harsh environments – with high protection levels, extended temperature ranges and resistance to vibration, dust and humidity, as specified in product datasheets. certified for electromagnetic compatibility and safety, ensuring stable behaviour even in noisy electrical environments typical of vehicles. By contrast, consumer devices are simply not designed for this context. Their housings, connectors and components are optimised for indoor, personal use – not for continuous exposure to temperature fluctuations, vibrations, power spikes and constant connectivity. When mission-critical data, ticketing and fleet supervision depend on the hardware, the difference is clear: industrial-grade technology means fewer failures, predictable maintenance and maximum service continuity. TABLE of CONTENTS Designed for Automotive Reliability Designed for Automotive Reliability Future-Proof Performance for professional fleets Future-Proof Performance for professional fleets Total Cost of Ownership and Lifecycle Value Total Cost of Ownership and Lifecycle Value Safety, Compliance and Mission Continuity Safety, Compliance and Mission Continuity Full Connectivity for Professional Integration Full Connectivity for Professional Integration Advanced Software Ecosystem: Digitax SDK Advanced Software Ecosystem: Digitax SDK Certified for Smart Mobility and Contactless Payments Certified for Smart Mobility and Contactless Payments Real-World Applications and Ecosystem Integration Real-World Applications and Ecosystem Integration Made in Italy, Trusted Worldwide Made in Italy, Trusted Worldwide Conclusion: When Reliability Matters, Industrial Wins Conclusion: When Reliability Matters, Industrial Wins FAQ FAQ 2. FUTURE-PROOF PERFORMANCE FOR PROFESSIONAL FLEETS Across the Digitax range – from ATOMO 7 and ATOMO 10 MDT / ATOMO 10 ETS to X-One Android MDT, FORCE ONE Navigator and M1 MDT – each platform is engineered as professional, automotive-grade hardware with clear product roadmaps, extended component availability and dedicated firmware support. This long-term vision allows operators to deploy systems that remain reliable and aligned with future requirements. In practice, this long-term approach means fleets can adapt to new standards, services and applications while preserving their hardware investment. Instead of replacing consumer tablets every two or three years, operators can keep their professional in-vehicle systems in service for many more years, upgrading only what is truly necessary. Discover Digitax Mobile Data Terminals full range 3. TOTAL COST OF OWNERSHIP AND LIFECYCLE VALUE The initial purchase price is only one part of the real cost of a device. For professional fleets, what really counts is Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) over the full lifecycle. Consumer devices often entail hidden costs, such as: Shorter lifecycle and frequent replacements; Limited availability of spare parts; No guaranteed long-term software support; Higher risk of failures and downtime. On the other hand, industrial-grade Digitax devices are designed with the opposite philosophy. They are built for long-term operation, supported by component availability and product roadmaps. Firmware and software updates are aligned with professional needs, including security patches and compatibility with new back-office systems. Moreover, modular upgrades – like the Android Platform On Module on ATOMO 10 MDT – delay hardware obsolescence and avoid disruptive “rip & replace” projects. As a result, fleet operators benefit from a lower cost per year of operation, reduced downtime and more predictable budgeting. For public transport agencies and system integrators, this translates directly into a higher return on investment. 3D design of Digitax ATOMO 7 onboard devices for smart mobility A Digitax engineer works on dual monitors on the exploded 3D model of ATOMO 7 smart Validator onboard device, reviewing electronic and mechanical components for advanced smart mobility solutions. 4. SAFETY, COMPLIANCE AND MISSION CONTINUITY In mobility and public transport, safety is non-negotiable. Devices must be stable not only under normal conditions, but also during power fluctuations, vehicle restarts or unexpected events. For this reason, Digitax hardware is designed for: automotive-grade power management, with advanced functions for safe shutdown, controlled restart and wake-up, reducing the risk of data loss or system corruption during voltage drops or engine cranking. EMC and E-Mark compliance, essential for use on certified vehicles and for integration into larger on-board systems. secure architectures with embedded taximeter CPUs and protected Android environments, so that certified metrological functions remain operational even if the main application layer restarts. These features are critical for taxi fleets, emergency services, public transport operators and all applications where continuity of service and integrity of certified functions are mandatory. PCB layout design for advanced onboard electronics Close-up of a Digitax engineer reviewing a detailed PCB layout on a computer screen, showing complex circuit traces and components for advanced onboard electronic systems. 5. FULL CONNECTIVITY FOR PROFESSIONAL INTEGRATION Consumer tablets are typically limited to Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and a few USB ports. In complex vehicle systems, however, this is not enough. Modern mobility solutions must connect to: on-board diagnostics ticketing equipment passenger counting systems printers, displays and sensors central fleet management and AVM platforms   Digitax on-board systems are designed specifically for this scenario. Depending on the model, they can offer multiple serial and field interfaces (such as RS232, RS485, CAN Bus, digital and analog I/O and

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How Kaptyn and Triad Upgraded Las Vegas Taxi Operations in the USA

CASE STUDY How Kaptyn and Triad Modernized Las Vegas Taxi Operations November 27, 2025 09:14 am Las Vegas is one of the most demanding environments for ground transportation:24/7 operations, extreme peaks around events and conferences, and passengers who expect a seamless, technology-driven experience every time. To keep up with this pace, Kaptyn – a premium ground transportation platform based in Las Vegas – and its technology arm Triad TransTech set out to modernize their taxi operations with a new on-board solution: an integrated taxi meter and mobile data terminal (MDT) designed for today’s connected fleets. This case study looks at how our Digitax hardware powers Triad’s DT5 Integrated TaxiMeter & Data Terminal, deployed in Kaptyn’s Las Vegas operations, and how it supports both regulatory requirements and a premium passenger experience. DT5 Integrated TaxiMeter & Data Terminal Kaptyn’s DT5 integrated taxi meter and mobile data terminal running on the Digitax X-ONE on-board unit for Las Vegas taxi operations. 1. ABOUT KAPTYN AND TRIAD TRANSTECH Kaptyn positions itself as a premium ground travel platform, offering elegant booking, duty of care and real-time tracking for demanding travelers, corporate programs and hospitality partners across major US markets. Triad TransTech, wholly owned by Kaptyn Technology, Inc., develops the technology that powers these operations, including the DT5 Integrated TaxiMeter & Data Terminal and the FleetManager back-office platform. Triad is headquartered in Las Vegas, NV – right at the heart of the market it serves. Together, Kaptyn and Triad wanted an in-vehicle device that was not just a taximeter, but a full mobile data terminal and certified taxi meter all-in-one, ready for current and future needs of regulated taxi operations in Las Vegas. To build that device, they chose Digitax X-ONE MDT as the underlying platform. TABLE of CONTENTS About Kaptyn and Triad TransTech About Kaptyn and Triad TransTech The challenge: from traditional meters to connected operations The challenge: from traditional meters to connected operations The solution: DT5 built on Digitax X-ONE MDT The solution: DT5 built on Digitax X-ONE MDT The hardware foundation: Digitax X-ONE MDT inside DT5 The hardware foundation: Digitax X-ONE MDT inside DT5 Key capabilities in daily Las Vegas operations Key capabilities in daily Las Vegas operations Key capabilities in daily Las Vegas operations Key capabilities in daily Las Vegas operations Software by Triad, hardware by Digitax Software by Triad, hardware by Digitax From Las Vegas to other US markets From Las Vegas to other US markets Interested in building your own integrated taximeter & MDT solution? Interested in building your own integrated taximeter & MDT solution? FAQ FAQ 2. THE CHALLENGE: from traditional meters to connected operation Before adopting the integrated solution, Kaptyn and its partners faced challenges that are typical for regulated fleets in large US cities: – Separate systems for metering, dispatch, tracking and reporting – Limited real-time visibility for regulators and dispatchers into what happens on the road – Complex fare updates and rate changes, especially when regulations or tariffs change – Growing expectations from passengers used to smartphones, apps and digital receipts At the same time, strict regulatory requirements around certified meters, NTEP/NCWM compliance and data access meant that any new system had to do more than just look modern – it had to check every compliance box and be robust enough for continuous operation in Las Vegas. Kaptyn and Triad needed a single, compact in-vehicle device that could: – function as a fully certified taxi meter – act as a mobile data terminal for dispatch and driver workflows – connect reliably over LTE and GPS – integrate with their existing FleetManager back-office and regulatory platforms 3. The solution: DT5 built on Digitax X-ONE MDT To address these needs, Triad launched the DT5 Integrated TaxiMeter & Data Terminal, built on top of the Digitax X-ONE MDT platform and fully integrated with its FleetManager back-office. DT5 combines: – a certified taxi meter (NTEP / NCWM fully certified, metered and flat-rate capable) – a full mobile data terminal with driver login, job handling and dispatch integration – LTE connectivity for over-the-air rate and software updates – GPS tracking with geo-fencing and route monitoring – interfaces for third-party payment terminals, passenger receipts and customer feedback Instead of several separate devices mounted on the dashboard, drivers now interact with one integrated head unit that: – calculates and displays fares – communicates with the FleetManager back-office and regulatory portals – supports dispatch and e-hailing integrations – provides additional features such as two-way audio intercom and panic button support for safety In total, 4,061 Digitax X-ONE MDT devices were supplied as the hardware foundation for DT5, giving Kaptyn and Triad a scalable platform for their Las Vegas deployment and future expansions. Digitax X-ONE Android mobile data terminal Digitax x-one android mdt 7-inch industrial tablet with programmable keys and android interface 4. The hardware foundation: Digitax X-ONE MDT inside DT5 At the core of the DT5 device is the Digitax X-ONE MDT, a 7-inch mobile data terminal designed specifically for in-vehicle use in taxis, public transport and special fleets. X-ONE provides: – the processing power needed to run both the meter application and the MDT user interface – vehicle-grade connectivity (power supply, communication interfaces, GPS) – a rugged display and housing suitable for 24/7 operation in a harsh urban environment By leveraging the X-ONE MDT platform, Triad was able to focus on its own applications – the DT5 user interface and FleetManager back-office – while relying on Digitax for the on-board electronics, display, I/O and power management. This split of responsibilities has been key to the project’s success: – Triad and Kaptyn own the user experience and integrations – Digitax provides a proven, certifiable in-vehicle MDT platform at scale https://digitax.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Ride-Genie-and-DT5-Demonstration2_15mega.mp4 Video owned by www.triadtranstech.com 5. Key capabilities in daily Las Vegas operations For Kaptyn and its partners, the DT5 built on Digitax X-ONE is used every day in some of the busiest parts of Las Vegas. The solution was designed to support three main areas: Real-time data for regulators and dispatch Medallion tracking and driver login, so every trip

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