I’m often asked why companies should spend more money on a professional custom-made PC with industrial-grade components when there are many cheaper alternatives available with the same or similar configurations from the consumer world. This is a legitimate question, as depending on the project size, the savings from a consumer variant compared to an industrial variant can be very attractive. In this blog, we explore why a custom industrial PC can be worthwhile despite the higher costs.
What speaks in favor of a custom-tailored industrial PC?
To individually tailor a PC system to your requirements, comprehensive consultation including an analysis is necessary beforehand to determine which components are suitable for your individual needs. This way, the most important focal points can be considered from the beginning and your desired system will be assembled to fit perfectly. It doesn’t matter whether the PC system is a desktop PC, workstation, 19″ PC, IoT gateway, or panel PC. We, PSB GmbH, work completely manufacturer-independent – meaning we can consider your wishes when selecting the right components.
What does “custom-made” actually mean for a PC system?
The most important rule: Only buy what you actually need. When we adapt the PC system to your individual requirements, we only use the components you really need – avoiding unnecessary ballast. If an off-the-shelf PC (industrial or consumer) doesn’t fit, we analyze your requirements together and adapt the housing, BIOS, etc., so that it fits your needs. Depending on the degree of customization, this can be implemented even in small quantities.
7 Reasons for an Industrial PC.
1. Long-term availability of components.
It can be assumed that PC components produced for industrial use have significantly longer availability than PC components from the consumer world. We’re talking about availability of 5 years and more. This also includes an appropriate end-of-life process for better planability as well as the possibility to place a “last-time-buy.” Thus, a PC system can still be produced for a certain period even after discontinuation. Consumer PCs typically have shorter durability and are usually no longer available after about 12-18 months due to successor models.
2. 24/7 operation.
Should the system be in use around the clock? Then you’re exactly right with an industrial PC, as it’s designed precisely for this purpose. This is achieved through higher-quality components and stricter functional testing. With us, every PC undergoes functional and stress testing after production – only when this is passed is the system delivered. In most cases, the stress test is based on higher stress than the application actually requires.
3. Repairs usually possible even after warranty.
Due to the longer availability of individual components mentioned in point 1, the possibility of repairing a PC or getting spare parts for it is significantly greater and can sometimes be done even after years.
4. Less bloatware.
Bloatware – also called blähware or fatware – refers to software that is overloaded with functions or bundles applications from very different work areas without common benefit. For users, this “featuritis” makes the program confusing, and for developers, poorly maintainable. Therefore, bloatware tends to work comparatively error-prone and complex and to be immature in detail. With an individual configuration of your system, only the necessary software agreed upon with you is installed. This minimizes the described “featuritis.”
5. Possibility of extended warranty and on-site service.
Should a system fail, quick help can prevent expensive downtime costs and shorten downtime. Warranty extensions of up to 5 years or on-site service tailored to your needs are realizable with industrial PC systems.
6. High-quality assembly of the industrial mainboard.
Industrial-grade hardware is optimized for use in harsh environments. All components installed on the mainboard are of high quality – thus these systems can, depending on component selection, also be used in very warm or dusty environments. The resulting higher price is compensated by a reliable and long-lasting system.
7. Possibility of individual adaptation for higher system requirements.
If your PC system is in an environment where noise, temperature, radiation, or dust play an important role, we can perform individual tests for noise or radiation development as well as IP class for dust protection. Tests that are not necessarily performed on a consumer PC or tests that a consumer PC simply doesn’t pass, as the installed components are not intended for this use.
Conclusion.
In summary, it can be said that for investments in systems with high demands on quality and reliability as well as for systems intended for permanent use and higher stress, an industrial PC system is always preferable to a consumer variant. The initial additional cost pays off later through higher added value. Additionally, with us comes the possibility of tailoring the PC precisely to your needs.
