Success Story: 25% More Efficient Picking in the Frozen Food Warehouse with the TC605

CONQUERING THE COLD

How a North American Food Giant Revolutionized Freezer Operations with the TC605 Rugged Android Handheld

In cold chain logistics, every minute counts – and every device has to perform reliably under extreme conditions. When temperatures drop far below freezing, mobile computers must withstand cold, condensation, battery drain, and intensive daily use.

This success story shows how rugged handheld technology can help streamline freezer operations and improve efficiency where standard devices quickly reach their limits.

Background

A leading North American frozen food manufacturer was struggling with device failures, screen fogging, and battery drain in their deep-freeze warehouses.

[Photo] Scanning in the deep-freeze warehouse with the TC605 handheld
 

Following a strong recommendation from RuggedPC Review, they deployed the TC605 Rugged Handheld Computer along with a complete accessory ecosystem.

The result was a 25 % increase in picking efficiency and a completely streamlined workflow.

“The TC605 is an uncompromising beast for the cold chain.”

In our latest deep-freeze stress test, the TC605 stood out not just for its specs, but for its real-world resilience. While other 'rugged' devices struggled with battery sag and screen fogging at –22°F, the TC605’s heater system and low-temp battery kept it running at full capacity. We give it our 'Editor’s Choice' for Cold Storage Mobility.

 RuggedPC Review (Leading Authority on Rugged Mobile Technology)

Core Product

[Photo] TC605 with large screen and tilted scanner
 

TC605 Rugged Android Handheld

Qualcomm® QCM4490 octa-core CPU with “extended lifecycle” to 2030+
Android 14 with 128 GB storage
1D/2D barcode scanning from two angles (0° and 60°)
IP68 protection against water and dust
MIL-STD-810H for shock, drop, and vibration
6-inch FHD+ display with 600 cd/m², optical bonding and anti-glare coating
15 hours of operation, optional hot-swap battery
8 MP front camera and 16 MP rear camera with LED light
RFID reader, GPS/GLONASS
WLAN, Bluetooth, optional 4G/5G

Main Challenge

A premier frozen food manufacturer in the US Midwest, supplying major retailers like Costco and Walmart. Environment: A 50,000 sq. ft. distribution center maintained at -30°C (-22°F).

Before the TC605, the facility faced critical operational bottlenecks:

1 Device Freeze-ups: Legacy devices became sluggish and unresponsive after just 20 minutes in the freezer.
2 The “Fog Blindness”: Moving forklifts between the deep freeze and the loading dock caused instant condensation on scanner windows, halting operations for wiping.
3 Battery Failures: Extreme cold caused voltage drops, forcing workers to swap batteries 3-4 times per shift.
4 Ergonomic Struggles: Workers wearing thick insulated gloves found it nearly impossible to use standard touchscreens or hold slippery devices safely.

Solution: TC605 + The Complete Ecosystem

Trusting the insights from RuggedPC Review, the client deployed the TC605 not just as a standalone device, but as a total solution tailored for their workflow.

1. The Core Device (TC605)

True Freezer-Grade: Integrated anti-condensation heaters keep the screen and scanner window fog-free during temperature transitions.
Cold-Resistant Power: Specialized low-temp battery technology ensures stable voltage output even at -30°C.
Glove-Touch Optimization: High-sensitivity touch panels allow precise input even with thick industrial gloves.

2. The Accessory Ecosystem

To maximize productivity, the client utilized the full suite of TC605 accessories:

Useful accessories: charging stations, scanner handle, keypad, etc.
Barcode Scanner Grip (Pistol Grip) — Impact: Transformed the TC605 into an ergonomic scanning gun. This allowed pickers to perform 2,000+ scans per shift without wrist fatigue, despite wearing heavy gloves.
Hand Strap — Impact: Provided a secure hold in slippery, frosty environments. This simple addition virtually eliminated accidental drops from forklifts.
4-Slot Battery Charging Cradle — Impact: Revolutionized backroom management. By centralizing charging, the shift managers ensured every device and spare battery was 100% charged and ready for the next crew, eliminating "dead battery" downtime.

Results

Three months post-deployment, the facility reported:

25% Increase in Efficiency: Zero downtime from device reboots or fog wiping.
One Shift, One Charge: Battery swaps dropped from 3 times a day to zero.
Reduced TCO: Device breakage dropped significantly thanks to the rugged build and secure hand straps.
Discover TC605 now

Voice of the Customer:

“It’s not just about the device; it’s about how the whole package works together. The Pistol Grip makes scanning effortless for our guys in thick gloves, and the 4-Slot Cradles cleaned up our backroom mess. The TC605 ecosystem gave us a professional, organized workflow we never had before.”

— Operations Manager, North American Food Logistics Center

For service and consulting, TL is always a competent local partner at your side in Germany. For more information about our rugged computing systems, please contact TL Electronic directly – we will be happy to advise you personally on your application.

Contact your expert now
Cristian Gagliolo
 

Cristian Gagliolo

Sales Manager, TL Electronic

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