PeopleNet has announced its certification of Zebra Technologies’ TC70 ruggedized handheld computer to run the company’s software. The company said this allows fleets to deploy proprietary apps, third-party programs and PeopleNet software all on the same device.

Certification of the TC70 supports the “growing interest of fleets in offering drivers the use of “COPE-- company-owned, personally enabled-- mobile devices,” PeopleNet president Brian McLaughlin told HDT at this week’s National Private Truck Council annual meeting in Cincinnati.

He said such certification of third-party products gives PeopleNet customers more access to a range of commercial-grade mobile devices. These can be matched to individual trucks, with the framework to support multi-platform accessibility and enterprise mobility management.

The Android-based Zebra TC70 includes a barcode scanner and camera, which the company noted is ideal for data-capture by food-service and private-fleet operations.

PeopleNet said the handheld device can withstand extreme conditions and operate reliably after multiple 6 ft./1.8 m drops to concrete and within a temperature range of -4° F to 122° F (-20° C to 50° C).