SA Power Networks rolls out 1,000 Getac tablets in field

SA Power Networks has deployed about 1,000 Getac ZX10 rugged tablets across its field operations in South Australia, with the rollout delivered by technology partner AMIT.

The deployment followed an initial rollout of about 830 devices over five months, as the electricity network operator replaced its existing field mobility platform with a rugged Android-based system for crews working across metropolitan, regional and remote areas.

Field teams use the tablets to access job information, safety procedures, navigation and operational applications while maintaining electricity infrastructure. The devices operate in high heat, dust, moisture and vibration, and during regular vehicle travel on rough roads, farm tracks and off-road routes.

The refresh was designed to meet changing operational, security and performance requirements. It also needed to support vehicle docking, external antenna connectivity, digital job completion, and screen visibility in direct sunlight and high temperatures.

Field conditions

South Australian utility crews can face summer temperatures of 44C to 45C, increasing pressure on device reliability in the field. Tablets are often mounted in vehicles as crews travel to poles, powerlines and other network assets.

Getac worked with AMIT, SA Power Networks and docking supplier Gamber-Johnson to tailor the deployment to those conditions. The project included a slimline in-vehicle docking system designed to reduce cabin space requirements while allowing safe mounting, charging and antenna pass-through.

Adrian Jeremiah, Lead of Enterprise Portfolio Partner, SA Power Networks, said, "Getac has empowered SA Power Networks and the endpoint team to apply deeper customisations to the device build, which allows us to automate processes that previously required manual configuration. This creates a more consistent and controlled device experience."

Customisation was a central part of the project. The companies involved said the device build included software-level changes and image-level configuration to standardise how the tablets were set up and managed across the fleet.

The approach was intended to reduce differences between devices, improve troubleshooting predictability and give the utility's endpoint team tighter control over the operating environment. At this scale, standardisation can reduce the manual work required to prepare and support devices in service.

Partner role

AMIT recommended the ZX10 as the main field device and handled supply, pre-configuration, vehicle dock replacement, on-site installation, scheduling and user training. The partner model reflects the practical demands of rolling out hardware to workers who spend much of their time away from fixed offices.

Nicholas Cizauskas, Account Manager, AMIT, said, "SA Power Networks came to AMIT with a clear operational challenge: they needed a rugged, reliable and supportable field mobility platform capable of performing across demanding utility environments. Getac stood out because it met the key requirements for ruggedness, vehicle docking, heat performance and customisation. Our role was to bring those elements together into a complete, fit-for-purpose solution that supports the way their crews work in the field every day."

The hardware upgrade also gave crews devices with more memory and storage, improved camera functions, longer battery life and brighter screens. Those changes matter for field engineers and line workers who need to record work digitally and read information in bright outdoor conditions.

Utility operators are under pressure to modernise field systems as workforces rely more heavily on mobile access to maintenance data, safety instructions and digital workflows. In remote or physically demanding locations, device failure can disrupt work and delay access to operational systems.

For SA Power Networks, the project centred on creating a single platform that could be supported across a wide geographic area while coping with varied environmental conditions. The scale of the rollout suggests it was seeking a common standard rather than a limited pilot for specialist teams.

Jerry Huang, Vice President, Global Market Development, Getac, said, "Rugged technology is most effective when it is shaped around the way frontline teams actually work. This project demonstrates the value of combining durable hardware with practical customisation, in-vehicle usability, and strong partner collaboration to support complex field operations. We're committed to supporting SA Power Networks as it strengthens field mobility for crews working across demanding utility environments, while working alongside AMIT and Gamber-Johnson to deliver a solution tailored to its operational needs."