Case Study: The Most Intelligent Way to Store and Recharge Laptop Computers
Upon becoming aware how SPAN's multi-bay bay chargers were being sold by our first laptop manufacturing customer, we became somewhat concerned. They were placing our charger on top of a lack-luster cart built to store computers in the school environment. Our charger, a cart, and a second set of batteries was then combined in a single SKU and offered to school districts. This was proving a quite successful product.
But as we examined the cart being offered we found it to be totally non-functional except as a storage bin for computers. SPAN's opportunity lamps lit up. Our engineers created a list of electronic features that could be added to the previously know storage cart concept and presented those ideas together with a new cart design at a national trade show. The nearly unanimous positive response of potential users and present buyers of computer equipment was sufficient to convince us go forward and offer it to the market.
Then and now the SPAN Computer Cart distinguishes itself by having locked storage for laptop computers which can be individually connected to AC power with no cables showing, a full set of back-up batteries stored in rapid charging bays located in lockable drawers, facilities for installation of wireless access points and, a power management system that electronically measures total current being drawn by the cart at all times. Should excessive current be detected, the system will turn off various parts of the cart preventing overload of user's AC line circuits. But just when the current reduces sufficiently, the system will restore power to the shed loads one at a time. So the user can be sure that cart functions will be accomplished safely at the fastest rate the user's AC power lines allow.
The physical cart design reflects our usual high quality standards having the highest precision formed steel parts, external parts powder coated with finely textured paint, internal parts galvanized, redundant safety features, and generally a classy appearance.
The now well received product continues to be highly regarded by many school districts, some of which use every feature to the limit. The significant reorder rate it enjoys gives credence to the argument that Span's computer cart has reached full acceptance.
