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KYOCERA Survey Finds Mobile-Device Failures are Costing Businesses Big Bucks in Lost Productivity and Replacement Fees

Report Shows Non-Rugged Mobile Devices Fail More Than Three Times As Often As Rugged Devices, While Rugged Devices Average 46% Lower Total Cost of Ownership

WASHINGTON, D.C. - August 17, 2015 - According to a new study from Kyocera Communications, Inc., non-rugged mobile devices fail more than three times as often as rugged devices in business environments, while rugged devices average 46 percent lower total cost of ownership. The study, which was conducted by VDC Research and released today during APCO International's Annual Conference & Expo, polled more than 200 Information Technology decision makers across several industries - including transportation, manufacturing, healthcare and hospitality - to determine the most common causes of mobile-device failures and which types of devices fail more often. It also explored the "Cripple Ripple Effect," or the impact a single device failure can have on a company's productivity and bottom line. For example, according the study, each single device failure can cost an organization 170 to 200 minutes in lost mobile-worker productivity and internal support. The full report is available at http://www.kyoceramobile.com/business

"Nearly 100 million mobile devices are expected to be used by frontline mobile workers in 2015, and these survey results underscore the need for further education on mobile-management solutions to ensure the right device is in use," said Eric Heiser, vice president of corporate planning at Kyocera Communications. "Many consumer devices aren't designed for use in business environments and the hardware is failing. In fact, it isn't uncommon for companies to report failure rates in excess of 50 percent. This is precisely why Kyocera brought its portfolio of affordable, ruggedized smartphones and feature phones to the enterprise market."

The introduction of rugged, affordable smartphones like Kyocera's DuraForce, Brigadier and TorqueXT, along with its Dura Series feature phones, is helping many companies reduce the overall total cost of ownership and ensure the productivity of their workforces. In fact, organizations using rugged smartphones reported a total cost of ownership per phone 46 percent lower than those using non-rugged smartphones.

"Mobile devices supporting various line-of-business workflows are deemed business-critical, as workers cannot perform a majority of their tasks should their devices fail," said David Krebs, executive vice president, Enterprise Mobility and AIDC at VDC Research. "Thus, reliability is an absolute necessity with rugged devices, providing the critical protection required for many of these workers. The cost of failure - as expressed in lost productivity, increased IT support requirements and the potential for erosion of customer satisfaction and lost revenues - can be significant and directly impact an organization's operating margins."

Prices for Kyocera's rugged devices are a fraction of those charged for many enterprise-specific mobile devices, and Kyocera's rugged phones are conveniently stocked in stores by most of the leading wireless service providers. Kyocera has a growing network of hardware and software accessory providers and supports enterprise mobility management (EMM) enhancements in security, VPN, mobile device management (MDM) and Exchange ActiveSync (EAS). The full portfolio of devices, along with accessory and where-to-purchase information, is available at http://www.kyoceramobile.com/business.

In smartphones, Kyocera offers the DuraForce, Brigadier and TorqueXT. Rugged feature phones include the DuraXV, DuraXA and DuraXT. Each device carries an IP certification for dust- and waterproofing, along with a range of certified Military Standard 810G profiles. The smartphones use the Android™ operating system and feature Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ processors. A leader in push-to-talk (PTT)-enabled devices, Kyocera supports numerous leading PTT platforms and many devices include front-facing 100dB+ extra-loud speakers and dedicated buttons for PTT or other programmed apps. Along with their durable designs, Kyocera devices have high-capacity batteries well suited to long days on the job and can operate in extreme temperatures. Other available features include touchscreen displays that can be used when wet or when wearing gloves1 and expandable memory.

For hazardous work environments, Kyocera offers devices certified for use where concentrations of flammable gases, vapors, or mists are not normally present in an explosive concentration but may materialize, making them well-suited for industries such as Oil Exploration and Production, Utilities, Chemical Production, Airport Refueling, Pharmaceutical/Paint Industries and Natural Gas Pipeline/Production Centers. (Hazardous Locations: Non-incendive, Class I, Division 2)

More information on Kyocera's portfolio of durable and rugged devices for business, along with accessory and where-to-purchase information, is available at http://www.kyoceramobile.com/business.

About Kyocera Communications, Inc.
Kyocera Communications, Inc. is the headquarters for Kyocera-branded wireless devices in the Americas. It is part of the global Kyocera Group, which was founded in 1959 and is a leading supplier of telecommunications equipment, copiers, printers, solar power generating systems, electronic components, semiconductor packages, cutting tools and industrial ceramics. With a 56-year history of quality and innovation, Kyocera is the U.S. market leader in durable and waterproof mobile devices for consumers and enterprises. Kyocera uniquely combines Military Standard 810G-certified ruggedization and enterprise-grade security and application support with consumer-tier pricing and availability from the nation's leading wireless service providers. For more information, follow the company at facebook.com/KyoceraMobile or twitter.com/kyoceramobile.

Kyocera Corporation (NYSE:KYO) (TOKYO:6971) (global.kyocera.com), the parent and global headquarters of the Kyocera Group, was founded in 1959 as a producer of fine ceramics (also known as "advanced ceramics"). By combining these engineered materials with metals and integrating them with other technologies, Kyocera has become a leading supplier of solar power generating systems, mobile phones, printers, copiers, electronic components, semiconductor packages, cutting tools and industrial ceramics. During the year ended March 31, 2015, the company's net sales totaled 1.53 trillion yen (approx. USD12.7 billion). Kyocera appears on the latest listing of the "Top 100 Global Innovators" by Thomson Reuters, and is ranked #531 on Forbes magazine's 2014 "Global 2000" listing of the world's largest publicly traded companies.

1Recognizes touch input while wearing gloves up to 3mm thick, the material, texture and thickness of the glove as well as how it fits your hand will impact performance. Individual results may vary.

©2015 Kyocera Communications, Inc. All rights reserved. Kyocera is a registered trademark of Kyocera Corporation. Android is a trademark of Google Inc.; use of this trademark is subject to Google Permissions Qualcomm and Snapdragon are trademarks of Qualcomm Incorporated, registered in the United States and other countries. microSD is a trademark of SD-3C, LLC in the United States and other countries. All other marks are properties of their respective owners.

For more information, contact:

Kyocera Communications, Inc.
John Chier
phone: 858.882.3543
e-mail: john.chier@kyocera.com

Echo Media Group for Kyocera
Sabrina Suarez
phone: 714.573.0899 x227
e-mail: kyocera@echomediapr.com