Android has industrial designs, but it doesn't revolve around producing its own devices, such as specialized engines and vertical applications.

Apple's iOS is the leading software in the enterprise, but Android can't be excluded, especially with a little help from partners with specialized devices.

Results Zebra Technologieswere solid in the third quarter, but perhaps the biggest contributor is that their mobile computing devices are converting to Android from Windows and doing well.

These devices may be Android's best hope for growth in the industrial sector. In fact, Zebra's sales of its Android devices grew.

Anders Gustafsson, CEO of Zebra, said: “Since our early investment in Android, we have demonstrated a high level of success in operating system migration to mobile computing, with Android sales growing 170% year-over-year in September.

Zebra, which grew through the acquisition of Motorola Solutions, generated sales of $916.3 million and had a net loss of $29 million. The company's products range from durable PDAs to RFID wristbands and readers for kiosks, barcode scanners, as well as a range of software and services surrounding these mechanisms.

The company's equipment is often used in healthcare, services, retail, warehouse management, and manufacturing. For example, Symbol Zebra handheld computers running Windows Embedded, as well as Android. The MC17, which is designed for personalized shopping in retail, also runs Windows and Android. Other Zebra hardware runs Android.

Gustafsson added: “Currently in Android, large customers are leading the OS transition. Sales from mid-sized customers and high-growth businesses represent only 40% of Android sales. As we grow our Android business, changing the sales mix toward a Windows sales structure, we expect the gross margin of our entire Android portfolio to improve.”

Zebra CFO Mike Smiley said that large deals are becoming more Android-based. "When we look at these big deals we're getting for Android, they're very similar to the big deals we've won on Windows. As the business grows in Android, we expect to see more channels or a high rate of business growth."

Gustafsson said the plan for Zebra is to get more Android tools into its sales channel.

The goal for Zebra is to take care of consumers by making devices that can streamline workflow. Traditionally, people think of iPads and Samsung tablets as being able to manage inventory. Enterprises, however, seem to want to stick with the same standard, solid tools they had before.

"We tend to look at our traditional competitors, but we also see some competitors in consumer class, as well as others - from the lower-cost segment or with low-quality products from Asia, China and Korea in particular," Gustafsson said.