While the President’s announcement highlighted the urgent need for mobile broadband for all Americans as a way to ensure global competitiveness, those in the public sector in particular have received the news extremely well. Many of these agencies, because of limited adoption and budget constraints to date, have been forced to resort to the use of legacy  communications systems, such as two-way radios, for example, which offer only extremely limited capabilities.  In today’s fast-paced, technologically-advanced world, this type of communication is inadequate, decreases effectiveness and delays response time during emergencies.  Because of this, public sector officials have viewed the latest news as a welcome, and, much needed, call to action for their industry.

According to a recent report by Bharat Book Bureau about the public safety wireless broadband market, The report states that, “wireless broadband is essential [for public safety officials] for addressing mission-critical needs requiring high data throughput for applications such as video surveillance, automated vehicle license plate recognition, biometric identification, mobile crime scene units and mobile incident command…”

So, for those who work in the Public Sector, how will 4G benefit you?  Whether you work for a fire department, a police department, or for a school, 4G is expected to provide significant benefits, including, but certainly not limited to:

• Better efficiency, increased mobility and improved job performance overall: With greater mobility, increased security and larger data storage capabilities, work performance and output production improves.
• Increased data rates:  Allows for greater capacity of data storage and even enables video applications, information that can be vitally important to officers in the field.
• Improved multipath and power performance: Minimizes intra-cell multiuser interference, thereby guarantee the securing of confidential information.

Northern Michigan University in Marquette, Michigan, is one example of a school that is already bridging the digital divide.  Earlier this year, the university deployed a wireless network to extend broadband coverage throughout the campus, and even into the city itself.  The next-generation network not only provides high speed broadband access to those students who live off-campus, but it also offers businesses and other public service users with the access and mobility needed for them to successfully live and work more efficiently.

In response to this revolution, technology developers have already introduced a variety of products that have built in 4G, or optional 4G broadband access.   Panasonic is one such company.  The Panasonic Toughbook computers, including the new Android^TM-powered Toughpad business tablet, are built with optional integrated 4G mobile broadband access, which enablers public safety officials to access data faster and from remote areas, keeps their information safe and secure, and overall enables them to more efficiently and productively perform their important duties.

Tell us what benefits 4G will have for you and your organizations!

Over a six-week period this past summer, the United States Army tested the viability of using touchscreen phones and tablets in the field.  The trial was such a success that Army officials anticipate that soldiers overseas could potentially receive the first wave of smartphones later this year.

In the meantime, the Army is already seeing tremendous value in using tablet computers for training, administrative purposes, situational awareness in the tactical environment and location tracking, among many other uses. In fact, Michael McCarthy, operations director of the Army’s Brigade Modernization Command’s Mission Command Complex, has said that he has seen a 10% increase in average scores and a 14% increase in grade point averages by students who use tablets in Army classrooms. In these controlled environments, consumer-grade tablets have performed well.

But, as conditions become more demanding, not just any tablet will do. The requirements of controlled classroom environments or event briefing centers are a stark contrast to harsh battlefield conditions.  To sustain the abuse that soldiers in the field endure, such as sandstorms, windstorms, and the effects of other extreme conditions, a tablet suitable for the Army must be ruggedized if its to emerge unscathed and intact.  In order to do that, it must pass the following tests:

• Drop and shock resistance
• Vibration resistance
• Liquid resistance
• Particle resistance
• Temperature resistance (both hot and cold)
• Humidty resistance
• Electromagnetic energy testing

More importantly, whether it is being used in the field or in the Army’s classroom, the tablet absolutely must meet the security standards set by theUnited States government.

The Army is in the process of trying out multiple tablets to determine which meets their needs and standards, and which fall short.  The search is ongoing as they have yet to find the “perfect” tablet that is fully ruggedized in order to sustain the beatings it must endure, yet also meets the government’s rigid, yet necessary, security standards, such as:

• Encryption capabilities
• Authentication capabilities
• Data protection
• Compliance logging
• Auto-blur
• Lockout functionality
• Plastic privacy filters

In response to the Army’s search, and that of many other federal government and public sector entities who are also investigating the possibility of incorporating tablet technologies into their day-to-day operations, Panasonic recently unveiled the Toughpad^TM  family of professional-grade Android^TM powered tablets.    The needs of mission-critical and highly-mobile workers were at the forefront of the Toughpad’s design requirements.

Developed by the team responsible for Panasonic’s line of Toughbook^R mobile computers, the computer of choice for many of the country’s federal government and public sector departments for its promise of reliability, durability, and quality, the Toughpad meets the rugged and security standards required by these agencies. Backed by Panasonic’s world class service and support infrastructure, the product is poised to become the “tablet of choice federal government and public sector entities.”

As Michael McCarty has said when discussing the value of the tablet, “The potential is limitless.”  In today’s world, which many experts are referring to as the “post-PC era,” it is vital that government agencies keep up with the changing technologies in order to stay current and stay relevant. Test out a tablet today!

As the GSA prepares itself to be a model for other government agencies, it appears that telework is part of a greater movement to create spending efficiencies and increase employee productivity. In an executive order from November 9th, President Obama called for agencies to explore opportunities for cost reduction, specifically in the areas of travel and information technology (IT). The directive does not look for across-the-board cuts in IT, but rather it looks for agencies to invest more strategically in IT. In these times of budget constraints, the President is looking for opportunities to reduce some technology redundancies, from limiting the number of mobile phones employees are issued to duplicative software.

In the President’s order, telework was specifically called out as an example of a trend driving agencies to evaluate their IT practices. As telework becomes a standard practice, the need for desktop computers diminishes. A question arises: does the Federal Government still need desktop computers? Mobile computers allow for the vision of anywhere, anytime work for virtually all Federal employees and diminishes the concern of lost hours spent commuting.

There are also efficiencies on the IT side. Technologies, such as desktop virtualization, move management of each employee endpoint from the desktop to the datacenter. These moves make it easier for IT departments to maintain PCs and conduct major upgrades, giving IT departments more time to spend on strategic initiatives.

So, are desktop computers relics of an ancient way of work? For some, the answer is yes, and these organizations will shift quickly to new mobile technologies.

But, as more and more organizations shift to telework, we should realize that work environments will, and must, change with the times. Mobile computers have to be flexible and adaptable in various usage scenarios. Some employees will work in a comfortable home office , while others will have the unpredictability of accessing information from the road or in the field.  However, the one constant, regardless of one’s work environment, is the requirement of reliability.

Recognizing all of the varied work conditions, Panasonic delivers a broad range of mobile computers, designed to offer zero compromise between performance and mobility. For example, our semi-rugged Panasonic Toughbook® 53 laptop,. With a 14.1” HD LED display, the latest Intel® Core™ processors and an oversized multi touch touchpad, it performs like a desktop.  And, with options like a sunlight-viewable touchscreen and 4G LTE mobile broadband, it the most versatile semi-rugged PC for mobile workers.

“Work is what we do, not where we are,” said GSA Administrator Johnson. The GSA and many other government agencies are empowering their employees and embracing telework.  Is Telework part of your company’s policy? Share your thoughts with us.

Panasonic Solutions Company (PSC) was among the technology leaders exhibiting at this expansive event. It showcased its newest solution offering, the Panasonic Tactical Video Teleconferencing (VTC) solution, alongside its Toughbook mobile computing product line.

Panasonic’s VTC solution combines the high-definition imaging of a Panasonic plasma or LCD display with Polycom’s HD videoconferencing and JELCO’s custom mobile lift case for a best-in-class mobile product that has significant advantages over rolling cart or wall-mounted VTC installations. This type of mobile technology is ideal for military branches and government agencies engaged in training, mission planning and other situations where communication between personnel on the field and the command center is critical. At AUSA, PSC also showcased other new products, including the Toughbook 53, a semi-rugged computer and the Toughbook H2, a rugged hand-held tablet.

Military technology is one of the fastest growing sectors. We can only imagine what will be showcased in 2012.

Today, that’s all changing.  The future of military computing will be to put many of those centralized capabilities into the hands of our soldiers, where the information can be immediately useful to help execute defense strategies and ultimately save precious lives.

The advent of cloud computing is enabling the decentralization of military systems. Now, using rugged IT hardware, from laptops to tablets to mobile phones, soldiers on the battlefield can access critical applications.   This anywhere, anytime approach to computing will depend on a new generation of hardware tailored for military applications.

Those in the field depend on sturdy equipment that can withstand harsh environments and still continue operating.  With that in mind, Panasonic Solutions Company has designed a line of fully rugged technologies and devices for government and military deployment.  Today, many government agencies and military units deploy reliable Panasonic Toughbook mobile computers to assure uninterrupted use.

Some current government applications of the Toughbook computers include:

• Force XXI Battle Command Brigade and Below (FBCB2) Solution:  The FBCB2 forms the principal digital command and control system that delivers battle information from the brigade level down to the soldier level. FBCB2 uses Panasonic Toughbook computers because they enable robust mobile communications both in vehicles and when taken from vehicles into the field or command center.

• Tactical Deployment Kits Solution: Many federal agencies, including theU.S. military, rely on rugged Panasonic Toughbook mobile computers to deliver vital uninterrupted connectivity, thereby allowing their personnel to quickly and effectively respond to urgent situations outside their normal territory.

• U.S. Army Tactical Command Package (TAC-PAK) Solution:  TAC-PAKs together with Panasonic Toughbook mobile computers provide U.S. Army personnel with access to communications applications. The ruggedized design and long battery life, in conjunction with custom wireless equipment, allow Toughbook computers to be used in even the most isolated regions in the harshest weather conditions.

So, what’s next?  By mid-2012, Panasonic Solutions Company will introduce a new Toughbook tablet that will address a current gap in the marketplace by delivering a product designed with enterprise-scale security, functionality and real-world reliability in mind, even in the most extreme operating environments. While the current line of Toughbook products are successfully meeting the demand and offering the highest security, functionality and durability for government and military use, the yet-to-be-released tablet is the next generation of fully rugged products.

(Photo Credit: Steveness/Flickr)

Today, former Microsoft executive, Steven VanRoekel, was announced as the replacement for the inaugural Federal CIO, Vivek Kundra. Kundra announced in June that he would resign this month for a fellowship at Harvard University. VanRoekel  was most recently with the U.S. Agency for International Development, after a post as managing director of the of the Federal Communications Commission. At the FCC, VanRoekel headed the agency’s new media efforts and spearheaded the redesign of FCC.gov to take advantage of cloud computing.

Since Kundra announced his intention to leave for the hallowed halls of Harvard, technology pundits have been playing armchair analyst, suggesting where the incoming Federal CIO should place his focus. Some wonder whether VanRoekel will continue tackling the challenges of Kundra’s 25 point plan for Federal IT reform. In addition to these challenges, VanRoekel inherits a host of new challenges, including:

• Migration of more applications to the cloud
• Consolidation of Federal data centers to achieve operational efficiencies
• Sophisticated cyberterrorism threats
• Lack of budget for upgrading antiquated Federal IT environments; and,
• Growing consumerization of Federal IT

In Government, it’s hard to find areas of common agreement. If you were the incoming Federal CIO, which part of the complicated IT agenda would you tackle first?

If the new Federal CIO were to ask his peers in IT agencies across the beltway, there’d be no argument. In a recent survey by Federal News Radio 67-percent of Federal agency CIOs said that mobile computing was the technology area agencies need to improve to better meet their stated missions. Mobile computing is not just transforming Federal IT – its transforming government.

Mobile computers, tablets and mobile phones enable work to take place in the field, anytime, anywhere and on any device. The General Services Administration calls this move its A3 initiative.  Agency directors and senior officials carry tablets while frontline workers call for more flexibility and durability to their work lives through rugged mobile computers. While security concerns remain for IT administrators, recent advancements in secure access, coupled with the long term productivity benefits point to mobile computing not being a question of “if” but “when?”

With that said, we think mobile computing is going to be the biggest opportunity for Federal CIOs. If we were CIO for a day, we’d look at upgrading antiquated Federal IT environments with future-proof mobile solutions. But, that’s our take. What’s your take on the government’s IT agenda? Where should the new Federal CIO focus his efforts?

Provide your comments below.

Clearly, there is a shift taking place in government operations—and we’re finding that in this shift, mobile devices are playing a significant role. American City & County recently featured an article on the growth of “e-government” services and the coinciding substantial increase in mobile device penetration, reporting, “Mobile device penetration has grown from 5 percent globally in 1998 to 55 percent 2008. It is predicted that by 2018 the penetration rate will be as high as 96 percent.” The article discusses how local governments have been quick to innovate, providing new and engaging mobile applications, which focus on public safety, transportation, information services, interactive mapping, and more.  In fact, just a few months ago, the CIA launched social media enhancements to its public CIA.gov website, noting how more than half of internet users browse with mobile devices. Furthermore, Washington Technology, which cited “mobility” and “social media and collaboration” as two of their “9 Tech Trends to Watch,” recently spoke with a group of CTOs from various government contractors about the important technologies that their companies must master during the next five years. In addition to noting the value in utilizing social media platforms in future government operations, the need for mobility was also underscored. Deborah Dunie (executive vice president and CTO at CACI International) commented, “The entire world has gone mobile, so the reality is we have a mobile workforce and mobile lifestyle.”

At the surface, their involvement in the premier digital-social-spheres is clear, with many government agencies having amassed significant followings in the online social-media realm.  The U.S. Army has over 55,000 Twitter followers, the DoD Pentagon Channel has clocked in more than 72,000 YouTube channel views and the United States Marine Corps has accumulated upwards of one million Facebook “Likes.”

The benefits resulting from this newfound digital government presence are significant and include: enabled real time communication, internal collaboration, messaging tool during emergencies, recruiting, voice for citizens/means for creating positive change.  For example, when a devastating tornado touched down in Cincinnati, Arkansas, this past New Year’s Eve, the enhancing impact of integrated social media solutions on government was apparent.  During the incident the Arkansas Homeland Security and Preparedness Agency was able to provide real-time storm reports via Twitter, warning citizens of hazardous road conditions and weather patterns. Arkansas CTO Claire Bailey commented on the effect of using social media for emergency response, stating, “We were overwhelmed by the level of volunteers who came into support our citizens in their time of need … we had to turn people away.”

While it is clear there is a great deal to gain, it is also important to recognize the risks associated with government social networking. As Charles Robb (senior policy analyst at National Association of State Chief Information Officers) warned in a recent GovTech.com article , making social media available to a large number of public employees not only opens up a whole new point of entry into a network, but it also brings into play issues related to acceptable use. Maj. Juanita Chang (Director, Online and Social Media Division of the Office of the Chief of Public Affairs, U.S. Army) spoke to this point during a Defense Daily webinar titled, “How is the Department of Defense using social media?,” and stressed the importance of education (e.g., training on basic operations security – what can and can’t be posted), which the DoD considers the key requirement that will keep family members and soldiers safe online.

Although risks related to security and shared content should certainly not be taken lightly, it is possible that the most considerable social media threat might very well be to not use social media at all. This point is articulated by Steve Ressler (president and co-founder of GovLoop.com), “By banning social media outright, federal and state agencies risk frustrating their constituents, alienating potential recruits, and stepping away from an opportunity to set the record straight or better inform the general public. And that’s a conversation worth having despite the security risks.¨

In the end, there is no denying the impact of social media. As government workers become increasingly more mobile in their respective fields, it becomes increasingly apparent how important it is for portable devices to be well equipped for the integration of social media applications. As a leader in mobile technology, Panasonic Solutions Company continues to monitor the evolution of social media utilization within the government space, remaining cautious and aware of the related risks, but excited by the prospect of continued digital innovation.

So why e-tools over paper TOs, and why now? Understandably, O&M personnel see the advantages of not having to lug four or five heavy books of paper TOs in and out of aircraft. In fact, e-tools will eventually replace more than 13 million pages of technical orders, in turn eliminating countless hours of taxing manual labor and making better use of maintainers’ time on the flight line. It appears that the Air Force has already begun to experience the benefits of integrating this technology, which include ease of use on the flight line, increased efficiency in processing data, a unified network of information and heightened connectivity.

It is clear that the Air Force is committed to providing maintainers on the flight line with the best equipment. A recent Military.com article discussed the replacement of paper TOs at Robins Air Force Base and several other bases in Air Force Materiel Command, noting that they’re testing how laptops work in a variety of environments, while also weighing in on potential issues related to battery power and screen brightness.

In order to ensure reliable and efficient management of digital TOs, it is vital that the devices selected be properly tested and deemed fit for the e-tools job. As the largest provider of e-tools to the Air Force, Panasonic Solutions Company works closely with them (and other military branches) to ensure Toughbook laptops and handheld computers are optimized to not just survive the rigors of maintenance environments, but deliver new levels of efficiency as well.

Customers in classified environments depend on the physical security of their computing devices, and we pride ourselves on providing a reliable solution. Matching the rugged design and sunlight-readable touchscreen of the Toughbook 19 and Toughbook 31 with the failsafe enterprise-class DriveArmor solution from Mobile Armor (meticulously designed to prevent unauthorized access to data on lost or stolen computers) meets the specialized needs of military customers. We appreciate that Military Embedded Systems fully comprehends the value of this pairing, and are honored to accept their Editor’s Choice distinction.

*Military Embedded Systems. Copyright OpenSystems Media, 2010. All rights reserved; used with permission.

Today, we announced a partnership with Reality Mobile to pair the ultra-mobile rugged Toughbook U1 tablet with Reality Mobile’s RealityVision software platform, providing government agencies with improved technology for situational awareness and crisis response.

Together the technologies allow users to instantly create a shared vision of an event or location by streamlining the communications process between field personnel, an operations center and senior management. RealityVision allows the Toughbook U1 handheld to securely send and receive live video streamed over wireless networks including cellular and satellite. As a result, field personnel can push live video captured by their rugged Toughbook U1 device to a control center, as well as any other user on the network.

We are very excited about this collaboration with Reality Mobile and expect our joint solution to open up a new window of possibilities for our highly-mobile customers.

For more information, you can view an assortment of How-To videos on the Panasonic Toughbook U1 handheld tablet via our YouTube channel.