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!

Chicago was bustling with thousands of law enforcement officials at this year’s 118^th International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) Conference at the McCormick Place Convention Center.  Each year, the conference garners over 15,000 attendees and 800 exhibitors who showcase the latest in police vehicles, firearms and technology at the largest exposition designed specifically for law enforcement.

Panasonic Solutions Company (PSC) was one of the technology leaders exhibiting at this event. The company’s products are geared to specifically meet the security requirements of law enforcement officers.  Showcased along with their range of Toughbook mobile computers and the Toughbook Aribtrator 360^o in-car digital video system was a full line of fixed video security products.  The addition of these cameras, video management suites, and related items, make PSC a world class provider of total solutions for public safety.

In conjunction with the conference, Panasonic announced that the Florida Highway Patrol recently selected PSC’s mobile digital video solution for statewide deployment, to streamline evidence collection and management processes, and to enhance officer safety. This deployment is a true testament to the crucial role the device plays in helping officers meet their day-to-day duties and to ensure their safety.

As the exhibit floor overflowed with the latest and greatest in technology and products, one can only imagine what 2012 has in store. With the New Year ahead, new ideas and solutions that will benefit the men and women who put their lives on the line in order to keep our cities and our families safe are sure to come.

St. James Ambulance District, founded in 1975, provides top-level medical care to the central Missouri cities of St. James, Rosati, Little Prairie Lake and others. Over the years, the ambulance district began to grow and it became clear that it needed a more efficient method for its EMTs and paramedics to track and record everyday processes.

Initially, St. James decided to upgrade its “pen and paper” documentation process by deploying Toughbook 18 fully-rugged convertible tablet computers. More recently the ambulance district upgraded to the Toughbook 19 notebooks.

Since deploying the Toughbook devices, St. James has streamlined the EMT and paramedics’ documenting process; EMTs no longer have to transcribe documents from paper to the office computer. The Toughbook computers also helped staff improve the accuracy of patient information in reports.

Although providing a reliable mobile platform for recording and sharing information was of paramount concern to St. James, it soon realized the Toughbook computers had other benefits.

On February 25, 2011, the St. James Ambulance District was called to a motor vehicle accident on Interstate 44. While en route to the scene, ambulance 2217 experienced mechanical problems, forcing the driver to come to a complete stop. Upon exiting the vehicle, the crew members noticed smoke and found the undercarriage of the ambulance on fire. The fire quickly spread to the engine and passenger compartments, where the Toughbook 19 was located.

After the fire was brought under control by the local fire departments, one of the crew members realized that he had three unfinished reports on the laptop. The crew grabbed the laptop, tilted it sideways to let the water drain, and hit the power button to find the computer was fully functional with a few minor exceptions.

“The exterior [of the Toughbook 19] was melted and the case was cracked in several places,” stated Bryan Lambeth, EMS supervisor and paramedic for St. James Ambulance District. “I truly didn’t have high hopes, but I hit the power button and the computer fired right up!”

This wasn’t the only impressive survival story for the St. James Ambulance District. About four years ago, a crew transported a patient from St. James to St. Louis, about a 110 mile trip. After dropping the patient off, the crew placed its Toughbook 18 on the back bumper of the ambulance while cleaning the rig. Once finished, they began their trip home, realizing 40 miles down the road the Toughbook computer was missing. Assuming it had been left in the back of the ambulance, the crew continued its drive through an incessant thunderstorm.

Upon arriving in St. James, the crew stopped to refuel and noticed the device had been on the rear bumper of the ambulance the entire trip. The Toughbook device made it back in one piece, but was completely soaked and covered in road grime. When the team brought the device back to base, they cleaned it up and turned it on to find it working perfectly.

The Toughbook 18 and 19 computers have helped to simplify St. James Ambulance District’s reporting process, allowing crews to report from their emergency vehicles, reducing duplicate entry of data and minimizing incomplete information and data errors. Beyond process improvements, the St. James Ambulance District team has experienced firsthand the advantages of using a device engineered to withstand the rigors of harsh operating environments.

In mission-critical environments, like those faced by the St. James Ambulance District, it’s nice to have the piece-of-mind, and bottom-line value offered by one of the industry’s most reliable mobile computing platforms.

What has your Toughbook device endured? We welcome you to share your Panasonic Toughbook survival stories with us!

No sight makes a motorist’s heart stop faster than flashing red and blue lights in their rear view mirror. More often than not, these lights are atop Ford’s proud Crown Victoria – for more than a decade the top choice of law enforcement. But, all good things must come to an end.  After 30 years, Ford is retiring the iconic model line and is replacing the highly-recognizable vehicle with new vehicles featuring more horsepower, better handling and lower greenhouse gas emissions.

Police departments across the country and Canada are on the hunt for Crown Vic fleet replacements and the top three car manufacturers are stepping up with exciting new vehicle options. Ford is introducing its Interceptor series, Dodge is releasing its Charger police cruiser and Chevy has a Caprice model optimized for law enforcement. These vehicles promise new high-tech features that will enhance officer safety and improve officer efficiency on the road.

As is often the case with significant change, many law enforcement agencies have some concerns about the deployment of these new vehicles.  Will the new vehicles be compatible with their legacy equipment?  Where will radios, consoles, docking stations and printers go?  What happens when the airbag deploys?

As law enforcement vehicles evolve, so must the technologies inside the patrol cars that help officers do their jobs.  To ensure that these new technologies meet the needs and demands of officers, and properly function within the constructs of their new vehicles, Panasonic has joined forces with Ford to stay ahead of the curve and design integrated solutions.

At their core, the newest rugged technologies for public sector use are similar to their legacy technologies; known for their quality, durability and reliability.  They have an all-weather design, daylight viewable touch screens that allow users to see critical data and operate the device regardless of lighting conditions, built-in handles, and wireless connectivity, among other unique features.

Some of the newer features, however, are revolutionary.  They offer unparalleled video capture, up to 360^o degree visibility, are designed to work with back-end software for seamless video management, including archiving and retrieving, and even have license plate capture technology.

New mobile technologies could also see a role in the police cruiser of the future.  While the vast majority of tablet devices are engineered for consumers and therefore don’t offer appropriate levels of security and durability, Panasonic has designed and constructed the Toughbook Tablet for the mission-critical mobile user, such as law enforcement officials, in mind.  This groundbreaking tablet is built to be reliable and durable, even in extreme operating environments.  It will include satellite-based GPS, full-shift battery life, professional grade accessories and optional embedded 3G/4G mobile broadband connectivity.  Combined with broadband connectivity, the Toughbook Tablet offers quick access to applications and data that could significantly improve a police officer’s ability to make critical decisions that shorten response times and deliver results.

Whenever there is change, there must be adaptability.  The technology industry will continue to work closely with those in the public sector to create the most appropriate and effective technologies to help law enforcement officers do their jobs so that America’s citizens can rest assured that their safety and security remains paramount.

Captain Bill Richards of the Tucson Police Department was on hand and discussed his department’s endeavors towards greater efficiency and continued technological advancement (primary industry objectives shared throughout the field). The Captain stressed the importance of agencies taking an active role in thoroughly researching and testing solutions they are considering.  Essentially, there is a universal desire to ensure optimum safety and security, while also achieving the greatest level of efficiency. However, if the effort to vet the solutions is not properly executed, time and budget will quickly be lost and the effectiveness of operations will suffer. Additionally, the Captain also shared his thoughts on the value that comes with implementing innovative technologies, drawing focus to the rapid evolution of technology. It is critical that agencies look to deploy cutting edge solutions that are forward thinking in their functionality, thus ensuring officers don’t find themselves with a device that is out of date, lacking in the capabilities that it offers.

In addition to engaging in dialogue on the topics that are top-of-mind with the law enforcement industry, Panasonic’s Dave Poulin also lead a widely-attended discussion alongside Brad Brewer of the Vancouver Police Department, on prospective mobile computing deployments for the new generation of police vehicles. PSC also showcased a number of exciting solutions at the event, including the recently-introduced Toughbook 53 semi-rugged notebook, and we were excited to offer live demonstrations of the Toughbook Arbitrator 360° solution for in-car mobile digital video, as well as the brand new Arbitrator InterView evidence management system.

Booth 109 was overflowing with mission critical solutions. A big thanks to all those who visited the PSC team at LEIM – and for those of you who couldn’t make it, we hope to see you next year!

For a selection of pictures from this year’s LEIM, visit our Flickr page

In order to patrol the border effectively, the LCSO wanted a mobile computing solution that could keep deputies in the field connected at all times as well as limit the amount of paperwork sheriffs are required to complete at the end of a shift. Purchased with federal funds through Operation Stonegarden grants – money designated for local, state and federal law enforcement agencies to help in the fight to secure the U.S. border – the LCSO had thirty police vehicles installed with Panasonic Toughbook 31 PCs.

The Luna County Sherriff’s Department relies on the Toughbook 31 for multiple reasons, especially its connectivity options. Choosing Verizon Wireless as its mobile broadband provider, the sheriffs in the field are connected with not only the LCSO headquarters, but with almost every law enforcement agency in the state. The consistent connectivity also keeps local agencies up to date with activities going on throughout the area as well as helps deputies cut down on excessive paperwork after a shift ends improving time management.

For more information on the Panasonic Toughbook 31 deployment at the Luna County Sherriff’s Office, please click here.

In this economic climate, spending cuts are widespread, forcing agencies, like police departments to improve efficiency. Without a mobile computer, writing a police report is a lengthy process, with officers taking notes by hand and then typing in the information later. Although not uncommon, this method is time consuming and prone to errors.

Police agencies benefit from systems that allow officers to digitally capture and share information. According to a press release from Astra, the Toughbook-based solution can provide the needed improvements in efficiency.

According to Dick Ellam, Vauxhall Special Vehicles Manager, the Astra has always been a trusted car model within police agencies, which is why the company has decided to make the Toughbook option available.

“Toughbook rugged mobile computers are already in use by several police services across the country, and are proving to be a revolutionary resource to police; at a time when spending cuts are rife, a device that enables the force to save time and money will be invaluable,” said Ellam.

In the Astra, the Toughbook 19 fits neatly into the new docking solution by Tempus Computers Ltd, which is mounted in the glove box. The convertible laptop can be easily removed, which allows the computer to be used in both clamshell and tablet form. The Toughbook laptop is connected to an 8.4-inch high resolution touch screen positioned in the Astra dashboard. The screen is easy to reach and is mounted flush in the dash, which meets all legal and safety regulations.

According to Ellam, the Toughbook system enables police officers to operate a mobile office system, reducing the amount of time previously spent behind a desk.

“Toughbook rugged computers are ideal for professionals working in mission-critical or field-based environments, so their potential use extends beyond that of the police,” said Ellam.

For more information on the Vauxhall Astra with Toughbook option, please visit: http://www.vauxhall.co.uk

Related blog posts:
Case Study: Tucson PD Motorcycle Officers Deploy the Toughbook U1
Poor Time Management is a Crime Too
In-vehicle Technology is Mission Critical for Public Safety

The Tulsa Police Department faced three simultaneous challenges: equip its officers with ultra-portable computers, jumpstart an e-ticketing project and upgrade their slow wireless network to maximize productivity and provide consistent Internet access for officers across the city. After an extensive testing period, it became clear that the Toughbook U1 and Panasonic’s Permanent Display Removable Computer (PDRC) paired with Sprint’s 3G network offered the best solution.

Download the print version of the Tulsa PD case study here, and see the video below.

Related blog posts:
Tulsa Police Department Exploring Ultra-Mobile Alternatives
Case Study: Tucson PD Motorcycle Officers Deploy the Toughbook U1

Read more about how Tucson PD is utilizing the rugged Toughbook U1 to increase officer safety and efficiency here, and see below for a video about Tucson PD’s deployment as well.

This trend has been gradually progressing for awhile, but is now becoming the standard, as noted in a recent Athens Banner-Herald article.  Instead of sending out radio transmissions that allow all officers to hear the dispatches, the Athens-Clarke officers are now receiving location information and duty instructions via messages on their laptop screens.

Another example is the Philadelphia Police Department, which has started dispatching accident calls over their in-car laptops instead of using the radio in order to stop wreck-chasers from listening in on their broadcasts.

The growing prevalence of mobile wireless broadband has made widespread in-car laptop communication possible; in particular, Gobi™ mobile broadband that allows officers to have a reliable connection wherever cell phones can be used.  Now, police officers have the functionality of their laptops to communicate from almost anywhere.

We are eager to learn how you’re using in-car mobile computers to communicate, so leave a comment and let us know.