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.

IDC estimates that more than 72% of workers in the United States have some level of mobile access to information. Further, People Security estimates more than 67% of mobile workers are accessing some type of sensitive data outside the trusted confines of the corporate firewall. Sensitive data includes social security numbers, credit card numbers, trade or government secrets, and HR information and the the headlines are full of examples of what happens when these data breaches occur.  IT departments have focused on strict endpoint security policies to lock down data leaving the enterprise, but few of these policies extend to protecting visual data. With the prevalence of digital cameras, information leaving an organization, unintentionally, is just a click away.

So how does one successfully achieve an effective laptop security solution? First and foremost, it is important that mobile users, especially those working in government, take advantage of the security features, which are readily available to them (i.e., disk encryption, fingerprint scanners, smartcard readers, chip-level security, remote device management, etc.).

Second, ensure that you have a visual screen protection system in place. Screen filters are one option to protect against screen eavesdroppers, but these solutions are not the most secure. Optimal security recognizes the user and blurs the data for non-authorized users. For its customers working with the highest security information, Panasonic announced a recent partnership with Oculis Labs, through which we offer a bundled upgrade option for all Toughbook mobile computers with embedded webcams (i.e., Toughbook 31, C1 and 53). All such devices come with the option of being preloaded and delivered with Oculis Labs’ PrivateEye Enterprise data privacy software, the recent recipient of Military Embedded Systems Editor’s Choice Award. The incorporated software protects critical information traveling outside the hosting computer—from the screen to the user’s eyes, while the embedded security features of the Toughbook device provide internal protection for the hardware.

Panasonic continues to keep laptop security top-of-mind and is committed to ensuring that only authorized access to information on the laptop takes place – inside and outside the office.

What’s your company’s policy on mobile computing and how are you securing your information from eavesdropping eyes?

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

• Superstar Award in the Hardware: Business Class Notebook category – The Panasonic Toughbook® S9
• Superstar Award in the Hardware: Tablet Computer category – The Toughbook H1 Field
• Rising Star Award in the Hardware: Industrial or Rugged Handheld Computer category – The Toughbook U1 Ultra
• Rising Star Award in the Success Story: Asset Tracking & Field Service category – Comag Marketing Group (CMG) case study

A little background on the winners – the Panasonic Toughbook® S9 is the world’s lightest 12.1” laptop with an integrated DVD drive. For the highly mobile professional, the durable S9 is powered by the Intel® Core™ i5-520M vPro™ processor and delivers up to 11 hours of battery life with a standard battery and weighing only 3.0 pounds. Additionally, it offers optional Gobi2000™ mobile broadband and a host of other features.

The Toughbook H1 Field is the world’s most rugged handheld tablet computer and specifically designed for field sales personnel, first responders, supervisors, inspectors, maintenance workers and other highly mobile professionals.  The durable device comes with optional goodies including SmartCard, RFID, barcode readers, and Qualcomm’s Gobi2000™ mobile broadband technology to help to maximize mobile worker productivity.

Finally, the U1 Ultra, the newest member of its Toughbook® U1 ultra-mobile PC product family, combines the portability of a handheld computer, the benefits of a full Windows OS, the durability needed for enterprise applications and a suite of available integrated features. The device is ideal for highly mobile jobs such as direct store delivery (DSD), eCitation and vegetation management in markets like supply chain management, public safety and utilities.

The Mobile Star Awards also recognized one of our customers, Comag Marketing Group (CMG), a New Jersey-based company that helps leading magazine brands stand out with comprehensive sales, marketing and promotional services through a network of sales venues. CMG switched to the Panasonic Toughbook T8 and U1 devices after multiple requests from customers, including the need for real-time data, were unable to be fulfilled. Since the launch, CMG has noticed an increase in revenue and their customers now have access to near-real-time data at store level, which has made CMG a more valuable business partner.

We are thrilled with our wins and look forward to what 2011 has in store for us.

For more information on the Mobile Star Awards and Panasonic’s wins, please click here.

Mobile computing technology can have a significant and positive impact on the performance of collision repair facilities, taking productivity and customer satisfaction to a new level.

In this highly competitive market, deploying the right solution can increase performance, differentiate your company and improve loyalty. Selecting the wrong solution can cost your business severely. Collision repair shops must look for devices that are designed to withstand the repair environment and can survive dust, paint, fluids, bumps, drops and other hazards. In addition, devices that offer the appropriate wireless connectivity and integrated features (such as cameras) will enhance estimator and technician efficiency.

Chris Humphrey, national sales manager for PSC, will be speaking about this topic on October 10^th during the 2010 NACE Conference and Expo, the world’s leading collision repair event. Chris’ session, “Deploy Mobile Computing Devices to Enhance Collision Repair Efficiency” (Course Code: SU27N), will explore how some shops have documented the ability to save 15 to 20 minutes per estimate and up to an hour on tow-ins or total losses through the implementation of mobile, wireless computers.

Software partner Audatex, a global provider of claims solutions, will also be discussing estimating and claim work technology during this session.

And if you’re going to be at the show, be sure to stop by our booth, #N1424, to check out Panasonic’s latest devices, including the Toughbook H1 Field.

We’ll also be discussing this topic in depth on Toughbloggers following the show, so check back for more information.

Session Details:
Deploy Mobile Computing Devices to Enhance Collision Repair Efficiency
(AMI Accredited – 3 credits)
Chris Humphrey, Panasonic Solutions Company
Date: Sunday, October 10^th
Time: 3:30pm – 5:00pm
Course Code: SU27N
Location: Mandalay Bay Convention Center, Las Vegas, NV

Don’t want to take my word for it?

Here’s Girl Talk himself on the durability of his Toughbook computers:

“I used to break at least two laptops a year before I started using Toughbook computers. They are very difficult to break. I carry my Toughbook in my book bag usually. I was standing in the back of an icy pick-up truck after a show and I fell, landed on the ground, directly on my back, basically crushing the laptop with body onto concrete. There was no visible damage at all, and it still runs like a champ.”

While ChannelWeb, PC Magazine, and WIRED Gadget Lab all covered the announcement with zeal, our favorite post introducing the Toughbook H1 Field has to be from Devin Coldewey of CrunchGear who places you in the role of Gordon Freeman; your lab is self destructing and soldiers are attempting to kill you. You need a tablet computer as part of your defense and before you is an iPad and the H1 Field. What do you do? Check out Devin’s suggestion in his post.

Our customers have a different set of critical needs, but it’s fun to pretend to be Gordon Freeman for a day!

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