DRS ARMOR Rugged Mobile Computers - Real World Solutions

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DRS has been offering industrial and military markets rugged mobile computers for years. And ARMOR™ products continue to perform. We have several real-world applications that likely relate directly to your needs and usage. Check out these case studies to learn more.

		"I need more than just durability... I need mobility and viewability"
	Patrolling the Mexican border means encounters with glaring sun, dust, rough handling and constant use. On the border between the United States and Mexico, the days can be hot and dusty under direct sunlight, making it difficult to read information on an ordinary computer screen. The Mexican Customs Agency had a need for a lightweight, wireless, rugged tablet able to run their existing Windows applications without the need to develop additional software. The Mexican Customs Agency with the help of Mexico City systems integrator, Americas Resources, S.C., chose a DRS Hammerhead tablet PC- what is now known as the ARMOR X10 tablet PC - with a transflective display, integrated Cisco 802.11b Wireless LAN and attached fingerprint readers. The results were dramatic. DRS tablets are now used successfully by Mexican officials to track and compile tourism data, detect contraband and illegal drugs, monitor stolen vehicles and streamline tax collection. DRS transflective displays allow data to be read clearly, even in the heat of direct southern sunlight. In addition, the agency randomized the assignment of Customs cases to its agents and incorporated the use of a fingerprint reader to deter tablet corruption, a serious problem with previous systems. Mexican Customs officials also utilize wall-mounted docking stations, making it easy to charge batteries and transfer data. Do you have a problem that needs solving? Ask how ARMOR can help.

		"I need a way to protect important data"
	Norfolk, VA Emergency Medical Service professionals take DRS tablets with them on every call, in all kinds of conditions. The work environment in emergency services can be hectic and fast-paced. And ordinary computers can't always keep up. Paramedics and firefighters need to respond in all kinds of weather, and their equipment often experiences rough handling, moisture and temperature extremes. Norfolk's Fire and Paramedic Services wanted to automate a largely paper-based data collection and record keeping system, and do so in a way that was easy and intuitive. This necessitated a rugged computer that could also be easily cleaned if it came in contact with solutions or fluids common in the EMS environment. The logical choice was the Hammerhead tablet from DRS - now known as the ARMOR X10 tablet. Norfolk officials also purchased docking stations and keyboards to be mounted in vehicles allowing systems to charge via the vehicle battery. In the emergency room setting, desktop docking stations allow EMS team members to complete reports and transfer large amounts of data. The move from paper-based reporting to tablet-based data management has not only streamlined the data collection process but has resulted in a wealth of information for the department. The information is stored or passed on to administration to generate bills or patient reports. Case studies can even be created from injury, illness and vital statistic analysis. All of which translates to more complete and thorough patient care. Do you have a problem that needs solving? Ask how ARMOR can help.

		"I need a tool that will foster real-time communication"
	Newark, OH police call on DRS tablets to protect and serve their data. The Newark Police Department, as part of a statewide pilot project to automate officers of state and local agencies with mobile computers, chose to purchase the DRS Hammerhead 586 computer. Newark police officers use the DRS tablets to fill out incident reports and statements of fact. They are docked in the cruisers with keyboards just like a laptop. But unlike laptops, the DRS tablets can be taken out of the vehicle and written on like a tablet of paper, enduring any kind of weather or rough handling. More than 75 officers across three shifts share 25 DRS tablets. When returning from patrol, officers return the unit to base and dock it in their wall docking system where the collected information is uploaded to the main network. The result: After a year on the job, DRS tablets helped to cut incident reporting time by an average of 60% - down from as much as 28 minutes to as little as 8 minutes, despite a dramatic increase in the volume of incident reports. And the detail within reports has increased four-fold. In short, police reports are filled out faster and contain higher quality information. And that helps the Newark Police Department investigate crime, and prosecute criminals. Do you have a problem that needs solving? Ask how ARMOR can help.

		"I need a product that will outperform in pilot tests"
	Bomag Construction, GmbH subjected rugged tablets to 1,000 hours of head-to-head competitive testing. And DRS won. Bomag GmbH operates special computer-controlled construction equipment that subjects vital components to extreme vibration, dust, heat, cold and moisture. When it became necessary for Bomag to update its systems, they looked at adding a GPS-equipped Windows PC as an accessory for their compaction management system, which is integrated into road construction equipment via a vehicle docking station. This system is used for road, railroad, airport, dam, and landfill construction sites, as well as constructing spread foundations. When teamed up with GPS/ATS applications, the solution can also be used to monitor and inspect asphalt compaction work. After subjecting several rugged tablets to over 1,000 hours of testing, Bomag chose the HAMMERHEAD Tablet PC from DRS - the precursor to the current ARMOR X10 tablet - for its ability to withstand vibration, dust, moisture and temperature extremes. DRS tablets get the job done every day. The computer is configured and calibrated before being deployed in the field. Data is transferred using a 128 MB USB memory stick, and the machines run on proprietary software. Their lockable docking station and solid-state memory storage work flawlessly and seamlessly with the compaction equipment process application. Do you have a problem that needs solving? Ask how ARMOR can help.

		"I need to increase my customer satisfaction ratings"
	Allegheny Power sends DRS tablets into the field in five states, in all kinds of weather, wherever reliability and precision counts. Allegheny Power wanted to automate their service work order and record keeping process - work previously done with pen and paper requiring a compilation of data from several sources, also done by hand. To succeed in the automation effort, Allegheny needed equipment that could withstand rough handling plus stand up to all kinds of weather and temperatures as power crews operated throughout Allegheny's five-state service area. Allegheny Power chose the Hammerhead P-233 mobile computer (an earlier version of today's ARMOR X10 Tablet) with stationary desktop docking stations. The conversion from paper-based work orders to computer-based documents went smoothly and DRS tablets have become like another tool in the Allegheny electrician's tool kit. When an electrician reports in at the dispatch center every morning, he picks up a fully-charged DRS tablet loaded with a list of the jobs he'll tackle throughout the day. The DRS tablet works just like a clipboard, ready with a prioritized work schedule. Priorities are assigned to work orders based on a formula factoring the importance of equipment and how many customers would be affected if an equipment failure occurred. The electrician knows what tools to take with him, and has an electronic library in his hands in case he needs to follow any procedures or reference any instructions. The result: work flows smoothly thanks to ready, vital information in the DRS tablets - and that helps Allegheny serve its customers better. Do you have a problem that needs solving? Ask how ARMOR can help.

		"I need technology that won't go obsolete in 6 months"
	Cox communications, Atlanta, GA, clicks with DRS tablets for service calls. Cox Communications is the fifth largest cable provider nationwide, with an army of service personnel who rely on robust technology to test connections and solve customer issues, quickly and painlessly, in virtually any weather. To create a mobile service solution, Cox chose Hammerhead P-233 tablets, from DRS. Service vehicles were equipped with vehicle docking stations to create a mobile office environment from the driver's seat. All base sites were equipped with Radio Frequency (RF) systems that sent signals to a 450 to 800 MHz radio box located in the service trucks. The DRS tablets were also integrated with 56K radio modem cards to connect to the office from anywhere outside of the truck. Field workers could communicate from wherever they were to submit updated customer information while still at a residence location. Cox also employed an ethernet and LAN modem combo card to help each technician with diagnosing cable connectivity and service when they visit a residence. A RJ-45 connector allows technicians to connect directly into the Cox network to program and connect services on the spot. Cox is so pleased with this mobile solution that they are planning to add more mobile integrated services in the future. Do you have a problem that needs solving? Ask how ARMOR can help.

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