Agenda - 03-21-2006-7b - Laserfiche WebLink

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Ruggedized Vs. Conventional Mobile Computing Devices ~'a In planning for the pilot project for Mobile Field Inspections, one of the first considerations made was the selection of devices to be used by field staff. These devices come in various sizes and have a wide range of functionality, The main criteria used were: • Accurate and reliable global positioning systems (GPS) • Multiple functionality in one device; Integrated (GPS) vs, external components • Outdoor viewable screen in direct or indirect sunlight • Reliability in harsh environments, heat, dust, moisture and vibration • Digitized /touch screen capability • Modular device construction to allow upgrading without replacing complete unit Two types of units were considered; Ruggedized and conventional laptops/pen tablets: Ruggedized Price ranges from $4,200 to $5,400 with vehicle mounting equipment o Pros • Fully ruggedized to MIL-STD 810E military standards • Sealed against dust and moisture intrusion ^ Fully integrated GPS with dual helix antennae for 120 deg of overhead reception, accuracy of 1-3 meter range (3-7 feet) • daylight readable screen • Convertible from laptop to pen tablet with handwriting recognition • Lightweight; 4,5 Lbs, • Gel mounted shack resistant removable hard drive • Internal CD ^ Full size, backlit keyboard ^ Touch screen • Operating temperatures; min -'10°, max 140° o Cons • Keyboard smaller than normal laptop, a little harder to type with • Most expensive model tested • Some units weighing up to 91bs. • Conventional Price approximately $2,600 with vehicle mounting equipment and GPS add-on o Pros ^ Unit is convertible tablet PC/laptop • Hand writing recognition • Internal CD • Lightweight; 3,5 Lbs o Cons • Non-ruggedized, not designed for mobile environment; subject to damage from dust, moisture, vibration, etc. • Operating temperatures, min 41°, max 95° (On a 93° da,y, a vehicle can reach 125° in 20 minutes.) ^ No integrated GPS, must use PCMCIA slot with separate, handheld external antenna • External GPS does not provide the accuracy required by the 911 address database (required is 3 meters, most accurate found is 15 meters) • Screen view-ability diminished in direct or indirect sunlight In the mobile computing environment there is vibration, moisture, dust, and extreme temperatures, Vibration can damage the hard drive, moisture and humidity and electronic components are incompatible, dust can damage drives and circuit boards, and the extreme temperatures in a vehicle are outside the parameters of a commercial- grade, non-ruggedized mobile computing device, This alone would void any warranties on a conventional laptop. Additionally, the add-on GPS feature, while inexpensive ($500) does not provide the accuracy required by the 911-address project. The accuracy parameters required by the address project are 3 meters (10 feet), the add-on GPS delivers a 15 meter accuracy (49 feet).