Technological advances in computer systems have made it more affordable and feasible to install mobile data computers (MDCs) in police vehicles. Having instant information available for field officers makes for more efficient police work and reduces the reliance on dispatchers. This part of the MDC equation is fairly easy.
The tough part comes when you actually decide, as a department, to install and implement a system. The choices and options for hardware and software can prove overwhelming. The under riding fears of choosing the wrong package, or wasting your department s limited budget or valuable grant money compound the issue.
A tour of MDC software and hardware products at a show such as IACP is enough to make the most seasoned IT professional or officer cringe. There are so many options, it s almost impossible to feel like you re making the right decision without that nagging what-if scenario playing in the back of your head.
To find answers to the MDC selection process, I visited with Ed Foster, president of RoboVu. The Phoenix-based company offers a public safety MDC system developed through extensive military applications in heavy-use environments (e.g., Humvees, fly decks of boats and extreme weather conditions). RoboVu offers a fixed-application MDC setup with a dash-mounted computer and an articulating keyboard installed outside the airbag-deployment zone, while still being ergonomic.
Although there s no magic bullet, there are a number of concrete parameters you can use to help narrow down the selection process. The following suggestions aren t hardware or software specific; they re simply guidelines that can help you get closer to an answer.
Suitability
When examining MDC systems, consider where the system was derived from. Was it originally designed for the rigors of the police environment, or was it adapted to our industry from some other use? Is it made of low-grade plastic, high-tech polymers or metal? Is there a history of the unit being used in the police environment, and what was the success rate? Who else has used the unit, and how can you contact them?
Having a crossover system isn t necessarily a bad thing, depending on the previous field experience. For example, if the system routinely saw use in harsh military environments, it should do well in a police vehicle. If it comes straight from the civilian marketplace, however, investigate what steps were taken to enhance its durability.
One area of concern is the system s resistance to dust and moisture. Foster says dust and moisture is a killer to any MDC setup, so look at whether or not the system has been tested for resistance to contamination. Foster says one big culprit is the cooling fan on many systems, which naturally draws grit into the computer. Dust and moisture can also be drawn into the display, causing it to dim or fail over time. Dust and moisture are an everyday part of life, so resistance to them can extend a system s performance life.
No MDC is bulletproof. If it can break, a cop will figure out how to break it. Foster says he s seen shotguns damage displays because officers failed to secure the weapon prior to braking hard. Bottom line: Police cars are just not friendly to electronics.
Installation
A second consideration is where the computer will be mounted in the car. Some systems mount entirely in the car s interior, while others mount the hard drive in the trunk and the keyboard and screen up front. A trunk-mounted unit s installation will require hard wiring that an up-front unit won t. If your agency regularly changes out patrol units through attrition, high-mileage, etc., this may be an issue. It may not be if you plan to keep the same cars for 3 5 years.
Temperature extremes are also an issue. Speaking from personal experience, the trunk of a patrol car in sunny areas such as Florida, Texas, Nevada and Arizona isn t the most hospitable place for a computer. Trunk temperatures routinely exceed 150 degrees in these areas, which can lead to premature failure.
The same holds true for cold climates. If your agency is located somewhere with relatively temperate conditions year round, it may not be an issue. If not, consider units that mount entirely within the passenger compartment so that temperature can be more accurately controlled.
Ergonomics
Ergonomics inside a patrol car are especially challenging because of all of the other things that directly compete for space with an MDC. Consider what kind of patrol vehicle you use and what other items are installed. Do your officers regularly use radar, video cameras or multiple radios? What about cup holders and access to siren and lighting controls? If you install an MDC system, how will that system affect what s already in the car? Will radio and HVAC controls need to be relocated? How about radar units, lighting modules and systems like LoJack? A poorly thought out installation presents distractions that play into officer safety and creates a more tiring environment.
Foster says to install systems in several different patrol cars for officers to evaluate. He says officer feedback clearly tells you what they will use, and what presents a problem. If it isn t easy to use, we ll most likely turn it off, ignore it or chuck it in the trunk. And God help the installer that ditches the cup holders in favor of some slick MDC setup.
RoboVu and other MDC companies like to install demonstration systems in test vehicles to obtain feedback for both them and the department. Foster says his company is always trying to improve the ergonomics, and that it pays huge dividends in the long run to field-test units. As much as it sounds like common sense, numerous cases abound where departments never consulted the end user, the officer, before deciding which system to purchase or how to mount it in the vehicle.
Safety
In a crash, an MDC system is a projectile, pure and simple. Deciding which system to use can affect the degree to which the screen, keyboard and computer influence officer safety in a collision.
When looking at systems, look at the product s installation in other vehicles. Is the system mounted solely on a rotating platform somewhere along the transmission tunnel, or is it hard-mounted flat up in the dash area where it s less likely to be affected by the inertial rotation from a side collision? How much does the system weigh? Where is the keyboard when it s not in use? Is the keyboard integrated into the computer, or is a separate mount required?
What about airbags? Will the unit s installation require installing defeat switches for the passenger-side airbag? Will passenger-airbag activation thrust the screen and/or computer towards the officer? What about in a rollover? Is the mounting system sturdy enough to keep the MDC secure, and what are the chances the officer s arms or legs will strike the screen, keyboard or hard drive during a violent collision?
Bottom line: When looking at different systems, think about how the size and position of the system will affect officer safety in crash situations.
Removable-Mount vs. Fixed-mount
The issue of removable-mount vs. fixed-mount systems is one of the more thorny topics. Although few can debate the importance of safety in MDC installations, whether or not officers should be able to remove their computers from a vehicle remains a hot topic.
Laptop system proponents say a laptop s portability allows officers to take laptops with them as they move from car to car or inside a building to complete paperwork while on a call. Laptop MDC systems come in two basic configurations. The first installs the laptop in the trunk or another area of the vehicle with a separate screen and keyboard up front. The second places the laptop on a mount in the passenger compartment and uses the unit s built-in screen and keyboard.
Proponents of a fixed system say the laptop system doesn t permit an integrated-mounting system in the dash area, takes up more space, requires more wiring and is more susceptible to problems because of the portability connectors required. They also say that if a laptop fails, the department can t fix it, unlike a fixed system where individual components can be serviced or replaced with a spare. The laptop must be sent to the manufacturer for servicing.
Another consideration: training. If a fixed-mount system has a centrally located screen up near the dash, it allows both officers to see it and use the detachable keyboard. In contrast, the nature of the laptop design requires the keyboard and screen to remain aligned, usually requiring a mount that swivels towards the driver officer and points away from the passenger. Depending on how your department conducts training, this may or may not be an issue.
Ultimately, Foster says the biggest question to consider when looking at a laptop vs. fixed-mount system is how much you and your officers plan to remove the computer. If officers will routinely remove the unit to use it on calls, a removable laptop may be the way to go. If you want more mounting options, feel your officers won t use the portability option or are worried about theft, then choosing a fixed-mount system may be best. To answer this question, simply contact a similar-size agency that has both systems and ask them for feedback.
Training & Research
By nature, cops are suspicious of any technology that comes down from above, especially when it comes without training. Foster says, and I agree completely, that if you re going to take the time to research MDC systems, make the commitment on several fronts. First, assign people to research the project who actually want to do it. Just because someone doesn t have enough to do or thinks the project might lead to a promotion doesn t necessarily make them the best choice.
Second, give them the resources (i.e., people and time) to properly conduct the research needed to select the right MDC system. One person charged with researching all the possibilities isn t enough. Include representatives from your IT department, the radio shop, accounting, training and line officers.
Third, leave them alone. Nothing kills the process more than making a round-robin out of the research committee.
If you can t commit the resources, put the project on hold until you have them. An MDC purchase is no small deal, and it should receive the proper priority.
The same goes for in-service training. If you aren t committed to timely and thorough training regimens for an MDC system, then perhaps you aren t ready for one.
Life Span
Foster says the ability to remain current with technology is a big factor when investing in an MDC system. Will the MDC you purchase today be able to grow with you tomorrow? Will updates be as simple as swapping out removable hard drives, or will you need to buy new hardware?
Example: the wireless configuration. Wireless speed is increasing exponentially, so consider how you will upgrade the wireless antennas. Are they built into the computer, or are there PCMCIA slots that allow easy upgrades? Will you have to pull the computer apart to upgrade it, or can you simply slide out one component and insert another?
Software is also a consideration. Does the system you are considering come with proprietary software? Is it upgradeable? What happens if you need to add your own software program? What about adding integrated radar displays, streaming video and reporting programs? Does the system allow that, and if so, how easy is it to hook up?
Again, research agencies that have experience with existing vendors in environments where demographics and calls for service are similar to yours.
Failure
Foster is candid when he says RoboVu systems will fail. Of course, all MDC systems fail at some point. Ask the vendor for independent test results that tell the truth about their product, not their brochures.
What s important is what happens when they fail. This is an area many companies may not really want to address despite promises of customer service in the event something happens. Unfortunately, an MDC failing isn t like your microwave crapping out. A failed MDC can mean significant down time for officers and vehicles, which affects many areas for days.
So, ask the tough what-if questions to potential suppliers. Good companies will have no problem providing concrete processes and examples that address failure issues. By the nature of each MDC s footprint, there are distinct advantages for customer service and maintenance.
Companies should also have no problem giving you numerous clients you can contact directly to gauge their experiences. Of course, you want to choose a company with a low failure rate, but component death is a fact of life and shouldn t be feared if you know how a manufacturer addresses the situation.
Summary
Ultimately, the best gauge to use when selecting an MDC system is whether or not the setup will adapt and grow with your department s needs. The easier that can be accomplished, the easier it will be for officers, administrators and installers to maximize the advantages of an MDC system.
Thanks to Ed Foster and RoboVu for their insight into the complex task of choosing the proper MDC system.
Vendor contact info:
RoboVu
Edward Foster, president
Tel. 480/346-7016
E-mail: [email protected]
www.robovu.com