Patrol Vehicle Mobile Tablet PC Project

Transcription

1 K A L A M A P O L I C E D E P A R T M E N T P O B o x E l m S t reet K a l a m a, W A P h o n e : ( ) Patrol Vehicle Mobile Tablet PC Project Over the last eight years, the Kalama Police Department has been utilizing Panasonic CF-29, CF-30, and CF-31 Toughbook Notebook PCs with vehicle mounts and docking stations. These computers are definitely rugged and have served us well. However, we found them to be somewhat over the top for our needs. Our Police Station is outfitted with desktop computers for officers to type reports, so the need to use the Toughbooks outside of the vehicle has not been necessary. The Toughbooks have been left in the vehicles for access to CAD and SECTOR, as well as other applications we found useful in the field. We have been paying around $5,000 per vehicle to install a Panasonic Toughbook. This included the Toughbook computer, docking station (port replicator), and vehicle mount. With the advancements in mobile technology, we found Tablet PCs becoming very popular. We researched several different Windows based Tablet PCs that would meet our needs in terms of space, cost, functionality, and compatibility. Recently, we purchased a Samsung Series 7 Slate Tablet PC. The Tablet is a Windows 7 Professional 64bit PC. It has the same functionality as any other PC, but on a much smaller and compact platform. The Tablet does not have an attached keyboard, but a separate wireless or USB keyboard can be purchased for use. However, with the installation of Intergraph MPS CAD, we found that our keyboard use will probably decline significantly. But the option is always available to utilize a detached keyboard. An touchpad is also available and can be mounted to the vehicle s console. The Samsung Series 7 Slate has a solid look and feel and contains no moving parts. It has a 128 GB solid state hard drive. Not only will this make the Tablet faster, it will eliminate the issue of damage from moving vehicles. Like any Tablet, the Samsung Series 7 Slate has a touch screen and also includes a stylus. We decided to utilize RAM Mounting Systems to mount the tablet in our vehicle. RAM is a Seattle based company and has a wide variety of customizable parts to setup the perfect vehicle mount. We are very impressed with the customized mounting system we setup for our vehicle. Since this is a Tablet PC, it does not have the same amount of ports as a regular laptop, we had to be creative. The Samsung Series 7 Slate only has one USB port, an AC power connector, and headphone jack. We utilized an external 4 port USB Hubs. We connected those hubs to a single USB cable that runs to the Tablet. All of our peripherals are USB based, so this worked out well. We connected our barcode scanner, printer, a USB Ethernet adapter, and USB GPS antenna. So far, the connectivity has worked out well and it makes it easy to quickly disconnect the tablet, in the event it needs to be taken out of the mount. We were originally paying $1,200 per tablet. However, Samsung no longer manufactures the Series 7 Slate tablet. You can still find them for sale online. The most affordable price we found in November 2015, was $275 for a manufactured refurbished model. 1 P a g e

2 Overall, this test project has worked out well. We are very impressed with the speed, functionality, space savings, and cost effectiveness. When we first started installing tablets, the total project cost per vehicle was $1,570. This was a cost savings of about $3,430. As of January 1, 2016, we estimate the total project cost to be around $ Compared to the Toughbook setup, that is a cost savings of about $4, Newer model Windows 7 Pro, Windows 8, or Windows 10 based tablets can be used, in lieu of the Samsung Series 7 Slate. More expensive Getac or Panasonic tablets are also an option, but were unnecessary for our needs. If you have any questions, please contact Officer Cody Traub by at ctraub@kalamapolice.com. Frequently Asked Questions Q. How durable are these tablets? Our officers are hard on equipment and we want to know if they can easily be damaged. A. We also have officers that are hard on equipment. We haven t had any of the tablets damaged or destroyed by officers. The touchscreen is very durable and operates better than a Panasonic touchscreen. Spilling coffee or other beverages on the tablets hasn t been a problem. The tablets are mounted high enough; spills should not be a problem. Officers would essentially have to throw beverages at the tablet to contaminate it. Q. The screen is smaller than most laptops. How hard is it to see or read stuff on the screen? A. The tablets seem to be the perfect size. They are a huge space saver and eliminate visual obstructions that we typically see with laptops. Screen font sizes and resolution can be adjusted for officers that have eyesight problems. Q. How easy is it to remove the tablet from the vehicle? A. Easy. Just remove the single USB cable and power cable. Squeeze the X-Grip mount and pull the tablet out of the grip. A rugged protective case can be purchased to offer more protection for the tablet. The case includes a grip handle, so if the tablet was utilized outside of the vehicle, it can be held securely. 2 P a g e

3 Product List Item Mft. Model/Part # Qty Place Purchased Cost Samsung Series 7 Tablet (Windows 7 Pro) XE700T1A-A04US 1 Amazon.com $ RAM 2.5" Round Base with the AMPs Hole Pattern & 1.5" Ball RAM-202U 1 Amazon.com $12.43 (Base mount that can be attached to vehicle console or existing Toughbook mounting arm) RAM Mount Long Length Dual 1.5 inch Socket Arm RAM-201U-D 1 Amazon.com $34.85 RAM Mount Universal X-Grip III Large Tablet Holder RAM-HOL-UN9U 1 Amazon.com $66.65 RAM Universal Tablet Keyboard w/ Magnet RAP-TAB-KEY1-300U 1 Rammount.com $66.66 RAM 2 7/16" X 1 5/16" BASE WITH BALL RAM-238U 1 Rammount.com $11.98 (Attaches Tablet Keyboard Mount to Base Mount and Universal X-Grip Tablet Holder) Anker Golden Multi-function Car Charger for Samsung Series 7 AK-93SM19V211-1 Amazon.com $15.99 Tablet UCGA Cisco-Linksys USB Ethernet Adapter (If you have an externally mounted modem) USB300M 1 Amazon.com $26.99 Logitech Bluetooth Illuminated Keyboard K810 1 Amazon.com $94.98 AmazonBasics USB 2.0 A-Male to A-Female Extension Cable (3.3 B001TH7GV4 1 Amazon.com $4.99 Feet/1.0 Meter) AmazonBasics 4 Port USB Hub B003M0NURK 2 Amazon.com $8.57 GlobalSat USB GPS Navigation Receiver (For Intergraph MPS AVL) BU Amazon.com $24.44 Total $ **Prices do not include sales tax or shipping/handling. Prices may vary and change overtime. Optional Product List/Substitute Items Item Mft. Model/Part # Qty Place Purchased Cost Comments iottie Easy Smart Tap 2 Universal HLCRIO141 1 Amazon.com $34.95 This is a substitute mount. The RAM Mount 2.5 Base, Pole, X-Grip Car/Desk Mount Holder Stand Cradle for Mount, and RAM 238U Diamond Samsung Tablets Base Not Needed Perixx Periboard Backlit USB Mini Keyboard RAM Mount Base with 1 ball (base of your choice) PERIBOARD-411 US 1 Amazon.com $24.99 Logitech Bluetooth Keyboard is no longer needed. This is a hardwired USB keyboard. n/a 1 Amazon or RAM Mount varies Base mount is used to mount the keyboard somewhere on your vehicle console. Must be compatible with, Composite Round Ball Base (base that holds keyboard magnet) Perixx Peripad Wired USB Touchpad PERIPAD-501B 1 Amazon.com $19.99 This is a touchpad that can be mounted somewhere on the vehicle s console. In addition to the touchscreen, some officer s prefer a touchpad/mouse. 3 P a g e

4 Continue to next page to see photos of the tablets installed. 4 P a g e

5 View from Driver s Seat of Mounted Samsung Tablet with Intergraph MPS Client running. Back View. RAM Mount was securely mounted to the pre-existing Gamber-Johnson Panasonic Toughbook seat based mount. No drilling or cutting was required. 5 P a g e

6 Night view of tablet and wireless (Bluetooth), detachable keyboard. Newest Setup: iottie Easy Smart Tap 2 Universal Car Mount, RAM Magnetic Keyboard Mount w/ 1 ball base, Backlit Perixx USB Keyboard, and Perixx Touchpad. Out of all of the mounting options, in my opinion, this is latest and greatest. It keeps the tablet at eye level and leaves more legroom for passengers. 6 P a g e

7 Updated: January 1, 2016 For questions or concerns, contact Officer Cody Traub at Site visits can be arranged to view the tablet setup in person. Thanks for reading. Stay safe. 7 P a g e