Getac: Leading Innovator of Rugged Computing Solution
Getac Technology Corporation was established in 1989 as a joint venture with GE Aerospace to supply defence electronic products. It has been manufacturing rugged computers for some of the most demanding users in some of the most demanding environments for nearly 25 years. As one of the leading rugged computer manufacturers, Getac offers the most extensive rugged computing product lines including notebook, tablets and handheld computers.
Getac rugged computers are marketed and shipped to nearly 40 countries all around the globe, including the United States, Britain, Germany, Italy, France, Turkey, Australia, Russia, China, Brazil, India, Denmark and many more. Getac products are applied in a wide range of sectors from defence, law enforcement, public safety, emergency services, utility, field service, oil and gas, telecommunications, transportation and manufacturing.
Getac is a pioneer in the rugged computing industry by being the first to offer 5- year standard warranty for most of its fully rugged notebooks and tablets. By extending the industry standard 3-year warranty to 5-year warranty, customers are able to minimise downtime while maximising profitability, particularly in large utilities and government organisations whose process for requesting and receiving spending approval to repair an out-of-warranty computer is a time-consuming process. Offering the 5-year warranty provides IT departments with the opportunity to better manage its assets by knowing the projected costs of a computer’s lifespan at the time of purchase. Getac’s 5-year warranty commitment underlines the company’s focus on quality and customer satisfaction.
All Getac fully rugged computing products are designed and manufactured to meet the MIL-STD 810G and IP65 testing standards, and offer optional features like MIL-STD461F, ATEX or ANSI explosive certified features. They are designed to operate in variety of defence applications such as command and control, maintenance, situational awareness, tactical communication and surveillance, reconnaissance. Getac’s continuous innovation of product technology and quality are being recognized by their international defence customers and have received numerous major government projects over the years, including US Air force, UK Ministry of Defence (MoD), Dutch Army and many others.
One of Getac’s recent moves is to explore more business opportunities in the Eastern European region, and Turkey is one of Getac’s targeted countries as the result of growing demand in the Turkish defence sector.
“Turkish government is taking steps to increase its border security, the demand of rugged computing solutions in Turkey is growing significantly. Over the past year, we have received numerous inquiries of rugged devices for border security projects. To reinforce our commitment to the Turkey market, Getac has formed strategic partnerships with some local resellers, VARs, SI, ISV companies that are capable of both sales and service, such as Aybil Bilişim,” said Rowina Lee, Vice President of Global Sales & Marketing Centre, Getac Technology Corporation
“By teaming up with our local partners, Getac is able to provide real-time sales and service support to our Turkish customers, providing our cutting-edge rugged computing solutions and services and ensuring a lower total cost of ownership. We will work together with our Turkish partners to win some major projects to grow our business in Turkey”, said Ms.Lee.
Applications
Getac offers the industry’s widest fully rugged product lines, including 3.5” rugged handheld, 7” to 10” rugged tablets and 10” to 15” rugged notebooks. Therefore different form factors, models, and optional features or even customized solutions will be recommended to satisfy military operation requirements. As the military is moving towards cloud computing era, mobile rugged devices with mobility, broadband communication, fast computing performance and ruggedness are essential to the users of defence sector.
Taking Turkish border security control application as an example, the most important mission of the border security is to prevent unauthorized intruders- such as hostile forces, terrorists, smugglers or illegal immigrants to enter into Turkish territory. Therefore, the border security requires complete, accurate and up-to-the-minute situational awareness to detect, track and recognize real-time status of the borders.
For border security, Getac X500 rugged notebooks are recommended for such application by pairing with scanning and observation surveillance system to help monitor border security and detect unwanted intrusions. X500 offers 15.6” display, and possess fast and superb computing power to handle the most complex tasks. Its advanced connectivity and high-speed graphics processers can transmit radar detection and infrared cameras’ live feeds to the command centre to help defence forces gather intelligence which is ideal for reliable perimeter security and protection.
Another popular application of Getac X500 is for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) operations. Field commanders need accurate information from the front lines to make the most informed field decisions at the command post. Special Forces on the front lines are required to provide precise and timely intelligence on which command decisions are based. Therefore UAVs are widely used in surveillance, reconnaissance, and intelligent solutions. They need to be programmed accurately and controlled remotely for accurate information gathering. Getac X500, paired with a highly advanced communication system, transmits live video feeds to ground forces to help them investigate life-threating situations. It is also configurable with military data interfaces and secure encryption for protected communication, enabling tactical strategists to thwart dangerous threats from enemy forces and direct operation plans.
In addition to X500, Getac also offers the most secure rugged tablet solution to military operations. Governments are paying more attention to the security and encryption of their devices, in order to protect classified information as cyber-attacks become an increasingly common threat to information security. Getac worked with Becrypt to develop the world’s most secured tablet solution for defence sector and government market.
The Getac Z710 is a 7” tablet equipped with Android 4.1. The hardware is supported by Becrypt’s secure software, which ensures that all device application and user data is protected with FIPS 140-2 compliant encryption. Administrators also have complete control, so they can create separate encrypted user accounts or personas, enforce strong authentication, and manage different applications and device policies - all of which reduce support and maintenance overheads.
Currently the Z710 7” fully rugged tablet will be deployed in trials as part of Northrop Grumman’s Situational Awareness (SA), and Command and Control (C2) solution, incorporating Soldier Link System (SLS); a key benefit being the tablet’s form factor, which enables a commander to use the device in a vehicle or on foot. When combined with Northrop Grumman’s Integrated Joint Command and Control System (I-JOCCS), SLS provides seamless and scalable SA and C2 capability – complete with decision aids and planning tools - from a large scale static operational HQ to the section commander at the forward edge of the battle.
A successful trial will result in accreditation by the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD). The Getac Z710 7” Android 4.1 rugged tablet, built with Becrypt’s Titan II encryption platform, provides a fully secure system that can support a range of applications that government and defence markets can use with confidence. Aimed at sectors that require a fully rugged mobile device, the Z710 weighs just 800g, with a battery that gives more than 10 hours of operational time. It is a fully integrated device, which includes a 1D/2D barcode reader and an advanced GPS technology (SiRFstarIV™) accurate to 1.5 metres.
“The Getac Z710 is the ultimate Android rugged tablet solution for government, military, defence and public sector personnel. Combined with Becrypt’s industry-leading security capabilities, we are proud to offer a powerful device that will significantly enhance military operations in the field,” said Ms.Lee.
Getac: Rugged Computer Shields IED Blast
Military investment in rugged technology is usually targeted at protecting equipment from harsh conditions and extreme environments.
But a recent incident in Afghanistan has seen the Dutch Army witness first-hand the benefits of rugged protection.
During a routine patrol an army unit was exposed to an IED attack just several metres from an off-road vehicle. The IED explosion shot a rock though the vehicle window and hit the team’s Getac rugged laptop, cracking its case and leaving about a five-centimetre puncture. The notebook, which was on the vehicle dashboard at the time, bore the brunt of the force and saved the solider inside from serious injury – and the computer remained operational.
“Rugged mobile computer equipment is essential for troops stationed in Afghanistan, and they’ve worked to deliver to the exact requirements of the Dutch Army. Its personnel need to be able to quickly and easily communicate with each other to gather information on danger zones and battlefield strategies”, said Rowina Lee, Vice President of Global Sales & Marketing Centre, Getac Technology Corporation. “Tactical air control parties work in the frontline and conduct targeting for close air support, often using rugged communications equipment outside the safety of a vehicle,” Ms Lee said. “The software that forces use must be able to run properly in brutal environments, and proper data transmission is vital.”
In this instance, the unit was mounted on the off-road vehicle’s dashboard. The magnesium alloy casing that surrounds all Getac notebooks and the shock-mounted hard drive inside ensured that the unit survived the shrapnel blast and remained fully functional.
“This is important, as many military vehicles were not originally built with notebooks in mind and many are retrofitted with mounts that do not always protect the computers in the optimal way, Ms Lee said.“ “It shows the importance of investing in cutting edge ruggedized equipment. Getac notebooks are built to work under extreme temperatures, and in the case of Afghanistan, this can also mean temperature fluctuations from the severe desert heat to below -10°C, which our units can handle.”
“Another key concern for equipment operating within the desert environment is dust. Getac’s rugged computers are IP65 sealed against dust and water. For further field durability the unit was specified with glove-use touch pad and rubberised, full-sized keyboard, with backlight keys for night use. And the notebooks’ unique fan-free design and sealed caps and doors further protect crucial data from becoming victim to the elements.”
The Dutch technical air control received the first batch of Getac rugged computers, and based on positive reviews from that initial order, more were purchased for several other troops. The units are now used in both Afghanistan and the Netherlands.
Although the Dutch troops do not use Getac notebooks as their main satellite GPS tool because of military regulations, they have discovered they can use them as a secondary GPS.
“We’ve had army feedback saying they’ve found the Getac GPS system is very quick to respond and offers a truly viable option to the primary GPS,” Ms. Lee said.
“Frontline forces need to know they can rely on their kit. All Getac fully rugged computers have passed MIL-STD 810G and IP65 test to ensure the products are water and dust proof, providing drop, shock and vibration protection, and operate in extreme weather conditions or extreme temperature environments. We are proud that Dutch army has discovered they can reply on Getac”.
