GETAC Türkiye Senior Sales & Business Development Manager Bülent BARAN: “The Most Important Sector We Work with in Türkiye Is the Defence Sector”
GETAC Technology Corporation, a global leader in AI-powered rugged mobile technology and intelligent video solutions — including laptops, tablets, software, body-worn cameras, in-vehicle video systems, digital evidence management, and enterprise video analytics — currently serves customers in over 100 countries across defence, public safety, emergency medical services, firefighting and rescue, utilities, automotive, natural resources, manufacturing, transportation, and logistics sectors. GETAC’s solutions and services are designed to deliver exceptional user experience for frontline professionals operating in demanding environments. The company’s products, certified to military-grade standards such as MIL-STD-810H/461G and IP65/IP67 for environmental protection, also hold internationally recognized sustainability certifications including Energy Star 8.0, TCO, and EPEAT. The use of recyclable materials, energy efficiency, and carbon footprint reduction lies at the heart of GETAC’s manufacturing philosophy.
At the IDEF 2025 Exhibition, GETAC showcased its laptop portfolio featuring models such as the X600, B360, B360 Pro, and V110. In this interview, we discussed with GETAC Türkiye Senior Sales & Business Development Manager Bülent BARAN the company’s footprint in Türkiye, its civilian and military customer base, the key differentiators of GETAC products compared to competitors, and its customer-oriented warranty policy.
Defence Turkey: To begin our interview, could you please provide us with a brief overview of GETAC Technology’s background and current standing?
Bülent BARAN: GETAC was founded in 1989 as a joint venture between GE Aerospace and Taiwan-based MiTAC with the aim of supplying electronic and computing equipment. The company began operations in Taipei, Taiwan, in the field of “Rugged Mobility” in 1989. Over the course of 36 years, it has completed its globalization process and has become a leading brand in rugged mobile computing solutions worldwide. GETAC has been active in the Turkish market for the past 15 years. Naturally, such operations typically begin remotely before progressing toward localization — a strategy commonly adopted by many global companies. By its very nature, this process starts with market research conducted from abroad, followed by initial projects and collaborations. Once the market dynamics and future prospects are better understood, the company proceeds with local investments in that market.
Defence Turkey: Could you inform us about GETAC’s operations in Türkiye? As GETAC Türkiye, do you also provide maintenance and repair services for your products, or are you mainly focused on marketing and sales?
Bülent BARAN: GETAC Türkiye is capable of handling all stages — pre-sales, sales, and post-sales services. Of course, while product delivery is crucial in this sector, we believe that maintenance is even more important. These are living, dynamic systems that cannot tolerate errors. Because they cannot afford to fail, they must be properly maintained. For this reason, after-sales services are among the areas where we make our most significant investments.
Defence Turkey: Over this 15-year period, could you share how your customer portfolio in the Turkish market is distributed among civilian, commercial, and military/public sectors?
Bülent BARAN: In fact, GETAC Technology products cater to a wide range of industries. However, one of the most important sectors we support in Türkiye is the defence sector — which is precisely why we are here at IDEF 2025. Our rugged devices are trusted in projects that demand high reliability, durability, and performance under extreme conditions. At the same time, we ensure that innovations developed for defence applications can also bring value to various other industries, serving a broad spectrum of sectors.
I would also like to add this: we are proud to be part of these projects. As you know, defence industry programs are highly complex, require immense engineering power, process vast amounts of data, and involve very costly solutions. All these systems, data, and information are created and processed somewhere — and that point of operation is essentially our command-and-control computer; the data flows through our devices. When you talk about the export of a defence industry solution, the system’s performance is ultimately demonstrated through a computer. In that sense, we represent the marketing face of our defence industry companies. Because of the strong trust in the reliability of our devices, these companies often use GETAC computers in their presentations. Whether it’s a field test, an export demonstration, a factory operation abroad, or a live exercise, the screens everyone is looking at — the interface of the whole activity — are our screens. Therefore, we can also consider our defence industry partners as a marketing tool.
Defence Turkey: GETAC products combine ruggedness and mobility to deliver durable laptop solutions that run an operating system and software. Does GETAC have its own proprietary operating system and software version, or do you only provide laptops and hardware/cases?
Bülent BARAN: Well, we are essentially a hardware manufacturer. We produce rugged mobile solutions in the field of “Rugged Mobility.” When developing rugged mobile devices, our primary focus is always on the physical characteristics of the product. Our devices can operate on both Android and Windows operating systems, and in some special projects, Linux-based systems may also be requested. Currently, GETAC products support the known versions of Android, Windows, Ubuntu, and Ubuntu-based operating systems available on the market. This provides us with a clear advantage: it allows us to participate in a wide range of projects and quickly adapt to our customers’ preferences.
Defence Turkey: What are the main features and advantages that distinguish GETAC products from competitors in the market?
Bülent BARAN:That’s an excellent question. Let me elaborate a bit. Naturally, we operate globally with a very broad product portfolio. To put it simply, when we compare ourselves to our competitors — which I do quite often — GETAC Technology currently offers the widest range of products and solutions in the rugged computing segment. We are present all around the world. Of course, we are never alone in any market; we have strong and valuable competitors both in Türkiye and internationally. There are several factors that make GETAC stand out. One key area is compliance with rigorous standards. We place strong emphasis on meeting Military Standards (MIL-STD) and ingress protection standards against solids and liquids. Since GETAC devices are designed as mobile units, they are built to operate reliably in all weather and challenging conditions — within a broad operating temperature range of -29°C to +63°C — and to function seamlessly in rain, snow, dust, dirt, or mud. These devices are designed to serve you 24/7, anytime and anywhere your mission requires. That’s why we strictly adhere to international standards and design our devices accordingly.
We have tremendous confidence in our products. You asked earlier about what truly differentiates GETAC from others in the market — one major factor is that all our design and manufacturing processes are fully in-house. We don’t rely on third-party components or production. This gives us a major advantage: since manufacturing is under our control, we can manage our supply chain efficiently and deliver products based on customer requirements. This also gives us another crucial edge — customization. We can tailor our products according to customer or mission-specific needs, such as modifying ports, integrating higher-grade military connectors upon request, or changing the display configuration to meet operational requirements.
Another distinguishing feature of GETAC is our three-year warranty, which even covers user-induced damage. That’s how confident we are in the reliability of our devices. This standard three-year warranty package is included in the product price, meaning customers don’t need to pay extra for extended protection — it comes as part of the value we deliver.
Defence Turkey: GETAC has been operating in the field of rugged mobile solutions with a hardware focus since 1989. However, the operating systems and software running on your rugged laptops require periodic updates. On the other hand, for example, you might have used material X in one of your earlier products, but over time, a more advanced material Y may have emerged. How does GETAC keep pace with technological advancements? Is there any improvement in terms of weight or performance between a rugged laptop you launched five years ago and your current solution? How do you enhance your products to meet evolving requirements and customer expectations?
Bülent BARAN: GETAC is a globally recognized brand and a pioneering company in rugged mobility. By anticipating the changing needs of industries, field operations, and end users, we continuously update and enhance our products. This involves improving both hardware and software capabilities to ensure our devices remain up to date and future-proof.
Today, technologies such as artificial intelligence are becoming increasingly critical in mission-oriented environments. GETAC integrates AI-compatible hardware and processing capabilities into its platforms, enabling customers to benefit from new levels of efficiency and insight in the field.
From design to manufacturing, we maintain tight control over our product development process, covering areas such as chassis design, display engineering, and battery technology. At the same time, we collaborate with leading technology partners in processor and operating system development. This combination allows us to deliver rugged solutions that provide the highest levels of performance, reliability, and user satisfaction.
Defence Turkey: Do GETAC’s rugged mobile laptops feature any security applications designed to protect against threats such as cyberattacks, data duplication, or malware insertion?
Bülent BARAN: Certainly — physical durability alone is not enough. Our devices are resistant to drops, dust, liquids, corrosive materials, and even hazardous or explosive environments. However, as you mentioned, beyond physical resilience, there are numerous IT and cyber threats as well. In addition to the security platforms offered by Windows or other operating systems, our devices are equipped with carefully selected storage drives and RAM modules. They support advanced encryption standards, including AES-256, to help safeguard sensitive data. Depending on customer and project requirements, we can also offer encryption solutions that meet the highest industry and government standards.
Cybersecurity has now reached an entirely new level. For example, encryption alone is no longer sufficient. We have reached a point where every device acts as a source of electromagnetic emission. Your screen emits RF radiation, and all internal components are in fact RF sources — continuously radiating signals into their surroundings. Professional experts can intercept these signals — often without the user even being aware — and extract meaningful data from them, whether from the display emissions or the CPU’s RF output. Technology has now evolved to a level where such emissions can be translated into interpretable information.
Defence Turkey: Don’t they need to be physically close to the computer to do that?
Bülent BARAN: Yes, physical proximity is required. Of course, in light of this risk, our solutions have now evolved to a more advanced level. In addition, we reduce such emissions and RF radiation in our devices. This prevents remote access attempts and provides protection against such actions.
Defence Turkey: Are these features standard across all models, or are they tailored to specific customer requirements?
Bülent BARAN: Some customers request enhanced security and electromagnetic shielding capabilities that go beyond our standard configurations. For such special projects, we can provide customized platforms specifically adapted to individual project requirements, ensuring strict compliance with relevant standards.
Defence Turkey: When such a request is made, does the TEMPEST certification process cause any loss in the device’s operating speed, lifespan, or performance?
Bülent BARAN: Once a device has undergone the TEMPEST process — that is, when it’s enclosed within a shielding frame similar to a Faraday cage — there is no change in CPU clock speed or disk performance. The device continues to operate normally. The TEMPEST process does not generate additional internal heat either. Therefore, you can expect identical performance before and after TEMPEST compliance.
Defence Turkey: Does the device remain TEMPEST-compliant throughout its operational lifetime?
Bülent BARAN: Yes, it remains TEMPEST-compliant for its entire operational lifespan. Once it has undergone TEMPEST process, it permanently becomes a TEMPEST-rated device. There are different levels of certification — TEMPEST-C, TEMPEST-B, and TEMPEST-A. TEMPEST-C provides protection against spying from a distance of up to 100 meters, TEMPEST-B up to 10 meters, and TEMPEST-A up to 1 meter. In other words, you cannot intercept data from our devices even from a distance of one meter — which is already extremely challenging.
Defence Turkey: Do your devices have physical locking mechanisms?
Bülent BARAN: Yes, all of our devices include physical locks. In addition, there are also special locking systems available. These are among the standard security features we provide to our customers for such devices.
Defence Turkey: Is the keyboard layout the same as those found on standard business or consumer laptops? Do you provide additional training for the users of your devices?
Bülent BARAN:: No, it’s not the same — it’s different. And yes, we provide training. We have localized GETAC’s systems for Türkiye, including the operating system, keyboard layout, and our own applications. We communicate with the Turkish market in Turkish and offer fully localized support. Naturally, all other keyboard layout options are also available. If desired, we can provide layouts in Arabic, German, Spanish, Bengali, Indonesian, Hindi, and many more — our list is quite extensive. In particular, our three-year warranty package offers significant reassurance to users, as field operations may involve accidental drops or physical damage to the device. In such cases, we replace the product free of charge — this is covered under our display warranty, motherboard warranty, and overall device warranty. Furthermore, this three-year warranty can be extended to five years, and in some models, even up to seven years. Now, what I always emphasize in Türkiye is the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) concept. At first glance, the device may appear expensive as an initial investment. However, when you factor in the three-year operating and maintenance costs, the total investment becomes very reasonable over time.
Defence Turkey: You mentioned the three-year warranty period, which can be extended up to seven years. In the electronics industry, technology evolves rapidly, meaning that after three or even seven years, a device’s performance and capacity may decline or no longer meet customer expectations. For instance, if I buy a GETAC device and use it carefully, at the end of three years, can I return it to you and upgrade it to another version such as 1B or 1C?
Bülent BARAN: Absolutely. We call this the “Buy Back Program.” When your fleets age and you wish to renew them, either we contact you or you contact us. Under the Buy Back Program, we take back your older devices and provide new ones in return. Naturally, technology is constantly evolving — continuously being updated. It’s impossible to keep pace with it entirely, as needs are always changing. To give some perspective: the transition from Industry 1.0 to Industry 2.0 took 100 years, from 2.0 to 3.0 took 50 years, and from 3.0 to 4.0 only 10 years. Now, even Industry 4.0 is no longer sufficient — we’re moving toward Industry 5.0. We’re talking about Dark Factories now, where automation and AI dominate production. Technology is advancing in an entirely new direction. GETAC closely follows these standards and actively contributes to their development. The company conducts extensive R&D activities, and internally, we measure this commitment by allocating approximately 7–8% of our annual revenue to research and development efforts.
Defence Turkey: Do these rugged mobile solutions constitute the core of GETAC’s product range and therefore its main source of revenue?
Bülent BARAN: Yes, indeed. Rugged mobile solutions are at the heart of Getac’s business operations — they form the foundation of both our product portfolio and our overall revenue. Although we are part of the diversified global organization MiTAC-Synnex Group, as Getac, our primary focus remains on delivering innovative, reliable, and high-performance rugged computing solutions to customers worldwide.
Defence Turkey: You mentioned that the Defence Sector is the most significant field you operate in within the Turkish market. However, institutions such as AFAD and the Ministry of Forestry also have operational environments that require such devices. Do you also supply your rugged mobile laptops to these organizations?
Bülent BARAN: Absolutely. Our business is already challenging by nature, and it extends beyond the defence industry. As you noted, when it comes to emergency management, our devices can operate in the field 24/7, regardless of the presence or absence of GSM signals. They can be tracked via GPS, allowing operators to pinpoint their teams’ locations and coordinate responses remotely — wherever they may be. This same capability applies to the General Directorate of Forestry, particularly during forest fire operations — an area that, sadly, brings heart-breaking news all too often these days. Our devices can accurately locate the teams working under the Directorate. In the context of public safety, organizations such as the General Directorate of Security (Police), the Gendarmerie General Command, and the Coast Guard Command, all under the Ministry of Interior, can also utilize our devices effectively. Beyond these institutions, heavy industry manufacturers operating in harsh conditions — such as oil refineries, as well as facilities involved in flammable, explosive, or hazardous production processes — are among our key customers. Additionally, sectors like iron and steel and automotive also make extensive use of our solutions. In fact, after the defence sector, the automotive industry is our second largest global market. I cannot name specific brands, but I can assure you that we collaborate with some of the most recognized names in the industry.
Defence Turkey: Do you also work with brands in the military automotive sector?
Bülent BARAN: Our technology is indeed utilized across various defence-related applications, including special-purpose vehicle integrations and system solutions. We collaborate closely with leading organizations within Türkiye’s defence ecosystem to help them ensure operational reliability under the most demanding conditions.
Defence Turkey: You mentioned GETAC’s presence in the Turkish market, and that GETAC Türkiye provides pre-sales, sales, and after-sales services. Considering your customer base and the number of GETAC computers currently in use in Türkiye, is it sufficient to justify establishing a dedicated facility for maintenance, repair, and sustainment? Does GETAC Technology already have such an investment in Türkiye, or are there any plans for one?
Bülent BARAN: I actually need to answer this question in two parts. Firstly, the failure rate of GETAC products is so low that, although we have service centres, very few devices are returned for repair — which is something we take great pride in. However, this certainly doesn’t mean that we are unprepared.
Defence Turkey: Sometimes even personal computers experience faults that require parts, and after sending the computer for repair it can take a long time for those parts to arrive. How long does that take at GETAC?
Bülent BARAN: We operate in what we call a “mission-critical” sector. Therefore, we cannot wait one or two months for spare parts. That is the second part of my answer. Our devices rarely fail, but you are still working in the field. There are harsh conditions you can hardly imagine — you are guarding a border at 2,500 meters, and your GETAC device must run reliably at your side. Our service centers keep spare parts for our devices, because when we supply fleets to projects, we keep all the major components that the fleet may need ready for service in Türkiye. We even keep spare units ready so that our projects do not suffer delays. If a device fails, we send a replacement immediately. Operations must not be interrupted. While operations continue uninterrupted, we fulfil our service.
Defence Turkey: In the defence sector you participate in many projects, products and even military vehicles. There may be situations where you must abandon your vehicle or equipment, or the enemy seizes your vehicle or equipment. Do GETAC solutions have a defence mechanism that will destroy or wipe the information inside?
Bülent BARAN: Yes — there is nothing more enjoyable than speaking with someone from the sector. You remind me of things I forgot. Thank you. The health and safety of people and personnel are more important than anything. We must protect our people. Hardware can be sacrificed, but in doing so we must not leave behind critical information. In some critical mission scenarios, protecting sensitive information is as important as protecting the hardware. For projects that require it, our solutions can be equipped with secure data-wipe functions so organizations can ensure critical information is not left behind.
Defence Turkey: Even if you erase all the data on the computers, that data does not disappear. How can you guarantee that?
Bülent BARAN: Normally, even if you format them, consumer PCs or laptops do not truly erase data; traces remain. Because traces remain, experts can recover data from those traces. That is why it must be completely erased. The information inside must be cleaned entirely down to the failure/overwrite point without leaving any traces. When you press the button, an “Are you sure?” prompt appears. This minimizes the risk of accidental activation. The process is completed in two steps. In this way the data is destroyed. That allows you to abandon the device and leave the area.
Defence Turkey: One of the most desired features in a computer is long operating time. It’s not always possible to find a power outlet in the field, so the batteries become very important. What can you tell us about the batteries used in GETAC products?
Bülent BARAN: Especially in field operations, access to resources is limited — you can’t always find a 220W power socket nearby. If you saw the environments we work in, you would be truly surprised. That’s why our devices are designed accordingly. Normally, when we test our devices with standard batteries, they operate for the duration of a full shift — around 7–8 hours of working time. However, there are times when we need to stay in the field for longer periods, which requires extended operating time. For these cases, we offer customers several options. We provide a high-capacity battery option. In fact, with a third battery option, we can extend the operating time to up to 36 hours.
Defence Turkey: In consumer computers, depending on the processor (CPU) model, you can have 2, 4 or even 10 cores…
Bülent BARAN: In consumer computers, you buy a ready-made case — you have to accept it as it is. But here, project requirements vary. Sometimes, information has to flow simultaneously from four or six UAVs. You need significant processing power to handle that. Our devices feature high-end CPUs such as standard Intel Core i5 and i7 processors, and even more advanced platforms capable of processing real-time imagery. These must also be supported by graphic cards. For example, consider an armored vehicle: as you know, current vehicles capture 360° imagery from their surroundings, process it internally, and then perform target tracking accordingly. This requires extremely powerful hardware. Moreover, under such conditions, internal temperatures are high, and vibrations are intense. The system must withstand these conditions — while ensuring cybersecurity at the same time. GETAC designs its devices precisely to meet these operational challenges.
Defence Turkey: Finally, you mentioned that GETAC is a GE Aerospace – MiTAC Joint Venture Company. Do your products face export restrictions due to their American connection? Have you ever experienced such a situation in the past?
Bülent BARAN: GETAC’s headquarters is located in Taiwan, and the company operates globally. Our solutions comply with a wide range of international standards and are designed to meet the requirements of our customers around the world
