The Challenge
The Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) in Colorado has quite a task to undertake everyday - DORA employees drive around the state, executing about 184 inspections each day. It is common for employees to drive through areas with dirt or non-existent roads. DORA required a product they could be confident in that would hold up to their extensive day-to-day use - as well as in the dust and variable weather conditions they encounter daily while on the road. DORA needed a product that was reliable and rugged, as well as a product that could speed up the data input at each inspection site.
The Solution
Equip DORA employees with Panasonic Toughbook CF-30 laptops, Gamber-Johnson vehicle mounts and Pentax Pocket Jet printers.
The Benefits
Each year DORA employees execute around 67,000 inspections in locations all around the state. With so many inspections, they need to be assured their technology will not fail them. To fill this need they are equipped with the best in rugged laptops, vehicle mounts and mobile printers.
DORA “protects the public and [provides] consumer protection to the citizens of Colorado," said Supervisor Electrical Inspector Grant Hammett. "DORA regulates electrical services for areas in Colorado that don't have city or county regulation. They also regulate plumbing across the state on a voluntary basis. Additionaly, DORA regulates and licenses all professionals in the state, which equates to around 200,000 licenses a year. With such an important and large role within the state government, it is essential that DORA employees have technology they can trust and are confident will perform well.
Prior to using Panasonic Toughbooks, DORA used a variety of different products - including Apple Newtons and HP Jornadas. It was quickly discovered that these products did not have the reliability and stability that DORA was looking for and were not durable enough to withstand the variable environment in which DORA employees work everyday. After using these other products, DORA knew they needed to find something new.
PCS provided DORA with technology that fit their specific needs. DORA began using Panasonic Toughbook CF-30 laptops and corresponding docks so that the computers can be mounted in their vehicles. They also use Pentax Pocket Jet Printers, so they had the ability to print documents at inspection sites.
DORA chose to work with PCS and go with a Panasonic rugged laptop after talking to the Colorado State Patrol, also a PCS-user. "The State Patrol's comments and experiences were so impressive, it was clear that we really couldn’t go wrong with PCS,” said Becky Hood, Information Technology Communications and Customer Service Supervisor at DORA. "The most impressive thing [the State Patrol] told me was how well the laptops held up,” she said. “We are very impressed with the Toughbooks. You buy it once and it will do whatever you want, for as long as you own it.”
“Problem solved. That’s as succinct as I can put it,” said Hammett.
“We have had no problems since we went to Toughbooks,” said Steve Conrad, DORA Chief Inspector. “For everyday use [the Toughbooks] have been almost indestructible. PCS has been very responsive to anything we have ever needed,” he said.
"When we do have questions or issues,” continued Hood, “We are able to get a hold of PCS quickly. They were able to get someone out there quickly when we had a problem,” he said.
While out in the field, DORA employees transfer data in real-time back to the main offices through a Verizon VPN connection. The wireless network has challenges in rural areas since there is not always wireless coverage. To help solve this problem DORA is very eager to learn more about the new GOBI modem. Once the GOBI modem is installed in a computer the user has the ability to connect to the Verizon, AT&T and Sprint networks. This product dramatically increases the probability that at any given time the user will have wireless coverage.
In the future, DORA plans to continue to use the Panasonic Toughbooks and are currently on a three-year replacement cycle (replacing around 15 units every year). “PCS has gained our trust," said Hood. "The company is great to work with and comes through with everything. That’s huge.” |
- Panasonic Toughbook 30
- Pentax Pocket Jet Printer
- Gamber-Johnson Mounting
- DS-lower 9
- DS-upper M
- DS-Clevis
- NP-Pan-Cradle
- DS-126
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