Itronix Rugged Computers

6/5/2003
MASSACHUSSETTS STATE POLICE TEAMS WITH HP AND ITRONIX TO ROLL OUT HIGH-TECH PATROL CARS

Advanced Mobile Technologies Help Police Fight Crime

HP HEADQUARTERS, PALO ALTO, CALIF., Bad guys beware: Troopers patrolling the highways of Massachusetts are being equipped with the latest crime-fighting tools - high-tech, wireless mobile computers. The Massachusetts State Police have teamed up with HP (NYSE:HPQ) to outfit patrol cars with PCs that can access a secure statewide data communications system for pertinent information, such as outstanding warrants and arrest records.

"HP is a major player in law enforcement and public safety," said Cathy Martin, director of state and local government, HP Public Sector Organization. "Ten years ago technology was housed in a back room at the station house. Now it's in the patrol car and out on the street, helping law enforcement keep citizens safe."

HP has teamed with Itronix, Public Safety Group (PSG) and L&E Mobile Computers & Mounts to install 2,000 laptop units in Massachusetts State patrol cars over the next four years. The Mobile Data Terminal solution developed for the Massachusetts State Police is designed to help fight crime, as well as save time and money. The primary components of the solution are:

HP project management and integration;
PSG's Message Switch and PocketCop© application;
Itronix's newest wireless, rugged laptop, the GoBook® II; and
L&E Mobile Computers & Mounts' mounting hardware, printers, antennas and installation service.

"Bringing together HP's experience in technology, PSG's experience in the public safety and wireless arena, the strength of Itronix's rugged equipment and L&E Mobile Computers & Mounts installation hardware and services make this a powerful solution for the Massachusetts State Police," said Don Nagle, president of PSG. "We're happy to be partners in this project which will put critical information in the hands of troopers across the state."

"The Massachusetts State Police Department deployment is a prime example of how our organizations are committed to working together to successfully deliver and implement cutting edge wireless, rugged applications that support the critical needs of our customers serving and protecting the public," said Tom Turner, president and chief executive officer, Itronix.

With the new equipment and mobile communications system installed in their patrol cars, state troopers can tap into a variety of databases such as the state motor vehicle registry, FBI crime database, outstanding warrants, driver's licenses and vehicle registrations, stolen property records and gun registrations. The computers also provide officers with e-mail access and allow them to electronically file field interviews and short-form incident reports.

As wireless capabilities improve and image transmission speed increases, the flexible infrastructure and solutions of this mobile system will allow the police department to incorporate future technologies such as face-recognition and wireless fingerprinting to help identify crime suspects on the scene.

"Massachusetts troopers are taking technology to the streets. And HP is proud to be their partner and deliver more reliability, more service and support, and more timely information to the troopers," said Martin.

About HP

HP delivers vital technology for business and life. The company's solutions span IT infrastructure, personal computing and access devices, global services and imaging and printing for consumers, enterprises and small and medium business. For the last four quarters, HP revenue totaled $70.4 billion. HP is a reseller of Itronix Mobile computing solutions. More information about HP is available at http://www.hp.com.

Note: For original HP release, see: http://www.hp.com/hpinfo/newsroom/press/2003/030605d.html