The mobile workforce is growing, and many wireless hardware vendors and service providers are creating new ways to enable those people to remain connected while on the train, hotel, or airport. But the bulk of the mobile workforce — the part that is perpetually mobile — has different requirements, which have not yet been quite as adequately addressed. These include workers like police officers and utility workers, whose job it is to be in a vehicle for most of the day. 

 

For these employees, the typical wireless PCI card may not suffice — nor is it necessarily the most practical solution for them. Sierra wireless is trying to alleviate that situation with its line of wireless broadband access cards. Its latest products, the MP 595 GPS and MP 975 GPS cards, are now both available at resellers and distributors, as well as from Sierra Wireless (News - Alert).

 

The two new rugged wireless modems are specifically designed to withstand the punishment inflicted by field employees and workers in public safety and transportation industries who need wireless connectivity, but are frequently in there vehicles moving from place to place.

 

Sierra’s MP line of wireless modems are also meant to be vehicle mounted, so police officers, field technicians, and others can remain in communication while on the road — working (and so they can’t be misplaced). Not only can these workers send and receive important information, but they are assured they will not lose connectivity due to severe driving conditions, like a high speed chase or off road driving — these modems are made to endure even that harshest travel conditions.

 

Yet, regardless of the terrain, driving habits, or type of vehicle, Sierra’s modems provide consistent, fast wireless connections to laptops and other wireless devices. What’s more, they are also GPS-enabled with an on-board GPOS receiver, providing increased security and asset tracking capabilities. 

 

The GP 595 GPS is EV-DO Rev. A capable, providing the highest transmission rates available via wireless modems today, offering an enhanced wireless computing experience and creating a more efficient work environment. Notably, with the enhanced connection speeds, users will much more easily be able to transfer large files — including photos or video — via the wireless network, enabling enhanced video monitoring and other applications. 

 

The MP 875 GPS offers like functionality across HSDPA networks, and providing connectivity in 850/1900/2100 MHz UMTS bands. 

 

Both models are backwards compatible with older wireless technology for use in places where HSDPA, UMTS, or EV-DO Rev. A connectivity is not yet available.

 

In addition to being resistant to vibration and shock endured during rugged driving and other environmental conditions — they meet U.S. Military and Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) J1455 specifications for vibration, shock, drop, rain, splash, sand, dust, humidity, and salt fog — the new modems are capable of operating in extreme temperatures (-30 C to 70 C). They are equipped with serial, USB, and Ethernet connections, for a variety of connection options with a variety of devices.

 

Also, the devices include four digital and four analog input/output ports, allowing dispatchers to monitor a variety of factors, like speed or airbag status, providing additional security for employees and company assets.

 

“In the patrol car environment you need a rugged piece of equipment. We decided early on in our mobile project that the Sierra Wireless MP products had the reliability that we looking for in a ruggedized modem.” said Captain Kim Hull of the Missouri State Highway Patrol. “The dependable communications link that the modems provide is an important officer safety issue for our agency. The increased bandwidth offered by the new models will allow us to expand the availability of in-car applications, ultimately enhancing our mobile business platform and officer efficiency.”