New VX8 Kärv and VX9 Förj Now Available with Intel® Atom or Core 2 Duo Processors and High-bright, Energy-efficient LED Displays

LXE, the mobile logistics business of EMS Technologies, Inc., released two updates to its Trux line of rugged vehicle-mount computers. The VX8 Kärv and VX9 Förj vehicle-mount computers incorporate sharper LED backlit displays, Intel® Atom and Core 2 Duo processing speeds and mobile radio connectivity into rugged and versatile mobile personal computers.

The two units are designed for enterprises that need full Microsoft® Windows® computing power in a mobile environment to optimize application and network management compatibility.

The Kärv vehicle-mount computer is derived from predecessor products developed by the LXE’s Trux group in Sweden and its namesake was a small, maneuverable Viking ship used for both battle and merchant missions. It comes with available Atom 1.6 GHz or Core 2 Duo 1.5 GHz processors, and up to 2GB of RAM. A 10.4″ touch screen LED display, 802.11 a/b/g + Bluetooth radio, and available WWAN connectivity allow those processors to run high-performance software applications from virtually anywhere. The unit’s compact magnesium enclosure rated to IP65 is engineered to handle extreme temperatures, shock, vibration, dust and moisture. The Förj computer, with a name that alludes to the strong, precise materials, which emerge from a blacksmith’s forge, is the Kärv computer’s larger counterpart, with a 12.1” touchscreen and outdoor screen option.

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Challenge:
The world may know the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), or Mounties, by their traditional crimson uniforms, but the RCMP is responsible for much more than maintaining its legendary image. A world-class police force, the RCMP is unique; providing law enforcement services to federal, provincial, and municipal levels of government. In the aftermath of 9/11, the RCMP decided to expedite the modernization of the information system infrastructure for its forensic laboratories, and Zebra thermal printers were an integral part of the solution.

The RCMP operates a Forensic Laboratory Service with six forensic sites across Canada, which used a homegrown case tracking system supported by Microsoft Foxpro databases. At that time, the laboratories operated somewhat independently and access to important case files was limited by location. The processing of crime scene evidence was sometimes slowed if the evidence reports and the experts who needed to review them were separated by geography. The system worked, but the RCMP wanted greater efficiency.

Solution:
The RCMP sought a Zebra Technologies partner, to provide a complete laboratory information management system (LIMS). They offered LIMS-plus, an off-the-shelf software application that mirrors best practices from forensic labs across North America. The RCMP wished to improve productivity, internal and external communications, reduce costs, leverage scientific talent across the country, enhance security, and introduce consistent scientific methodologies.

Joseph Buckle, Assistant Commissioner of the RCMP’s Forensic Laboratory Services, said there were two important considerations in selecting LIMS-plus. “The first was functionality. Could the system immediately provide us with the technical solutions we were looking for, and were they specific to forensic science work?”

“The second consideration was track record. I had to be certain that other forensic facilities in North America were using the system for interoperability purposes, and that the supplier had a good track record and reputation. ” said Mr. Buckle.

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