Mission-critical Toughbook supporting defence operations

Australian company Barrett Communications – a leading designer and manufacturer of free-to-air long distance radio communications technology with a global market – has chosen the rugged Toughbook range of PCs and tablets to provide fail-safe operations in the field, supporting the delivery of Barrett’s mission-critical solutions for applications from disaster recovery to defence and commercial requirements globally.

For 40 years, Barrett has been working with customers including peacekeeping, NGO, humanitarian and government operations, as well as security and defence organisations. The company travels to remote and challenging environments, from tropical jungles to remote deserts, in over 150 countries – including Asia and the Pacific – delivering training and installing its High Frequency (HF) and Very High Frequency (VHF) radio communications technology solutions.

“Selecting the right mobile solution can make all the difference in successfully completing a mission. Over the years, Panasonic has outfitted the defence sector with rugged solutions that meet mission-critical demands in hostile environments where failure is not an option. We’re now seeing a move to rugged hybrid tablet technology, with the purpose-built detachable Toughbook CF-20, to provide greater flexibility in the field for defence and government organisations.”
– Stuart Buxton, Senior Product Marketing Manager, Toughbook, Panasonic

Meeting the challenge of remote locations

Barrett’s solutions can support voice, email, data, fax and tracking over thousands of kilometres. Before Toughbook came aboard, Barrett found its team was travelling to isolated locations to discover customers struggling with consumer-grade devices that were failing in the field and did not have the capability to support complex tasks. Barrett needed a solution that would better serve end users in harsh, outlying locations. Not only has the guaranteed reliability and durability of Toughbook reduced the risk of failure in the field, it has the capability to support Barrett’s key HF data and tracking systems.

“We turned to Panasonic’s Toughbook range of PCs and tablets 13 years ago and since then, we have never had any issues and our customers have only ever been positive. Many of our staff are ex-military and they have seen the range during their service, so understand the benefits first hand. Given Panasonic’s expertise and heritage in the rugged market, it was the obvious choice to recommend Toughbook.”
– Ben Jackson, International Support Manager, Barrett Communications

Purpose-fit Toughbook applications

Today, Barrett Communications provides a range of military-grade rugged Toughbook PCs and Toughpad tablets to its customers to deliver versatile, fit-for purpose support and maximum ROI. The products are specifically used in two key Barrett solutions. The Barrett 977 HF tracking system is an automatic vehicle and vessel locating and tracking package. The base station currently uses Toughbook CF-20 and CF-19 and Toughpad FZ-G1 products to support a map-based display using GPS tracking software to show the position of vehicles in real-time. Secondly, the Barrett 2020 HF data system supported by a Toughpad FZ-M1 provides secure internet email connectivity and fax services via HF radio to and between remote base camps with no existing communications infrastructure. This Toughbook solution provides a simple automatic interface for speech, data transfer and email among all stations in the HF network.

Support for customer training

Another critical factor for Barrett Communications was the need for purpose built, reliable and durable technology to use during customer training at its Perth office or at in-country locations around the world. Training is designed to replicate customers’ field experiences and the company’s demonstration Military Land Rover and Commercial 76 Series Land Cruiser are now fitted out with rugged Toughbooks for demonstrations. To meet its training needs, the company has invested in military-standard ruggedised Toughbooks and Toughpads, including the newly launched Toughbook CF-20, CF-19, FZ-G1, FZ-M1 and CF-31.

“Toughbook is perfect for remote field operations because it’s rugged and reliable to military standards. Often, we’re working without mains power and with intermittent generators, so we need technology that has extended battery life. The ultra-bright Toughbook screen can be easily read in the strongest direct sunlight; and the unit can stand up to use in swirling dust, powerful wind and driving rain.”
– Ben Jackson, International Support Manager, Barrett Communications

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