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Panasonic's rugged notebooks and tablet PC certified for maritime environments

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EURONAVAL 2014 Show Daily - PANASONIC
 
 
 
Panasonic's rugged notebooks and tablet PC certified for maritime environments
 
At Euronaval 2014 in Paris, Panasonic and Germanischer Lloyd, an international ship classification society, confirmed specific suitability and reliability of TOUGHBOOK CF-19, CF-31 and TOUGHPAD FZ-G1 for maritime environments.
     
At Euronaval 2014 in Paris, Panasonic and Germanischer Lloyd, an international ship classification society, confirmed specific suitability and reliability of TOUGHBOOK CF-19, CF-31 and TOUGHPAD FZ-G1 for maritime environments. Panasonic THOUGHBOOK CF-31
     
The results of tests conducted by the technical service provider Germanischer Lloyd have confirmed that the Panasonic TOUGHBOOK CF-19 and CF-31 laptops as well as the TOUGHPAD FZ-G1 tablet are suitable for unrestricted use on open ships’ decks. The certification confirms the specific suitability and reliability of Panasonic’s rugged mobile computing solutions for use in offshore environments and on board ships.

Germanischer Lloyd is one of the world’s largest ship and offshore classification societies. Its Maritime Solutions division specialises in ship classification and advisory services focused on increasing efficiency. Classification societies adhere to international safety and ecological standards and accept each other’s certificates, which are valid worldwide. This enables Panasonic to substantiate the reliability and suitability of its mobile computing devices for use in global shipping environments. Shipping companies must observe several special regulations requiring the use of certified devices and machines for many types of application. This is in order to minimise risk, increase safety and security, avoid accidents, improve communications and save time and money.

     
At Euronaval 2014 in Paris, Panasonic and Germanischer Lloyd, an international ship classification society, confirmed specific suitability and reliability of TOUGHBOOK CF-19, CF-31 and TOUGHPAD FZ-G1 for maritime environments. Panasonic THOUGHBOOK CF-19
     
“Germanischer Lloyd’s certification proves once again that TOUGHBOOK laptops and TOUGHPAD tablet PCs are designed and built according to the highest quality standards for use in harsh working environments, where they contribute to increasing efficiency,” says Marco Rach, Marketing Manager for Panasonic Computer Product Solutions. “With their resilient casing, outdoor displays that are easy to read in direct sunlight, long battery lifes and wide range of connectivity and accessory options, our devices are predestined for outdoor use.” The CF-19, CF-31 and FZ-G1 models are part of Panasonic’s “Fully Ruggedized” protection category. Means they are dust- and waterproof in accordance with IP 65 as well as certified to MIL-STD810G level and so withstand the harshest weather conditions and work reliably in extreme temperatures, ranging from -29°C to +60°C.

As in other industries, Panasonic works with independent software providers and value added resellers (VARs) in the shipping sector. These partners know the markets they serve and the specific requirements of their customers. They extend Panasonic‘s mobile computing solutions with industry- and customer specific software, hardware and services, providing customers with unique added value. For example, Panasonic’s rugged devices can be supplied with specific navigation or maritime documentation software and are ready for use immediately. The collaboration with VARs enables Panasonic to supply its devices as a complete solution that includes robust wireless outdoor access points. This helps improve communications on board the ship and provides remote access to critical shipping functions, such as rudders, radar and navigation systems.

The German company Trenz AG, specialised in shipping and wind energy, has developed a complete solution for marine and port pilots that is based on the TOUGHPAD FZ-G1 tablet. Equipped with special software, the FZ-G1 can be used as a portable pilot unit (PPU). The pilots use their PPUs to access up-to-date shipping databases and save time by dealing with their documentation digitally. They can also access maritime navigation software, and use websites providing meteorological or water-level data, both online and offline.

     
Video interview on Panasonic THOUGHPAD Toughpad FZ-E1 Windows FZ-X1 Android 5 inch handheld tablet data voice capabilities at Euronaval 2014
     
Customers can benefit in several ways from using rugged mobile devices on board. They can access the information they need for all command and control activities with mobile computing solutions from anywhere on the ship or in its vicinity. This means that users do not necessarily need to be on the ship’s bridge in order to check the navigation systems – they can do so from whichever area of the ship is best for them, depending on the situation. They can also check sensors and measurement readings at the centre of the action rather than in a distant control room. Improved security is a further benefit. Used with intelligent video surveillance systems from Panasonic Security Solution Systems, a ship’s security officers or security teams can access all relevant information from their mobile devices from anywhere on the ship.

Several studies are currently underway to research higher levels of automation on board ships. Automation can reduce the size of the crews, providing considerable cost savings. Using the rugged Panasonic devices, crews already have excellent solutions at their disposal that help them optimise and monitor the new processes resulting from automation – outdoors and in any weather conditions.