Vauxhall Offers Built-In Panasonic Toughbook for the Astra

Vauxhall clearly wanted to take its technology offer to a whole new dimension when they decided to provide fleet customers with the choice of fitting their cars with built-in Panasonic Toughbook in its Astra model. The custom Astra was launched last week at Millbrook, and is primarily aimed at those in the police service.

The Toughbook CF-19 combines a rotating screen and a convertible notebook, which is aimed at field-based professionals and uses WiFi and 3G broadband[1] to enable users to share information rapidly with staff back at the main office.

“The Astra has long-since been a trusted model within the police, which is why we have opted to make this feature available. Toughbook rugged mobile computers are already in use by several police services across the country, and are proving to be a revolutionary resource to police; at a time when spending cuts are rife, a device that enables the force to save time and money will be invaluable,”

said Vauxhall Special Vehicles Manager, Dick Ellam.

In the past, logging a crime report was time-consuming process that would usually start with a home visit. The officer would then have to take notes in a notebook and then write up a crime report. Typically, the report would then be faxed back to the office to a crime input team that would then type it up. The Toughbook eliminates these problems with police describing it as one of the greatest innovations since the two way radio, according to Vauxhall.

“The Toughbook enables the police force to operate a mobile office system. Before, built-in Toughbook systems were available, an officer would have to spend about a third of his or her time in the office,” Ellam added.