INFORMATION #1 08-20-2001 - Laserfiche WebLink

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)n om- .ases nt tta- don ~S let- :k to t :ems, trl- ature uilt 5- ~- ficate )oken over radio waves is available to anyone who has a scanner in the area and hap- pens to be tuned in to that frequency. Layman adds, "With PacketCluster, secure messages are sent without unwanted listeners finding out." These features, in addition to many other functions of PacketCluster, were what launched the production of PocketBlue. Aether wanted to develop a product that would give the features of PacketCluster to officers who patrol outside the vehicle. What is PocketBlue? Officers who walk the beat, patrol on bikes or motorcycles, or those who ride horses benefit from the same technology as those who work inside a vehicle. Aether intxoduced PocketBlue to do just that. According to Aether, PocketBlue is a handheld software application that is part of a fully integrated mobile data PocketBlue is a handheld software application that is part of a fully integrated mobile data system. system for law enforcement, providing secure messaging and alarm capabili- ties connected to all mobile users. Providing the key capabilities of PacketCluster in the handheld device of PocketBlue gave mobile officers the capabilities that in-vehicle users have. In law enforcement, over 900 agen- cies use PacketCluster Patrol on vehicle- mounted computers for real-time data access and communication in the field. PocketBlue, running on handheld devices, gives out-of-vehicle mobile users in these agencies comparable access to haformation and communica- tion capabilities. Palm users outside the vehicle can access various databases using a handheld device. Using PocketBlue, personnel on foot, bike or horseback can simply tap a button on the Palm to nm NCIC queries or send secure messages. When an officer receives a "hit" on a query, every mobile client, whether they are using PocketBlue or PacketCluster, will be notified, according to Aether. Layman adds that officers on foot, bike, motorcycle, horses or assigned to special detail, races, state fairs and large public events typically only have access to important information using the radio. "They can get on the radio and do it, but they can't do it in a secure mode," he says. "With technology, we were able to extend the functionality of mobile data computers to officers that typically don't have access to laptops;" says Lay- man. "It is important to be able to move information out to officers so they have' access to everything they need." Details of PocketBlue With handheld devices so widely accepted in society today, it was ideal timing for Aether to develop this prod- uct now. PocketBlue is comparable in functionality to the wireless laptop in the vehicle, but is handheld. "We have the capability to run queries from the handheld against NCIC, NLETS and DMV databases," says Layman. "On P0cketBlue, there is also the ability to do private, digital messaging from either officer to offi- cer, or officer to a number of °fficers.'' PocketBlue runs on different devices' from three companies. (For more information on these devices see article on Page 108.) The first is the Palm Vx. This is a handheld device that has a Novatel Minstrel Modem on the back connect- ing the Palm device to a CDPD (cellu- lar digital packet data) network, mak- ing it a wireless device. PocketBlue is also available on a Blackberry by Aether device. Layman says, "It is made by RIM (Research In Motion) and is probably the hottest device in the industry right now for connecting businesses to the mobile workforce." The Blackberry device comes in two sizes and the modem is built-in. The third device that was validated to run the applications is the Symbol July 2001 · Law Enforcement Technology 141