Computer communication has swept the world and become a vital part of everyday business in just about every sector imaginable. The protective service industry is not exception, and locally controlled firefighting and police agencies need to have the best rugged portable computer systems at their disposal to help them perform their jobs at peak efficiency. If you are responsible for purchasing equipment for your protective service agency, here's what to look for:

-- Reputation Comes First

There is no better recommendation for a computer systems provider than an impressive list of past and current clients. Start your selection process by researching each company's clientele. Does the company contract with the United States government? Has it successfully provided equipment for other municipal protective services? Does it have a reputation for reliability and excellence? If the company is new and untried, keep looking: you only want to entrust your needs to the most experienced providers in the marketplace.

-- Flexibility of Applications

The company's range of products should be able to accommodate every application in the fire fighting and police fields imaginable: flexibility is the key. Does the company have rugged computers that are appropriate for both ground and vehicle mounted contexts? Specially designed mobile units are ideal for fire engines, fire scouting trucks, and helicopters. In the police field they can be mounted on squad cars, motorcycles, helicopters, armored personnel carriers, and a host of specialty vehicles.

Non-mounted ground units are appropriate for situations where ruggedness, reliability, and ease of transport and use are vital: smoke jumpers, search and rescue teams, bicycle police, mounted police, SWAT, and a host of other contexts.

-- Ruggedness of Construction

Firefighting and police departments recognize that theirs are professions that can't settle for "regular" computer equipment; they must have computers that are rugged, portable, and can withstand being knocked around a bit and exposed to all kinds of temperature extremes and unconventional situations.

Look for a company whose products have been specifically engineered to withstand whatever you throw at them. The company should have a rigorous testing program in place that proves the worth of its products before they are marketed and made available to the public. A wide range of environmentally sealed systems that meet your particular needs should be standard.

Your computer systems are too essential to leave to chance; they are also a big investment. Make sure to contrast and compare manufacturers of rugged portable computer systems to make sure you are getting the best product for the best price.