As civil engineers rely increasingly on design, survey, and construction management software and wireless communications, information technology hardware becomes critical to efficient operations. Following are recently announced upgrades to rugged laptop and handheld computers, desktop monitors, scanners, and associated workstation components. Company web addresses are provided for immediate access to additional information.

Adapx, Inc. (www.adapx.com) unveiled Capturx, a fully integrated, intuitive data collection and management software solution allowing users to create true digital records of field observations. After eight years in research and development, Capturx is designed to improve information flow with proven digital pen and paper technology, Capturx seamlessly interacts with common business-critical applications, enabling accurate transfer of data from the field to the computer, and across networks for enhanced collaboration and decision-making.

Atdec (www.atdec.com) offers a multi-monitor mounting solution for 12- to 24-inch LCD displays. The Visidec Freestanding range is designed for professionals who work with data-intensive applications. The Visidec Freestanding range includes three models: quad mounts four monitors in a quad pattern; double horizontal mounts two monitors horizontally; and double vertical mounts two monitors vertically. All mounts include an integrated cable-management system to conceal cables, horizontal and vertical adjustments, +/-40-degree angular adjustment, portrait and landscape rotation, a small footprint, and supports for 3- by 3-inch and 4- by 4-inch VESA mounting hole patterns.

Carlson Software (www.carlsonsw.com) offers its new Carlson Surveyor+ data collector, a completely ruggedized handheld computer. With an IP67 water- and dust-resistant ingress rating and magnesium housing, the units weigh 2 pounds. Surveyor+ offers as much as 1 gigabyte of memory with optional expansion, a large keyboard for gloved hands, and backlit control keys. The computer operates on Windows Mobile 6; Carlson SurvCE2.0 can be added. According to Carlson, the Surveyor+ is ideal for use with total stations and GPS equipment in surveying, stakeout, and construction layout applications.

Colortrac Ltd (www.colortrac.com) announced its fourth generation contact image sensor (CIS), large-format scanner range, the SmartLF Ci 40 Series. These high-definition 40-inch technical document scanners are designed to provide AEC, CAD and GIS professionals with instant-on, walk-up scanning and copying direct to the drawing office network via Gigabit Ethernet or fast USB2 connection. According to the company, the SmartLF Ci 40 scanner range captures the finest details of technical drawings and maps in bright colors or monochrome, producing crisp, sharp images accurately at high speeds (up to 3.3 inches per second (ips) color and 10 ips black and white).

Datto Inc. (www.dattobackup.com) says its Backup Appliance provides a complete on-site data backup and a secure, reliable off-site backup at a price affordable for small and medium size businesses. Datto devices are compatible with most modern operating systems. Because the task of compressing and transferring data off-site is handled by each Datto device, the computers that are being backed up are never tied up or slowed down by uploads. The patent-pending design requires no changes to existing firewalls. Datto devices are monitored 24/7, and updates are applied automatically, keeping the device secure and current. Datto can have all critical data restored and delivered to a company’s location in less than 24 hours. In addition, technicians continuously monitor the status and security of each Datto device, ensuring that critical data is safe and secure at all times.

General Dynamics Itronix (www.gd-itronix.com) offers the GoBook MR-1, a fully rugged, multi-wireless, ultra-mobile notebook computer. The 2-pound MR-1 meets or exceeds MIL-STD 810F and is sealed against water and dust intrusion (IP54) with a magnesium alloy casing, impact-absorbing exoskeleton, and 76-key sealed keyboard. It features an Intel Core Solo 1.2-GHz processor with up to 1 gigabyte (GB) RAM; 40- or 80-GB, shock-mounted ruggedized hard drive (32- or 64-GB solid state drive optional); wireless WWAN, WLAN, Bluetooth, and GPS capabilities; and a 5.6-inch DynaVue display with integrated touchscreen. Optional expansion modules include a USB 2.0 port, RS 232 port, 1394a port, and a PC card slot.

GETAC Inc. (www.getac.com) recently announced that its B300 ruggedized notebook PC received full salt fog certification based on testing standards set by the U.S. Department of Defense. The B300 also offers the industry’s first 1200 NITS screen with optional night vision capabilities in a fully rugged notebook platform, virtually eliminating any screen readability problems commonly experienced in the field, according to the company. A proprietary LED backlight technology extends battery life. The B300 includes 512 MB DDRII DRAM upgradeable to 4 GB; 80/120-GB shock-resistant hard drive; sealed ports and connector cover; Giga LAN; and 802.11a/g/n wireless. Bluetooth 2.0, EV-DO, and GPRS/EDGE networks and integrated GPS are available as options. The fully rugged watertight unit is contained in a magnesium alloy case that is vibration and drop-shock resistant.

KODAK (www.kodak.com) and ColumbiaSoft (www.documentlocator.com) announced a solution for document management, from capture to delivery. ColumbiaSoft certified its Document Locator software to work with KODAK Scanners to help firms improve document retrieval, sharing, and workflow. Combined with KODAK Scanners, Document Locator assists companies with paperless process conversions, document sharing across multiple locations, automating document workflow, and archiving information for business continuity. According to the companies, the solution offers several ways for enterprises to improve the accuracy and security of paper and electronic document-driven businesses.

Magellan (www.pro.magellangps.com) introduced the latest addition to its MobileMapper GIS and mapping line of products—the MobileMapper 6. A rugged, waterproof, handheld GPS/GIS receiver, the company says its MobileMapper 6 fulfills the requirements for a low-cost, professional GIS field data collection unit that can collect geographic data with 2- to 5- meter accuracy in real-time with SBAS corrections. The MobileMapper 6 is a Windows Mobile 6 open platform and offers full compatibility with popular GIS software. It comes standard with an integrated 2-megapixel camera, a built-in microphone, a touchscreen, and Bluetooth for wireless connectivity. Weighing less than 8 ounces and measuring approximately 5.7 inches by 2.5 inches by 1.1 inches, two AA alkaline batteries provide up to 10 hours of operation.

Motion Computing (www.motioncomputer.com) developed the Motion F5 Mobile Field Tool, the first semi-rugged slate PC designed specifically for mobile field workers that combines durability, mobility, and integrated functionality with the benefits and convenience of tablet input. The 3-pound tablet has a built-in handle; electronic clipboard functionality; Wi-Fi, 3G, and Bluetooth wireless connectivity and optional wireless broadband; natural pen/speech input; and integrated digital camera, radio frequency (RFID) reader, and optional barcode scanner. The view-anywhere display offers optimal outdoor viewing, while the biometric fingerprint reader authenticates users. It is available with a DataGuard accelerometer, shock-mounted hard disk drive or optional solid state drive.

NVIDIA Corporation (www.nvidia.com) says its Quadro Plex D series Visual Computing System (VCS) can turn workstations and servers into visual supercomputers, offering a solution for 3-D models and datasets that are too large for standard desktop workstations to handle. Easily connected to a host workstation via a low-power PCI Express adapter card, the Quadro Plex VCS gives workstations the parallel processing capabilities of multiple Quadro graphics cards and features an ultra-quiet design, allowing the system to be deployed desk-side or in a rack-mount configuration. According to the company, the new Quadro Plex series provides performance improvements of as much as 100 percent compared with previous versions and is ideal for the design, geosciences, and scientific visualization industries, working with extremely large 3-D models, datasets, and power walls.

Panasonic Computer Solutions Company (www.panasonic.com) announced major updates to its business-rugged notebook computer line with the introduction of the thin-and-light Toughbook F8 and upgrades to the tablet alternative T8 and the ultraportable W8. The 8 Series Toughbook mobile computers also include the Gobi 3G mobile broadband (WWAN) solution from Qualcomm, Inc., that allows connection to high-speed mobile Internet services offered by leading network operators virtually anywhere in the world. The new Toughbook F8 is the world’s lightest 3G-ready notebook with a 14.1-inch-wide display and an internal optical drive. Weighing 3.7 pounds, the Toughbook F8 has an integrated handle; an Intel Core 2 Duo processor; up to 4 GB of RAM; bright widescreen LCD; built-in DVD Multi drive; embedded wireless options, including 802.11a/b/g/draft-n and Bluetooth 2.0; and a 160-GB, shock-mounted hard drive.

3Dconnexion’s (www.3dconnexion.com) line of 3-D mice is now supported by Adobe Acrobat 9 family of products, including Acrobat 9 Reader, Acrobat 9 Standard, Acrobat 9 Pro, and Acrobat 9 Pro Extended. Unlike mice confined to motion on one flat plane, 3Dconnexion’s 3-D mice enable users to move in all three dimensions simultaneously, using six degrees of freedom. By gently lifting, pressing, and turning the controller, Acrobat users can easily navigate to pan and zoom within 2-D PDF documents as well as rotate 3-D objects embedded within a PDF document in Adobe 3D Reviewer software. An added benefit is that while the 3-D mouse is being used to control an object, the traditional mouse can be used simultaneously to select menu commands.

Toshiba (www.toshiba.com) announced enhancements to its line of NAND-flash-based solid state drives (SSD) with the addition of a 256-GB SSD and the launch of a series of small-sized Flash Modules for netbook computers, ultra-mobile PCs, and other mobile and peripheral applications. The 256-GB SSD has a maximum read speed of 120 MB per second and maximum write speed of 70 MB per second, via a high-speed SATA 3.0-GB-per-second interface. The new Flash Modules offer maximum read and write speeds of 80 MB and 50 MB per second, respectively. Flash Modules are also compatible with the SATA interface.

Trimble (www.trimble.com/rugged) upgraded its Trimble Recon rugged handheld computer with a new display and a PowerBoot Module with increased battery capacity, longer battery life, and shorter charging time. The Recon features a new high-resolution, sunlight-visible QVGA display. It meets MIL-STD-810F military standards for drops, vibration, and temperature extremes and is impervious to water and dust. The 17-ounce Recon runs Windows Mobile 6 and offers optional integrated Bluetooth and 802.11g wireless, a 200- or 400-MHz Intel XScale processor, 64 MB of SDRAM, and up to 256 MB of internal nonvolatile Flash storage. It also features two CompactFlash slots plus a standard nine-pin serial port and a high-speed USB port for connecting to a PC.

Wacom’s (www.wacom.com) DTZ-2100 interactive pen display features a high-resolution, 21.3-inch display that works in conjunction with a cordless, battery-free pen for precise cursor control. Users can edit maps, digitize graphics in an application on-screen, or manipulate digital models. ExpressKeys and Touch Strips provide two-handed control for zooming, panning, and quick access to keyboard shortcuts. The active-matrix LCD display has a textured and scratch-resistant surface with two coatings—one to diminish glare and another to provide a texture simulating the feel of paper. An adjustable stand allows the display to be rotated up to 180 degrees in either direction or reclined to a comfortable working angle.

The Westinghouse (www.westinghouse.com) Digital L1916HW computer monitor delivers 1,680 x 1,050 resolution, which the company says is much higher than most 19-inch monitors on the market today. With increased resolution, the on-screen image becomes clearer and more vivid. With its high-resolution and 3000:1 dynamic contrast, the L1916HW is ideal for displaying photos and working with graphic applications. The L1916HW also offers a touch sensitive key pad and 2-millisecond response time.

Xplore Technologies Corp. (www.xploretech.com) says its new iX104C4 rugged tablet PC has the best indoor/outdoor viewable display on the market today. The iX104C4’s key features include a 1.2-GHz Intel Core Duo processor; 50-percent brighter Dual Mode AllVue Xtreme display technology; integrated RS232/422/485 serial port; improved reach with 802.11n Wi-Fi at 2.4 GHz; and 40-GB or optional 80- or 120-GB, 2.5-inch shock-mounted hard disk drive. Wireless options include WLAN, WWAN, Bluetooth, and GPS. All wireless options can be used simultaneously.