Why a car computer is an essential business tool

Vehicle-based electronic devices are nothing new, but no existing in-car or mobile IT device can match a car computer's functionality and versatility. Here are a few reasons why our car computers should be your first choice for a combined vehicle infotainment and mobile IT solution...


Our car computers can do a lot more than standard in-car devices

A wide range of devices are now available, both as factory-fitted options or aftermarket add-ons, that can bring modern features to your car, including sat-nav systems, hands-free kits, mp3 players, DVD players and TV tuners.  

Our computers can perform all these 'ordinary' functions, while at the same time giving you access to facilities that only an internet-enabled PC can provide, including:

  • Web browsing
  • Email access, including verbal read-out of new emails and voice recognition for composing
  • Real-time access to the data and programs stored on your office PC, using Remote Desktop
  • Printing and scanning facilities without returning to the office
  • Use of any program that runs on Windows XP or Vista


Our car computers are more professional than using removable devices

A vehicle cabin containing a scattered collection of aftermarket in-car devices, with power cables running over or around the dashboard, is extremely untidy and unprofessional.  But it can also be dangerous, especially if cables are allowed to interfere with vehicle controls, or if devices obstruct the driver's view of the road or are not adequately secured.  

We professionally install our vehicle computers so that the computer display, through which all the computer's functions are controlled, is securely mounted in a user friendly position.  In most cars this display can be located in place of the existing radio, resulting in a very integrated look compared to using aftermarket removable devices.  


Our car computers are more functional, robust, user friendly and expandable than PDAs

Why have an imitation of a computer when you can have the real thing?  Consider the following facts: 

  • Users are more likely to be familiar with Windows XP or Vista than with Windows Mobile or other proprietary PDA operating systems 
  • PDAs have small screens - the larger screens of our car computers provide enhanced user comfort. 
  • PDAs aren't suitable for significant data input - the wireless QWERTY keyboards and voice recognition features of our car computers are much more suitable for composing emails or documents than tapping on a tiny on-screen keyboard.
  • PDAs are not upgradeable and become obsolete relatively quickly. By contrast we can upgrade our car computers in any way after the initial purchase so that they can take advantage of the latest features.
  • PDAs support a very limited range of hardware devices.  If you need to use a specialist hardware device in the field, your hardware is far more likely to be supported by a vehicle-based computer running Windows XP or Vista than a PDA.  Click here for more information about using specialist hardware devices with our car computers. 
  • PDAs support a very limited range of software. Only specially designed 'mobile' software can run on PDAs. Our car computers can run any program that runs on Windows XP or Vista, giving you access to a vast range of applications.
  • PDAs have poor storage capabilities. Our computers can have high capacity internal hard drives (currently up to 500 GB), which no PDA even comes close to.  Getting data on and off our car computers is also very easy, with dashboard mounted USB2.0 ports, DVD-RW drives, 52-in-1 card readers, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and 3G internet.
  • PDAs are fragile and easy to break. Drop a PDA and there's a good chance the device will break and your data and programs could be lost. The most vulnerable part of our car computers is what the user interacts with - namely the display and wireless keyboard.  In the unlikely event that these do malfunction they can both easily be replaced. The PC itself, which is the most valuable component and is where your data, programs and settings are stored, is installed safely out of reach elsewhere in the vehicle, creating a much more robust system. 

Our car computers thus provide a far more cost effective solution than PDA devices.  For businesses we offer leasing options over one, two or three years, removing the need to pay a large upfront sum, and giving you flexible hardware that will save significant costs in the long term.


Unlike laptops, our car computers are extremely practical for in-vehicle use

Balancing a hot laptop on your knees, or twisting round to view one resting on the passenger seat, is no recipe for efficient mobile working. Our car computers are specifically designed to be used in vehicles, and their fixed display setup emulates an office environment as much as possible. A touch sensitive display is positioned almost directly in front of the user, and data input is carried out either by voice recognition or by using a light and compact wireless keyboard - clearly the ergonomics of this setup are vastly superior to using a laptop in a vehicle.   

Furthermore, when the vehicle starts moving our computers can carry out functions such as navigation, hands-free phone control and music playback, whereas a laptop would have to retire back to its bag. 


Our computers can complement other mobile IT devices that need to be used outside the vehicle

We do accept that laptops and PDAs are more suitable when the device needs to be used outside the vehicle. However, the moment the user re-enters the vehicle, a built-in computer should be your preferred choice of device. With a full complement of the latest communication and data transfer techniques, a car computer can easily work alongside a laptop or PDA in order to maximise mobile working efficiency. 


Learn more about our car computers by visiting our capabilities page, or by watching our video