Microbus enjoyed another successful show at this year's National Association of Police Fleet Managers (NAPFM) Exhibition, held last week. Over 30 vehicles demonstrated the Microbus in Vehicle PC solution. Richard Blake, Sales and Marketing Director for Microbus stated, "Having so many vehicle manufacturers, suppliers and integrators use the Microbus PC as the foundation for their system is a resounding vote of confidence in our products."
Delegates and visitors to the Microbus stand were able to see installations of our computers in various police vehicles. Sussex Constabulary's road-proven Ford Focus and BMW Authorities' 330d both equipped with a Clean Dash installation of the Microbus M-PC2 in-vehicle PC, demonstrated the real benefits of mobile data when based on reliable, partnership-developed hardware. Airwave's Volvo Police demonstrator showed the Microbus LINX vehicle-based PC's interaction with peripheral equipment, displaying camera monitoring, TETRA radio, matrix LED sign and light bar control through the high brightness colour touch screen.
Microbus' involvement at the show also extended to the provision of an M-PC2 vehicle computer included as part of the One Box Concept which was launched at the show by ACPO ITS.The One Box Concept - Single Vehicle Architecture is seen by the UK Police Service as the future for its vehicles and the equipment to be installed in them. The M-PC2 was chosen by ACPO to illustrate the concept of integrated vehicle technology architecture for emergency service equipment fitted to vehicles. The computer and touch screen work with equipment installed by the vehicle manufacturers such as vehicle and emergency service functions and reuse of vehicle switch gear to create a safe, ergonomically efficient and friendly in vehicle environment.Jim Hammond, Chief Superintendent of the ACPO ITS Working Group, said: "We had many visitors to the stand over the two days and got very favourable feedback on the One Box Concept demonstrated by Microbus and other suppliers and their integration into the overall Concept in particular. The Fleet Managers were particularly impressed with the reduced wiring and ANPR camera in the roof bar as well as the potential for a modular approach. As one long-serving motorway inspector was heard to comment, 'At last someone is looking out for the users.'"