The rugged computer marketplace is fast-paced and ever-changing. Developing a piece of contemporary rugged technology takes up to 18 months, yet in this short time the kit might already struggle to keep up with the latest format and connectivity requirements. MOD DCB features writer Domhnall Macinnes talked to Peter Molyneux, President of Getac UK, about what it takes to stay ahead in today’s defence computer marketplace.

Peter Molyneux, President of Getac UK Ltd, a leading manufacturer of rugged platforms, had his introduction to this dynamic marketplace when he began working for Rugged Systems, a firm specialising in the delivery of rugged computers to the UK market – primarily, but not exclusively, defence. Prior to joining Rugged Systems, he worked as Director of Panasonic Industrial, with responsibility for the company’s Northern Europe marketplace.

Following four successful years with Rugged Systems, where he served as Sales and Marketing Director and part owner, Mr Molyneux’s career took him to Taiwan where he began his journey with Getac, a Taiwanese rugged computer manufacturer established in Taipei City in 1989.

Mr Molyneux’s knowledge base contributed to Getac’s growing success, and seven years ago he was chosen to steer the establishment of a UK branch, evolving Getac into a global brand.

He explained the company’s scope of work: “Getac specialises in the design and manufacture of rugged computers, and in that we are rather unique. It’s not uncommon for companies in the rugged computer market to buy in batch, but we own the whole process and these are our products.

“Our roots are in defence; however, we’re much broader now. We operate in defence, emergency services, transportation, logistics, utilities, field service, oil and gas, and there are a number of core sectors we lead in. From the UK perspective we’re now number one in the defence sector.”

The rugged computer military market is competitive, and yet its requirements are unique. In the utilities market, say, a product specification can apply to the requirements of an entire range of customers. In the defence sector, however, demands are higher. The military end user goes to the marketplace seeking the latest tactical technology for the front line, and subsequently equipment manufacturers must move fast to meet the need for innovation as the threat evolves in the field.

Mr Molyneux commented: “You must adapt to meet those needs: smaller, lighter, lower cost of course, higher performance, and Commercial Off The Shelf but fully rugged. These needs can be contradictory in some cases, but what we strive to do is meet each new model demand from the defence sector. It’s changed a great deal over the last two years and therefore the business that is available is very competitive. You adapt or you die, so we’re adapting and we’re winning the business.”

Although the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy both have a need for rugged computers, the real product demand is to be found in the Army. Their range of requirements begins with traditional vehicle and man carried applications and extends to the more contemporary, man wearable solutions. Requirements for connectivity and form are also influenced by a soldier’s surroundings. Within a forward operational base, the requirement might be for a serviceable semi-rugged computer; however, the soldier in the field must be able to carry a more robust unit on his person.

Mr Molyneux said: “Predominantly the format used to be notebook computers: you took a notebook or nothing. Now it’s a long range of formats for different applications, so you could say the market has fragmented down to the user level. There is a wide variety of choice and the experience of the end user is very much taken into consideration. Smartphones, and how they can be carried and used in the field, are obviously a big influence on the format.”

With advances in technology comes a greater ability to focus on the end user’s experience. While information about future business opportunities can come through market research and from the Ministry of Defence itself, as Mr Molyneux stresses much of the real market requirement insight today comes from relationships with the military end user, who drives demand back into government. Engaging with the end user allows Getac to understand what is required of the market both today and tomorrow. The design, manufacture and implementation of a rugged computer is an expensive process which takes between 12 and 18 months. There is no room for market error.

However, even today’s technology has its limitations, as Mr Molyneux conceded: “We’re always driving innovation and we’re always looking to add a greater performance to the product or connectivity. However, a customer could say to me ‘I’d like a fully rugged 5mm height fully integrated protection IP68 device and I want to pay X amount’. I would have to reply the science doesn’t allow us to do that right now. We can’t do a fully rugged device in that size and commercially you can’t put it in that cost. So, there are times when we have to say to customers, ‘not today, but perhaps tomorrow’. We sit down with our customers, we innovate and ‘blue sky’, and we think about the next ten years. That long view is very important in this market.”

The future of rugged computers is an enthralling prospect, for both defence and civilian applications alike.

Mr Molyneux expanded: “I think the most exciting thing on the horizon is the proposition that the man is the platform. We’re talking here about man carried or man wearable technology. Soldier system programmes have been around for some time, but previously they’ve come with a compromise. Now, however, there are some new technologies that Getac and other suppliers are working on which we can see really producing strong solutions in the next three years.

“What that means for the individual is better information at source – the right information, most importantly – and a lot more visibility on the landscape. If you look at us as consumers, we’re all carrying our smartphones and we’ve got everything we need inside the one medium. Why shouldn’t the solider have the same capability in his work environment? That is the premise and although the market faces challenges in realising this, solutions are being practised and developed.”

This year, Getac is sponsoring the Buyer Engagement Village at Defence Procurement, Research, Technology & Exportability (DPRTE), to be held at the Motorpoint Arena in Cardiff on 16 March, where they will be on stand demonstrating a range of new products. Warmly inviting potential commercial customers and defence buyers alike to attend, Getac will also be presenting on ‘Secure Data At Rest Solutions’.

Mr Molyneux noted: “When it comes to security of data on notebooks, in previous generations it was relatively simple because you could use either software or hardware. This still stands today, but with regard to tablet data security the format of the device is a lot smaller and it’s more difficult to do. You also have the OS to potentially sort as well, so it’s an ongoing challenge for government to ensure they are meeting their security compliances.

“We’re putting an event together at DPRTE where the defence community can come and we’ll discuss where we are and what is needed for the market to move forward. It will be an insightful and detailed discussion.”

Mr Molyneux concluded: “DPRTE was a really good event for us in 2014 so we’re looking forward to the 2016 show. It’s a great opportunity which brings in a lot of worthwhile potential. We’re very keen to meet with our customers again and talk to them about our projects. And there are some tremendous speakers in the Keynote Arena this year – Mike Stone, Chief Digital and Information Officer at MOD ISS will be giving an address so there’s plenty to look forward to.”

For more information, visit: http://uk.getac.com