Teklogix International Inc. was awarded a $6.8 million contract to supply more than 1,100 rugged, wireless-enabled mobile computers, docking stations, technical support and service to the Chicago Police Department.
The Badger computers are specially designed to withstand extreme weather conditions, heavy vibrations and shock, and are equipped with integrated packet radio modems for wide-area wireless data communications, the company said.
The Chicago police contract will use the Ardis wireless packet data network, according to Dennis Castor, Teklogix’ marketing manager. Ardis is owned by Motorola Inc.
“Badger can also use Cellular Digital Packet Data, specialized mobile radio networks, Ram Mobile Data’s network or private business radio networks,” he said. Teklogix acquired the Tampa, Fla.-based Badger Computers division of Group Technologies Corp. last March.
“This is the largest contract ever awarded for mobile computers used in police communications,” said Rod Coutts, the company’s chairman, president and chief executive officer.
“The wide-area mobile computer is the last link in the Chicago police’s new, leading-edge emergency communication system,” Coutts added. “The system will help police forces operate more efficiently.”
Coutts said the mobile computer already is in use by the Tampa Police Department, and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in Burnaby, British Columbia, are testing it.
The company said it expects to complete the order by the end of February.
“The Chicago contract is in keeping with our strategic plans to extend our markets and provide customers with PC-based wireless communications across local or wide area networks,” Coutts said. “We see excellent opportunities to capitalize on the growth potential for wide-area data communication systems in public safety and other applications.”
Castor said the company also is pursuing opportunities in field service and the utilities industries.
Teklogix said it has installed more than 3,000 local and wide-area wireless data communications systems in 33 countries.
