TOUGHBOOK: An Ideal Solution for Federal Systems Integrators
Federal systems integrators (FSIs) ensure that U.S. military troops and federal agency employees can deploy at a moment’s notice. As the capabilities of mobility technology evolve, it has become increasingly important for government agencies of all types to implement mobile technology solutions and keep operations agile.
FSIs are contracted to manage the deployment of government technology. Rugged laptops and the robust applications that run on them ensure that an FSI’s clients can run the nation’s most critical systems, agencies, and departments.
The Important Role of Federal Systems Integrators
Systems integration refers to the process of connecting disparate systems and software applications, so they work together as a single system. FSIs design, develop and implement a wide range of IT systems for public sector clients.
Those clients may include a wide range of government agencies, all of which are responsible for the administration and oversight of a specific field, sector, or area of study. These agencies might create or enforce regulations, provide services to the public, collect and analyze data and handle countless other responsibilities.
To get the job done efficiently, effectively, and securely, federal agencies need robust hardware combined with reliable software and connectivity. The military, for example, must ensure that its troops and supplies have access to essential systems and data — even in extremely harsh or remote locations where traditional solutions aren’t available.
Panasonic offers numerous mobile solutions that can help any government unit optimize its operations, whether in the office or in the field. Our line of TOUGHBOOK® rugged computers and rugged tablets are the ultimate choice for FSIs that want to deliver efficient, secure, and future-proof solutions for government agencies.
7 Mobility Challenges Faced By Federal Systems Integrators
Government organizations often require specialized equipment that can operate anytime, anywhere, under any conditions. Connecting these dots isn’t always easy for FSIs, which face these and other mobility challenges:
- Strict security requirements. Federal system integrators need mobile devices and applications that can effectively protect sensitive data and meet stringent government security standards.
- User adoption. It’s essential for FSIs to provide solutions that are user-friendly and easy to learn so they can be onboarded quickly.
- Long-term reliability. Federal system integrators have to equip their customers with solutions that will stand the test of time.
- Tough working environments. The mobile solutions that FSIs select must be able to stand up to some of the toughest conditions while meeting all federal standards.
- Rapidly advancing technology. FSIs must provide government organizations with technology that can handle innovative software and cutting-edge solutions.
- Compliance. Solutions offered by federal system integrators must comply with an expansive range of government regulations, including the Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA) and the Cybersecurity Act of 2015.
- Complexity. FSIs need the expertise and resources to successfully deploy, manage, and maintain the mobility solutions they implement for the government.
Fulfilling Government Technology Requirements
Mission-critical systems must operate reliably around the clock and in the harshest of conditions. Panasonic has set the standard in the mission-critical PC space with our TOUGHBOOK brand. No other company offers the same level of flexibility, rugged design, and engineering prowess provided by rugged TOUGHBOOK devices. Federal systems integrators can count on Panasonic as a premier partner for mission-critical computing requirements.
TOUGHBOOK devices are the perfect choice for FSIs whose agency clients need government laptops with efficient, secure, and future-proof solutions:
This semi-rugged Windows® laptop offers exceptional flexibility with user-removable expansion areas for optical drives, authentication readers, and more. With 38 hours of battery life, an optional hot-swappable battery, and three xPAK areas, this laptop is ideal for maintenance, shipboard use, field communications, and much more.
This 14-inch, fully rugged laptop offers unrivaled flexibility in even the most demanding and unpredictable environments, with its class-leading eight modular areas, MIL-STD-810H-compliant all-weather performance, and fastest cellular connectivity in the industry.
Panasonic is the only major manufacturer of rugged laptops and mobile solutions that designs, builds, and tests its mobile devices in its own production facilities that support a secure supply chain. As a preferred technology partner for many industry leaders, Panasonic has extensive experience with government and Department of Defense (DoD) rugged computing requirements and standards. Our assemblies are built almost entirely by Panasonic employees and robots — robots also designed and manufactured by Panasonic — using our own components, including batteries and screens.
A Mobile Solution Tailored to Government Technology Needs
With agency missions ranging from border security to food safety and emergency response, federal workers have widely diverse responsibilities. Panasonic’s industry-leading TOUGHBOOK mobile solutions and services give every government employee the information and tools they need to serve their country and its citizens.
TOUGHBOOK mobile solutions can address an expansive range of specific government agency needs, such as:
Enhanced security features
Firefighters, soldiers, government field agents and other high-risk professionals need devices that are as resistant to hacking and data breaches as they are to harsh physical environments. This is especially true for mission-critical functions in the U.S. government, which has codified security into procurement requirements in regulations such as the Trade Agreements Act (TAA).
TAA is an important regulation for systems integrators managing large government contracts. This is in part because the TAA is designed to provide an additional layer of cybersecurity protection for connected devices, reducing security risks introduced in the manufacturing process. Panasonic maintains strict control over our supply chain and manufacturing processes and provides devices without compromise.
Advanced biometrics
Biometric approaches, such as fingerprint and facial scanning, represent an additional authentication feature that takes advantage of each person’s unique identifying characteristics. More advanced biometrics options also authenticate users based on how they type or by voice recognition. Some TOUGHBOOK models ship with built-in infrared cameras, allowing users to authenticate themselves via facial recognition even in low-light conditions. This is especially useful for nighttime surveillance work by federal law enforcement.
Multifactor authentication
While password protection is commonplace for mobile devices, many government organizations and industries require multifactor authentication. This means users must provide an additional factor beyond a password such as a smartcard, fingerprint, or facial recognition to get into a device or network.
Offering multifactor authentication capabilities ensures that FSIs can help government clients thwart increasingly sophisticated attacks on mobile devices. When multifactor authentication is in place, it requires a user to input both a password and a one-time signature generated by a second device in the possession of the user.
A Strong Partner in Your Corner
TOUGHBOOK devices improve efficiency, productivity, and collaboration within government agencies through field operations support, mobile workforce capabilities, real-time communication, and reliable, supportive hardware. TOUGHBOOK mobile solutions bring real-time data to federal employees wherever they are, whether they’re validating passports, organizing evidence, tracking assets, and/or performing inspections and safety checks.
Panasonic designs a deployment support package tailor-made for the specific environment, giving FSIs a turnkey solution that’s been rigorously stress-tested. Among other services, our deployment support includes:
- 100% guaranteed functionality
- Asset tagging and management
- Disk image management
- Deployment reports
- Accessory kitting services
Panasonic is standing by to help with the rugged technology and comprehensive support services you need to meet the strict demands of government clientele. With a rugged technology provider like Panasonic, FSIs get access to the latest technologies, support for complex projects, reduced costs, and increased customer satisfaction.
