Microsoft Mobile Office System
Microsoft Corp. and Stargate Mobile have teamed with Ford Motor Co. on a mobile office system for Ford's General Contractor F-250 Super Duty Truck.
The Ford mobile office system is a small, lightweight computer that can be docked inside the vehicle and used away from the traditional office or taken anywhere on the job site. The system comes with global positioning satellite (GPS) technology, wireless broadband access, a printer, a credit card scanner and a digital-camera-equipped mobile computer that can help when bidding jobs, ordering and purchasing parts and materials, and processing payments. The mobile office system features the Microsoft Windows XP Professional operating system bundled with Microsoft Office Suite.
The Stargate Mobile computer is mounted on the transmission tunnel hump within easy reach of the driver. Once the computer is securely mounted in its vehicle cradle, it is powered by the truck's battery. The driver can remove the touch-screen computer and carry it like an ordinary laptop. With the slate form factor, a user won't be hampered by the unnecessary weight of a keyboard unless that is desired.
The lightweight, versatile design is constructed to withstand typical uses on a job site. Its screen is visible in sunlight so that several workers can huddle around for an impromptu meeting. The mobile computer can connect to the Internet and office networks via its broadband wireless cellular card.
While on the road, the system can act as a high-end GPS navigation system, providing voice and visually prompted turn-by-turn directions. The computer plays MP3 files and Internet radio over the vehicle's stereo system.
Ford plans to offer the unique mobile technology as a dealer-installed accessory through the Genuine Ford Accessories program.
For more information, visit www.microsoft.com/automotive.
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