Kalidor Welcomes Two New Business Partners

For most people, the word rugged brings to mind an environment that is uncommonly harsh and perhaps far removed from the world of the mobile professional. While these settings certainly require a special breed of computer, rugged is also beginning to signify mobile computers treated and used just like the paper-based systems they aim to replace.

For Upland, California-based Kalidor, this means that mobile computers must be designed to withstand everyday styles of use. In this article, we’ll describe two applications to which rugged pen computing is particularly well suited.

Kalidor’s Business Partner Program

First, a bit of background. In July, we reported that Kalidor has created a new Business Partner Program targeted towards VARS, developers, and systems integrators that are serious about the ruggedized, pen computing market. As part of the program, Kalidor offers lead referral, promotional and co-operative marketing, pre-sales assistance, as well as a product evaluation program.

Recently, Kalidor welcomed two developers as Kalidor Business Partners: CarteGraph Systems and Condor Earth Technologies, Inc. Dubuque, Iowa-based CarteGraph Systems is a developer of geographical information system (GIS) mapping applications. The company’s MAPview software suite is a set of integrated GIS applications that enable data collection, management, and analysis. In order to increase user efficiency when using the Windows-based software, each module includes a feature known as FASTCapture incorporating a number of time-saving shortcuts.

Typically, users of MAPview are interested in creating and maintaining an inventory of physical assets that can be located just about anywhere. This type of application clearly calls for a rugged, mobile computer, capable of accommodating this on-the-go style of field work.

More GIS From Condor

Also joining as a new business partner is Sonora, California-based Condor Earth Technologies. Condor is a developer of GIS mapping and surveying applications, and its program, PenMap, is a field data collection application that enables users to develop CAD, survey, and GIS data in real-time.

Condor’s PenMap features an on-site graphic display which enables people to consult collected data, digital maps, and other plans using Kalidor’s pen computer. In addition, Condor also offers an integrated system known as VECTORMAP that combines its PenMap software with Vector binoculars from Leica, creating a high-quality mapping system.

As you’ll recall, Kalidor offers a 486-based pen computer known as the K2100. The computer is available with either a rugged hard drive or an even more sturdy solid state IDE flash disk. The Kalidor 2100 features a 6″ x 4.5″ (15.2 x 11.4 cm) VGA pressure sensitive display using a tetherless pen for input. The system employs local bus video, and can be equipped with up to 16 MB of RAM, all powered by nickel metal hydride battery technology.

Also Noted…

In an unrelated announcement, Proxim announced an agreement to fully integrate its RangeLAN2 2.4 GHz spread spectrum wireless LAN technology into Kalidor’s K2000 series of pen computers.

CarteGraph Systems
1660 Embassy West Drive
Suite 270
Dubuque, Iowa 52002-2246
Jay Wickham
(319) 556-8120
(319) 556-8149 (fax)

Condor Earth Technologies, Inc.
21663 Brian Lane
P.O. Box 3905
Sonora, CA 95370
(209) 532-0361
(209) 532-0773 (fax)

Kalidor
400 N. Mountain Ave.,
Suite 310
Upland, CA 91786
Fred Gladney
(909) 931-9888
(909) 931-3885 (fax)

Proxim, Inc.
295 North Bernardo Avenue
Mountain View, CA 94043
(415) 960-1630
(415) 964-5181 (fax)