We are an ambitious, rapidly growing technology company based in Fareham/Hampshire, specialising in the design, manufacture and supply of industrial computer equipment. We are looking for a dynamic and enthusiastic Product Manager, to help us expand the depth and breadth of our product portfolio of innovative industrial computers.

This role is an excellent opportunity for someone with a good grounding in product management,and with ambitions to take their product management career to the next level, across a broad spectrum of product management elements. Working in a small team, within a medium sized company, you will have exposure to all elements of marketing as opposed to a narrow vertical set. This will enrich your experience base enormously.

To be considered for this position you must have the following:

Required Skills and Experience:

• 5+ Years in a B2B and technical product management role
• Customer facing product/market needs gathering and product definition
• Business, marketing or related degree
• Product portfolio management and idea selection
• New product marketing and launch
• Cradle to grave product lifecycle management
• Computing or technology related industry knowledge

Desirable Skills and Experience:

• Product management experience of industrial computing or software products
• Copy writing for PR, product promotion and whitepapers
• Networking skills
• Presentation and training skills
• Digital marketing
• Project management
• Working to the ISO:9001 standard or a professional and structured methodology.
• Experience working to KPI’s

Key Job Responsibilities:

• Drive the P&L for every product in the portfolio and to meet agreed targets
• Manage Captec’s product portfolio for specifically targeted applications and market segments to enable Captec to build an integrated and competitive product portfolio
• Research customer and market product requirements through the use of telephone, face to face customer interviews and surveys.
• Define product requirements in line with research and actively participate in the realisation of the product.
• Identify new product opportunities through actively seeking innovative solutions combined with sound commercial judgment.
• Research and analysis of competitors, their product offerings and corresponding competitive advantages and disadvantages.
• Lead the definition of appropriate Go-To Market product marketing strategies and creation and execution of plans to ensure products are effectively introduced into the market to deliver the required revenue.
• Produce appropriate sales tool kits with cascaded training to ensure that the capability and effectiveness of the Captec and partner sales organizations are maximised
• Manage the lifecycle of all products within the portfolio from cradle to grave
• Complete BOM management, ensuring competitive pricing
• Participation in the definition, planning and creation of product marketing communication material and multi format publishing (web, print, videos, presentations)

Desirable Candidate Profile:

• Positive and enthusiastic
• Attention to detail
• Technically minded
• Professional appearance and behaviour
• Self-motivated and able to multi-task handling multiple priorities
• Able to learn new skills quickly and apply them/improve them consistently
• Lifelong learner, practitioner and teacher to others of new skills
• Organised, tidy with good time management
• Able to handle pressure to meet deadlines
• Flexible, adaptable and accepting change
• Team player with entrepreneurial spirit
• Setter and driver of high standards
• Challenge seeking with copious energy deliver and to overcome any failures along the way
• Emotionally robust to be able to deal effectively and efficiently with performance management

Salary Range:£30-37K (Subject to experience) + Bonus, Flexitime 37.5Hr, Contributed Pension Schem

Start: ASAP

Status: Permanent , Full Time

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This role is an excellent opportunity for someone at the early stages of their career in product management,with ambition to expand it with breadth and depth, across a broad spectrum of product development elements. Working in a small team, within a medium sized company, you will have exposure to all elements of product management as opposed to a narrow vertical set.

To be considered for this position you must have the following:

Required Skills and Experience:

• Required Skills and Experience
• 1+ Years in a B2B and Technical Product Management Role
• Customer facing experience within a B2B setting
• 2:1 (or above) Business, Marketing or related Degree
• Market and competitor research experience
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Microsoft Office (Excel & Powerpoint)

Desirable Skills and Experience:

• Experience in computing or technology related industries
• Copy writing for PR, product promotion and whitepapers
• Presentation skills
• Experience working to KPI’s
• Working to the ISO:9001 standard or a professional and structured methodology.

Key Job Responsibilities:

• Research customer and market product requirements through the use of telephone, face to face customer interviews and surveys
• Define product requirements in line with research and actively participate in the realisation of the product
• Identify new product opportunities through actively seeking innovative solutions combined with sound commercial judgment
• Research and analysis of competitors, their product offerings and corresponding competitive advantages and disadvantages
• Participation in the planning, preparation and market launch of new products
• Collaborate with product managers to create a portfolio of products specifically targeted applications and market segments to enable Captec to build an integrated and competitive product portfolio
• Participation in the management of the lifecycle of products
• BOM management, ensuring competitive pricing
• Provide product related information for marketing material, including web pages, PR, newsletters, seminars, webinars and blogs
• Attend industry events to continually improve market sector knowledge and promote Captec products
• Participation in the definition, planning and creation of product marketing communication material and multi format publishing (web, print, videos, presentations).

Desirable Candidate Profile:

• Positive and enthusiastic
• Attention to detail
• Technically minded
• Professional appearance and behaviour
• Self-motivated and able to multi-task handling multiple priorities
• Able to learn new skills quickly and apply them/improve them consistently
• Lifelong learner, practitioner and teacher to others of new skills
• Organised, tidy with good time management
• Able to handle pressure to meet deadlines
• Flexible, adaptable and accepting change
• Team player with entrepreneurial spirit
• Setter and driver of high standards
• Challenge seeking with copious energy deliver and to overcome any failures along the way
• Emotionally robust to be able to deal effectively and efficiently with performance management

Salary Range: £20-24K (Subject to experience) + Bonus, Flexitime 37.5Hr, Contributed Pension Scheme

Start: ASAP

Status: Permanent , Full Time

We are a rapidly growing technology company based in Fareham/Hampshire, specialising in the design, manufacture and supply of industrial computer equipment. We are looking for a dynamic and enthusiastic Marketing Assistant,to help us expand our marketing, particularly in the digital/internet space.

This role is an excellent opportunity for someone at the early stages of their career in marketing,with ambition to expand it across a broad spectrum of marketing elements. Working in a small team, you will have exposure to all elements of marketing.. This will enrich your experience base enormously, and offer greater opportunities for taking empowered responsibility and drive career development.

To be considered for this position you must have the following:

Required Skills and Experience:

• 2+ Years working in a marketing function
• Web Digital Marketing (SEO, PPC, Linked-in, You-Tube, social media, etc..)
• Degree in Marketing or related Marketing/Communications variant
• Excellent oral communication skills and copywriting skills to produce marketing copy
• Website content management

Desirable Skills and Experience:

• Sector knowledge/experience in any one of: Medical, Transport, Automation, Energy, Communications or Defence & Security
• Creative skills for collateral composition & presentations
• Proficient user of Adobe Creative Studio Packages (Photoshop & In-Design)
• WordPress CMS
• Experience working to KPI’s
• Working to ISO:9001 standard

Key Job Responsibilities:

• Assistancewith all marketing communications, materials creation, composition and distribution to target audiences(eg. Data Sheets, Brochures, Posters, Presentations, Videos, Signage, etc..)
• Contributions in copywriting of messaging and content for collateral material.
• Involvement in photography & video origination and composition in keeping with briefings and plans
• Scheduling, distribution and appropriate filing of all Marcom materials Administration and composition of website and digital media content (eg. Linked-in, Twitter, Facebook, You-Tube, Wikipedia etc..)
• Market research and analysis to feed into strategy setting to maximise our digital web presence
• Co-ordination of bloggers to feed content to website and wider web presence
  Monitoring, analysis, reporting and review web data to support maximisation of marketing strategies, tactics and activities
• Collaborative teamwork with the Product Management team in supporting Product launch and collateral requirementsAssistance in the creation and distribution process of PR and emailshots
• Research and engagement with Media (eg Editors) to maximise presence in the printed and digital media
• Assistance with staging of events (eg. Webinars, Seminars, Exhibitions)
• Administration support relating to the Captec Brand

Desirable Candidate Profile:

• Able to handle pressure to meet deadlines
• Flexible, adaptable and accepting change
• Positive and enthusiastic
• Team player with entrepreneurial spirit
• Setter and driver of high standards
• Challenge seeking with energy to deliver and overcome failures along the way
• Emotionally robust, able to deal effectively with performance management
• Reasonable period of tenure in previous roles
• Flexibility & willingness to adapt to the needs of an SME size business

Salary Range: £20-25K (Subject to experience) + Bonus, Flexitime 37.5Hr, Contributed Pension Scheme

Start: ASAP

Status: Permanent , Full Time

We are an ambitious, rapidly growing technology company based in Fareham/Hampshire, specialising in the design, manufacture and supply of industrial computer equipment. We are looking for a dynamic and enthusiastic Marketing Communications Manager, to help us expand our marketing, particularly in the digital/internet space.

This role is an excellent opportunity for someone with a good grounding in Marketing Communications,and with ambitions to take their career to a management level. Working in a small team, you will have exposure to all elements of marketing. This will enrich your experience base enormously. If you have the ambition to take on management responsibility with a mix of getting stuck in, managing marketing outcomes and the people in the team delivering them, this is a role that can take you there.

To be considered for this position you must have the following:

Required Skills and Experience:

• 5+ Years in a B2B marketing role
• 2+ Years in a supervisory/managerial capacity
• Computing or technology related industry knowledge
• Web Digital Marketing (SEO, PPC, Linked-in, You-Tube, social media, etc..)
• PR & Media Management
• Degree in Marketing or related equivalent in business or engineering
• Excellent oral communication skills and copywriting skills to produce marketing copy
• Website content management

Desirable Skills and Experience:

• Good people management
• Product launch & through-life marketing
• Sector experience in any one of: Medical, Transport, Automation, Energy, Communications or Defence & Security
• Experience as budget setter/holder
• Working to ISO:9001 standard
• Experience working to KPI’s
• Creative skills for collateral composition & presentation
• Work Scheduling & project management
• Proficient user of Adobe Creative Studio Packages (Photoshop & In-Design)
• WordPress CMS

Key Job Responsibilities:

• Management of marketing communications, materials creation, composition and distribution to target audiences(eg. Data Sheets, Brochures, Posters, , etc..)
• Copywriting of messaging and content
• Management of photography/video origination and composition
• Management, administration and composition of website, and digital presence content (Linked-in, Twitter, Facebook, You-Tube, Wikipedia etc..)
• Market research, analysis and strategy setting to maximise digital web presence
• Management of bloggers to feed content to website and wider web presence
• Monitoring, analysis, reporting and review web data to support maximisation of marketing strategies, tactics and activities
• Collaborative teamwork with the Product Management team in supporting Product launch and collateral requirements
• Management of the creation and distribution of PR and emailshots to strengthen voice in the market
• Research and engagement with Media (eg Editors) to maximise presence in the printed and digital media
• Management and staging of events (eg. Webinars, Seminars, Exhibitions).
• Management of all aspects relating to the Captec Brand and its associated dependencies.

Desirable Candidate Profile:

• Able to handle pressure to meet deadlines
• Flexible, adaptable and accepting change
• Positive and enthusiastic
• Team player with entrepreneurial spirit
• Setter and driver of high standards
• Challenge seeking with energy to deliver and overcome failures along the way
• Emotionally robust,able to deal effectively with performance management
• Reasonable period of tenure in previous roles.
• Flexibility & willingness to adapt to the needs of an SME size business

Salary Range:£30-40K (Subject to experience) + Bonus, Flexitime 37.5Hr, Contributed Pension Scheme

Start: ASAP

Status: Permanent , Full Time

Modern, complex SCADA and process control systems require clear real time displays allowing decisive operator interaction for efficient process automation and monitoring. HMI computers need to have optimum graphics and processing power to analyse and deliver information effectively, in real time. They need to be sufficiently powerful and responsive to operator inputs, generating control demands and updating screen displays.

Machine Automation HMIs have similar requirements, but relating to individual machines rather than whole processes. These additionally need to withstand environmental conditions created by the machinery, including shock, vibration, dust and heat.

Key Benefits

• Highly responsive graphics and data processing
• Configurable operation from 5 front panel function keys
• Designed for wet and dusty environments with IP65 sealed front panel
• Perfect for Machine Automation with wide temperature range and shock & vibration protection
• Versatile I/O configurations from multi-slot expansion

Highly responsive graphics and data processing

Powerful 3rd generation Intel Core i processors, with exceptional graphics performance delivering highly responsive processing and HMI displays.

Configurable operation from 5 front panel function keys

Featuring 5 easy access, front panel function keys for direct control that can be configured to meet the needs of individual applications.

Designed for wet and dusty environments with IP65 sealed front panel

The sealed front panel prevents dust and liquid ingress, while providing full functionality of the touch screen display.

Perfect for Machine Automation requiring wide temperature range and shock & vibration protection

Designed for the factory environment, capable of operating from -10oC to 50oC, and withstanding shock and vibration ensures reliable operation, even when mounted on motorised machinery.

Versatile I/O configurations with multi-slot expansion

Modular expansion for up to 2 data acquisition and I/O cards provides significant flexibility in configuring automation and monitoring applications.

This new range of Touch Panel Computers comprises three models with 12”, 15” and 17” touch screen displays, designated TPC-121, TPC-150 and TPC-170, respectively. Each is available with a choice of four processors: Intel Celeron, Core i3/i5 or i7, and Windows 7/8 or Linux operating systems. Incorporating multiple communications ports including Dual GB LAN, RS232 Port and multiple USB ports.

To find out more about the range please visit our Touch Panel Computer product page.

In my blog last year, I talked about a significant proportion of ARM based products being on show, this year they are still ever more present, and this year, it has a new friend in the form of Google’s Android. It was clear from the number of Android things appear to be changing in the embedded computer industry much as they are in the mobile space, having captured the mobile phone market (around 53% at the turn of 2013).Being based on a linux kernel, there is a perception of reliability, and reliability is something embedded applications demand. Given Google squarely made the OS to power a new generation of mobile phones and I can’t imagine it was ever developed with this industrial market in mind, which left me thinking there are perhaps there is some draw backs too.

Security remains a concern for many, and its only likely to grow as the OS becomes ever more pervasive in the mobile space, having an errant mobile phone is one thing, but an errant machine is an entirely different proposition. Add to this the longevity (or lack thereof)  of the OS  with no less than 10 significant releases since 2009 – that’s almost three a year, it’s hard to imagine each version will be supported with security updates – a rather a stark contrast when compared to Microsoft Embedded 8′s fifteen year lifecycle!

This short lifespan forcing a compromise of slavishly following the latest version (hardware allowing) to stay secure or sticking with your original version to maintain optimal support for your application and avoid tiresome redevelopment, and revalidation, but far more likely is massive application fragmentation across dozens of releases.

Then there is compatibility – are there enough embedded application developers willing to change skill set from OS’s like Windows CE or x86 Win32 environments ready to make the applications for android based systems? Certainly there is no lack of domestic applications being created (something like 700,000 on Google’s store, Google Play) so perhaps the signs are good in this area.

And what of Microsoft? Sitting under the banner of ‘Powering Intelligent Systems On One Trusted Platform’ Microsoft were no less present at the show, as well as a significant partner ecosystem being present, Windows Embedded 8 was clearly on show. For me though, given the upsurge of ARM powered devices, Windows RT is what I’d love to see more of in the embedded space – combining the usability of Windows 8′s live tile interface and the security of a Microsoft OS all on a low power ARM device, having made its debut on Microsoft’s own Surface it has already impressed many.

It remains to be seen if both embedded developers, and more importantly Microsoft will facilitate Windows RT’s transition into the embedded industry alongside their armoury of embedded operating systems, but one thing is for certain, embedded systems as we know them are changing at an incredible pace.

There are special milestone moments when it’s very exciting to be in the technology space.  One of these must be punctuated by the Embedded World Exhibition.  Hosted in Nurnberg Germany, with a freshly delivered carpet of snow to greet the international visitors, the exhibition was bristling with the latest and greatest of innovations in computing and its embedded applications.  From microcontrollers to embedded servers, all the technologies that provide the building blocks of the latest generation of “Intelligent Systems” were packed into five halls.

The event has developed into a permanent feature in the exhibition calendar of the international embedded community over the past years.  The best testimonial to its significance is the exhibitor and visitor attendance. With some 900 exhibitors in five halls and more than 22,500 trade visitors and conference participants from 58 countries, it is the world’s biggest and most important embedded event for the whole value chain of embedded system technology.

With so much on show where to start?  Probably the key messages from the industry giants, Intel and Microsoft, plastered right at the entrance underpin the core message.  It’s all about Intelligent Systems.  From the smallest microcontroller in an embedded device, to the whole technology stack connecting it to embedded servers in the cloud delivering data analytics and transforming our lives.

Starting from the silicon providers, they were all out there in force.  Whether the key X86 microprocessor providers of Intel and AMD, or the ARM core providers including Freescale, TI, and a multitude of others.  The pivoting point of microprocessor technology is in my view ARM.  Its dominance in the device space with ultra-low energy processors, has now scaled to the 64 bit architecture.  So not only are there already thousands of boards and modules powered by ARM technology, but increasingly, multi-core, multi-processor, and server grade boards are emerging based on ARM cores.  There is a silent revolution emerging in the embedded market.  These CPUs, and clusters of CPUs, will no doubt change the x86 landscape in the not so distant future.  Much for the better in my view, as they will be far more energy efficient, as well as challenge the x86 architecture to innovate further and faster.  But in the meantime, ARM still dominates the embedded space.  With so many developers embedding this microprocessor technology in devices, their volume by far exceeds the PC market dominated by Intel.

Probably the main up and coming platforms are the rapidly emerging rugged tablets.  With the phenomenal popularity of commercial tablets led by the iPad, it wasn’t going to be long before these highly versatile platforms were going to emerge in the industrial/embedded space.

These now offer a wide selection of choices from 7 to 10.4” as well as a multitude of smaller multi-function devices for logistics applications with in-built barcode and RFID scanners, and a multitude of other features, historically found in specialist proprietary products.  Innovations in battery technologies offer un-interrupted use with dual battery packs which can be replaced whilst the tablet is still operational.

What remains a constant at Embedded World is the plethora of PC based systems.  Predominantly Embedded PC boards, box PCs and Panel PCs.  Hundreds upon hundreds of them.  All very similar in functionality and size, with little differentiation.  Its copy meets copy.  That said, there were a few highly innovative embedded micro-box PCs that I believe will offer specialist applications a differentiated platform.

Some of the new entrants to the market have differentiated themselves, by innovation to cater for specialist applications, or to adapt the latest CPU technologies to small form factor embedded fan-less computers.  Able to package the latest third generation Core i7 microprocessors for the more demanding applications.  Thermal management is the primary challenge with these, but some manufacturers have been very ingenious in their innovation.  They have also managed to pack in a high degree of extra functionality in terms of storage options, redundancy, and connectivity.

Ultra rugged micro box, embedded fan-less PCs are also starting to become more prolific.  Historically the domain of very specialist manufacturers, most from the USA and with eye watering price tags. New players are now emerging, with more competitively priced equipment, whilst still offering the extreme ruggedness demanded by specialist applications such as defence, transport, oil and gas and similar. The units are very well built, with virtually 360deg thermal management and high specification rugged connectors, but, still adopting the standard form factor of the connectors, eg. RJ45.

Like the box PCs, Panel PCs shared a common theme of hundreds of same, or similar models.  But also some more specialist and differentiated offerings.  These are mostly centred on IP rating and water proofing.  Some even totally submersible, showcased inside a fish tank!  Not sure what applications might require this, or be willing to pay the premium for the feature.  Other more appropriate innovations include ruggedized models for transport and oil & gas platforms with incorporated anti-vibration and shock protection mounts.  But still a very wide choice of panel PCs from the smallest form factor around 7″ to well over 2x”.

The OS and software vendors were out in force.  Microsoft had an impressive stand, with its partner ecosystem well represented.  The flagship theme is Windows 8, with the stand and branding very closely aligned to the newly refreshed Windows 8 branding.  Wind River, Green Hills, Oracle and even IBM are all now taking a far greater presence in the embedded space. Odd as it may seem, the device is no longer viewed as a small insular entity.  It’s a critical input source of real time data feeding the cloud. Data is the new valuable raw material mined to feed databases, and onward analysis to empower better business decisions.  Hence the presence of industry giants Oracle and IBM.  In Oracle’s case, not just around their database expertise, but they also have a significant embedded offering with Java, which is extensively used by developers all over the world.

Probably the most prevalent of all technologies at Embedded World, are computer boards and modules, of all sorts of sizes and form factors.  Again, so much sameness its difficult to understand the benefits of one manufacturer vs another.  At the modular level, what was a pretty well established standard of Com Express, has now resulted in fragmentation and the evolution of more and more proprietary interconnect rather, than compliance to a unified standard.  Speak to any manufacturer of these and they say its the new emerging standard.  But when you ask who else is compatible to this “new standard” they struggle to name any other manufacturer.  So its not an industry standard, its lots of individual manufacturers thinking theirs is a better interconnect specification.

Compact PCI is also growing in prevalence, with far more vendors and a more competitive offering, from a number of new players.  The other underlying trend is wide temperature range.  Operating temperatures of -20 to +70 deg C are becoming increasingly common and at competitive prices. 

Finally, prices of embedded processor boards are dropping, to the point where design your own+make vs buy decisions are in the no-brainer quadrant.  Low cost ARM Coretex-M evaluation development boards were on offer for as little as €10, making the Raspberry Pie sound very expensive!  With development boards so cheap, in today’s high paced innovation cycles, engineers can turn to standard building blocks, rather than ground up own designs, which then require make, rather than buy as standard models.

Displays of all sizes were out in force.  From the tiniest of 1 line to very large 2x” display panels and all sorts of in-betweens.  The usual mix of technologies on display, but some notable innovations.  The main one, in the area of high brightness for outdoor use, and the second in touchscreen technologies with bonded variations offering minimised reflection.  Once again the choices are endless, in size, brightness, specification and price.

Last but not least, of all the mix of technologies, one that whilst embryonic, will have a significant impact to the embedded industry and the proliferation of “Intelligent Systems” is M2M technologies.  It is estimated that by 2020 there will be as many as 50billion connected devices.  These embedded devices already provide, and will increasingly expand, to seamlessly provide a multitude of support services in transport, healthcare,  communications, entertainment, and many more.  Underpinning this connectivity are a multitude of M2M technologies, both hardware and software, to enable and empower secure and always connected devices and intelligent systems.  Managing the communications, the remote forest of devices, the embedded servers collecting and analysing data, will result in a highly coupled network of connected devices and systems.  So whilst the internet has been a phenomenon connecting people, the next generation will be one of connecting devices.  And there will be far, far more of these than humans on the planet.

Finally, as with most exhibitions, what is always fascinating are the demos of model scaled items, whether it’s a car wash, fleet management of farming equipment or scale model vehicles self-navigating an obstacle course.

As always there were all manner of gimmicks to attract visitors to stands.  From a purple giraffe, a robot composed of embedded components to a very skilful bar tender dishing out cocktails to the beat of the Conga on who else but the Congatec stand!

The media was also out in force with what seemed like a few hundred different international technology publications covering the embedded market.  It’s a testament of the growth and importance of the sector to be so extensively covered by the media.

With so many new platforms and technologies, the Captec product team will be assessing these for the next generation of product offerings that will find their way in the Captec portfolio. Everyone can offer standard box PCs, but few have the highly differentiated platforms for the more demanding and specialist applications.

Critical ship systems require high quality, dependable and, most importantly, marine certified computers to run them. These computers need to be configured to meet the specific needs of the application, such as  high graphics processing power for navigation charting displays, or extensive I/O for propulsion control and monitoring. Additionally, they need to be installed in an appropriate location, which in some applications can be space constrained. Once installed reliability and maintainability are key to the successful on-going operation of the ship system.

Key Benefits

• Fully approved by marine authorities for use in critical ship systems
• Versatile configuration with a range of type approved add-in cards
• Compact form factor with flexible mounting options
• High performance processors for demanding workloads
• Wide temperature range and environmental protection
• Exceptional reliability with no moving parts

Fully approved by marine authorities for use in critical ship systems

These marine computers are type approved by DNV for use in ship systems: IEC 60945, DNV 2.4 and IACS 10.

Versatile configuration with a range of type approved add-in cards

Type approval includes a range of I/O and graphics cards, giving flexibility in configuration and I/O capability within the approval scope.

Compact form factor with flexible mounting options

Compact form allows the units to be installed wherever needed, with desk, wall or 19” rack mounting options.

High performance processors for demanding workloads

Exploiting the power of Intel’s Core i5 processors gives superior processing performance enabling multiple ship functions to be consolidated onto a single computer.

Wide temperature range and environmental protection

Designed for the marine environment, capable of operating from -15^oC to 55^oC, and withstanding shock and vibration ensures reliable operation, wherever installed on a ship.

 Exceptional reliability with no moving parts

Fanless operation provides exceptional reliability and simplifies maintenance procedures. It also means the units are silent in operation, allowing installation in quiet areas.

The range consists of two models: the enix 2067 offers a compact unit that accommodates half height add-in cards in a 2U rack height enclosure The enix 3067 offers a similar specification, but with the additional scope for full height add-in cards in a 3U high enclosure. Both models have a range of optional pre-certified add-on cards providing isolated serial ports and additional multi-output digital display connectivity. The computers are available with Intel Core I5 as well as Celeron processors and support Microsoft Windows 7 , Windows XP and Linux.

Find out more about our range of Marine Certified Computers

Warehouse management is a crucial element of the supply chain, ensuring receipt, storage and movement of goods is optimised for maximum efficiency and full support of other parts of the chain.

This requires real time operation and updating and often involves managing and coordinating activities across multiple sites.

Efficient Warehouse management systems ensure the best customer service, inventory accuracy, flexibility and responsiveness are achieved at minimum cost and with minimum labour. They also minimise stock holding and maximise the efficiency of space and storage.

These systems involve computer hardware and software, connected to databases and various peripherals for data input and documentation production. The use of intelligent terminals reduces the loading on data connections and improves the efficiency of the system. These terminals need associated peripherals and interfaces for near and far stock code scanning, voice picking, capturing signatures and reading and printing documentation. Furthermore, they can be using for checking the inventory by the QA team and update the database in real time.

Handheld and fork truck mounted Rugged Tablets used in a warehouse environment are connected via wireless LAN with a centralised network that allows access to ERP software, supply chain software and other production and quality software modules that can be used. The Rugged Tablets utilise automatic identification and data capture technology, such as RFID, 1-D or 2-D barcode scanners, cameras and signature digitisers and also use Bluetooth, WiFi or WWAN for easy file exchange with other devices.

In an increasingly turbulent and uncertain economic climate, having a reliable, dependable and innovative supply chain is both a competitive advantage and a commercial necessity.  Captec recognises the importance of this, both for our own needs and in order to enable us to be more agile and innovative in serving our customers’ needs.  We invite and encourage our supply chain to raise the bar in 2013.

The Captec Supplier of the Year Award aims to recognise outstanding performance and best practice by a Captec supplier during the course of 2013.  Suppliers will be assessed against a number of measured performance metrics as well as soft metrics, associated with their engagement and relationships with all the appropriate stakeholders in our business.

Purchasing Manager Andy McLeod explains further, “Our customers expect our Industrial or Controlled/Certified Computers to operate reliably in the demanding conditions in which they run their applications.  Our computing platforms therefore have to be reliable, delivered on time, and with the appropriate longevity, change and obsolescence control that our customers require.  In order to do this well and successfully, we depend on our supply chain for their expertise and the achievement of high standards of supply chain integration.  We value a supply chain that is constantly innovating, striving for high standards and behaves in keeping with the spirit and principles of partnership”.

Excellence Award Criteria

Award recipients will be determined based on an evaluation of their performance during 2013. The scoring criteria will evaluate supplier performance in all the areas outlined below:

• Agility and flexibility of supply
• Partnership & risk sharing
• Quality of communications
• Support of lean Initiatives
• Innovation & development support
• Practitioners of best practice

Specific Measurable Parameters

• On-Time delivery
• Quality performance
• Best value with cost reduction initiatives

Captec will provide feedback to the suppliers of their performance as appropriate.  We will also endeavour to share as much best practice as we can amongst the supply chain.

The winner of the award will be announced in December 2013 and presented with the Captec 2013 Supplier Award as well as a celebratory bottle of Champagne.  We invite all our supply chain to take on the challenge and compete for this award.