Tough Technology for a Bail Agent's Rough Lifestyle

• December 29, 2009
• by Collateral Staff
• Business Tools
• Technology

Today has been 'one of those days'. You had a sentencing set for one of your clients who was out on $150,000 bail early this morning. You showed up, checked in with the bailiff and were immediately notified that the defendant had not arrived.

After waiting for an hour you called the home office to put your lead investigator on high alert. Increasingly aware that the defendant was not going to show, you waited for the call. Another 45 minutes passed and your detective called to let you know that you had a rabbit. Off to the home office to pick up your backup detective and jump into the truck to head out toward the defendant's parents house in the desert.

The dirt road was muddy and rutted out, but it's all worth apprehending the skip before he's gone for good. You're weren't loaded today, so when you got to the house you opened the back door of the truck to grab a vest and... your laptop fell out of the back of your truck, straight into a mud puddle.

The defendant was at the location, so you got him in handcuffs and back to the authorities. This catch was much easier than some, however your laptop is completely ruined and the amount of data lost is priceless.

What are you going to do? You're wishing you had invested in a more durable laptop, but instead are going to scrape together the funds to replace the computer. Not to mention the irreplaceable data that is now completely lost.

As you know, bail agents, recovery agents and investigators alike need technology that can withstand a very rough lifestyle. A durable laptop, cell phone and digital camera may cost you more upfront, but investing in the security of your equipment as well as your data is invaluable.

Tough Laptops
The Panasonic Toughbook CF-30 was the first true tough laptop in it's class. Built to withstand extreme weather or clumsiness, this computer is said to hold up against heavy rainstorms, major coffee spills, tornado force sandstorms (winds up to 70mph) and six foot drops. With the sealed all-weather design and shock mounted hard drive, this computer has enough durability to withstand the bail industry. Click here to read more about about the Panasonic Toughbook CF-30.

The Dell Latitude E6300 XFR was built to withstand dust, heat, wind, ice, accidental drops and other harsh punishments. This laptop has a durability rating of 65 meaning that it can withstand the same wind and water torture as the Panasonic Toughbook CF-30, however when PCWorld.com tested the drop height, this computer only withstood test drops of up to 4 feet while closed and 3 feet while open and operating. Click here to read more about the Dell Latitude E6400 XFR.
The Panasonic Toughbook 52 is what Panasonic calls their semi-rugged notebook. This toughbook provides a healthy cross between durability and style. It has a more stylish finish than the Dell XFR and the CF-30 but is still durable with great spill and shock resistance ratings. Additionally it has an optional integrated fingerprint reader, which is great for security purposes.

According to PCworld.com the toughbook "withstood test drops of up to 2.5 feet, and it can take 220 pounds of direct pressure," meaning this computer is significantly more durable than a standard laptop. Click here to read more about thePanasonic Toughbook 52.

Cell Phones
The Sonim XP3 Quest cell phone boasts the same durability rating as the Panasonic Toughbook, meaning that it will withstand heavy rainstorms and dust storms with winds up to 70mph. Additionally, it can withstand a fall of up to 6.5 feet and submersion in three feet of water for up to 30 minutes. With a turn by turn GPS navigation option and durability in extreme heat and cold, this tool is great for those who spend a lot of time on the road. Click here to read more about the Sonim XP3.

The Verizon G'zOne Rock is a rugged and more mainstream option than the Sonim XP3. Only available through Verizon Wireless, the G'ZOne was built to military specifications with the ability to withstand shock, water and dust. It also boasts high and low temperature storage as well as audio maps with turn-by-turn directions with VZ Navigator. Click here to read more about the G'zOne Rock.

Digital Cameras
Digital cameras, much like cell phones are a dime-a-dozen these days. They range in price, megapixles and photo quality. When it comes to durability, Olympus has dominated the digital market with the Olympus Stylus Tough 8000, which is touted as a virtually indestructible camera. Olympus brags that the camera is shock proof with drops up to 6.6 feet, waterproof up to 33 feet, crush-proof up to 220lbs and freeze-proof in temperatures as low as 14 degrees Fahrenheit. Click here to read more about the Olympus Stylus Tough 8000.

With all the competition in our digital age, it's important to find high quality equipment that can withstand the beating of a bail agent. The data that you acquire on a day-to-day basis is the lifeline of your business, so you want to do all that you can to protect that information. Invest a bit more in your technology today, but rest assured that your expensive equipment and information can uphold against inclimate weather, accidents and extreme heat.