cable&wireless equip police on patrol with mobile information solution

• Cable&Wireless to offer an integrated mobile information solution to UK police forces
• Innovative solution available off-the-shelf without the need for competitive tender processes
• Handheld computers to help police spend more time on patrol and less time on paperwork.

New Delhi, 1 August 2008: Cable&Wireless today announces it has signed a three year framework agreement with the National Policing Improvement Agency (NPIA) to offer an integrated, managed, mobile information solution for use by police forces across the UK, to equip officers with instant information when out on patrol.

Under the agreement, Cable&Wireless will offer police forces an off-the-shelf managed solution, which includes software and hardware. The solution works by interfacing with force systems and applications, giving police officers access to vital information while they are out on the beat. The solution runs on handheld computers and works as a functional mobile computer unit.

As well as accessing and verifying information using the mobile information units, police officers can input and update information - such as criminal record checks - via their mobile computers. Officers out on the beat will now have access to core operational systems, reducing the amount of time they spend at the station completing lengthy administration duties.

The solution also allows for greater economies of scale as police forces can save money when purchasing multiple mobile information solutions. The acceleration package is available through the existing PNN3 framework, meaning that forces will not need to spend time and money on new competitive tender processes.

The Prime Minister announced last year that at least 10,000 handheld computers would be made available to the police and operational by September this year. The Home Office responded by providing £50 million capital investment for the NPIA to support police services in delivering this pledge. More recently, an additional £25 million has been provided by government, allowing for a further 15,000 handheld computers to be used by police by March 2010. This will take the total up to around 30,000 devices.

Cable&Wireless has significant expertise in managing secure, joined up services for the police and other criminal justice organisations in the UK. It has managed the communications network for the PNN (Police National Network) Framework Arrangement since its inception in the early 1990's, offering managed voice, data, video, internet and hosting services to all police forces in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, as well as more than 100 organisations in the wider criminal justice community.

Jim Marsh, Chief Executive Officer, Cable&Wireless said: "This contract is an extension to the services we already provide to police forces in the UK and we're proud to continue providing innovative new solutions to police on the beat. Customer service is our number one priority, and the agreement we've signed with the NPIA could revolutionise the way police work. Our mobile information solution fully meets the current requirements of the Police Service and is available to police forces today."

Source : Equity Bulls

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