INDUSTRY INTERVIEW: Augmentix
Stephan Godevais
President and Chief Executive Officer
Augmentix
An innovative provider of mission-critical computing solutions for deployment in extreme environments, Augmentix re-engineers Dell Latitude notebooks and Dell PowerEdge servers to produce technologically advanced, reliable, and rugged computing systems. Stephan Godevais, president and chief executive officer of Augmentix, has more than 21 years experience in the computing industry including serving as chairman, CEO and president of Valence Technologies and vice president and general manager of the Inspiron and Dimension product groups at Dell.
Q: What sets your company apart from other “rugged” computing solution providers?
A: Augmentix is “redefining rugged” for our customers by changing the value paradigm for rugged, MIL-STD-810F computing solutions. Customers looking for rugged devices have traditionally been forced to adopt older, outdated technology-based systems with lower performance capabilities, limited functionality, long delivery timeframes and higher product costs.
Our innovative business model allows us to competitively challenge traditional rugged industry leaders while enabling our customers to enjoy extensive benefits, including a common IT platform with Dell notebooks and servers. This commonality translates into more efficient, cost-effective IT deployment, management and maintenance and the potential for lower product lifecycle costs. In addition, customers receive expanded functionality, tier one quality and parts consistency, and next-generation performance in highly-secure and fully-rugged computing systems, all delivered typically in less than 30 days.
Q: What benefits does your company offer military customers?
A: We believe the benefits to our military customers include reliable computing solutions with the most advanced technologies available. This includes the latest Intel processors, chipsets and integrated graphics along with industry standard components that are fully ITcompatible (image, firmware and utilities). Military customers also have the potential for a lower cost of ownership due to single platform support, lower deployment, repair, maintenance and training costs, and world-class quality, reliability, and support.
Q: Why is the demand for rugged products growing so rapidly?
A: As military and industrial customers continue to require and field deploy more complex, multi-threaded applications, adopt newer and more powerful operating systems, and rely on expanding wireless networks, the need for higher performing and more reliable rugged solutions will continue to expand. And as rugged technologies become more commonplace, customers will have a greater need for better performance and functionality, as well as seamless integration with existing technologies. Augmentix has recognized these requirements and developed a product portfolio that has been engineered and independently tested (MIL-STD-810F) based on our proven Armored Protection System to provide highly secure and exceptionally rugged computing systems. Our solutions offer customers superior levels of ruggedization that support reliable operation in the most challenging operating conditions. These include extremes in temperature and humidity, shock/drop, crash shock, varying vibration conditions, as well as potential exposure to moisture/blowing rain, dust/dirt, desert-like conditions and salt fog spray.
Q: What other trends do you see and what areas are you working on for the future in meeting the military’s “rugged” needs?
A: There are a number of trends that we believe will require our continuing development of superior rugged products. First, the fervent pace of extending enterprise IT applications into mobile devices is creating a much larger base of field military personnel using mobile notebooks. Traditional single-purpose mobile computers are quickly being replaced by more powerful, multi-purpose, multi-functional devices that are designed to address the need for increased functionality, desktop-like performance and graphics capabilities.
As more of these systems are deployed and are mobile outside of traditional “brick and mortar” settings, the more they will be exposed to harsh environmental and application conditions. Examples include extreme temperatures, vibration, sand/dust, moisture and drops and bumps, hence the growing dependence on “rugged.”
Second, we believe the use of WiFi and Broadband wireless technologies will continue to expand within the military. This is based on heightened levels of security and the need to connect reliably to communicate larger amounts of data quickly.
Another key trend in military as well as other government and enterprise computing is the move toward standardization. We believe the aggregation of station/office-based and field or deployed IT computer systems is becoming more important. There is a paramount need to standardize on platforms, operating systems, firmware and other IT elements in order to centralize, simplify, organize and manage an increasingly complex array of computing platforms.
We believe the Augmentix business model is unique in the rugged industry and will continue to deliver an exceptional value proposition. This is based on our standardized IT platforms with superior technology and high-performance; our advanced mobile Intel processors and integrated graphics; and our unique hard drive features for redundancy and security benefits. We have built a reputation for delivering high-quality, reliable, rugged products with our Armored Protection System of ruggedization, developed over four server generations.
We have also built relationships with partners to provide customization capabilities to support the unique end-user requirements of the military. Our global customer service offering supports our customers’ efforts to maintain maximum uptime in mission-critical applications. The Augmentix business model, coupled with our dedication to excellence, allows us to deliver technologically advanced, reliable, and rugged computing systems that can keep pace with the military’s demands. ♦
