FAQ

General Questions

Absolutely. We offer three levels of enterprise service. All three levels are based on the stand-alone Tablet Command app and include the app’s core features. Each level includes access to a shared web portal, Real Time Sync (RTS), device-based AVL and access to Esri map resources via ArcGIS Online. The top two tiers—”TC Pro” and “TC Pro with Status”—include CAD integration. The base tier—”TC Basic”—does not include CAD integration.



Real Time Sync is a collaboration feature that allows any member of a department to see in real time what the incident commander is doing on an incident. Every assignment or checklist item, every note or map annotation will be visible from all the other iPads in the department in real time.



Device based AVL uses location from a tablet or a phone to visualize units on all the map views in Tablet Command products.  Tablet Command also supports location back into CAD from tablets in TC Status accounts where the CAD integration supports AVL back to CAD.



Device Questions

Tablet Command supports any iPad that can run the latest iOS version and the previous two.  However the iPad should be cellular capable and we strongly recommend an iPad Pro for size, performance and future feature proofing.

Yes! We offer ‘TC Mobile’ for iPhone and Android. This app requires a Tablet Command Enterprise integration and either TC Pro or TC Mobile user credentials.

For the full functionality of Tablet Command a WiFi + Cellular tablet is required.  The cellular enabled devices have built in GPS.  This ensures  accurate location of your tablet on the map which is required for navigation and locating the user on the map properly.  The tablet does not need to have activated cellular service if there is an alternative form of connectivity like an AVL Modem or constant access to WiFi.

For best operational performance, we recommend the iPad Pro, wifi + cellular. 

No. The benefit of the cellular capable tablet is the GPS location. You do not need to turn on or pay for cellular service to enjoy this hardware benefit.  You may want or need cellular service in order to support the Enterprise functionality of Tablet Command.

Yes.

There are a multitude of rugged military style cases on the market for the iPad, the iPad Air and iPad mini. We have found the Otterbox “Defender” to be a reliable case and have seen many deployments succeed. We have tested the Defender case while using Tablet Command under a constant amount of water dripping onto the iPad with no problems. We have also drop tested the iPad with Defender case at 5 feet multiple times and have never had an issue.

Tablet Command is very stable but if it were to crash during an operation you can re-open the app and the incident will load right where you left off. Tablet Command constantly writes the data to its secure data file on the iPad. As soon as you make a change in Tablet Command, the change is instantly saved.

Integration Questions

Yes. Tablet Command has integrated with extensive list of CAD systems.  We have yet to find a CAD that we have not been able to integrate to with the support of the customer and their CAD vendor. Please contact us to discuss enterprise solutions for your department: info@tabletcommand.com



Tablet Command can integrate through email though it is not our preferred integration method, and we rarely use it. Email is not as robust because it only sends an incident once. This means that subsequent information—second alarms or CAD notes for example—will not be sent to TC. Integration using our Application Programming Interface (API) is a more effective way to connect CAD.



Mapping Questions

Tablet Command uses ESRI group sharing to support access to customers mapping data.  Customers GIS staff create Web Maps with custom layers to support daily operations, Wildland Responses, Flood Responses etc.  We also support offline maps with Mobile Map Packages.

Yes, any of the layers created in ArcGIS web maps with clickable features are available including attached media for pre plans, video feeds, and camera feeds.

Yes. Esri invented smart mapping and continues to be the dominant provider of top tier mapping technology. Tablet Command has integrated with Esri’s ArcGIS Online product to allow you to pull map layers down from the cloud whenever you want them. This allows you to view any map layer you have stored in the cloud.

If your agency has invested in any custom mapping layers over the past 30 years it is more than likely that your map people are using Esri software.

Security Questions

Tablet do meet HIPAA requirements if implemented properly with HIPAA compliant software.

Tablet Command follows best practices for HIPAA compliance as set by the US Department of Health & Human Services. Click here for more info.

Yes. The iPad and the iOS were designed with security in mind. Applications running on iOS can not share data with other applications. The iPad is currently undergoing FIPS certification for its encryption chip.

You can read more about iOS (iPad) security here:
Apple security link 
iOS Security Guide (PDF)

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