news & events archive
Tech firm on cutting edge of communications
August 15, 2005
By Ed Waters, Jr.
News-Post Staff
Staff photo by Ed Waters, Jr.
FREDERICK — You are a soldier in Iraq, on patrol, and you find documents in Arabic that could be important. Instead of having to carry the documents back to a headquarters unit for translation, you use a hand-held, PDA-size instrument that can photograph or scan the document.
The image is sent to a laptop computer a short distance away in a Humvee or set up nearby. Within a minute, the document’s information is relayed back and can be read by the soldier in English.
What would have taken an extensive amount of time and effort now can be done, literally, in seconds thanks to Engineering Systems Solutions Inc. on Industry Lane.
During an open house at the ESS offices, U.S. Rep. Roscoe Bartlett, R-6th, and representatives of several government agencies were on hand to see the latest developments in mobile information technology and the company’s new computer forensic laboratory.
“It works like a wireless network in an office,” said Mark Powers, director of mobile information technology at ESS, explaining the Basic Language Translator Service. “The kits come with five PDAs,” so several soldiers can be sending in photos or scans at the same time. “If it gets backed up with messages, it might take a minute and a half to get the translation. If not backed up, a minute or less.”
The system is already in “field” use by U.S. Army Rangers in Iraq.
There are some challenges yet to be met. The PDA is not designed to store information — once it is sent, that is it; and the distance is still limited, but ESS is working on those aspects of the service.
And the documents have to be legible, Mr. Powers said. Handwritten documents can’t always be read easily by the equipment.
Also on display were other systems built by ESS including the Counter Intelligence Human Intelligence Automated Tool Set (CHATS) which, though larger than the PDA system, still fits in a case that can be moved easily.
That system uses a quickly assembled antenna for satellite connection, and information gathered in the field can immediately be sent to anywhere.
“Our products save lives,” Mr. Powers said.
Another system, Personnel Management and Tracking System (PERMATS), is designed to work not only for military but civilian duties as well from ascertaining proof of identity, to collecting background data, taking photos, badge printing, missing person search information, prisoner and refugee management and other services.
It fits into a case the size of a large briefcase and includes a laptop, camera and other accessories.
The various systems, depending on accessories, range from $7,000 to $50,000, Mr. Powers said.
One of the obvious uses, he said, is for crime scene investigations. Using some modifications, the systems can help to communicate information directly to a crime lab or other police personnel or Homeland Security officials.
“Satellites never sleep, they are always there,” Mr. Powers said.
“We are a small company with a big company mentality,” said Joel Tootill, chief operating officer of ESS. “We are waiting for the next step up.”
“We are pushing for the next horizon,” said Jay Nathan, chairman and CEO of ESS, who launched the company 12 years ago. “We were able to survive because of our people.”
Mr. Bartlett called the firm “the perfect example of the American dream. Many small companies are built on the creativity of one person. One started it and then many became involved. The small business engine really drives the economy. More than 50 percent of people work for small companies.”
The congressman said big businesses often find it more difficult to create new ideas.
“I thank you for contributing to our national security,” Mr. Bartlett said.
Mr. Powers said the focus of ESS on security and communications “Is a lot more than just nuts and bolts to us. It is about the philosophy of our business.”
John Ohm, who heads the new digital forensic part of ESS, said getting information from computers that people have attempted to delete, destroy or hide “is meticulous and takes time” in the laboratory.
“Many companies have ‘backed into it’ as part of their operations, but we have entered it as a full blown program. It takes a lot of work and time, but when you get the end result, it is well worth it.”
Mr. Powers and other ESS officials emphasized that they are constantly working on upgrades and improvements of the equipment.
A Top Secret Cleared Facility, ESS has an integration laboratory and extensive warehouse space, and serves customers including the U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command, Air Force Agency for Modeling and Simulation, Air Force Office of Special Investigations, National Security Agency, National Institute of Standards and Technology, National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, National Institutes of Health and Air Force Pentagon Communications Agency.
The company also has training programs, information technology support, grants and contracting services and conference and event planning services.
Engineering Systems Solutions held an open house recently to demonstrate some of its new equipment and digital forensics laboratory. The equipment ranges from an information gathering and forwarding system that uses satellite communications at left; a field system that uses a PDA-size instrument that can photograph or scan documents and translate them, center, and a system that helps coordinate identification and management of personnel using a camera and data, and has the capability to print ID badges.
For more information, call 301-698-1177 or e-mail info@essworld.net.
Engineering Systems Solutions, Inc.(ESS) is a Service Disabled Veteran Owned (SDVO) business located in Frederick, Maryland, providing customized solutions that include high-end engineering, design and manufacturing services for a wide variety of fixed and mobile information technology systems. ESS also possesses superior capability in professional services, mission-critical information technology support; lifecycle management, advanced IT training, grants and conference services. For additional information, please visit the company’s website at http://www.essworld.net.
Certain statements in this press release are forward looking in nature and, accordingly, are subject to risks and uncertainties. The actual results may differ from those described or contemplated.
© 2008. Engineering Systems Solutions.