Tadpole takes to the water with mobile data system

NEWS Bristol Water has joined forces with Tadpole Technology to trial a Java-based operating system for mobiles for use during off-site calls. The system, called Cartesia, connects to the company's existing back office systems using intranet, Java, Corba and RDBMS connectivity tools. It also works with a GIS (geographical information system) program to offer detailed maps. Job files are stored locally on the diskless laptop and once the job is completed the information collected off site can be uploaded to the main computer system. Paul Fanner, spokesman for Bristol Water, claimed the system helped to reduced data transfer times, shorten job cycles and ensure greater accuracy as information was recorded in real time. The utility company said it was now expanding the pilot to additional user groups and trades.