Newsletters

May 2012

2012-05-16T18:21:47+00:00

In this Issue...

Watch CCS' Newest Video!

CCS Announces Results of Customer Satisfaction Survey

Special Offer: 10% Off ADDAX-i Fanless Workstation*

Customer Spotlight

Watch CCS' Newest Video!

The team at CCS is excited to announce the official release of its newest video! Providing an overview of the company, this video highlights the people and processes CCS has put in place to deliver its high-quality solutions. For an inside look at CCS, click the link below to watch the video.

CCS Announces Results of Customer Satisfaction Survey

CCS would like to thank its customers who participated in the customer satisfaction surveys that were distributed last month. The feedback received helps the company to assess its performance and determine how to serve its customers more effectively.

After compiling the results of the surveys collected, CCS is pleased to announce that its customers have given the company a Net Promoter Score (NPS) of 48. Higher than the industry average score of 30, CCS' score shows that its customers are likely to recommend the company to a friend or colleague.

Special offer: 10% Off ADDAX-i fanless workstation*

Built on Intel® Core™ i5/i7 technology, CCS-Inc's ADDAX-i supports up to 8 GB RAM for workstation class processing power in a compact, fanless configuration. Utilizing a specialized heat dissipation system, the ADDAX-i can withstand high ambient temperatures without the need for a mechanical fan. This makes it ideal for dusty environments and/or high vibration applications.

*All orders must be placed by May 31, 2012, to be eligible for the discount. Please mention code NL10OFF when ordering.

Customer spotlight

Name: Luna Innovations Incorporated

Luna Innovations develops and manufactures new-generation products for the healthcare, telecommunications, energy, and defense markets. The company's products are used to measure, monitor, protect, and improve critical processes in the markets served.

Product Purchased from CCS: Medical-Grade Panel PC

Application: Luna Innovations integrated CCS' medical grade panel PC into its EDAC Quantifer blood circuit monitor. With a touchscreen display, this highly versatile unit serves as an interface between the user and the machine.

Want to learn more about panel PCs? View CCS' entire line by clicking here.

engineers reading corner

Find out what the engineers at CCS are intersted in by checking out the links below:

Windows Malware: Are You Safer Today Than You Were Ten Years Ago?... Read Article
Why Microsoft's Open Data Protocol Matters... Read Article

Upcoming Events

May 15-17, 2012: CCS Exhibits at the Joint Warfighting Conference
May 23, 2012: CCS Attends Air Force Industry Day
September 10-13, 2012: CCS-Inc. Exhibits at AUTOTESTCON
September 15. 2012: CCS Sponsors the Kiwanis Wilderness Trail Festival
September 25-27, 2012: CCS Attends the Modern Day Marine Expo
October 28-31, 2012: CCS Co-Exhibits at PACK EXPO

Click here for a full description of these events.

CCS is Hiring!

Know someone that would be a great fit for CCS? Located in Christiansburg, VA, CCS is always looking for talented people to add to its team. Click here to view a list of current job openings.

newsletter archive

Miss something? CCS has added a newsletter archive to its website to give customers access to past issues they may have missed. Visit the archive today to stay informed of recent and past developments at CCS.

April 2012

2012-04-18T18:28:15+00:00

In this Issue...

Enclosurenomics

CCS Joins Local Green Business Program

Special Offer: 10% Off ADDAX-i Fanless Workstation*

Employee Spotlight

enclosurenomics

By: Don Fleischer, CCS Senior Design Engineer

The use of commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) electronics on the plant floor helps the plant gain access to the latest technologies and reduces costs. However, these advantages can disappear over time without adequate protection from the manufacturing environment. When deciding whether or not to purchase an enclosure, decision-makers often use the value of the equipment as the determining factor. Delving into the economics behind enclosure procurement, there is another key element that should be considered in addition to initial cost: overall productivity.

As technology evolves, costs tend to increase with enhanced functionality and decrease with rising functional maturity. For example, when the transition began from CRT displays to flat panel displays, the price of CRTs plummeted because they were more functionally mature. The enhanced functionality of the flat panel displays caused them to become the more expensive alternative. Years later, the prices of flat panels have started dropping now that they have become more technologically mature. Many believe that it is cheaper to periodically replace items – such as computers, monitors, and printers – rather than protect them with an enclosure.

The typical factory worker of today is also an information worker. The continual march to increase productivity is fueled by the factory worker’s access to information and entry of status data. The electronics associated with this task– possibly only a keyboard, display, and thin client – fall into the inexpensive mature technology category. Being classified as currently mature, these devices are usually minimally enclosed. However, the interface is being installed as part of a program. The true value of the equipment is related to the increase in productivity and not its replacement cost.

A component failure is immediately recognizable, but the slow degradation caused by inadequate protection more frequently results in reduced functionality. This is tolerated for some time before a hard failure occurs. A dead key, erratic mouse function, difficult to read display, or frequent system resets are a slow drain on a productivity system. Difficulties usually inspire users to find work-arounds that may thwart the intent of the system. Equipment down time has a value in lost productivity that adequate enclosure protection can minimize.

The key to enclosure success is a thorough engineering analysis of the application at the time the electronics are being selected. Internally, the equipment is mounted in a modular scheme to reduce repair time and ensure that the system can be correctly returned to its original configuration. In some situations, enclosure cost is reduced by hosting multiple interfaces in the same enclosure.

A good enclosure is engineered for its location and use. It not only protects the equipment from temperature, humidity, dirt, and damage, but it provides a stable engineered solution to the user’s needs. Well-designed enclosures are easily and comfortably accessible and optimize data input, retrieval, and viewing. Although an enclosure may cost more than the equipment it protects, the ultimate value must be judged according to the metrics of the program it implements. Initial cost is never the whole story.

CCS-Inc.’s Envirosealed® enclosures provide environmental protection for computers, printers, displays, and other electronic devices. Designed to meet a variety of NEMA and IP standards, these rugged enclosures allow you to deploy off-the-shelf solutions in harsh environments where durability and dependability are critical. Interested in determining whether an enclosure is the best solution for your application? Contact CCS today.

CCS Joins Local Green Business Program

By: Barb Wert, Accounting Clerk

CCS-Inc. is pleased to announce its membership in the New River Valley’s Green Business Program, go green NRV. Established in 2008, go green NRV “encourages local businesses to progressively implement sustainable practices that are feasible for each organization's business plan in order to make a difference in the New River Valley environment."

CCS has organized long-standing programs for recycling and energy conservation in both its office and operations practices. Additionally, in order to reuse excess cardboard, the company makes much of its own packaging materials by means of a cardboard shredder. Many of CCS’ suppliers also employ extensive sustainable practices, most notably in providing products manufactured to use less materials and energy.

In order to research new initiatives and provide awareness and education to staff in the area of sustainable business practices, a group of CCS employees have recently formed the Green Team. In addition to spearheading the implementation of new environmentally-friendly programs, the Green Team receives suggestions from staff members and researches costs and logistics associated with each to assess implementation feasibility. Monthly “Tips for Working and Living Green” are electronically distributed, and a Sharepoint site houses links to local and government “green” services and other helpful online tools and information. A company garden and compost program are also underway.

Special offer: 10% Off ADDAX-i fanless workstation*

*All orders must be placed by May 31, 2012, to be eligible for the discount. Please mention code NL10OFF when ordering.

employee spotlight

Name: Sarah Couch
Position: Buyer
Years at CCS: 5
Responsibilities: I purchase material for customer orders and internal use; expedite material for critical components, return defective, broken, or damaged material; negotiate pricing, payment terms, and shipping methods with suppliers; advise other CCS team members of possible material shortages; and evaluate the performance of suppliers. I am also continuously striving to streamline processes to become more effective.
Qualifications: Bachelors Degree from Radford University.
Favorite Part of the Job: Finding cost savings (shopping for the best price per component)

engineers reading corner

Find out what the engineers at CCS are intersted in by checking out the links below:

Intel Officially Announces Budget-Priced 330 SSD Line... Read Article
A Power User's Guide to the Windows 8 Consumer Preview... Read Article

Upcoming Events

April 23-26, 2012: CCS-Inc. Attends ABB Automation & Power World
April 25-28, 2012: CCS-Inc. Attends the CSIA Executive Conference
September 10-13, 2012: CCS-Inc. Exhibits at AUTOTESTCON

Click here for a full description of these events.

CCS is Hiring!

Know someone that would be a great fit for CCS? Located in Christiansburg, VA, CCS is always looking for talented people to add to its team. Click here to view a list of current job openings.

newsletter archive

March 2012

2012-03-14T20:06:54+00:00

In this Issue...

Update from the CEO of CCS: Marty Muscatello

An Inside Look at CCS' Rack Integration Process

Special Offer: 10% Off ADDAX-i Fanless Workstation*

Employee Spotlight

Update from ceo of cCS: Marty Muscatello

CCS is an active member of the Roanoke-Blacksburg Technology Council (RBTC), of which I am currently President. The RBTC is leading an effort to see this region of southwest Virginia grow significantly over the next several years. The effort is known as the Regional Blueprint. Many of the leaders from Virginia Tech, Carilion Medical, GE Salem, our own CCS, and other regional companies are actively participating. There is a significant amount of time and energy going into the Regional Blueprint effort. The reason is simple: we believe that our region is positioned for high growth over the next several years, and we want to do everything possible to cultivate this progress.

One prime example of this growth is the Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center (CRC) in nearby Blacksburg. It currently employs 2400 employees and is home to more than 140 companies. Just 20 years ago, the entire area where the CRC is located was all pasture land. The CRC has been so successful they are now acquiring more acreage for additional buildings and expansion. The spirit of growth is alive and well in the Roanoke-Blacksburg Region. The exciting news is that our organization, CCS-Inc., is very much a part of this growth. Over the past five years, we have grown from a company of 50 employees to 110 and counting. I am excited by our company’s growth and our region’s growth as well.

An inside look at CCS' rack integration process

By: Keith St. Peter, CCS Engineering Technician

About five years ago, CCS recognized a need in the industry for a streamlined hardware solution that would centralize the equipment utilized for various computing applications, including supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) and network security. To address this issue, the team at CCS developed a systematic way of integrating various components (all of which are rack mountable) into a single rack, installing software, preparing documentation, and shipping a turnkey solution that is ready to “plug-and-play.” Each rack is tailored to meet the customer’s specific needs, although most include servers, storage arrays, and switches. An overview of CCS’ rack integration process follows, in addition to the benefits that these integrated racks offer.

One of the first steps of the rack integration process involves determining which type of rack will be most effective based upon the application and equipment involved. CCS creates two basic types of racks: rack enclosures or “cabinets” and open frame racks. Rack enclosures are designed with doors, side panels, and often a locking mechanism. They can be perforated, commercial grade cabinets or fully sealed enclosures designed to meet NEMA 4 requirements. Since this type of rack provides extra protection for the components inside, it is best suited for harsh environments or high-security applications. Open frame racks house all of the components needed within a simple framework, for easy access to equipment and cables as well as natural ventilation and cooling.

Once the type of rack is chosen, CCS determines what size is needed. Although the industry standard rack cabinet is 42 U tall (approximately 73.5” of interior height), each type of rack is available in a variety of sizes. All of CCS’ rack sizes are in compliance with the Electronic Industries Alliance (EIA) standard, which ensures compatibility with all equipment built using EIA guidelines.¹

After selecting the best type and size of rack for a customer’s application, the next step is to determine the most useful configuration of the hardware. CCS Engineers must account for the physical dimensions of the components included, as well as the types of cables that will be used to connect them. Special consideration is needed for the placement of some components to ensure stability and usability. For example, components with heavier weights are placed at the bottom of the rack, while those with cable limitations are placed in close proximity to other devices.

Convenience is an important factor in equipment placement, especially for maintenance purposes. Some racks allow for the option of installing devices that face either the front or rear of the rack. This alternative is particularly beneficial for deeper racks because it allows the same slot (or “U”) to be utilized for more than one device. This technique can result in better cable management in addition to more efficiency and convenience in use.

Once the rack has been integrated, CCS will apply operating systems to the servers, load and configure software packages, and even set-up network devices to meet customer requirements. The team will include documentation for each component, and ship the fully assembled rack to its final destination. This allows the customer to simply plug it in upon arrival, saving significant time and effort.

There are many benefits associated with rack integration. First and foremost is convenience. Many find that having all necessary components in one area is more convenient than having them scattered in various locations. Allowing CCS to perform this consolidation removes the IT burden and further simplifies the acquisition process. Integrated racks also help overcome space limitations and provide an organized solution for cable management. Instead of being forced to run numerous wires across a room between devices, cables can be grouped together inside of the rack. Another important benefit associated with rack integration is the increased security racks provide. Since all the components of the rack are grouped together in one centralized location, the owner can limit access to the rack. For some clients, this added protection is vital to ensure that its devices are not comprised.

Several of CCS’ key customers have benefited from incorporating CCS’ integrated racks in their daily operations. Interested in learning more about CCS’ process for creating these specialized devices? Have the need for an integrated rack in your organization? Contact the CCS team today to learn more.

¹ Although the EIA ceased operations in February of 2011, its standards are still upheld.

Special offer: 10% Off ADDAX-i fanless workstation*

*All orders must be placed by May 31, 2012, to be eligible for the discount. Please mention code NL10OFF when ordering.

Contact CCS to Receive a Quote

employee spotlight

Name: Keith Phelps
Position: Sales Manager of CCS-Inc. and FoxGuard Solutions
Years at CCS: 17
Responsibilities: I am responsible for maintaining and growing sales within both CCS-Inc. & FoxGuard Solutions. I also lead a diverse team of sales professionals responsible for supporting existing customers, adding new customers and projects, and growing new market segments. In addition, I work closely with other divisions of CCS-Inc., including Marketing, Engineering, and the CCS Executive Team to develop new opportunities that drive the direction of the company.
Qualifications: I have served in a variety of roles in my tenure at CCS-Inc. I worked as a Service and Support Technician while still in college. After graduating with a Computer Engineering degree from Virginia Tech, I held an engineering position at CCS for two years. In 1998, I moved into a sales position. During my 14 year sales career, I have had the privilege of wearing a number of different hats-including Program Manager, Product/Project Manager, Inside Sales Representative, and Outside Sales Representative before I finally transitioned into my current position of Sales Manager. I think my broad background with CCS allows me to function very effectively within the organization.
Favorite Part of the Job: Working with a talented team on new projects. It's very exciting working with customers on new projects and being able to share in their success.

Interested in connecting with Keith? Click here to view his Linkedin profile.

engineers reading corner

Find out what the engineers at CCS are intersted in by checking out the links below:

HP Preps Laser-Powered Chip of the Future... Read Article
It's a Windows 8 Download Day: Here's What We Know... Read Article

CCS Becomes platinum partner in intel® technology provider program

Recently selected as a Platinum Partner in the Intel® Technology Provider Program, CCS has been given access to exclusive benefits. With Platinum Partner status, CCS should have the ability to better serve its customers through its increased knowledge of Intel's technological advancements. Learn more by clicking here.

CCS Welcomes New Customers

Wondering what types of customers choose to work with CCS? Here's a list of some of our newest customers:

Babcock & Wilcox Power Generation Group, Inc.
Beijing Consen Automation Control Co., Ltd.
Massaq Support Services
TORC Robotics
Technical & Scientific Application, Inc. (TSA)

Upcoming Events

March 18-21, 2012: CCS-Inc. Attends Microsoft Dynamics Convergence and the Intel® Solutions Summit
April 23-26, 2012: CCS-Inc. Attends ABB Automation & Power World
April 25-28, 2012: CCS-Inc. Attends the CSIA Executive Conference
September 10-13, 2012: CCS-Inc. Exhibits at AUTOTESTCON

Click here for a full description of these events.

CCS is Hiring!

Know someone that would be a great fit for CCS? Located in Christiansburg, VA, CCS is always looking for talented people to add to its team. Click here to view a list of current job openings.

newsletter archive

February 2012

2012-02-15T19:43:31+00:00

In this Issue...

EDITOR'S PICK: CCS Build Sheets Ensure Quality and Efficiency

Special Offer: 10% Off ADDAX-i Fanless Workstation*

CCS to Implement Net Promoter Score Methodology in Customer Satisfaction Surveys

Employee Spotlight

CCS Build sheets ensure quality and efficiency

By: Tim Kirk, CCS Manufacturing Engineer

When presented with a new project, the team at CCS follows a systematic approach to ensure quality deliverables and customer satisfaction. A key component of this approach is build sheet creation. A build sheet is a set of technical instructions that contains all of the relevant integration, configuration, and verification information required to build and replicate systems in the CCS Production environment. A subset of CCS’ Pilot System Development process*, build sheet creation involves the Manufacturing Engineering and Systems Engineering groups working together to develop and document these instructions for the Production team. Once a customer has placed an order, CCS’ Production Technicians use the build sheets to create and inspect each system.

The complexity of build sheets varies according to the type of product being created. For a simple desktop system, a single page build sheet with few instructions may suffice. But if a completely custom solution is going into production, a longer build sheet with thousands of lines of instructions may be needed. To accommodate for these variances, CCS build sheets are designed to be modular and scalable. Each build sheet is composed of a series of cells that can be expanded or collapsed, allowing the technician to see more or less detail as necessary. Every cell contains a header line that provides a succinct summary of the instructions for that step of the build process. The header line is always visible, even if the cells have been collapsed. A set of highly-detailed instructions, diagrams, and/or pictures follows each header line.

When integrating and configuring a system, the technician often expands the cells to view the detailed instructions. Once the system has been created, the technician collapses the cells to conduct an inspection. In this view, each header line serves as an inspection point. Every single customization and requirement is tested not only by the original technician, but also by a separate inspector – a high-level Production Technician or an Engineer. This process verifies that each system meets CCS’ high quality standards and ensures conformance to customer expectations.

Integrating build sheets into the CCS Approach has yielded a highly efficient production process with an unmatched level of quality and consistency. In fact, out of nearly 5,600 work orders that went through Production last year, only three errors (nonconforming products) were linked to Production, and only one resulted from a build sheet error. Interested in learning more about build sheet creation? Contact CCS today.

*For more information on the piloting process, read the CCS Development Process for Industrial Computer Systems by CCS Manufacturing Engineer, Kevin Drum

Special offer: 10% off addax-i fanless workstation*

*All orders must be placed by May 31, 2012, to be eligible for the discount. Please mention code NL10OFF when ordering.

Contact CCS to Receive a Quote

CCS to implement net promoter score methodology in customer satisfaction surveys

CCS values customer feedback, and plans to implement Net Promoter Score (NPS) methodology in future customer satisfaction surveys. Satmetrix Systems explains that "NPS is based on the fundamental perspective that every company's customers can be divided into three categories: promoters, passives, and detractors. By asking how likely is it that the customer would recommend [Company X] to a friend or colleague, you can obtain a clear measure of your company's performance through its customers eyes."

Click here to learn how to calculate your company's Net Promoter Score.

employee spotlight

Name: Jeffrey Stanley
Position: Production Technician I
Years at CCS: 1
Responsibilities: Build industrial computers for business application, ensure that Production stays on schedule, troubleshoot issues that affect product quality on a daily basis.
Qualifications: AAS Computer Information Systems, IT Network Security, A+ Certification, Network+ Certification.
Favorite Part of the Job: Continuous development of IT skills, and being a part of the Production team.

engineers reading corner

Find out what the engineers at CCS are intersted in by checking out the links below:

Microsoft to Launch Windows 8 Consumer Preview at Mobile World Congress... Read Article
Hacker Releases Symantec Source Code... Read Article

CCS is Hiring!

Know someone that would be a great fit for CCS? Located in Christiansburg, VA, CCS is always looking for talented people to add to its team. Click here to view a list of current job openings.

newsletter archive

January 2012

2012-01-19T14:40:14+00:00

In this Issue...

EDITOR'S PICK: Worldwide Hard Drive Shortage Acts as Catalyst for Emergence of Solid State Drives

Case Study: Custom Open Frame Computer for Laser Systems

Upcoming Events

Employee Spotlight

Worldwide Hard Drive Shortage Acts as Catalyst for Emergence of Solid State Drives

By: John Herndon, CCS Systems Engineering Manager

The technology industry is certainly no stranger to influence from the impact of natural disaster. With large concentrations of component manufacturing facilities based in the Asia-Pacific region, disasters that strike that area can have a devastating effect on supply. The most recent catastrophe occurred in October 2011, when flood waters ravaged Thailand, the manufacturing center for over a third of the world’s hard drives. The flooding resulted in a worldwide shortage of hard drives that is now plaguing the industry.

The effects of the shortage have been detrimental to manufacturers. Although a few companies, such as Western Digital™, have at least some of their facilities back online, production continues to be at limited capacity, and overall output is a fraction of what it was prior to the flooding. Price increases ranged as high as 50-150% in the initial aftermath of the flooding, with the middle tier capacities (500GB-1.5TB) of hard drives being the hardest hit. Although prices have stabilized to some degree since that time, they still remain well above normal.

Analysts have differing opinions regarding the duration of these shortages. Some argue that it will be well into 2013 before the hard drive supply chain rights itself. Others contend that things are already beginning to improve. While there are a variety of opinions as to how long these constraints will last, most analysts agree that Q1 of 2012 will likely see the most severe shortages.

While waiting for the shortage to subside, some manufacturers have started looking for alternative solutions. Many have investigated the possibility of replacing their hard drives with solid state drives (SSDs). Because the components needed to create SSDs are produced in areas that were not affected by the flooding, SSDs have remained readily available throughout the time that hard drives have been heavily constrained.

A storage medium that has grown steadily in popularity since its introduction to the commercial space, solid state drives utilize flash technology. SSDs are typically higher performing, use less power, and are more rugged than traditional hard drives. Most are capable of withstanding high temperatures and vibration, making them ideal for industrial settings. The main drawback of SSDs is that they are typically more expensive, especially in cases where a high-tier capacity is needed. However, with the recent rise in hard drive cost, the gap between these two types of storage mediums continues to narrow. Some analysts project that the cost of SSDs will drop below $1 per gigabyte in the second half of 2012. If hard drive shortages continue, the difference in cost between the two technologies will become negligible.

According to analysts from the International Data Corporation, the actual growth rate of SSDs in the year 2011 was about 20% higher than the projected annual growth rate, which could be an indication that some have already made the transition to SSD in the wake of the Thailand flooding. Experts are predicting that the increase in SSD usage could continue as the year progresses. In addition to comparable cost and higher availability over other similar devices, the emergence of Intel®’s Ultrabook™ (a lightweight but powerful notebook PC) should foster demand for SSDs. Many Ultrabook models will feature SSDs as makers seek to offer maximized performance with lower power consumption. In late 2012, Ultrabooks and other PCs could be bundled with Windows™ 8, which is touted to offer improved SSD support over previous Windows™ versions.

Since the hard drive shortage has had such a monumental impact on manufacturers and end users alike, it’s important to monitor the situation and explore methods being taken to alleviate the problem. With industry leaders such as Intel® and Windows™ paying more attention to SSD, it may be time for your organization to consider making the switch. The team at CCS has designed a number of solutions that utilize SSD technology. Interested in working with us to determine whether transitioning to SSD could be beneficial for your project’s needs? Contact us today to learn more.

For Further Reading, Check Out These Links:

case study: custom open frame computer for laser systems

Searching for a single supplier who could serve as an all-in-one provider, Prima Power Laserdyne approached CCS-Inc. in need of a self-contained, dual computer system capable of running off a single power supply. Click here to read about the "long lifecycle solution that CCS provided...[that] has not only given us [Laserdyne] the stability that we were looking for, but has also reduced engineering time and rework of documentation, testing, and inspection."

View Case Study

upcoming events

FoxGuard Solutions Exhibiting at EUEC 2012

Click the link above to read more about FoxGuard Solutions' (one of CCS' subsidiary companies) participation in the USA's largest energy, utility, and environment conference.

employee spotlight

Name: Mitch Helton
Position: Network Administrator
Time at CCS: 7 months
Responsibilities: Maintain, monitor, and manage all network infrastructure. Manage phone system and respond to escalated user issues via helpdesk ticketing system.
Qualifications: Associate of Applied Science in Computer Networking from Mountain Empire Community College; CCNA and A+ certified.
Favorite Part of the Job: Interacting with CCS employees, continuous learning, and overcoming the challenges that IT brings.

engineers reading corner

Find out what the engineers at CCS are intersted in by checking out the links below:

Microsoft Brings Back Drive Extender Features with Raid Style Performance in Windows 8... Read Article
802.11ac: Gigabit Wi-Fi Devices will be Shipping in 2012... Read Article

CCS is Hiring!

Know someone that would be a great fit for CCS? Located in Christiansburg, VA, CCS is always looking for talented people to add to its team. Click here to view a list of current job openings.

newsletter archive

December 2011

2011-12-15T18:52:16+00:00

In this issue...

An Overview of IEC-60945 Certification for Marine Computers
CCS Requests Forecasting from Customers in Response to Hard Drive Shortage
FoxGuard Solutions Launches New Website
Engineers Reading Corner
FoxGuard Solutions Currently Exhibiting at POWER-GEN International
Meet the CCS Team
CCS is Hiring
Newsletter Archive

Happy Holidays from CCS-Inc.

Although the holidays are an exciting time, getting ready for them can be exhausting. Take a break by reading about what's been happening at CCS:

This month, the CCS team releases its newest white paper, which discusses the IEC-60945 certification for marine computers. Learn more about why this certification is so important to the marine industry by clicking here.

Concerned about the implications of the recent worldwide hard drive shortage? Read CCS' plan to alleviate the impact of the shortage on its customers.

CCS would like to extend a congratulations to Chris Overes of Offshore Systems Ltd. for winning last month's drawing for a brand new Kindle Fire.

As always, if you have suggestions for future editions, or if you would like more information on one of the topics below, please let us know.

The CCS Team

an overview of iec-60945 certification for marine computers

By: Keith Phelps, CCS Sales Manager & Jim Farley, CCS Electro-Mechanical Designer

For centuries, mariners have relied on paper charts to navigate the world’s oceans and waterways. Although adequate, this method does not utilize the latest technology available. Industry experts have determined that computer-based charting systems increase the safety and maximize the efficiency associated with navigation. To take advantage of these benefits, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) now allows chart carriage requirements to be satisfied through electronic means.

Consisting of electronic charts, software, and hardware (such as a computer, monitor, and I/O devices), Electronic Chart Information and Display Systems (ECDIS) are becoming increasingly prevalent in the marine industry. In the early 2000s, the IMO adopted ECDIS standards that electronic navigation systems must pass to be approved as a primary means of navigation. All ECDIS providers must ensure that hardware is designed to operate in a marine environment and satisfy IEC-60945, a standard for maritime navigation and radio communication equipment and systems.

The IEC-60945 specification has four different product categories, depending upon the equipment’s location on board a ship, the: portable, protected, exposed, and submerged. For the purposes of an ECDIS system, the equipment is typically used on the bridge of a ship, which falls under the protected category. Test requirements for the protected category of the IEC-60945 specification include environmental, safety, and EMC parameters, as follows:

Several design elements must be taken into account to produce an instrument that meets the IEC-60945 requirements listed above, including:

Selecting a corrosion resistant chassis material, or using platings/coatings to prevent metal surface damage caused by salt spray
Masking, or other techniques associated with the protective coatings, to allow for electrically conductive surfaces on cover or door flanges, thereby preventing electromagnetic radiation from entering or escaping the enclosure
Using stainless steel fasteners, latches, hinges, and other hardware
Installing power filters to limit electrical noise from entering or leaving the enclosure
Designing the structure of the device to limit chassis resonances induced by external vibration
Selecting computer components rated for the temperature and humidity levels required
Choosing OEM components with long lifecycle status due to the substantial logistical issues of scheduling, performing, and passing the EMC and Environmental tests

CCS-Inc. has been providing ECDIS manufacturers with IEC-60945 approved computer hardware since the introduction of the Globestar 4U rackmount computer in 2002. With a full line of marine computers, displays, and accessories, CCS works to constantly improve both the design and performance of its IEC-60945 offerings. The company is now shipping the GS Odyssey II, an Intel ® Core 2 Duo based platform. This device offers exceptional speed and performance in a sturdy, 3U rackmount chassis. The GS Odyssey III, which encompasses an Intel® Core ™ i5 based platform, is expected to ship in 2012. This release will complement the IMO’s latest ECDIS standard that all new commercial ocean-going ships have an ECDIS. Requiring all ocean-going ships to comply with this standard by 2018, it is evident that the IMO recognizes the importance and value of electronic charting. Organizations that utilize IEC-60945 compliant devices will more easily pass ECDIS standards, approving their systems as a primary means of navigation.

CCS is committed to helping its clients achieve the certifications necessary to meet the compliance regulations set by the marine industry. Interested in learning how your organization can benefit from CCS’ expertise? Contact CCS today for more information.

Click here to download a PDF version of this white paper.

CCS requests forecasting from customers in response to worldwide hard drive shortage

Due to the recent flooding in Thailand, a worldwide hard drive shortage is in effect. Expected to last through Q1 of 2012 (if not longer), the shortage specifically impacts rotating hard drives, not compact flash or solid state drives. As seen by the increase in hard drive prices over the past several weeks, this shortage could have serious implications for both manufacturers and end users alike.

In order to minimize the impact of the hard drive shortage on its customers, CCS is in the process of forecasting the hard drives needed for Q1 of 2012. To obtain a more accurate forecast, the company needs input from its customers to find out what projects are expected for the beginning of 2012. The information provided will help CCS determine how many hard drives to procure. Have questions regarding CCS' response? Contact CCS for more information.

Please inform your account manager today of any upcoming needs you might have.

Click here to learn more about the worldwide hard drive shortage.

foxguard solutions launches new website

FoxGuard Solutions, a wholly-owned subsidiary of CCS-Inc., is pleased to announce the launch of its new and improved website, which debuted on Wednesday, November 30, 2011.

The new site serves as a resource on cyber security hot topics, including risk mitigation techniques and regulatory compliance requirements. It also highlights FoxGuard's extensive experience in the design, manufacture, and lifecycle management of Windows® based HMIs (through parent company CCS-Inc.) that enables it to provide field-tested solutions created specifically for the industrial control system (ICS) environment.
Check out some of the site's new features:

engineers reading corner

Find out what the Engineers at CCS are interested in by checking out the links below.

Foreign Hackers Targeted U.S. Water Plant in Apparent Malicious Cyber Attack

Windows 8 Boot Security Cracked

Blog: Building Windows 8

foxguard solutions Currently exhibiting at power gen international

FoxGuard Solutions, a wholly-owned subsidiary of CCS-Inc., is currently exhibiting in Booth #860 at POWER-GEN International. Known as "the world's largest power generation show, conference, and exhibition," the event is being held at the Las Vegas Convention Center from December 13-15, 2011.

Didn't have a chance to stop by the FoxGuard booth at POWER-GEN? Feel free to contact FoxGuard today for information on what you missed!

meet the ccs team

Name: Keith Fleming
Position: Systems Engineer
Years at CCS: 11

Responsibilities: Act as the technical lead for assigned customer accounts. Create and maintain custom computer configurations that meet our end customer's requirements and specifications, taking compatibility, environmental, regulatory, and functionality issues into account.

Qualifications: B.S. in Information Systems from Radford University

Favorite Part: Seeing our customers experience success and knowing that a truly dedicated team here at CCS was a significant part of that.

CCS is Hiring!

Know someone that would be a great fit for CCS? Located in Christiansburg, VA, CCS is always looking for talented people to add to its team. Click here to view a list of current job openings.

newsletter archive

Miss something? CCS has added a newsletter archive to its website to give customers access to past issues they may have missed. Visit the archive today to stay informed of the latest developments at CCS.

November 2011

2011-11-17T15:33:50+00:00

In this issue...

ADDAX-i Selected As a Finalist in the 2012 Engineers' Choice Awards for Control Engineering
Custom Display Computer for Continuous Miners
FoxGuard Solutions to Exhibit at Power Gen International
Engineers Reading Corner
Meet the CCS Team
CCS is Hiring
Newsletter Archive

News from CCS-Inc.

CCS is pleased to announce that its newest fanless workstation, the ADDAX-i, has been selected as a finalist in the 2012 Engineers' Choice Awards. Sponsored by Control Engineering, this contest features some of the industry's most exciting new products. Read the update below to learn more.

This month, CCS is releasing its newest case study. Read below to learn how Joy Mining Machinery utilizes a custom display computer built by CCS to operate its underground continuous mining machinery.

As always, if you have suggestions for future editions, or if you would like more information on one of the topics below, please let us know.

The CCS Team

addax-i selected as a finalist in the 2012 engineers' choice awards for control engineering

The Engineers' Choice Awards highlight some of the best new control, instrumentation and automation products as chosen by Control Engineering's print and online subscribers. Survey respondents are asked to select products based on technological advancement, service to the industry, and market impact.

CCS is proud to announce that its newest fanless workstation, the ADDAX-i, has been selected as a finalist for the contest. Built on Intel® Core™ i5/i7 technology with up to 8 GB RAM, the ADDAX-i offers workstation class performance in a rugged and compact chassis.

Interested in voting for the ADDAX-i? Check out the Control Engineering website for information on casting your vote later this month.

Custom display computer for continuous miners

Situation

Joy Mining Machinery is a global leader in the development, manufacture, distribution, and service of underground mining machinery for the extraction of coal and other bedded materials. With more than 90 years of experience in the mining industry, the company strives to help its customers produce at the lowest cost per ton over the lifecycle of the equipment it provides. To meet this objective, Joy upholds a high standard of quality and reliability in its machinery.

In 2006, the company began searching for a new computer for use in its continuous mining machines. A key requirement was a vendor whose products could withstand the demanding conditions the machinery is exposed to in the mines. This search led Joy to CCS-Inc.

The company elected to do a test run on a smaller project involving a change to one of Joy’s other products to ensure that CCS would be able to meet its needs. Mike Schindler, Senior Electrical Engineer at Joy Mining Machinery, describes the company’s initial experience with CCS: “CCS’ performance during the trial period proved that the company could handle the job. We chose to continue working with CCS because we felt confident that they would be able to deliver a high-quality solution at a reasonable price.”

Solution
Mr. Schindler met with the CCS team to discuss the project parameters and determine which of CCS’ products would provide the best solution for Joy’s two applications. The first application involved mounting a computer directly onto Joy’s underground continuous mining machinery. This would allow the computer to serve as a type of interface between the operator and the machine. The second application involved utilizing the computer in Joy’s remote communication console. This would give operators the ability to monitor and control the machines from a distance.

The group decided that CCS would manufacture a custom display computer, or panel PC, that would be specially designed to meet Joy’s specific requirements. The computer was constructed to operate in high ambient temperatures and withstand high vibration, shock, and moisture. Encased in a stainless steel chassis with sealed connectors, the custom display computer obtains a high seal rating. The device has a 12.1” screen, and an Intel® high performance processor. By electing to use a solid-state drive and a heat sink instead of fans, the panel PC has no moving parts – a key reliability feature. Not only was Joy satisfied with the technical aspects of the product, but it was also pleased with the professional aesthetics.

Exceeding Expectations
Mr. Schindler explains what made CCS different from other vendors: “CCS made us, as a customer, feel important. The company was always willing to incorporate the feedback we gave, while managing to meet project deadlines as scheduled.” He continued by saying that “CCS did an excellent job of communicating the project’s progress to Joy. And if a problem arose, CCS was quick to offer a solution.”

As a result of the success of the custom display computer project, Joy entered into a long term supply agreement with CCS for the purchase of such custom display computers. A separate design is also in the works for a future project. “Overall, we have been thoroughly satisfied with the knowledge and capabilities of the CCS team. The teamwork displayed is extraordinary – all the departments involved work together to produce an extremely reliable product. The exceptional design of the custom display computer enables high reliability and product stability over its extended lifetime.” said Mr. Schindler.

When asked if Joy would recommend CCS to others, Mr. Schindler replied, “We are very pleased with CCS as a company, the products they provide, and our experience with them."

"The teamwork displayed [by CCS] is extraordinary - all the departments involved work together to produce an extremely reliable product." - Mike Schindler

Want to learn more about how other companies have benefited from working with CCS? Click here to view more case studies.

foxguard solutions to exhibit at power gen international

This December, representatives from FoxGuard Solutions, a wholly-owned subsidiary of CCS-Inc., will be traveling to Las Vegas to exhibit in booth 860 at POWER-GEN International. Known as "the world's largest power generation show, conference, and exhibition," the event will be held at the Las Vegas Convention Center from December 13-15, 2011.

As explained on the website, "POWER-GEN International is the industry leader in providing comprehensive coverage of trends, technologies, and issues facing the generation sector. As the need to operate more efficiently and cost-effectively becomes increasingly important, no other event bridges challenges with solutions like POWER-GEN International."

Want to register for POWER-GEN 2011? Get more information by clicking here.

engineers reading corner

Find out what the Engineers at CCS are interested in by checking out the links below.

Microsoft to Streamline Windows 8's Patch Process

IT Workforce Returns to Pre-Recession Levels

Hard Drive Shortages and Higher Prices Confirmed Due to Flooding in Thailand

meet the ccs team

Name: Terry Driver
Position: Inside Sales Rep for Major Accounts
Years at CCS: Almost 2 years...wahoo!

Responsibilities: The main goal of my position is to help drive business revenues to CCS-Inc. by supporting major account business growth for sustained business and new business from existing accounts and new accounts. I communicate with external and internal customers on a daily basis regarding the needed flow of information to ensure Quality, Accurate, and On Time Deliveries to our CCS customers.

Qualifications: Over 25 years of being involved with Sales, Project Management, and Customer Service in combination with a firm belief in the CCS Core Values- “Delight the Customer” and “Always Add value”.

Favorite Part: Being successful with our customers and continuing to grow the company! Delight the Customer / Always Add value / The Whole Company is My Job.

CCS is Hiring!

Know someone that would be a great fit for CCS? Located in Christiansburg, VA, CCS is always looking for talented people to add to its team. Click here to view a list of current job openings.

newsletter archive

October 2011

2011-10-20T13:58:29+00:00

In this issue...

CCS-Inc. Helps Client Decrease Device Failure Rates 75%

New Product Spotlight: ADDAX-i Fanless Workstation

Developing Long Lifecycle Systems

Meet the CCS Team

CCS is Hiring

Newsletter Archive

News from CCS-Inc.

In this month's newsletter, CCS is pleased to announce the debut of its newest case study. Read below to learn how Warren Rogers Associates utilizes a fanless PC solution from CCS to control theft and monitor usage at fuel stations across the country.

Then, learn about how CCS develops long lifecycle systems by reading a technical article authored by CCS Computer Design Engineer, Ian Bacon.

As always, if you have suggestions for future editions, or if you would like more information on one of the topics below, please let us know.

The CCS Team

CCS-Inc. Helps client decrease device failure rates 75%

Situation
A pioneer in the fuel management business, Warren Rogers Associates (WRA) designs and develops end-to-end fuel profitability solutions for a wide array of major oil and truck stop clients. The company works with high-traffic fuel stations across the country to control fuel theft, monitor usage, identify leaks, and determine when meters go out of calibration. WRA products and technical support services have been specially designed to minimize the manpower and monetary requirements of compliance to guidelines for storage tank owners. To provide these services, WRA runs its proprietary software on industrial computers placed inside the store rooms of each station. This software allows the company to perform statistical analyses at each station to determine whether any areas need attention.

Back in 2009, the company began experiencing issues with the industrial computers being used in the store rooms. These units were equipped with fans for cooling, but due to the harsh environments the devices were exposed to, their fans kept becoming clogged. This caused the computers to overheat and fail. Unable to rely on its old industrial computers, WRA started looking for a new vendor. After finding CCS-Inc. in an initial search, representatives from WRA contacted CCS for more information.

Solution
In response to WRA’s request, CCS provided WRA with information on the company’s background and capabilities. Impressed by what they heard, WRA decided to meet with the CCS team to discuss the project’s parameters. Due to the limited amount of space available in fuel station store rooms, the replacement device needed to be as compact as possible. In addition to the space constraint, WRA was looking for a rugged computer that could function in extremely harsh conditions. These requirements were put in place to ensure that the device would be more reliable than the previous units. After hearing the project’s specifications, the CCS team determined that a fanless PC (FPC) would be the best solution.

Capable of withstanding temperatures ranging from -20 to 55 °C, the FPC recommended by CCS supports solid state and hard disk drives and runs on an Intel® Atom processor. It has a rugged aluminum chassis that disperses heat so that no cooling fans are necessary for operation in extreme temperatures. Being fanless reduces internal airflow, which prevents dust from being drawn through the system, possibly damaging components. The space that would have been used for airflow is thus condensed, creating a smaller footprint and allowing the unit to be deployed in spaces not available to traditional PCs. Since the device has no moving parts, the amount of time and money WRA would have to spend repairing the system and dealing with downtime would decrease. These characteristics make the unit more reliable and a good fit for WRA’s application.

Improved Reliability
Mr. Bill Jones, Executive Vice President of WRA, describes WRA’s thoughts on the FPC selected by CCS: “When transitioning from our old industrial computers to the new CCS platform, we had both types of units deployed in the field at the same time. While this occurred, we were able to see how much more reliable the CCS units were than our old industrial computers. Almost two years later, the new FPCs are being deployed in a variety of different environments, and their performance continues to impress us.” Mr. Jones expanded by explaining that, “Since implementing CCS’ FPCs, our device failure rates have dropped nearly 75%. Thanks to CCS, we have saved countless hours and dollars that would have been spent creating and installing replacement units."

Why choose CCS? Mr. Jones states that, “The company’s willingness to serve its customers is unrivaled. With CCS’ assistance, we were able to develop a control unit that allows us to shut down a facility if theft is detected or if there is a catastrophic leak. After receiving some helpful suggestions from the CCS team, we were also able to improve our manufacturing quality control procedures.”

“The thing that most impresses us about CCS is its ability to customize the solution provided to fit our exact specifications. They made the adjustments necessary to ensure that the unit had the right configuration to function with other equipment we had already deployed on our site,” said Mr. Jones. He continued by sharing that “We would definitely recommend CCS to others, and are looking forward to working with them in the future.”

"The thing that most impresses us about CCS is its ability to customize the solution provided to fit our exact specifications." - Bill Jones

Want to learn more about how other companies have benefited from working with CCS? Click here to view more case studies.

New Product spotlight: ADDAX-i fanless workstation

Built on Intel® Core™ i5/i7 technology with up to 8 GB RAM, the ADDAX-i offers workstation class performance in a rugged and compact chassis. It is ideal for harsh industrial environments where extreme temperatures, air particulates, and vibration can wreak havoc on standard commercial computers, as well as tight spaces too small for these systems.

The ADDAX-I Fanless Workstation is available now. For more information, please visit www.ccs-inc.com/portfolio/computers-profile/addax-i or contact the CCS Team for help determining the most suitable feature set.

Developing long lifecycle systems

By: Ian Bacon, Computer Design Engineer

In the constantly changing world of computer technology, configuring systems that will last more than a few years can be quite a challenge. Long lifecycle systems, essential to some applications, require special design and commercial considerations to ensure availability for a specific, extended period of time. In these situations, CCS uses a variety of methods to design long-lasting configurations that work consistently for their intended purpose.

The easiest and most effective means to produce a long lifecycle system is by using components that are guaranteed to be available for the entire project scope. One way CCS does this is by choosing to work exclusively with manufacturers who have the same commitment to product lifecycle. Having formed long-term partnerships with many industrial vendors, CCS has a number of reliable sources from which to specify long lifecycle components. If a suitable product or supplier is unavailable, CCS may choose to design a part in-house to ensure availability and provide more control over the entire system. Although specifying long lifecycle components is the preferred way to control a system’s lifecycle, it is not always possible. Certain requirements of the project may dictate the use of specific elements, or an extended lifecycle component may not be available for a variety of reasons.

Regardless of the lifecycle of the components, all technology will eventually go EOL, or end of life. To mitigate the effects of an EOL part, CCS can often replace an end of life item with something similar enough that it causes only acceptable minor changes in the end product. Even with complex components, it can be possible to switch to a new item that uses many of the exact same or similarly functioning internal parts. Changes like these usually allow for a smooth transition for the project, and in many cases there is no effect to the system’s function. Depending on the project and the customer, sometimes changes are not acceptable at all, or there are no new options that are equivalent to the EOL item. In these instances, CCS works with its vendors to bring enough stock into its own warehouse to increase the lifecycle of the system beyond the life of the individual components to meet the customer’s needs.

Creating long lifecycle systems requires a great deal of planning, work, and experience, which increases significantly as the desired system life increases. CCS provides this service because it values its relationship with its customers and realizes the importance of creating systems whose lifecycles match the necessary requirements of the customer’s project.

If you have a long lifecycle project to discuss, contact CCS today.

Interested in reading another article authored by Ian? Click here to view a white paper written by Ian and colleague Anderson Peeples on the advantages of Fanless PCs.

Meet the CCS Team

Name: Jason Kirkner
Position: Shipping Specialist
Years at CCS: 3
Responsibilities: I oversee Shipping Department operations, am the primary inspector of all outgoing products, maintain department documentation and processes, and troubleshoot all items related to shipping.
Qualifications: Over seven years of experience in warehouse and product control, shipping, receiving, and quality control.
Favorite Part: Shipping is an extremely fast paced and high energy job, which has helped me to be more flexible and adaptive to any situation. I also enjoy being able to work with various departments.

CCS is Hiring!

Know someone that would be a great fit for CCS? Located in Christiansburg, VA, CCS is always looking for talented people to add to its team. Click here to view a list of current job openings.

newsletter archive

September 2011

2011-09-22T13:25:34+00:00

In this issue...

CCS-Inc. Releases ADDAX-i Fanless Workstation

CCS Development Process for Industrial Computer Systems

Engineers' Reading Corner

Meet the CCS Team

CCS is Hiring

Newsletter Archive

News from CCS-Inc.

In this month's newsletter, CCS is pleased to announce the launch of its new fanless workstation, the ADDAX-i. Find out what makes this FPC stand out from its competitors by reading the product announcement below. Then, learn about the CCS development process by reading a technical article authored by CCS Manufacturing Engineer, Kevin Drum.

As always, if you have suggestions for future editions, or if you would like more information on one of the topics below, please let us know.

The CCS Team

CCS-Inc. releases addax-i fanless workstation

On September 13, 2011, CCS-Inc. introduced the ADDAX-i Fanless Workstation atautotestcon the IEEE AUTOTESTCON 2011 trade show, filling a gap in the embedded computer marketplace – the high-end fanless segment.

Fanless computers are frequently specified for their durability and enhanced reliability. With few or no moving parts, they are less susceptible to mechanical failure. Traditionally they are relegated to more basic computing roles because, as processing capabilities increase, the heat produced becomes more and more difficult to manage without forced airflow. The engineering team at CCS-Inc. addressed this limitation in the high-performance ADDAX-i by designing a specialized heat dissipation system. The unit is rated to operate in temperatures ranging from 0 to 55 degrees Celsius.

Numerous product options allow the ADDAX-i to be optimized for its particular function. The two storage drive bays can be equipped with two hard disk drives for maximum storage, dual solid-state drives in a RAID 0 configuration for maximum speed, or a pair of removable solid-state drives in a mirrored RAID 1 setup for extreme reliability. PCI, PCI-e, and MiniPCI-e expansion slots are also available for various I/O requirements.

CCS development process for industrial computer systems

By Kevin Drum, CCS Manufacturing Engineer

When CCS introduces a new product or takes on a custom project, there are several stages of development through which the industrial computer system may progress. Each one allows a different level of technician or engineer to qualify, and accordingly modify, the developing system. Having the option to create a prototype or pilot enables CCS to make sure each product receives the attention and sophistication that it requires.

At the beginning stages of development, Design Engineering may choose to prototype a product. A prototype is usually built when qualifying a multitude of new components. A design that calls for custom fabricated parts – such as those found in CCS’ newly developed fanless workstation, the ADDAX-i – is conceived as a prototype. At this early phase, the product can be tweaked frequently with minimal impact on other departments.

The next potential phase is known as piloting. During this stage, Manufacturing Engineering builds a pilot system to determine the best practices for Production to yield a large volume of the same product. Once the product has reached the piloting phase, hardware changes should be minimal. Assembly documentation is written based on the pilot build, and this documentation is then used by Production for subsequent orders.

After the two engineering phases, a system is passed on to the Production department. In order to handle systems of varying complexity and risk for nonconformance, a hierarchy of levels exists in Production. All orders placed are assigned a certain production level to denote their complexity. An order with a higher production level requires a more experienced technician to integrate the system. Even if a system were to bypass the prototyping or pilot phase due to its simplicity or low volume, Engineering is still involved in the quality inspection process to ensure that customer requirements are met.

As evidenced by the multi-step development process, collaboration and attention to detail allow CCS to offer its customers a unique level of service, quality, and engineering expertise. If you require a custom industrial computer system, contact us today to determine if The CCS Approach is right for you.

eNGINEERS' READING CORNER

Find out what the Engineers at CCS are interested in by checking out the links below.

Meet the CCS Team

Name: Heather H Walters
Position: Order Logistics Coordinator
Years at CCS: 4

Responsibilities: I oversee orders that have been entered, create all Bills of Material from Engineering designs, assist in planning, process all service orders, manage sub-assemblies, and assist in Engineering Change Notice processing and order change updates.
Qualifications: B.S. Marketing, Radford University
Favorite Part: Learning new things and feeling like I have added value at the end of the day.

Click here to connect with Heather on Linkedin.

CCS is Hiring!

Know someone that would be a great fit for CCS? Located in Christiansburg, VA, CCS is always looking for talented people to add to its team. Click here to view a list of current job openings.

newsletter archive

August 2011

2011-08-18T21:05:54+00:00

In this issue...

Case Study: Fanless PC for Radiation Detectors

White Paper: The Advantages of Fanless PCs in Industrial Environments

CCS Exhibits in Booth 151 at AUTOTESTCON

Engineers' Reading Corner

Meet the CCS Team

CCS is Hiring

Newsletter Archive

News from CCS-Inc.

In this month's newsletter, CCS is pleased to reveal its newest case study. Read below to find out how Nucsafe utilizes a fanless PC solution from CCS in its radiation detection portals.

Then, learn more about the advantages of Fanless PCs by reading a white paper co-authored by CCS Engineers Ian Bacon and Anderson Peeples.

As always, if you have suggestions for future editions, or if you would like more information on one of the topics below, please let us know.

The CCS Team

Case Study: Fanless pc for radiation detectors

Situation
Nucsafe is a leading manufacturer and developer of radiation detection systems for homeland security and commercial use. Partnering with federal agencies and law enforcement, Nucsafe’s main goals are providing nuclear safety and protecting public security. In late 2009, a steel mill approached Nucsafe with the request for a device that would scan the contents of vehicles delivering scrap metal to ensure that no radiation is present. In response, Nucsafe recommended stationary portals that would function as checkpoints. Such a project required the use of a computer that would be small enough to fit in the slim radiation detection portals, yet still have the processing power needed to efficiently run the algorithms used in Nucsafe’s proprietary software.
Nucsafe set out to find a supplier that could provide the computer it was looking for while still being cost-effective. Due to the fact that the portals would be located outdoors, it was critical that the company choose a supplier whose devices could withstand harsh environments. After performing a web search that directed the company to CCS-Inc., Steve Pauly, VP of Engineering at Nucsafe, discussed the project parameters with an Account Manager and a Computer Design Engineer. Through these discussions, it was clear that CCS had the expertise required for the job and could provide the ruggedized computer Nucsafe needed.

Solution
Mr. Pauly worked with the CCS team to determine which of CCS’ products would best accommodate the project’s parameters. Based upon a suggestion from CCS’ engineering department, the group investigated the possibility of utilizing a fanless PC (FPC). The FPC selected by CCS has a rugged aluminum chassis that acts as a heat sink to help the machine dissipate heat. This feature eliminates the need for cooling fans, allowing the unit to perform successfully in dusty environments. When used with solid state drives, this embedded device has no moving parts, making the device less susceptible to mechanical failure. It has a high shock and vibration threshold, and requires less space than most computers. With these features in mind, Nucsafe accepted CCS’ recommendation to utilize a fanless PC in its stationary portals.

Above and Beyond
Wanting to ensure that the FPCs were performing to the specifications expected, Nucsafe decided to run some tests of its own. Nucsafe was pleased to report that “the product surpassed its own specifications.” Nucsafe found that the FPCs were not only able to perform in the temperatures specified, but that they were able to withstand even higher temperatures than predicted.
“Our experience with CCS was very successful. CCS made it possible for us to deliver a reliable product to our customer. The steel mill systems have been fielded for over a year now with no major problems,” said Mr. Pauly. He continued by saying that “Nucsafe would not hesitate to try any of CCS’ s other products. We would definitely recommend CCS to others.”
When asked to describe his experience with CCS, Mr. Pauly stated that “we are extremely satisfied with the solution CCS provided. The company was very easy to work with.” In fact, Nucsafe was so pleased with the service at CCS that it later ordered more FPCs for a project with another customer. This new endeavor involves working with the government to produce mobile radiation monitors for the military. These systems, which contain vehicle-mounted computers, protect troops from danger by scanning for gamma and neutron radiation in the field.

"The product surpassed its own specifications."
- Steve Pauly, VP of Engineering, Nucsafe

Want to learn more about how other companies have benefited from working with CCS? Click here to view more case studies.

White Paper: the advantages of fanless pcs in industrial environments

By Ian Bacon and Anderson Peeples, CCS Engineers

With new trends in technology emerging daily, computers are becoming more prevalent in all aspects of industry. However, certain areas have traditionally been difficult or harsh on conventional computer systems. Extreme temperatures, dust and particulates, airflow restrictions, and even lack of maintenance access are fairly common issues found in the typical industrial setting. These problems can greatly affect the performance of traditional computers. A variety of technologies and methods have been implemented to try and combat many of the issues found in harsh environments, but one of the best methods is to remove all moving components, including fans, from the computer system. While this approach creates a variety of challenges in design, a fanless PC can prevent many of the common stresses a traditional computer may experience and help decrease the downtime of an average system.

Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) have been used in control systems for decades to accomplish simple tasks, but as tasks become more complex and control systems evolve, operating and performance desires increase. To accommodate higher processing demands, systems frequently require more energy. This energy is often lost in the form of heat, which must be removed from the computer system to prevent damage to sensitive components. Many current systems produce heat in such excess that they require dedicated systems to deal with the temperature rises. In a conventional computer system, electric fans are used to actively remove heat by means of forced convection. Electric fans can be used to draw cool air into the system, expel warm air from the system, and draw air across processors and other microchips. However, the addition of these fans creates numerous problems in industrial settings. Fans are typically one of few moving components in a computer system and are prone to mechanical failure due to dirt and debris as well as mechanical shock or random vibration. In the best case scenario if fan failure occurs, the system would experience downtime while the part was replaced. But, if the system continued to operate without airflow, the entire computer could be damaged or destroyed. By removing fans from the system, these risks can be significantly decreased. However, fan removal creates a whole new set of challenges for the system designer, including how to efficiently transfer heat away from critical heat generating components and remove this heat from the system.

Want to learn more? Read the entire white paper by clicking here.

CCS Exhibits in booth 151 at autotestcon 2011

This September, representatives from CCS-Inc. will be traveling to Baltimore, MD, to exhibit in Booth 151 at the Systems Readiness Technology Conference, also known as AUTOTESTCON. The conference will be held at the Baltimore Convention Center from September 12-15, 2011. This year's theme is "Transforming Maintenance through Advanced Test, Diagnosis and Prognosis."

As explained on the event website, "AUTOTESTCON is the United States’ largest conference focused on automatic test systems for US military systems, and has been held annually since 1965. AUTOTESTCON gives attendees the chance to explore over 250 exhibit booths presented by over 100 exhibiting companies and US military units, allowing them to interact with weapon systems managers, acquisition officials, engineers and logisticians." Interested in learning more about AUTOTESTCON 2011? Click here for more information.

eNGINEERS' READING CORNER

Find out what the Engineers at CCS are interested in by checking out the links below.

Meet the CCS Team

Name: Brad Gignac
Position: Software Developer, Internal Programs
Years at CCS: 2
Responsibilities: The internal programs team creates, refines, and maintains software tools that help fellow employees at CCS perform their jobs with greater ease and efficiency.
Qualifications: B.S. in Computer Engineering from Virginia Tech and a strong following, exploration, and practice of the latest software development trends.
Favorite Part: I love software development, so my favorite part of my job is designing and implementing solutions for different groups withing CCS. It feels great when I get to sit down with a project, and see it through, beginning to end, with the other developers on the team.

Click here to connect with Brad on Linkedin.

CCS is Hiring!

Know someone that would be a great fit for CCS? Located in Christiansburg, VA, CCS is always looking for talented people to add to its team. Click here to view a list of current job openings.