Seven Agencies Move to PDA-Based Pontis Bridge Inspections

January 15, 1997, New Brunswick, NJ: Seven prominent bridge departments across the country - Illinois Department of Transportation, Commonwealth of Massachusetts Highway Department, Michigan Department of Transportation, New Jersey Turnpike Authority, Minnesota Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Eastern Federal Lands, and FHWA Western Federal Lands - have adopted Trilon, Inc.'s innovative IOH software to collect field data electronically for the Pontis Bridge Management System (BMS).

IOH Software operates on the Apple Newton MessagePad Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) family of devices. Newton PDAs are hand-held, pen-based computing devices that feature a powerful Graphical User Interface (GUI), handwriting recognition, and easy connectivity to all desktop computers. Newton PDAs are particularly suited for field inspections because they are easy to use, lightweight, small enough to fit in one hand, and have an extended battery life. They are also available with a ruggedized case for added protection.

IOH Software is notable for it's simple, point-and-tap user interface and seamless connectivity to Pontis. The Newton PDA connects to an ordinary PC via the serial port. The Software allows users to directly transfer bridge profiles and inspection reports from Pontis to the Newton PDA, and completed inspection reports from the Newton PDA to Pontis. The on-line, context-sensitive help provides a complete replacement for the printed Pontis User Manual by offering instant access to Condition State Language, Element Definitions, and Environment State Definitions. The software's other features include the ability to build bridge profiles on the Newton PDA, automatic tallying of incrementally entered condition ratings, thorough validation of all rating entries, and both bridge- and element-level note-taking.

Users have noted that IOH provides a good return on investment for several reasons: The on-line help and running total features save time and improve accuracy in the field; the direct capture of inspection information in electronic format via handwriting recognition eliminates keypunching of data in the field (for field teams equipped with laptop computers) and/or at the office; the Newton PDA units cost a fraction of the price comparable DOS/Windows devices, and thus are easier to replace in case of damage or loss.

Sanjiv Nathwani, President of Trilon - "We are very gratified by the response to IOH from the Pontis user community. In its first year, the product has been adopted by seven bridge agencies, including some key users like Illinois DOT. IOH continues the tradition of innovation that has marked Trilon as a leader in computer technology for the bridge management industry."

Trilon, Inc., founded in 1991, is a dynamic software developer and systems integrator that specializes in delivering multimedia and mobile solutions for the engineering industry. 

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Inspection On Hand and IOH are trademarks of Trilon, Inc.

Copyright 2002 by Trilon, Inc. All rights reserved.

Inspection On Hand and IOH are trademarks of Trilon, Inc. All other trademarks and copyrights are the property of their respective holders.

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Last modified: January 24, 2002