Mobile Workstations Research Articles

Comparing different scoping and mapping review methodologies: A practical example using the nursing mobile workstation.

To provide (1) an overview of core characteristics of scoping and mapping review methodologies and (2) to illustrate the differences and similarities of these methodologies using literature on nursing mobile workstations. Systematic review. Systematic searches were conducted to identify (1) scoping and mapping review methodologies used in the field of nursing and (2) literature on nursing mobile workstations. For each systematic search, two reviewers independently screened all titles, abstracts, and full texts. We conducted narrative syntheses for both review questions. Publications on scoping and mapping review methodologies in the field of nursing were searched in MEDLINE (PubMed), Web of Science, Scopus, and CINAHL (September 2022). Publications on nursing mobile workstations were searched in MEDLINE (PubMed), CINAHL, and Web of Science (April 2022). We identified six scoping and mapping review methodologies (aim 1): bibliometric analysis, evidence mapping, focused mapping review and synthesis, and scoping review. The methodologies aim to provide a graphical, tabular, or narrative overview without a formal critical assessment of the literature. We provide an overview of key variables that reflect the different focus of these methodologies. We also included 26 publications on nursing mobile workstations (aim 2). Nineteen different terms were used to describe the workstations. An overall definition of the nursing mobile workstation was not found. Scoping and mapping methodologies are regularly applied in nursing research. Although there is overlap between the different methodologies, we found some unique characteristics. Despite the regular use of nursing mobile workstations, little is known about their impact in care processes and important features. Future studies on nursing mobile workstations could explore the impact of the workstations in the care process and the current functions of the workstations. A universal definition of the workstations is warranted. Most publications address aspects of practicability of nursing mobile workstations, but we found no universal definition. Little knowledge is available on the impact of the workstations in clinical practice.

Intelligent Electrochemical Point-of-Care Test Method with Interface Control Based on DNA Pyramids: Aflatoxin B1 Detection in Food and the Environment.

Sensitive, intelligent point-of-care test (iPOCT) methods for small molecules like aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) are urgently needed for food and the environment. The challenge remains of surface control in iPOCT. Herein, we developed an electrochemical sensor based on the DNA pyramid (DNP), combining a smartphone, app, and mobile electrochemical workstations to detect AFB1. The DNP's structure can reduce local overcrowding and entanglement between neighboring probes, control the density and orientation of recognition probes (antibodies), produce uniform and orientational surface assemblies, and improve antigen-antibody-specific recognition and binding efficiency. Simultaneously, the hollow structure of the DNP enhances the electron transfer capacity and increases the sensitivity of electrochemical detection. In this work, the biosensor based on DNP was first combined with electrochemical (Ec) iPOCT to simultaneously achieve ordered interface modulation of recognition probes and intelligent detection of AFB1. Under optimal conditions, we found a detection limit of 3 pg/mL and a linear range of 0.006-30 ng/mL (R2 = 0.995). Further, using peanut, soybean, corn, and lake water as complex matrices, it recorded recoveries of 82.15-100.53%, excellent selectivity, acceptable stability, and good reproducibility. Finally, this Ec iPOCT provides consistent results compared to the high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method.

Контроль сохранности вагонов на пунктах технической передачи

The article presents the analysis of damage of freight cars at transfer points for freight cars. The analysis of malfunctions of railcars stepping off the tracks of non-public use enabled us to determine that most of the railway cars have damages common for loading and unloading operations. It is possible to ensure the safety of railcars by applying, in particular, digital technologies, including when receiving freight cars from non-public railway tracks. It is noted that for the points of technical transfer of railcars (PTTW) as a subdivision of technical service points (TSP), the main form of internal primary accounting is the book VU-15 («Book of full-scale inspection of railway cars at technical transfer points»), the electronic format of which is only being introduced into the production process. The special significance of the transition to the electronic version of the VU-15 is manifested in enterprises with several PTTW, where railway cars transferred to the access railway through one point can be returned to the railway through other points. Often, the electronic form of the VU-15 greatly limits the capabilities of railcar inspectors when working on the tracks (operational search for data on railcar malfunctions, the possibility of photo and video recording of damage, the use of regulatory and reference information). The solution to these issues can be the use of mobile workstations (MWS) with additional functions for monitoring the safety of railway cars, which allow monitoring the technical condition of the freight cars before they are delivered to the non-public track and returning them to the infrastructure. Within the framework of the conceptual project, the AWS MWS PTTW structure for monitoring the technical condition of freight cars and the algorithm for processing information in the MWS PTTW for monitoring the safety of railway cars with the practical implementation of software in C# were developed.

Digitalization of freight rail transportation as a factor in improving their efficiency

The economy is currently undergoing significant changes and fluctuations, requiring the transport industry to adapt and improve its services in a timely manner. The most relevant now is the issue of digitalization of transport services, which entails both an increase in the speed of transportation and a gradual departure from a large amount of paper workflow. These changes are taking place, in particular, in the field of railway transport, the role of which in the strategic development of the eastern range is the most important, demonstrating an increase in traffic volumes, minimization of delays in transit, as well as stability and regularity of shipments. The purpose of this article is to substantiate the feasibility of digitalizing the process of transporting goods by rail through the introduction of a specialized digital platform. The authors put forward and prove the assumption that the use of such a platform can reduce the loss of time at all stages of cargo transportation, reduce the costs associated with the transportation process, and also provide more flexible access to infrastructure. It also confirms the increase in the efficiency of interaction between all participants in the transportation process: from the carrier company to the supervisory authorities. The article proposes a regulation for processing documentation using electronic document management, which includes the use of mobile workstations; the importance of the spread of digital services to the process of intermodal transportation of goods and, as a result, the increase in the reliability of such transportation is argued. The results obtained are of an applied nature, since they propose and justify a number of measures aimed at enhancing the electronic interaction of participants in the process of cargo transportation.

Computational Portable Microscopes for Point-of-Care-Test and Tele-Diagnosis.

In bio-medical mobile workstations, e.g., the prevention of epidemic viruses/bacteria, outdoor field medical treatment and bio-chemical pollution monitoring, the conventional bench-top microscopic imaging equipment is limited. The comprehensive multi-mode (bright/dark field imaging, fluorescence excitation imaging, polarized light imaging, and differential interference microscopy imaging, etc.) biomedical microscopy imaging systems are generally large in size and expensive. They also require professional operation, which means high labor-cost, money-cost and time-cost. These characteristics prevent them from being applied in bio-medical mobile workstations. The bio-medical mobile workstations need microscopy systems which are inexpensive and able to handle fast, timely and large-scale deployment. The development of lightweight, low-cost and portable microscopic imaging devices can meet these demands. Presently, for the increasing needs of point-of-care-test and tele-diagnosis, high-performance computational portable microscopes are widely developed. Bluetooth modules, WLAN modules and 3G/4G/5G modules generally feature very small sizes and low prices. And industrial imaging lens, microscopy objective lens, and CMOS/CCD photoelectric image sensors are also available in small sizes and at low prices. Here we review and discuss these typical computational, portable and low-cost microscopes by refined specifications and schematics, from the aspect of optics, electronic, algorithms principle and typical bio-medical applications.

Внедрение цифровых решений в систему интермодальных грузоперевозок

Purpose: To justify the use of a digital platform at organization of rail freight transportation, allowing to minimize transportation costs, delivery time, time loss at all stages of lifecycle and to simplify significantly the access to infrastructure facilities. The given study confirms that the introduction of advanced digital technologies into intermodal freight transportation system contributes to the effective interaction between railway companies, seaports and regulatory authorities. Methods: Analytical methods of reporting data of Asian and European railway companies — members of International Railway Union, Russian and foreign forwarding companies as well as data of Russia Federal Customs Service and foreign customs authorities are used. Results: The procedure for documentation electronic processing, using mobile workstations, is systematized, the effects from creation of pilot freight transportation are determined, the importance of the expansion of digital environment of trust between participants in intermodal freight transportation — railway companies, seaports and regulatory authorities — is substantiated. Practical importance: The obtained results have an applied character since they propose and justify a number of measures aimed at stirring up of electronic interaction of cargo transportation process participants.

An Autonomous Adaptive Enhancement Method Based on Learning to Optimize Heterogeneous Network Selection

Aims and Background: Mobile workstations are frequently used in challenging environments of heterogeneous networks. Users must move between various networks for a myriad of purposes, including vertical handover. At this time, it is critical for the mobile station to quickly pick the most appropriate networks from all identified alternative connections with the decision outcome, avoiding the ping-pong effect to the greatest extent feasible. Objectives and Methodology: Based on a combination of network characteristics as well as user choice, this study offers a heterogeneous network selection method. This technique integrates three common Multi-Attribute Decision-Making (MADM) techniques, notably the Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (FAHP), Entropy, and Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS), to take into consideration user preferences for every prospective network as well as the real scenario of heterogeneous networks. For different traffic classes, FAHP is first utilized to determine the weights of network parameters and the utility numbers of total options available. Next, entropies and TOPSIS are utilized to obtain only the unbiased weights of network factors and utility principles of totally different options. Results: The most suitable networks, whose utility number is the greatest and larger than that of the equivalent number of present networks of the phone station, are chosen to provide accessibility based on the utility numbers of each prospective system as a limit. The suggested method not only eliminates a particular algorithm's one-sided character but also dynamically changes the percentage of each method in the desired outcome based on real needs. Conclusion: The proposed model was compared to the three existing hybrid methods. The results showed that it could precisely choose the optimized network connectivity and significantly reduce the value of vertical handoffs. It also provides the requisite Quality of Service (QoS) and Quality of Everything (QoE) in terms of the quantitative benefits of vertical handovers.

Efficiency of pilot transportation within the framework of the Intertran project

Background: Nowadays, the transport industry is facing non-traditional challenges for it, such as the need for digitization of transport services, increasing the mobility of transportation and reducing dependence on paper technologies for its design. At the same time, at the moment, only rail transport demonstrates high-quality development to the market with a reorientation of the geography of services and plays an important strategic role in the development of the eastern polygon, offering exactly what shippers need: regular shipments, the shortest possible time and stable prices despite the global restructuring of markets and economic fluctuations.
 Objective: to determine the relationship between the expansion of the use of digital technology and the efficiency of the development of intermodal transport. We confirm that the Intertran project allows railway companies, seaports and regulatory authorities to interact effectively.
 Methods: the methodology of the study is based on the analysis of the order of electronic interaction between seaports and railways in the process of intermodal cargo transportation through seaports using electronic documents and data. The information base of the study is based on reports of Asian and European railway companies members of the International Union of Railways, Russian and foreign forwarding companies, as well as data from the Federal Customs Service of Russia and foreign customs authorities.
 Results: as a result of the research, the participation of JSC Russian Railways in the development of innovations and the digital market environment is justified, the procedure for processing documents in electronic form within the framework of the Intertran project using mobile workstations is determined, the effects of the organization of pilot cargo transportation within the project are determined, the need to expand the digital environment of trust between participants in transport and logistics processes is established.
 Conclusion: the study confirms that the basis for the effective development of the Intertran project and the interaction of railway companies, seaports and regulatory authorities is a set of actions aimed at electronic interaction of participants in the transportation process and further optimization of processing of technological operations.

Association of Mobile Workstations and Rounding-in-Flow with Resident Efficiency: A Controlled Study at an Academic Internal Medicine Department.

Residents commonly use a batched workflow to round on hospitalized patients, creating redundancy and decreasing efficiency. To improve resident efficiency through a novel workflow using mobile laptops and modified rounding-in-flow. A controlled experimental study conducted at an academic medical center for 3 months. One internal medicine team served as the intervention group, and two other teams served as a control group; 34 interns and 20 senior residents participated. Residents in the intervention group were provided a novel workflow and a mobile laptop to allow them to round "in-flow." Control group residents rounded as usual (batched workflow without laptops). Fourteen interns were monitored for a time-motion study. Time-stamped electronic medical record (EMR) data were used to assess percentage of progress notes and orders placed during rounds (9 a.m.-12:30 p.m.) and percentage of discharge summaries signed within 24 h of discharge. A post-intervention survey measured perceived efficiency. A time-motion study showed non-significant differences between time in the intervention group and that in the control group: communication time with patients (128 min vs 105 min, p = 0.37) and computer time (289 min vs 306 min, p = 0.71). EMR data for 664 visits in the control group and 374 in the intervention group showed that rounding-in-flow was associated with an odds ratio (OR) of 1.5 for placing progress notes during rounds (95% CI: 1.2-1.7, p < 0.001), an OR of 1.1 for placing non-discharge orders during rounds (95% CI: 1.0-1.2, p = 0.01), and an OR of 3.9 for signing discharge summaries within 24 h of discharge (95% CI: 2.3-7.2, p < 0.001). Post-intervention survey, completed by 23 of 34 interns, showed that interns in the intervention group perceived that orders were completed during rounds more often than the control group (OR 7.8; 95% CI: 1.3-60.1, p = 0.03). Using mobile laptops with modified rounding-in-flow was associated with earlier completion of residents' work, suggesting improved efficiency.

Utilization of a Mobile Multifunctional Workstation for Coronavirus Nasopharyngeal/Oropharyngeal Specimen Collection.

ObjectivesThis study aimed to explore the utilization of a mobile multifunctional workstation for COVID-19 sample collection.MethodsTwenty-four nurses and 150 individuals who took nucleic acid tests using mobile multifunctional workstations in Beijing Youan Hospital, Capital Medical University, from September to November 2020, were enrolled in the study as the observation group. As the control group, we included 36 nurses and 150 individuals who did not use the workstations from June to September 2020. We compared the two groups on (1) comfort of working environment, self-perceived security, the convenience of information system, operational process flexibility, pharyngeal acquisition visibility, and effectiveness of communication among nurses; and (2) self-perceived safety, waiting time, and overall satisfaction among individuals who took nucleic acid tests.ResultsThe satisfaction score of nurses in the observation group of nurses were significantly higher than those of the control group (OR = 17.297 95% CI:4.294, 69.673), as well as the convenience of the information system (OR = 6.250 95% CI: 1.775, 22.008), and communication effectiveness (OR = 5.588 95% CI: 1.590, 19.646). Among individuals who took nucleic acid tests, the overall satisfaction (P < 0.05) and self-perceived security (P < 0.05) had statistical differences between the observation group and the control group.ConclusionsThe mobile multifunctional workstation for specimen collection could improve the comfort of the working environment, the convenience of information systems, and the effectiveness of communication among nurses.It can improve satisfaction and self-perceived security among people who took nucleic acid tests.

The Effect of Cycling While Typing on Patterns of Upper Body Muscle Activation.

To investigate the effect of one's sex and pedaling intensity on upper body muscle activation patterns during typing while cycling. Females are at a higher risk for computer work-related musculoskeletal disorders, and mobile workstations have been suggested to induce healthier muscular patterns compared with sitting. However, the neuromuscular characteristics of performing computer work in a cycling workstation have not been investigated. Twenty-two participants (10 females) completed a 60-min computer typing task while pedaling on a cycle ergometer at two different intensities (25%, 4% heart rate reserve). Surface electromyography (EMG) was recorded from seven muscles of the upper body. Effects of time, sex, and intensity were assessed for muscle activation (RMS), activation variability (CV), and normalized mutual information (NMI) via generalized estimating equations. With time, neck/shoulder CV increased in males during higher pedaling intensity, whereas in females it decreased during lower intensity. In females, RMS of neck/shoulder and NMI of neck/shoulder muscle pairs were lower, whereas forearm RMS was 34.2% higher with higher intensity cycling compared with lower intensity. Lower back RMS decreased 28.3% in the initial half of the task in females, but in males it increased 14.4% in the later half. Cycling workstation showed a sex- and intensity-specific EMG response. These differing responses should be considered when implementing the use of cycling workstation and may be important for preventing/managing sex-specific muscle fatigue and musculoskeletal disorders.

Creating a COVID-19 Action Plan for GME Programs.

Creating a COVID-19 Action Plan for GME Programs.

Hardware and software data processing system for research and scientific purposes based on Raspberry Pi 3 microcomputer

In the past ten years, rapid progress has been observed in science and technology through the development of smart mobile devices, workstations, supercomputers, smart gadgets and network servers. Increase in the number of Internet users and a multiple increase in the speed of the Internet led to the generation of a huge amount of data, which is now commonly called «big data». Given this scenario, storing and processing data on local servers or personal computers can cause a number of problems that can be solved using distributed computing, distributed data storage and distributed data transfer. There are currently several cloud service providers to solve these problems, like Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, Cloudera and etc. Approaches for distributed computing are supported using powerful data processing centers (DPCs). However, traditional DPCs require expensive equipment, a large amount of energy to run and operate the system, a powerful cooling system and occupy a large area. In addition, to maintain such a system, its constant use is necessary, because its stand-by is economically disadvantageous. The article is aimed at the possibility of using a Raspberry Pi and Hadoop cluster for distributed storage and processing of «big data». Such a trip provides low power consumption, the use of limited physical space, high-speed solution to the problems of processing data. Hadoop provides the necessary modules for distributed processing of big data by deploying Map-Reduce software approaches. Data is stored using the Hadoop Distributed File System (HDFS), which provides more flexibility and greater scalability than a single computer. The proposed hardware and software data processing system based on Raspberry Pi 3 microcomputer can be used for research and scientific purposes at universities and scientific centers. Considered distributed system shows economically efficiency in comparison to traditional DPCs. The results of pilot project of Raspberry Pi cluster application are presented. A distinctive feature of this work is the use of distributed computing systems on single-board microcomputers for academic purposes for research and educational tasks of students with minimal cost and ease of creating and using the system.

Augmented and virtual reality technologies: Bridging practice and research in the academic library

ABSTRACTThis paper offers practical insights and lessons learned from over five years of direct experience provisioning and supporting augmented and virtual reality equipment as lendable technology. A pragmatic exploration of one academic library's experience in the development, sustainability, and evolution of augmented and virtual reality technology and associated services. Analyzed and critiqued in comparison to traditional library materials and services, the novel library collection is bridging the gap between learning, research, and practice. Library support is proving to be critical path: from the initial development of the lending technology collections, through the collaborative development of mixed reality equipment, spaces, and software. Specific details associated with the library's current state of practice are shared, including specifics as to working systems for both the HTC Vive and Oculus Rift equipment on dedicated mobile workstations available throughout the library. Collaborations with departments including Computer Science &amp; Engineering, as well as the School of Journalism, have proven to be a natural outcome of the library's support: joint effort resulting in the development of numerous dedicated mobile augmented and virtual reality software development stations throughout the library, and resultant exhibit development.

Factored Displays: Improving resolution, dynamic range, color reproduction, and light field characteristics with advanced signal processing

Today, direct-view displays constitute the primary means by which humans visually interact with computers. These displays come in many forms: mobile phones, laptops, workstations, digital projectors, and digital signage; while ubiquitous, our two-dimensional (2-D) displays still pale in comparison to the three-dimensional (3-D) physical world. Gabriel Lippmann, a Nobel Prize-winning physicist and an early photographic innovator, lamented on the similar limitations of photography

Configurable audio/video/physiological data telehealth platform designed for physical medicine and rehabilitation

Telehealth is defined as the use of information and communication technologies (ICT) to extend health care service delivery across distance. Remote vital sign monitoring is a common example for home telehealth and one promising market, but lacks the breadth, comforting and subtleties of face-to-face assessments usually done by having either the patient go to the clinic or the clinician going to see the patient at home. To conduct more lively and interactive sessions, virtual visits involve the use of video and audio for live and remote consultations between clinicians and patients [1] . These consultations are done through fixed workstations or mobile devices using web videoconferencing systems, which may not always be sufficient to the practice of clinicians [2] . To provide flexibility to the interactions that would normally take place in face-to-face consultations, we are developing a multi-point, multi-view and multi-data (video, audio, medical devices) videoconferencing system, called VIGIL, to conduct live sessions between health caregivers (e.g., physiotherapists, occupational therapists, doctors, nurses) and patients at home. Like Skype and OmniJoin/Nefsis, VIGIL is a cloud-based videoconferencing system working on mobile devices, laptops and workstations. VIGIL has customized and simple interfaces to improve usability for specific telehealth needs. For instance, it can transmit images from one or multiple cameras, control pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) cameras from a distance, and interface a mobile communication badge and a mobile PTZ camera for interaction away from the workstation. It can also receive data from wireless medical devices. VIGIL is currently hosted at Sherbrooke Techno-Centre and exploited in trials are underway at the Centre de réadaptation de l’Estrie. Technologically, it is possible to provide a diversity of interaction modalities in support of telehealth practice. It is now more a matter of finding out what is necessary to address those needs.

OPNET BASED SIMULATION AND INVESTIGATION OF WIMAX NETWORK USING DIFFERENT QOS

IEEE 802.16 WiMAX network is designed for providing high speed wide area broadband wireless access. WiMAX is an emerging wireless technology which is used for creating multi-hop mesh networks offering variable and high data rates, QoS, seamless mobility within a network. OPNET modeler is a simulation program tool used to simulate the different types of wireless networks. In this paper, simulation and evaluation of three different sized networks (small, medium, large) is carried out. We are using the modeler to study networks with 15, 25 and 40 mobile workstations. In each network, group of five WiMAX workstations connect and call each other through one WiMAX base stations during 1000sec. Performance of parameters that indicate the quality of services such as initial ranging activity, delay, total transmission power and PHY path loss have been studied.

Combining Mobile Devices and Medical Workstations for Diagnostic Reading of Medical Images

Abstract We propose a new concept for the combination of mobile multi-touch devices and diagnostic reading workstations to provide a workstation-grade reading experience of medical images with mobile devices. The patient-centric, workflow-oriented design links a mobile touch-device with dedicated diagnostic monitors and adapts the behavior and the presented content of the mobile device depending on the location and access permission level of the user. The design is based on a breast MRI reading system, exploring the suitability of touch interaction for diagnostic reading of MRI patient cases. We discuss the benefits for radiologist as well as possible challenges. Furthermore, we will describe the results of an informal evaluation of the prototype and a formal evaluation of the speed and precision of the indirect multi-touch gesture for measuring objects in image data.

고성능 대용량 플래시 메모리 저장장치의 효과적인 매핑정보 캐싱을 위한 적응적 매핑정보 관리기법

모바일 디바이스, PC, 서버 형 워크스테이션 시스템에서 널리 사용되고 있는 낸드 플래시 메모리는 기존의 하드 디스크에 비해 저 전력 소비, 높은 성능, 랜덤 접근 가능 등의 장점을 갖는 반면, 덮어쓰기가 불가능하여 데이터를 쓰기 전에는 항상 삭제 연산을 필요로 하는 구조적 약점을 지니고 있다. 이를 극복하기 위해 낸드 플래시 메모리의 제어기는 FTL을 사용하여 디바이스 내부 연산을 변형시킨다. 하지만 고성능 대용량 낸드 플래시 메모리 저장장치의 사용이 증가됨에 따라, 제한된 DRAM 크기에 비해 매핑 알고리즘에서 사용되는 매핑 테이블의 크기가 증가하는 문제가 발생한다. 본 논문은 이러한 DRAM의 용량 부족 문제를 해결하기 위해, 페이지 매핑 기법을 바탕으로한 적응적 매핑정보 캐싱 기법을 제안한다. 적응적 매핑정보 캐싱 알고리즘은 다양한 워크로드 분석을 기반으로 낸드 플래시 접근을 최소한으로 하는 매핑정보 캐싱 방식을 사용한다. 트레이스 기반 시뮬레이터를 통해 실험한 결과, 본 논문에서 제시하는 적응적 매핑정보 캐싱 알고리즘은 기존의 고정 매핑정보 캐싱 알고리즘에 비해 최소 7%에서 최대 70%의 성능향상을 보임을 확인할 수 있었다.

Proper Battery Maintenance Can Lead to Savings

A healthcare facility in Milwaukee, WI was in the final stages of preparation to launch an electronic medical record (EMR) initiative involving mobile computing workstations. Much earlier in the project, a software issue forced the mobile workstations to sit idly in storage for almost two years. When the time came to launch the project, none of the 42 workstations started. After troubleshooting, the healthcare technology management (HTM) staff determined that the batteries within the carts were “faulty.” Further investigation revealed that the batteries were not properly maintained during the two years they were stored. The clinical engineers went back to the original equipment manufacturer (OEM), but were told the batteries were out of warranty and would need to be replaced. The replacement cost totaled almost $28,000. Already under a tight budget, they were not going to be able to afford the huge cost. They were left with a hard decision—figure out where else to cut costs in order to come up with the additional $28,000 or delay the project even further until the budget was available. If the staff had identified that the batteries were nickel metal hydride (NiMH), they would have had been aware of the high rate of self-discharge and known that they required maintenance during storage. This knowledge could have saved the facility time and money. As demonstrated in this case, HTM departments cannot afford unexpected costs and delays associated with product failures due to improper maintenance and storage. Every year, departments are asked to do more with a smaller budget and fewer resources, making it imperative to find ways to save money and time. A commonly overlooked source of savings is proper battery maintenance. The benefits of proper maintenance include prolonged battery life, which can extend the replacement interval, and overall higher peak performance for longer periods of time. To maximize battery efficiency and performance, proper battery identification is paramount. Identifying battery chemistry, application, and proper maintenance will ensure a long and productive lifecycle. Lastly, coupling this knowledge with the proper battery charger or analyzer will help any department turn concept into tangible savings. About the Author