Mercy Flights modernized its ground fleet with IntelliSkin® and GDS® Tough-Dock™ cooling docking stations, providing secure, adaptable mounting solutions for daily medical operations.
The Challenge for Mercy Flight's Ground Fleet
Mercy Flights is a nonprofit healthcare and medical transportation provider operating approximately 45 ground vehicles in the fleet, including Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vans, Ford ambulances, Subaru Foresters, and Chevrolet supervisor trucks.
Mercy Flights’ previous in-cab touchscreen computers and bulky laptop setups presented ongoing maintenance and usability challenges, including worn ports, unreliable touchscreens, and limited cabin space.
Mercy Flights needed a fleet solution that could:
- Replace aging computers with compact, user-friendly tablets
- Secure devices without obstructing essential in-cab equipment
- Accommodate radios, scanners, and varying console layouts
- Protect tablets against demanding daily use
- Support consistent deployments across different vehicle types
With unique equipment layouts across its fleet, Mercy Flights needed a durable, adaptable mounting system that could accommodate each vehicle while maintaining a consistent technology platform.
Images provided by Mercy Flights
The Solution
Following recommendations from neighboring EMS and fire departments, Mercy Flights transitioned to Apple iPad Air 11” tablets equipped with IntelliSkin® protective cases and GDS® Tough-Dock™ with cooling fan solutions. The tablets provide a compact, user-friendly interface for dispatch software, call information, navigation, and other essential tablet-based applications.
IntelliSkin® adds protection against daily wear while GDS® Tough-Dock™ provides secure mounting and charging for in-vehicle use. RAM® C-size Double Ball Mounts and Swing Arm systems allow devices to be positioned around existing equipment, providing adjustability without the bulk of traditional computing setups.
To accommodate specific vehicle layouts, Mercy Flights integrated RAM® mounting components with custom-fabricated brackets near the center consoles. These configurations allow tablets to be installed alongside radios and document scanners without mounting directly to vehicle floors or passenger seats.
The modular design gives Mercy Flights the flexibility to customize fleet installations for each vehicle while maintaining a consistent tablet and docking platform throughout its ground fleet.
“In a fast-paced organization like Mercy Flights, the details matter. RAM® Mounts quickly became the standardized mounting solution we needed across various vehicle types in the fleet. The compact, protective designs created an accessible operator workstation for the radio, MDT, and scanner, while the swivel capability enhances safety and reduces distractions when needed most.”
The Results
With mounting solutions installed across approximately 45 ground vehicles, Mercy Flights has streamlined medical response workflows by replacing bulky computers with protected iPad Air 11” tablets.
As Mercy Flights continues outfitting new fleet vehicles to lower-profile tablet setups, RAM® Mounts provides the flexibility to accommodate varying vehicle configurations and maintain fleet-wide consistency.
RAM® helped Mercy Flights ground fleet by:
Modernizing mobile technology with iPads supporting dispatch, call information, and navigation
Reducing equipment bulk by replacing traditional computers with compact tablet solutions
Protecting consumer-grade devices with IntelliSkin® and GDS® Tough-Dock™
Accommodating complex vehicle layouts with modular mounts and custom brackets
Supporting fleet-wide consistency with adaptable mounting solutions across diverse vehicles