Welcome to Acura Embedded Systems! I’m thrilled to have you join our Inside Sales team. This first chapter of your training is all about getting to know who we are, where we come from, and what makes Acura Embedded Systems a leader in the industrial computing space.

First and foremost, let's define who we are. Acura Embedded Systems is a Canadian manufacturer and designer of highly specialized computing solutions. We build what are known as 'Custom, Rugged-Industrial and Hazloc Certified Computing Solutions.' 

Now, you might hear the term 'rugged computer' quite often in the market. Many companies use it as a generic term, simply meaning a piece of hardware is designed to be tough. But at Acura, 'rugged' means much more. Our systems are built to be truly robust, and crucially, they are Hazloc Certified. This means they meet very specific technical requirements and pass expensive, independent testing and certification processes. 

These certifications, such as Class 1 Div 2 (or C1D2), IECEx, ATEX, and various IP (Ingress Protection) ratings, mean our equipment can safely operate in hazardous locations – that's environments where explosive gases or materials might be present, or where extreme dust and water are a constant challenge. This is our core expertise, and it’s a critical differentiator for our clients.

Our journey began over 30 years ago. Acura first started building industrial PCs for Emergency Services, creating some of the earliest computers and integrated communications systems for inside police, ambulance, and fire trucks. From there, we expanded into automation and shipping, building control computers for the giant container cranes unloading ships at the Port of Vancouver. This foundational experience in demanding, real-world environments set the stage for where we are today.

In more recent years, we've made a strategic decision to narrow our focus, primarily serving the Oil and Gas sector. We've established a very strong niche, especially with Measurement While Drilling, or MWD, operators, by providing custom Hazloc Rig-Floor computers. This focused approach has been key to our competitive advantage and significant growth.

One of the cornerstones of our identity is our proud North American heritage. All Acura Embedded products are proudly designed and manufactured right here in North America. This commitment to local design and manufacturing means we have direct control over quality, quick response times, and a deep understanding of the market dynamics in our primary regions: Canada and the United States.

As an industry leader in Hazloc rugged technology , our team is recognized for developing groundbreaking customized computing and IoT solutions. We innovate across a range of vital industries. While our primary focus is Oil and Gas , our solutions also serve Resource Energy , Automation , Logistics and Transport , and Public Safety. We also have specialized offerings in Mining IoT solutions, like AcuSense. 

Our expertise also extends to emergency services, transportation, and even military applications. This broad yet focused experience demonstrates our versatility and the critical nature of our hardware.

To support our global customer base and maintain our high standards of service, we've established service centers in key locations. You'll find us in Houston, Texas, USA , in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada , as well as in Abu Dhabi, UAE , and the UK, specifically in Market Harborough. This ensures that no matter where our rugged computers are deployed, support is readily available to minimize any operational downtime.

At its core, Acura's philosophy is simple: we pride ourselves on understanding our customers' problems, truly digging deep into their operations and pain points. Then, we leverage our decades of experience – over 30 years – to engineer custom-built solutions that simplify their operations, dramatically improve efficiency, and significantly reduce downtime. 

This problem-solving approach is what makes us special, and it’s why our products become such an integral part of our customers' success.

That concludes our first chapter – a foundational understanding of Acura Embedded Systems. Next, we'll dive deeper into our specific product lines.