Case Study: Embedded System for Robotic Pill Dispensing System

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Parata is the leading provider of pharmacy automation and technology solutions. Its dispensing technology has filled more than 2.5 billion prescriptions, helping pharmacists avoid an estimated 15 million medication errors. 

Parata selected Dedicated Computing because of their unrivaled engineering and products and services.

Dedicated Computing designed the A7103 as an expansion of its small form factor product offerings. The A7103 was designed specifically for Parata’s robotic pill dispensing system being used in pharmacies and is ideal for a variety of lab diagnostic applications in the healthcare market as well for machine control applications in the industrial automation market.

Like all Dedicated Computing’s embedded systems, the A7103 provides fully integrated hardware and software platforms that are optimized for a specific customer’s applications, with security and connectivity pre-configured and built in.

“We were looking for a solution that would enhance our unit’s performance and serviceability,” said Paul Jones, Manager of Information Technology and Information Systems, Parata.

“The A7103 outperformed other systems in almost every category, and Dedicated Computing worked closely with us on customizations that give our field service engineers faster, easier access to the hard drive and memory, allowing us to better serve our customers. Additionally, Dedicated Computing’s solution is manufactured and assembled here in the U.S. We do business with the U.S. government and Department of Defense, so it is essential that our suppliers are TAA-compliant. Dedicated Computing checked every box.”

The A7103 platform is a cost effective, next generation control node that integrates 4th Generation Intel® Core processors into a flexible micro small form factor chassis and supports a wide I/O profile including up to (3) GbE Ethernet ports, (6 USB 2.0; 2 USB 3.0) and (4) serial ports.

“Our ability to support Parata by providing them with an innovative and integrated long-life solution within a small footprint while still being able to contain a normal amount of compute hardware was a challenge that we were thrilled to meet,” stated Jeff Durst, Director of Product Management, Dedicated Computing, “Our goal was to provide the same performance or better within an extremely limited space.”