ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. - More than 400 people viewed the latest innovations in technology during the Spring Technology Exposition at the APG North (Aberdeen) recreation center.

The U.S. Army Edgewood Chemical Biological Center/Corporate Information Office and Federal Direct Access Expositions co-host the bi-annual tech expos in the spring and in the fall.

The expo consisted of 75 vendor displays in the recreation center ballroom. For the second year in a row, the expo offered technical training sessions for guests. Held in the center's classrooms, the sessions were supported by three IT businesses and taught by subject-matter experts.

"This is a nice addition to the show. Wse definitely want to continue," said Mark Flemister Exhibit Sales and Vendor Relations for FDAE.

Training topics included cyber security, data center containment and mobile zero-client laptops. Zero- client laptops have no local storage, a hard drive or an operating system. That means secrets won't be compromised if the device is lost, physically broken into or stolen.

Flemister said the expo gives customers a chance to interact directly with businesses.

"The expos are held twice a year due to their popularity and because technology is always changing," he said.

Barry Miller, a representative from Xerox, showed attendees a patented environmentally friendly color printing product called Solid Ink. This product needs no cartridge, so it generates less waste.

"This is amazing technology," Miller said. "Not many people know about it."

Jack Underwood, a senior technical advisor from System Source said the Tech Expo is the best way to bring in new business. System Source is an authorized IT training provider in the Baltimore Area that trains over 15,000 students annually. System Source has a new training location close to APG, in Havre de Grace.

"This expo is a good way to reach the decision makers," Underwood said. "Many of our customers work on APG."

New to the expo was RUGGED Science, a company that provides rugged embedded computers, rugged LCD displays, and other rugged automation devices for industrial hazardous areas and harsh military environments.

"Our products are already on Navy aircraft carriers," said Wayne Morlatt, a product manager from RUGGED Science. "We are trying to generate business with the Army."

Ross Chenoweth, a network engineer contractor said he attended the event to get up to speed on the latest technology.

"I support [ the U.S. Army Research Laboratory], which is always on the cutting-edge of research and technology," he said.

Sarah Farmer from the Communications-Electronics Research, Development and Engineering Center said she attended the expo to learn more about innovative security solutions.

"Network security is priceless," she said.

Mary McCully from ECBC/CIO said she looks forward to the next expo, and she invited community members to provide feedback on products or briefing topics they would like to see at the next event. For more information, call 410-436-2625.

The Fall Tech Expo will be held 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Oct. 22 in the APG North (Aberdeen) recreation center.