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In the world of field service and mobile computing, handheld computers have really come into their own. For many applications, they can replace both laptop computers and in-cab equipment, adding versatility and portability, even though they do limit the opportunities to input large amounts of text.
Mostly, handhelds run Microsoft’s Pocket PC operating system (or other variants of its Windows CE or CE.net systems). Palm has retained some presence in the commercial market, more so in the US than the UK, and Linux is making a tentative appearance (Intermec was one of the first makers to launch a Linux-specific ruggedised handheld); but Microsoft is dominant.
In the consumer market, a battle royal is waging between smartphones and PDAs, and there are signs that in field service, too, smartphones could also replace handhelds for some activities (see panel). The small screen size has so far limited their appeal for this type of activity, but new-generation 3G models with large memories and more accessible input keys are beginning to blur the dividing lines.
However, at the moment ruggedised handheld computers are probably the most likely device for field service applications – and their appeal has been reinforced during the past year with the launch of more affordable models, including entry-level units costing as little as £700.
The creation of low-cost units is partly a defensive move, aimed at buyers who might otherwise be tempted by top-of-the-range PDA (personal digital assistant) devices. PDA vendors are certainly targeting the logistics market, using the argument that although PDAs may need more frequent replacement, users can afford this if necessary because the units cost only a third of the price of conventional ruggedised handhelds – which typically cost between £1,000 and £1,500 each.
The ruggedised handheld manufacturers’ riposte is that purchase price is only part of the equation. In mission-critical operations, they say, you need excellent service back-up too.
Going beyond the warehouse means incorporating more choice of communications options, of course, so the latest ruggedised handhelds usually have 802.11b and GPRS capability and a choice of Bluetooth or IrDA (infra-red) connections for peripherals such as printers. Some terminals with barcode scanning engines are also enabled for RFID (radio frequency identification).
If the terminal is to be used for barcode scanning, there is a choice of scanning engines. Laser scanners are gaining in popularity, but digital imaging of the barcode is now emerging as an alternative solution. Many models can also be adapted to work with RFID tags.
Most ruggedised manufacturers quoting IP ratings and US military standards for drop tests (see panel). A computer that has a lower IP or MIL rating than a competitor or another model from the same manufacturer may still be fit for purpose. There is a price to pay for ultra-toughness, and it may be over-the-top for your operation.
However, LXE cautions against too much reliance on IP ratings, pointing out that the terminal needs all-round robustness. It can have a high IP rating, but be let down by the screen, the company says.
Psion Teklogix reckons the mean time between terminal failures is a good clue to ruggedness, and points out that support capability can vary widely among manufacturers. Warranty and repair times for instance can vary from one year to three. Same-day, three- five- or seven-day repair contracts are all available. Psion offers online tracking and trace, allowing you can check the progress of your repair.
IP Ratings
IP stands for Ingress Protection. The standards are defined by the International Eletroctechnical Commission. The first number represents the level of protection against solid contaminants such as dust, the second against liquids. Solid ratings go from 0 to 6, and liquids from 0 to 8.
The higher the number, the better the protection. So a terminal with an IP67 rating is very rugged, one with a rating of IP54 rating less so.
MIL-STD
This is the US military standard that requires devices to be dropped on plywood-covered concrete from various heights. The most common one is 810F, although there are others. However, there is a fair amount of leeway in how manufacturers pass the tests, with up to five devices being allowed. Itronix and Psion Teklogix are among those companies keen to point out that their units pass using just a single device. Psion Teklogix drops its handhelds on each corner and records the tests on videos.
According to a report by analysts Ovum, the smartphone market grew from two million units in 2002 to 10 million in 2003, and forecasts suggest 25 million sales for 2004 and 130 million in 2007. Some analysts are even more bullish in their forecasts.
With such a huge market up for grabs, it is hardly surprising that competition is hotting up – and not just from the handset manufacturers. Symbian, the operating system which has dominated the PDA and phone market for the past five years and accounts for 85 per cent of the market, is being challenged by Microsoft with its Microsoft Smartphone, a derivative of its Pocket PC 2003 operating system.
A smartphone seems to be defined as a handset which, although intended primarily for voice communications, also has a significant data-handling capability designed to exploit the always-on connectivity of 2.5G and 3g mobile phone networks.
Early versions were seen as glorified mobile phones, but some of the latest launches have proved convincingly that these devices really are mobile computers in their own right. The latest 7100v from BlackBerry, for instance, has 32MB of flash memory and 4MB of SRAM, giving it serious computing capability. It also has a surprisingly large and attractive screen.
Meanwhile, clamshell units such as Nokia’s 9300 have a full qwerty keyboard (albeit a small one), and come with massive amounts of memory (80MB is offered, and can be increased even further). Throw in browser support for Javascript, USB connectivity and optional use of plug-in MMC memory cards, and you have what amounts to a handheld computer. Plus phone, of course.
