Water Proof Handheld PDAs


Have you ever held a TDS Recon Pocket PC? It is solid, feels bomb proof and is water proof. If you are working in the out-of-doors in mud, slime, rain and snow and need a field data collection device, I would invite you to consider this handheld PDA. It isn't cheap, but it is specialized for the most rugged conditions and provides all the benefits of collecting data in the field and syncing it back to the enterprise database.
MobileDataforce has delivered mobile solutions using the PointSync Mobility Platform to electrical utility companies, engineers and many other companies that were using this device for field data collection.

Re-engineering Business Processes with Handheld PDA Solutions

MobileDataforce's professional services teams are working on dozens of mobile software projects globally at any given time. As a result, we have gained through experience in-depth knowledge about how mobile solutions can change companies, their business processes and the way they think. Let's discuss a few of the things we have seen and learned:
  1. Companies rarely understand the full extent of the changes mobile software solutions will bring to their organization
  2. Most mobile software projects start small and have a very limited user base and business focus
  3. As the users begin to test and adopt the new mobile software solutions, they most often expand the project as they quickly recognize the efficiencies that can be gained by using mobile software solutions that are tied into corporate database applications
  4. There is usually some point about 80% through the mobile software development project when there is a loud "AHA!" that echos the halls of our clients' offices - they get it. They can see beyond their immediate project to the potential of mobility
  5. Mobility is a process - a company may start with mobile phones, then move on to email syncing & SMS, then full bi-directional synchronization of corporate data to mobile handheld computers and specialized mobile software applications
  6. Companies may start with mobilizing their field service technicians, but rapidly expand to mobile CRM, mobile shipping and inventory status, mobile asset management, quality assurance inspections and reporting, real-time mobile business analytics for the management team, route accounting and proof of delivery for the truck (or lorry) drivers. The more the company learns, the more they realize the benefits of mobile data solutions
  7. If a company has started down the path to mobilizing their operations and business processes, but have chosen to hardcode or custom program each of these processes as separate projects - they will quickly realize their error in not starting with a full mobile software platform
  8. The mobile software platform - is a server based product that supports a standardized way of designing, developing and deploying multiple mobile software projects in a manner that is easily learned and supported by IT
  9. Once the mobile software platform (the PointSync Mobility Platform is one option) is in place, all IT developers, consultants and technical support personnel can be trained on the same platform and method for efficiencies and speed of development
  10. The mobile software platform supports the design, development, deployment, support, version control of applications, publishing of applications to mobile devices, data security configurations, database integrations and much more

The key concept in this process is to start with a mobile software platform - this enables you to build up and support large numbers of mobilized business processes and projects in the same efficient manner. If a company chooses to custom build every project from scratch, the efficiencies of development and support will never be realized.

Appforge in Trouble


The internet is buzzing over reports that mobile software tools provider Appforge has closed its doors. MobileDataforce is in the same mobile software market as Appforge, but rather than focusing only on providing code and scripts for developers of mobile solutions, they make development easier and faster through rich graphical development environments that include mobile syncing, mobile databases, database integration and security.

Information on MobileDataforce's PointSync Mobility Platform (shown in the picture above) can be found here. 30-day trial versions are available upon request.

Intermec CN3 Mobile Handheld PDA



This week I have written about several new "light industrial"
handheld PDAs and industrial strength handheld computers including the Dolphin 7600 and Symbol's MC35. Today I want to highlight another new handheld PDA, this time from Intermec. It is called the CN3, uses Windows Mobile and is pictured here.

The trend is readily apparent - the ruggedized handheld PDA manufacturers have recognized the need to develop specialized hardware for mobile field workers. Workers that need a light weight device with a combined mobile phone and a handheld PDA so they can communicate both voice and enterprise data from their handhelds while working at remote locations and jobsites.

These categories of handheld computers align nicely with MobileDataforce's focus on the mobile worker and their need for specialized mobile software applications.

Dolphin 7600 - Mobile Handheld PDA


MoblileDataforce focuses on providing mobile software applications, so when hardware companies develop handheld computers that match our focus I am very interested. Hand Held Products (HHP) has recently released a new handheld computer called the Dolphin 7600. This handheld is small, light weight, has extended battery life and a built-in bar code scanner. I particularly like the rubberized edges for easy gripping and added drop protection. It has a 4 foot drop to concrete rating.
It runs on the Windows CE operating system so is completely supported by mobile software applications and mobile software platforms like the PointSync Mobility Platform.
This category of handheld computers (light industrial mobile handheld computers) fits field users who need a mobile computer that can easily fit in their pocket, or on their belt. Something that is easy to handled, but contains all the functionality of the larger industrial handheld computers.

RFID Solutions on Handheld Computers and PDA at MobileDataforce


Last year at this time MobileDataforce was receiving a lot of questions from companies asking about RFID for use on mobile handheld PDAs and rugged handheld computers. They wanted to know what was possible with RFID. It was an educational process, rather than a buying process. I am happy to say (as the CEO of a software company) that companies are now buying RFID solutions. Today we are involved in numerous RFID solution implementations and projects.

We have implemented RFID ear tags on cattle, we have implemented a number of asset tracking applications, and now we are reviewing a project to add RFID tags to shopping carts. How interesting!

Symbol MC35 - More Smartphones and Handheld PDAs


Ninety-one people looked up Symbol Technologies' MC35 yesterday on Google. That is quite impressive for a new handheld PDA from Symbol. This device includes a phone, Windows Mobile OS, GPS, keypad and much more in a semi-rugged form. It is larger than most consumer devices running pocket pc, but a perfect size for industrial use.
Symbol/Motorola has been rapidly releasing new mobile handheld devices intended for the "mobile" category of workers. The true field services worker who does not want to pack around a large and heavy industrial handheld computer.

Warnings for Companies Considering Mobile Handheld PDA Business Solutions


MobileDataforce is very busy these days helping companies replace old mobile software solutions for handheld PDAs that were based on out-dated Palm or Pocket PC operating systems. Although we appreciate the business, it is worth highlighting this issue for companies considering whether to program/code their own mobile software solution, or use a supported mobile middleware platform like the PointSync Mobility Platform.

Here are some issues to consider:
  1. Is your mobile solution going to be upgraded every year as mobile operating systems and handheld computers are upgraded?

  2. Who is going to be your in-house expert on the latest mobile operating systems and how to support them? It will take an investment of resources to stay current.

  3. When you buy new handheld computers or PDAs, they are generally sold with only the latest most current operating system on them. So how can you buy new handheld computers, unless your mobile solution can run on the latest operating system. Over the life of your mobile software application you may need to upgrade the OS many times.

  4. Often a business unit funded the original mobile software application development project. Are they willing to continue funding your mobile operating system upgrades each year. The answer is most often NO! So how can IT support it after the first year?

  5. One solution to prolonging the life of a mobile software application is to pre-purchase all the handheld computers or PDAs you will ever need. This will ensure that you have the supported hardware and supported operating system available to you over the life of your mobile software application. But let's be real....who is going to fund a pre-purchase of all the hardware you will ever need? No business unit I have ever met. If you find one, let me know...I would like to sell them all the mobile software they will ever need in the future as well.

The most reasonable approach to keeping current with mobile operating systems and the latest handheld computers and PDAs is to develop your mobile handheld application on a supported mobile software platform like MobileDataforce's PointSync Mobility Platform. Why? MobileDataforce and other companies that author mobile middleware and mobile development platforms committ to keeping them current on the latest supported operating systems - so you don't have to. The cost of the operating system updates/upgrades are generally covered in your annual support contract. Companies like MobileDataforce employ legions of software developers who are paid to be experts on mobile operating systems and how to keep mobile middleware and mobile software platforms current and updated.


Mobile Clinical Assistant and Inspection Software

One of our customers selected the "Mobile Clinical Asssistant" to use with their mobile inspection software solution. This is an interesting Tablet PC that can come integrated with a barcode scanner and a digital camera. I love the built-in handheld and sealed environment for easy cleaning.

SoMo 650 Socket's New Mobile Handheld PDA

Here is an interesting development in the world of PDAs and bluetooth barcode scanners - Socket, a company that traditionally manufacturers accessories and add-ons for other company's PDAs and handheld computers, has just announced their own PDA called the SoMo 650.
This is an interesting development since sales of stand alone PDAs (those without phone capabilities) have been dropping year-over-year in favor of PDA Phones and Smart Phones (PDAs running on Windows Mobile and other powerful operating systems that included integrated phone capabilities). It will be interesting to see how a new PDA without phone capabilities will sell these days.
I also wonder how this will impact Socket's sales of their bluetooth barcode scanners and other accessories. Other PDA manufacturers will naturally want to avoid referring customers to them out of fear that Socket will sell them the SoMo 650 rather than their iPAQ, XDA, MC35, MC50 or MC75.
Symbol Technologies, Intermec Technologies and many other handheld computer makers are rapidly downsizing handheld computers and releasing smaller versions, but most have integrated phones. These companies have often referred business or resold Socket products...hummmm. They will be very wary of Socket going forward.
Socket must believe they can make more profits by selling PDAs than not. So let the games begin!


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