Windows CE for Doctors

[marlof]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://nikkeibp.jp/wcs/leaf/CID/onair/jp/flash/317921' target='_blank'>http://nikkeibp.jp/wcs/leaf/CID/ona...jp/flash/317921</a><br /><br /></div>According to the linked engadget article, Olympus will be releasing a Windows CE based PDA that is entirely targeted at the medical professional. Based on the looks <a href="http://www.symbol.com/products/mobile_computers/mobile_ppt8800.html">Symbol</a> should have a big hand in the hardware, which will bring tons of experience with rugged devices to this new Olympus PDA. It has an included bar code scanner, and 802.11b based wireless networking. Confidentiality is guaranteed by offering support for the 802.1x protocol. For the rest of the functionality I'll point to <a href="http://www.worldlingo.com/wl/translate?wl_lp=JA-en&wl_glossary=gl6&wl_fl=2&wl_ucp=1&wl_rurl=http%3A%2F%2Fnikkeibp.jp%2Fwcs%2Fleaf%2FCID%2Fonair%2Fjp%2Fflash%2F317921&wl_url=http%3A%2F%2Fnikkeibp.jp%2Fwcs%2Fleaf%2FCID%2Fonair%2Fjp%2Fflash%2F317921&wl_g_table=-3">WorldLingo</a>:<br /><br /><i>To input the contents and the like of medical behavior with bar-code, the wireless LAN (IEEE802.11b) It can record to the electronic chart and the like with by way of. "Malpractice prevention and the business improvement of efficiency in the medical institution are supported", (the same company) with say.</i><br /><br />You see? You won't know how you could ever do without this one!<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/marlof-july04-olympusfordoctors.jpg" />

[felixdd]

No Bluetooth? How can it support this (http://www.alivetec.com/products.htm) then?! :wink: h

[possmann]

After initially getting past the "cool! neat idea!" I stopped and asked myself why?

This product will most likely connect to a database server that will hold all the information - the device will not hold ANY informaiton otherwise they would not garuntee confidentiality. So why not just use a ruggedized PPC device - in fact any one of the Symbol or Intermec PPC devices (that by the way have bar code scanners in them already) and PIE to connect to what you need to?

10's of companies do this already... I don't understand what their "edge" on this market would be, unless the device is really cheap - whcih I don't see.

Symbol could easily get into this marketplace in a strong way by just making a PPC device w/scanner built into a form factor that looks clinical. By that I mean white plastic.

[rocky_raher]

They need to change the color scheme at least before marketing it in the US. It looks as if it's designed for Paramedic Barbie.

[marlof]

So why not just use a ruggedized PPC device - in fact any one of the Symbol or Intermec PPC devices (that by the way have bar code scanners in them already) and PIE to connect to what you need to?

This is such a device. If you click the word "symbol" in my post, you'll see the device they're using: a Symbol PPT8800. AFAIK this one just added the paramedic barbie color scheme, and the 802.1x support.

[Horus]

This does not appear to be a Pocket PC device. It looks like it is straight WinCE.
What is probably going on here is that Olympus has a better sales channel into the medical vertical than Symbol does, so they are just rebranding Symbols product and selling it in as part of an overall medical management solution. (just a guess)

[marlof]

This does not appear to be a Pocket PC device. It looks like it is straight WinCE.

That's right, this is plain WinCE, that's why that shows in the title of this post. The original Symbol PPT8800 runs WinCE as well BTW.