ricksfiona
01-22-2005, 12:30 AM
There's been this discussion before, but I would like to throw this back out there due to the recent introduction of several devices...
Within the next several months, I need to standardize on the types of equipment my technical employees will be using out in the field. However, I would like feedback as to what makes sense for data and communications needs.
All my field employees will have a Pocket PC. They will use this device to keep track of their time, document client visits, research problems via the web and update my company databases remotely which include time, scheduling and client data in realtime. Here comes the problem: Would it make more sense to use a PDA/bluetooth-phone or go the route of a PDA w/bluetooth, WiFi and voice (like the PDA2k)?
I would like to go with the PDA2k, however if someone doesn't want use a bluetooth headset, and I wouldn't blame them, it's awkward to use a big device like the PDA2k.
There is the new i-mate JAM which is close to perfect, but the screen is pretty small and people with average or below eyesight may not like using it. Especially when entering in text for significant amounts of time.
By getting two devices, the techs would be getting two high-end devices that don't compromise on features. Like a Dell x50V and SMT5600. However they would have to be fairly close to their phone to establish the bluetooth connection AND they would have to carry two devices, possibly 3 including an earpiece. I wouldn't use the Smartphone cause of it's data collection limitations.
Going to and from clients I don't see a real problem. When they hear the phone device going off, they can leave it in their carrying bag and pick up the bluetooth headset. But when onsite and going from location to location, they would have to carry whatever devices with them. They could have up to 3 devices on their belt :? Let us not forget a portable keyboard and mouse too!
Within the next several months, I need to standardize on the types of equipment my technical employees will be using out in the field. However, I would like feedback as to what makes sense for data and communications needs.
All my field employees will have a Pocket PC. They will use this device to keep track of their time, document client visits, research problems via the web and update my company databases remotely which include time, scheduling and client data in realtime. Here comes the problem: Would it make more sense to use a PDA/bluetooth-phone or go the route of a PDA w/bluetooth, WiFi and voice (like the PDA2k)?
I would like to go with the PDA2k, however if someone doesn't want use a bluetooth headset, and I wouldn't blame them, it's awkward to use a big device like the PDA2k.
There is the new i-mate JAM which is close to perfect, but the screen is pretty small and people with average or below eyesight may not like using it. Especially when entering in text for significant amounts of time.
By getting two devices, the techs would be getting two high-end devices that don't compromise on features. Like a Dell x50V and SMT5600. However they would have to be fairly close to their phone to establish the bluetooth connection AND they would have to carry two devices, possibly 3 including an earpiece. I wouldn't use the Smartphone cause of it's data collection limitations.
Going to and from clients I don't see a real problem. When they hear the phone device going off, they can leave it in their carrying bag and pick up the bluetooth headset. But when onsite and going from location to location, they would have to carry whatever devices with them. They could have up to 3 devices on their belt :? Let us not forget a portable keyboard and mouse too!