What Is A Handheld?
There are some distinctions that should be made. While smart cell phones can
run a number of applications designed for trucking and a large number of firms
use these types of units, there are differences between a smart phone and a
mobile computer. A proper mobile computer will be a rugged unit capable of
running Windows mobile operating system or a Windows-capable PDA. This type of
unit is capable of running more applications.
A Java-enabled cell phone, on the other hand, will be limited in applications
and capabilities, and won't be as rugged. A mobile computer or ruggedized PDA
will cost $1,500 or more. A smart cell phone costs about $200. A number of
fleets find phones work great for them, while others need the computing power of
a true mobile computer.
"The phone can be used as a data terminal," says Xora's Michael Berger. "It's a
low-cost platform to get real time shipment information and that's something
that transportation companies find attractive."
The key is knowing what capabilities your company needs, says Intermec's Sibio.
"First-time technology adopters will typically go with the least cost
alternative, which might not fit their application," he says. "There are some
applications where smart phones can be used, but they miss things like signature
capture or item-level tracking. If all you need to know is that the driver has
arrived, made a pickup or delivery, then all you need is a smart phone
application."
Much depends upon the wireless carrier as well. The Motorola i615 "seems to be
the workhorse phone in the industry," says Cheetah Software's Karczag. But he
says there is a shortage of GPS-enabled phones software providers can use.
"Some wireless carriers, Verizon for instance, do not allow third parties to
access the GPS on their phones," he says. "Nextel was very open and now, since
it's joined with Sprint, Sprint is going in that direction. Consequently, all
the GPS applications in the industry run on Nextel or Sprint phones.
"Higher-priced PDAs will run across all networks, as will mobile computers. But
then you are up to more than $600 for the PDA and up to $2,000 for a mobile
computer. Lower-priced PDAs will work on only one or two networks and below
$200, all you have pretty much are Nextel-type phones."
As with most other technologies, it comes down to balancing what a fleet needs
with what it can afford.
