The question that
always arises when a business is thinking of buying a mobile computer is :-
"Will it be worth it?"
In many fields of
work, the ability to keep on the move is vital in order to utilize time
efficiently. Efficient utilization of resources (i.e.: staff) can mean
substantial savings in transportation costs and other non-quantifiable costs
such as increased customer attention, impact of on site maintenance and
improved intercommunication within the business.
The importance of Mobile Computers has been highlighted in
many fields of which a few are described below:
- For
Estate Agents
Estate
agents can work either at home or out in the field. With mobile computers they
can be more productive. They can obtain current real estate information by
accessing multiple listing services, which they can do from home, office or car
when out with clients. They can provide clients with immediate feedback
regarding specific homes or neighborhoods, and with faster loan approvals,
since applications can be submitted on the spot. Therefore, mobile computers
allow them to devote more time to clients.
- Emergency Services
Ability to receive information on the move is vital where the
emergency services are involved. Information regarding the address, type and
other details of an incident can be dispatched quickly, via a CDPD system using
mobile computers, to one or several appropriate mobile units, which are in the
vicinity of the incident.
Here the reliability and security implemented in the CDPD system
would be of great advantage.
- In
courts
Defense counsels can take mobile computers in court. When the
opposing counsel references a case which they are not familiar, they can use
the computer to get direct, real-time access to on-line legal database
services, where they can gather information on the case and related precedents.
Therefore mobile computers allow immediate access to a wealth of information,
making people better informed and prepared.
- In
companies
Managers can use mobile computers in, say, and critical
presentations to major customers. They can access the latest market share
information. At a small recess, they can revise the presentation to take
advantage of this information. They can communicate with the office about
possible new offers and call meetings for discussing responds to the new
proposals. Therefore, mobile computers can leverage competitive advantages.
- Stock
Information Collation/Control
In environments where access to stock is very limited ie: factory
warehouses. The use of small portable electronic databases accessed via a
mobile computer would be ideal.
Data collated could be directly written to a central database, via
a CDPD network, which holds all stock information hence the need for transfer
of data to the central computer at a later date is not necessary. This ensures
that from the time that a stock count is completed, there is no inconsistency
between the data input on the portable computers and the central database.
- Credit
Card Verification
At Point of Sale (POS) terminals in shops and supermarkets, when
customers use credit cards for transactions, the intercommunication required
between the bank central computer and the POS terminal, in order to effect
verification of the card usage, can take place quickly and securely over
cellular channels using a mobile computer unit. This can speed up the
transaction process and relieve congestion at the POS terminals.
- Taxi/Truck
Dispatch
Using the idea of a centrally controlled dispatcher with several
mobile units (taxis), mobile computing allows the taxis to be given full
details of the dispatched job as well as allowing the taxis to communicate
information about their whereabouts back to the central dispatch office. This
system is also extremely useful in secure deliveries i.e.: Securicor. This
allows a central computer to be able to track and receive status information
from all of its mobile secure delivery vans. Again, the security and
reliability properties of the CDPD system shine through.
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