Guide to Selecting Mobile Handheld Computers for Field Services

There are a lot of good handheld computers available, so how do you choose the appropriate handheld computer for your project and budget?  The purpose of this document is to identify some of the issues and questions that you should consider when selecting handheld computers. 1. What environment will you be using the handheld computer in - is it hot, cold, wet, dusty or filled with explosive vapors? Is it a clean office environment, or a rugged out-of-doors environment?2. Is your software application focused exclusively on bar code scanning, RFID reading, GPS, or do you need a multi-purpose device?3. Will the hardware configuration ever need to be changed? Some handhelds can be configured at will, others are locked and can only be used with the original configuration.4. What hardware does your selected software require?5. Will the battery last long enough to accomplish your work? Do you need back-up batteries? Can you use batteries purchased at the local market, or are they vendor specific?6. What is your budget? Does the value of using a handheld computer justify spending? Do you have enough budget to purchase the software and hardware you need? Does your budget only allow for low cost consumer devices? How many replacements cover the cost of a ruggedized handheld?7. How do you replace broken devices? Can you get a replacement in 24 hours, or must you wait on the slow-boat-from-China?8. What kind of support contracts and warranties are available?9. How long will your new handheld computer be supported, serviced and manufactured by the vendor. Is it near end of life and being discounted for a reason?10. Can you upgrade the operating system when Microsoft releases a new version of their mobile operating system?Can you use standard laptop data cards in the handheld, or do you  1. need to pay for high priced vendor specific cards?2. Can you view the screen effectively in the sunlight?3. Does the bar code scanner work effectively in real-world environments? Some scanners


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