Top Tips for Choosing Mobile Computers

White paper
Top 5 Tips for Choosing
Mobile ComputersSorting through the smart phones, PDAs and ruggedized It's important to choose devices that are convenient for workers computers available for business use is no easy task. Dozens to carry and use throughout the full shift. Reducing operator of manufacturers offer hundreds of devices in thousands fatigue should improve productivity and device reliability. Overall of configurations, but only one may be best suited for your size and weight are important, but choosing the best device particular environment and workforce. Rather than trying to isn't as simple as selecting the smallest and lightest. The shape stay on top of all the products that are being introduced and of the computer, how its weight is distributed, and how easily discontinued, the technologies and features being added, plus workers with different sized hands can carry the device and available peripherals and software, enterprises can quickly cut access the keypad are important considerations that shouldn't down to a few viable options by following five basic tips: be overlooked. Mobile computers with integrated bar code and RFID readers, radios and other peripherals may weigh more than 1. Consider the environment and the user; those without, but they provide an ergonomic advantage because 2. Stick to industry standards & certifications; the worker doesn't have to carry and manage multiple devices.3. Simplify support;4. Require flexibility; 2. Stick to Industry Standards & Certifications5. Pay attention to power. Rugged mobile computers are specialized devices designed for collecting data and providing real-time information in non-This white paper explains these tips and how they can be applied office environments, but they should still adhere to enterprise to assist the enterprise mobile computer selection process. standards for connectivity, security and development whenever possible. Specifying devices that meet these criteria will help 1. Consider the Environment and the User keep down development, integration and support expenses, The most important factor to find the right fit for an enterprise which can vary greatly and are a significant source of TCO. mobile computer is the environment in which it will be used. Failure rates for handheld devices vary widely, from 11 percent Specifying devices with a Microsoft mobile operating system, 1to 38 percent annually , which is a reflection of how rugged the particularly Windows Mobile®, is the best step organizations mobile computer is and how well it is suited for the specific can take to keep development, implementation and support usage environment. For example, a handheld that will land on a costs in check. Standardizing on the Microsoft environment carpeted floor when it is dropped doesn't need to be as rugged gives organizations the widest choice of packaged software as one that will land on concrete. Drops are the leading cause applications, ISVs, systems integrators, development tools of damage to mobile computers and are the leading cause of and device management systems, plus provides a clear resulting damage and downtime. To be considered rugged - and migration path for future upgrades and expansion. Devices therefore reliable - mobile computers must be rated to repeatedly with less-supported or proprietary operating systems and withstand at least five-foot drops to a non-yielding surface. development environments are costlier to integrate and support and often require contracting specialized outside software 2Understanding how the computer will be used is also very development, which limits flexibility and can be expensive . important. Not all work is performed the same, so observing how different workers go about their daily activities is worth Mobile computers should communicate with enterprise systems the investment in time. These observations provide insight on using standard connectivity and security. Security policies how processes can be improved and which mobile computer should not be adjusted or weakened to accommodate wireless features are desirable. For example, even a small, lightweight mobile devices. Mobile computers are available that support computer with keys can be awkward to use during processes that a variety of standard wireless security protocols (including constantly require workers to lift or pull items, so voice/speech 802.11x, WPA2, FIPS, et al) and virtual private networks ... [download for more]