September 2002

Three hundred ruggedised Intermec Pocket PCs with integral barcode scanners are being deployed by logistics contractor Cat Logic as part of a mobile solution developed in association with one of its customers, office products supplier Guilbert.

Drivers are now able to capture signatures when delivering to Guilbert customers, and relay them back to a centralised computer system in real time, using GSM mobile phone technology. The information can then be made available to Guilbert, allowing it to action its invoicing procedures more quickly. According to Andy Renshaw, project manager at Guilbert, the investment in the handheld units will pay for itself within two years.

End users will also be able to track consignments online. "Total visibility is key to user satisfaction," Renshaw says.

Cat is building up its own complete mobile solutions suite, and says the new component, which it is calling POD Manager, has evolved into a stable and fully-fledged application.

It is Oracle-based, and provides features such as digital signature and POD reports through a graphical interface. It links with the company's SAP ERP system. Data synchronisation has been provided by Extended Systems.