German Rail (Deutsche Bahn) is rolling out a large-scale mobile data solution to manage the movement of freight cars at rail yards, and has chosen HHP as its supplier for 2,000 wireless-enabled handheld terminals. They are being deployed at 12 railway stations.

The order forms part of a broader communications project known as Cargo Digital Data, which has been mounted by Railion Germany (formerly DB Cargo).

Previously Railion was using a two-way "walkie-talkie" radio system, augmented by a private wireless network for data transfer. But the private network was being wound down, so the organisation decided to upgrade to a GPRS system, which is expected to reduce maintenance costs significantly.

Railion has been working with Deutsche Bahn Systems (DBS) as the main contractor. Together they considered various data collection units for its new system before choosing HHP's new Dolphin 9500. This features an Intel XScale processor and runs on Microsoft's Pocket PC platform.

 

HHP and its partner, Siemens Business Services (SBS), helped Railion to develop and test the Dolphin 9500.

Railion is said to have been particularly impressed by HHP's application support and project management capabilities, and subsequently ordered the Dolphin 9500s for use in all 12 stations.

According to the project leader, Mr Degenkolb: "The new units are easy to use, and will make our system much more accurate and reliable, saving us both money and time. They also reinforce our emphasis on safety, by ensuring that the right railcars are always in the right place."

He adds that the rugged design was an attraction. "This is essential, as the Dolphins will be used outside, in any weather, at all times of day and night."

• Sales of the Dolphin 9500, which was launched last year, are said to be strong. It features triple wireless capability, "point and shoot" barcode scanning that is said to be able to handle virtually all current symbologies, and signature and image capture.