Oct/Nov 2006

The new generation of tough, compact handhelds

Some users seeking neater, more affordable handhelds have been tempted by consumer PDAs, but the manufacturers have responded with smaller, slimmer, ruggedised models. Sharon Clancy considers the current state of the market

Ruggedised terminals are renowned for a long life cycle. That's why many companies are prepared to pay a premium priced for ruggedness, reliability and service support.

However, it seems the replacement cycle is shortening. Psion Teklogix reports that the typical unit replacement time of five or six years (or even longer in many operations) is coming down. It's not that the terminals are any less robust or are wearing out, the company says; rather that user-organisations are replacing terminals sooner to exploit the benefits of new technology.

 

That has opened up to the market to other players, including ruggedised PDA-style devices - especially for wide-area network operations where GPRS and GPS functionality is a must-have, such as express deliveries.

One response has been the introduction of smaller-format ruggedised terminals as an alternative to conventional wireless terminals - still with the requisite GPRS and GPS connectivity - such as Symbol's MC70.

These factors, together with the arrival of new entrants to the market such as Japanese manufacturers Casio and Opticon and Eastern Europe's Gotive, all with feature-rich terminals, have helped create downward pressure on prices. Most companies now have an entry-level model which sells on price rather than features.

Total cost of ownership

In response to this focus on price, there is now greater emphasis from established manufacturers about Total Cost of Ownership. This attitude is not just about fending off competition from cheap imports, which sometimes (though not of course by any means always) suffer limited service backup. The argument of the suppliers of ruggedised handhelds is that if you have a large asset base of these devices, it makes sense to look at the cost or servicing and repairing them. Accidents will happen and terminals will need repairing. Will the parts be available? How long will repairs take?

Stuart Scott says recent research by technology market research company VDC study Symbol revealed that as many as 36 per cent of commercial-grade PDAs fail when used in harsh environments. "That's why companies are looking for small mobile computers that can withstand the rigours of store, field and industrial operations.

Symbol's CN2B has been rated at IP54 (Ingress Protection), meaning it is protected against dust ingress and water sprayed from all direction and can withstand multiple 4ft drops to concrete."

According to VDC, reports Scott, the cost of using a rugged mobile computer in rugged environments is lower over three years than using non-rugged PDA-class devices, taking into account device management, software content, peripherals and service packages.

Ruggedised PDAs

Despite this, demand for PDA-style devices for WAN applications continues to grow. What users seem to want is a smaller format than a traditional barcode scanner. So manufacturers have developed data capture devices that look like beefed-up PDAs, but actually have more in common with their rugged stablemates.

These devices still have excellent dust and water protection IP ratings, and all will have passed the all-important drop test, although do check from what height the test was done (1.2 metres is typical, but some are tougher than that).

Another bonus, especially for delivery operations, is that these devices usually come with integrated GSM/GPRS, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capability at a far cheaper price than adding such functionality to a fully-ruggedised terminal.

Typical of this new breed of device is Symbol's MC70 handheld terminal, which it calls an Enterprise Digital Assistant. It has an impressive specification: no less than 624MHz Intel XScale PXA270 processor, with 64MB RAM and 128Mb ROM, plus expansion slot. The integral quad-band phone supports eGPRS (EDGE) technology, and the operating system is Windows Mobile Premium, with the option of the Phone edition. There is also Wi-Fi (802.11a, b and g) and Bluetooth wireless connectivity. You get a speakerphone plus external headset jack, and there is even vibration alerting of incoming calls.

Belgravium now offers PDA-style devices from sister company Touchstar. The Falcon features hot-swappable batteries, integrated Bluetooth, and RFID tag and barcode reading capability. The C-Eagle also has an integral GSM GPRS transmitter.

Connectivity

More terminals are now built on a modular platform. The benefit of this is that different devices can run the same applications, and the terminal can be adapted should business needs change. Adding voice, RFID, GPS location or GPRS connectivity will no longer entail swapping existing terminals for new ones; you upgrade the ones you have already.

Modular platforms also make it possible to have multiple connectivity options on a single terminal. However, this does not mean running both WLAN and GPRS on the same device, although that is possible. It is also about have the same device for different parts of the operation. The benefit here is that you only have to manage one set of devices.

"Flexibility can be something as basic as the ability to scan both long- and short-range, or can mean more complex, as in switching from a WLAN network to GPRS," points out Duncan Smillie of Psion Teklogix. "Adding flexibility does increase the price, so be sure of the business case before proceeding."

Typical of this new flexible connectivity approach is Belgravium, which has added GPS location functionality to its Atlanta 8000 mobile computer with a 12-channel GPS receiver and SiRFstarII chipset. Alternatively, there is an optional in-vehicle cradle with GPS communications capability.

What's new

Batteries and processors on ruggedised terminals have been receiving attention in the past year as manufacturers react to increasing demands made on the terminals.

In field service and delivery operations, users are often running multiple applications on the terminal. If this is the requirement, do check the processor speed to avoid any problems with tasks slowing down and "clunky" switching between applications, which will affect efficiency. Processor speed is also important for storing and accessing large databases. A 400MHz processor seems to be the minimum requirement for terminals in a wide-area network.

In the warehouse, shift-long battery life has become the norm. Intermec points out that while many of today's terminals include smart battery management, intelligent batteries do need correct charging to maximise their lifecycle.

However, when these devices are deployed in the field, drain on the battery is potentially much higher, and while in-vehicle cradles should ensure the terminal lasts a whole shift on one charge, it pays to check capacity. GPRS connectivity and other functions all drain power.

Psion Teklogix has taken advantage of the need to make batteries RoHS-compliant to upgrade performance. RoHS is of course a new requirement to ensure that components in electronic devices are safely recyclable. Psion has replaced the old non-compliant 2,350mAh lithium-ion battery with a 3,000-mAh model which is claimed to offer 22 per cent more power and to be better suited to high-speed WWAN and WLAN radios, data capture devices and peripherals, as well as for those workers who are not able to charge their units throughout the work day.

The market for DOS-based terminals is appears to be all but dead - although if your data capture demands are modest, you can still source a terminal to match those needs. Data capture specialist Metrologic has just launched a new range of Optimus data-capture units which keeps the cost down by avoiding advanced proprietary operating systems such as Windows CE.

The batch-mode SP5650 Optimiser includes just 256KB of data memory, with an option to increase to either 2MB, 4MB or 8MB. The real-time Optimus has 2MB of data memory and additional memory options of 4MB or 8MB for accommodating larger inventories. The lithium-ion rechargeable battery is said to allow for between 16 and 200 hours of scanning operations, depending on the model.

WAN terminals

Once ruggedised terminals leave the warehouse environment and move into the WAN arena, they need active management. We've already covered device management in a past issue of m.logistics, but if you have a lot of remote devices, it becomes essential to have a system in place to manage them. "More customers are aware of the need to manage the devices over a WAN network, says Andy McBain. "Operations managers want to know where the devices are and what they are doing."

Not all devices running Windows CE have that capability, but any device running Windows Mobile 5.0 has built-in features for remote management, whether it is over-the-air fault diagnosis, application updates or wiping sensitive data off the terminal.

In Andy McBain's experience, Windows CE offers developers more flexibility, allowing them to plug in different components, while Windows Mobile tends to be more fixed. "However, CE does not provide an easy way for developers to include WAN capability," he argues, "which is why there is an increase in adoption of Windows Mobile 5 for terminals that will be used in a WAN environment. Mobile 5 features include flash-based storage which prevents loss of data if the battery fails.

Intermec's Scott agrees. "Mobile 5 has speeded up the adoption of WAN devices and is helping greater take-up of WAN," he says. "Many users are on their second generation of GPRS device and they understand more clearly what functionality they require."

One advantage of running CE or Mobile 5 equipment is that device management software can help you keep track of all your terminals. Some, like Hand Held Products' Mobile Systems Manager for Dolphin terminals, are manufacturer-specific. However, the future looks to be device management software that can be used with all makes of terminals. An example of this is Psion Teklogix's Mobile Control Centre, which can be used to manage any CE or Mobile 5 terminal.

Vehicle mounts

One of the key developments in vehicle mount computers is enhanced safety for forklift truck drivers and pedestrians in the warehouse. The Health and Safety Executive is campaigning to raise awareness in the workplace of transport safety, and in a warehousing operation, that means forklift and pallet trucks.

LXE has introduced a new safety feature on its vehicle-mount computers called screen-blanking.

By applying an electrical signal from the forklift truck, indicating that it is moving, the VXx product range can now blank its display, with a configurable timeout. When the forklift stops, the display is switched on.

Larger screens, which improve visibility in low ambient light, are another trend, using technology first developed for tablet computers. Psion Teklogix's 85030 vehicle-mount computer has a 10.4in colour display in place of the 8.8in screen on the current 8525 model. Symbol's new VC5090 truck mount also has a half-SVGA 10in screen, with the option of an even larger 12.1in screen.

Symbol is upping the stakes in processing speed in its latest models. Like the MC70, the VC5090 has a 624Hz Intel XScale PXA270 processor. There is 802.11a/b/g wireless networking, plus Bluetooth connectivity and support for voice-picking and voice over IP communication via a push-to-talk handset.

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RoHS

Before investing in new terminals, check that they are RoHS-compliant. RoHS is shorthand for a European Union directive, The Restrictions on Hazardous Substances Directive, which came into effect on 1 July. It prescribes the maximum trace levels of lead, cadmium, mercury, hexavalent chromium and flame retardants PBB and PBDE that may be contained in a product, including handheld terminals.

All the leading handheld terminal manufactures have re-engineered existing products or introduced new models to comply, although a shortage of electronic components means that some are reported to have missed the 1 July deadline for some models.

Although products with excess levels these substances are now banned, imported products placed "on the market" before 1 July are still allowed to be sold. There is also confusion over what constitutes a spare part or an accessory. The DTI has indicated that its view is that goods already imported and stored in a UK warehouse prior to 1 July are already in the market so can be sold on after that date.

Psion Teklogix says users should not be tempted. "No-one should buy terminals that are non-compliant," says Duncan Smillie. "It is still possible to source non-compliant terminals and there are some good deals around. The risk is availability of replacement parts."

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Eastern promise

Two Japanese electronics companies now have their sights set on winning a share of the European market for ruggedised industrial data capture terminals.

Casio Electronics is best known in Europe for its consumer products, but is an established manufacturer of ruggedised industrial wireless terminals in the Far East. It has 200 engineers working in research and development on handheld terminals in its Tokyo headquarters. In the UK it now has a team of 140 and all servicing will be based here.

The product range includes ruggedised terminals and PDA-style devices. Both the DT-X11 and DT930 have been designed for one-handed operation with left and right scan buttons. Features include a plastic rather than glass screen, which Casio says is better suited to transport and warehousing environments. Keys, too, are plastic rather than rubber, and lettering is protected under a clear coating.

Scanning can be provided by an imager or laser scanner. WLAN models are available, with Bluetooth and a serial interface standard on all models. Operating on Windows CE 5.0, it the range has a 400MHz processor and 64Mb RAM. It has an IP64 dust and water protection rating and the drop test has been done from 1.2 metres.

Unusually, Casio offers the option of running the devices on standard AA batteries as well as rechargeable lithium-ion. The DT-930 will give 200 hours of operation on two batteries, says the company, and replacement costs are much cheaper than with a £70 rechargeable lithium-ion battery.

The LCD screen is monochrome but is backlit, as are the keys. For scanning in poor ambient light there is a vibrator and beep to confirm a successful scan.

Opticon is another leading Japanese manufacturer of barcode data capture devices. The PHL-7000 is a ruggedised terminal operating on Windows CE 4.2 with integrated laser scanner and 400MHz processor. Connectivity options include WLAN, GSM/GPRS and Bluetooth. The unit has been drop tested to 1.5 metres and has an IP rating of 54. There is a choice of three scan engines: standard laser, long-range laser and an imager. There is either a number keypad or full 43-key versions.