New handhelds for Amtrak

Express delivery company Amtrak has issued 1,000 new handheld computer/scanners to its depots and drivers. They are Dolphin 7900 models from Hand Held Computers, and were supplied by Unique ID, a company Amtrak has used before.

Managing director Alan Jones says the company's existing driver computers were four years old, 'and technology has moved on a lot since they were bought.' The new units will allow real-time POD gathering and data transfer to and from drivers. They are also equipped with GPS capability, and will be used for tracking vehicles.

The investment amounted to around £500,000, and Amtrak says it was funded by Lloyds TSB. According to Alan Jones: 'It ensures we have a robust and reliable system for tracking parcels throughout the network, and allows us to incorporate new features as they are developed.'