Leveraging a Low-Cost PDA Instead of an Expensive Tablet

With the release of the tablet PC in the past several years, many organizations have been reconsidering the use of pen-based technology for business applications. Although pen technologies have been used for years in hospitals , warehouses, and freighting companies, the devices have been focused at very specific tasks in a limited number of industries. However with tablet PCs, an organization can build forms in Microsoft Word or Access and can easily have users fill them in using a pen input device without complicated programming and application development.

Unfortunately, tablet PCs are typically more expensive than normal laptop computers, increasing the cost of input device computing. So the lowering of application cost is transferred to a higher cost per unit of the devices placed in the field.

Technologies Used for Pocket PC Mobility

Because the Pocet PC device includes Pocket Word, Pocket Access, and Pocket Excel, and has other full application functionality, the pen input function of the Pocet PC can be leveraged for many functions for which dedicated pen-based systems or expensive tablet PC systems have been considered . A form created in Microsoft Word can be transferred to a Pocet PC device, and a user can use the pen to fill in the form and write in comments. Through integrated wireless LAN and WAN connections on the Pocket PC, a user can transmit information from the Pocet PC over simple Exchange 2003 messaging to a central depository of information.

Achieved Benefits of Pocket Device Use

Using a Pocet PC device instead of a more expensive laptop, tablet PC, or proprietary pen system, an organization can get a low-cost input system, wireless mobility, easy access to information, and simple mobile data entry. Faster application-creation time and lower-cost input translates to a faster return on investment and a easier way for the organization to leverage the technology into meeting its business needs.