Palmpilots, palm pilots and Palm OS devices and pda software programming and development services by Pen Computer Solutions

Pen Computer Solutions

Why Choose Palm or Pocket PC PDA Devices and Custom Software Applications for Your Mobile Business Solutions?

The case for using Palm and Pocket PC devices and for developing custom software applications for the business / enterprise environment.*

Palm and Pocket PC devices, by many estimates, control about 95% of the pda/handheld market. This means that the market place has overwhelmingly chosen the Palm and Pocket PC community of devices over all others. This community consists of all Palm Computing devices, i.e., Palm IIIe™, IIIx and IIIc (color) , Palm V and Vx, i705 wireless and Palm VII, and Treo 650. The Palm OS community also consists of bar-coding devices from Symbol, i.e., the SPT 1500 / 1550™, SPT 1700 / 1800, 1733, 1734 and 1740 (wireless), the Handspring Visor™, Sony CLIE' PDA, m100, m500, m515, Tungsten T, Zire, TRGpro™, Hand Era 330, Kyocera Smartphone, Samsung I300 phone, and IBM WorkPad™. The Pocket PC community of devices include models from Compaq, HP, Toshiba, and Dell, among others. Because Palm and Pocket PC devices have become almost ubiquitous, they are the logical choice for development for business and enterprise groups.

Palm and Pocket PC PDA devices are extremely portable; they will fit in a shirt pocket or can be hung from the neck or belt without discomfort or disruption of regular business activities. In other words, Palm and Pocket PC devices don't get in the way. These devices are also, relatively, rugged. Because they are most often carried on the person, damage is rare and is kept to an absolute minimum. Rule of thumb; if the business operating environment will allow for a cellular phone then, in all probability, any PDA device will also be suitable.

Palm and Pocket PC devices are relatively inexpensive to purchase. At prices starting at below $100 (Palm Zire units), large groups of users can be equipped with PDA devices for a relatively small sum of money. Also, because PDA devices allow for the storage of business and personal information, users have been found to take care of their units; more often then not, few if any, backup / replacement units need be purchased. This lack of need to repair or replace equipment is, in itself, a major cost saving for business.

Palm and Pocket PC PDA devices are very programmable. This is, of course, what PCS specializes in. PDA devices can be programmed to run just about any application (or multiple applications) from the most basic to the very complex. Long, extensive and complex forms can be designed and programmed to allow rapid data entry, with logic and data validations. Even PDA devices with minimum standard memory can store and retrieve thousands of items in lists and store hundreds, if not, thousands of records. Simple graphics and signature captures can be stored for future uploads. Chances are, the process of filling out any paper form in the field could be greatly enhanced, both in speed and reliability, by using PDA devices.

Palm and Pocket PC PDA devices are very efficient. Aside from the low initial purchase price, PDA devices are very inexpensive to keep in the field. Most PDAdevices can run for days, and in some cases, weeks on a charge. Field projects now no longer need to be cut short because of low batteries. In addition, PDA devices are very fast. Users can jump from one screen to another - and back again - in a split second. Data is saved even if the devices are turned off by accident. The PDA OS (operating systems) is extremely efficient. It allows for maximum data compression which means that large amounts of data can be captured and stored. It also means that computer "overhead" is kept to a minimum, i.e., the PDA OS is not bloated. .

Palm and Pocket PC PDA devices are very easy to use. It is no exaggeration to say that just about anyone, regardless of computer experience, can use a PDA device. Everything is well laid out for intuitive quick access and control. This means that business and enterprise groups need not devote resources to training and retraining. New employees can pick up the system in less then an hour. Most programs written for the Palm OS can be used on virtually any Palm OS device. Pocket PC devices are more current operating system sensitive. This means that business and enterprise groups may purchase different types of Palm devices and feel confident that programs will run equally well on all. Pocket PC users should check with the model and operating system to determine absolute compatibility.

Palm and Pocket PC PDA devices work well within the business and enterprise system. PDA devices can create efficiencies in business by allowing the rapid and seamless transfer of captured data from the handheld to the corporate database system. This means the inefficiencies and errors of manual data entry are removed. Transfer of data to the PC can be accomplished by the standard HotSync® through the provided cradle. However, both Palms and Pocket PC devices offer business and enterprise groups the sync servers. The sync servers are a multi-user, network-accessible versions of Palm and Pocket PC desktop software and allows multiple concurrent Palm and Pocket PC users to synchronize with server-resident data. It also allows IT groups to centrally administer these synchronization services.

The Palm and Pocket PC OS community is extremely large. Any business or enterprise group should know that any system they take on should be generally accepted within the business community and have very broad and deep support with developers and manufacturers. As of this writing, the Palm and Pocket PC OS devices have the support of literally tens of thousands of developers from around the World. In addition, every conceivable peripheral device needed for mobile computing is available for use on the Palm and Pocket PC. This would include, among many, cases, bar-code scanners, voice recorders, mounting brackets, mobile keyboards, cell phone attachments and literally thousands of productivity software packages. Most of these software packages can be used in conjunction with custom software solutions.

The Palm and Pocket PC OS community is expanding. It is important for any business or enterprise group to feel confident that any system they adapt have growth potential and a future. Because of the enormous growth in this industry Palm and Pocket PC computing is expanding and coming to market with new and improved products on a regular basis. Investments now in Palm and Pocket PC OS based systems will not quickly become obsolete as new products come online.

Also See...

PCS White Paper , Satellite Forms Server and PDA Programming

*PCS does not sell Palm OS or Pocket PC devices or peripherals

Pen Computer Solutions designs and programs Customized Field Data Collection
systems. For more information contact us at info@pencomputersolutions.com

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Please Contact Us at: (702) 838-0093 or   info@pcspalm.com
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