Interview with Handango's Laura Rippy

What is Handango? When did you first become involved with Handango?

Handango is the complete source for handheld computing solutions. If you are an individual or a company looking for a device for yourself or your employees, or if you have a handheld and want to enhance it, Handango can assist. Handango has the largest Pocket PC and Windows CE Handheld PC catalog. Handango has over 9,400 software applications and other files for all the platforms we handle, including the Pocket PC, Windows CE Handheld PC, Palm and Symbian. Handango assists companies in finding, deploying and managing handheld solutions for their mobile workforce.

I came to Handango in November 1999 from Microsoft where I held a variety of Marketing and Executive positions. I was the founder and General Manager of MSN HomeAdvisor.com and the co-founder of MSN Sidewalk.com and then moved into leading the e-commerce solutions sales for Microsoft's enterprise customers in the Dallas office. With my experience launching and growing successful Internet entities, there was a great fit for me at Handango.

When did you first start using PDAs? Why?

I started using a handheld in 1998, a Casio Cassiopeia, and quickly realized the benefits and freedom a handheld provides. I started out like everyone else, managing my contacts and calendar, and then began to download applications to tailor the device to my specific needs.

I understand that you use a Pocket PC. What is it about your business and your job that makes this necessary?

I have a Compaq iPAQ 3650. I'm a mobile CEO ­ constantly on the road, or more realistically on a plane, traveling to visit with customers, developers and partners. Because of my busy schedule and the need to get work done, I fully utilize the Pocket PC. It allows me to carry my MS Word and Excel documents with me and do email on the go.

What are the most useful applications built into the Pocket PC?

The built-in applications I use most often are the basic PIM applications of Contact, Calendar, Tasks and also Inbox. I find myself using Word and Excel quite a bit. We have a daily spreadsheet that has our sales totals from our 9,400 software programs, and it is nice to be able to look it over whether I am walking down the hall or dashing through the airport. If I see an opportunity that we can take advantage of, it is simple for me to open Inbox and send a quick email to the managers. With Word, I can take copies of contracts and proposals with me for review and email any changes or questions I have back to the office. If you are familiar with Windows you can quickly figure out navigation on the iPAQ.

Your site provides a lot of third-party software for the Pocket PC. Which ones do you find particularly useful and why?

In July 2000, we held the Handango Developer Summit and evangelized the Pocket PC platform to developers. We are starting to see developers from other platforms developing for the Pocket PC platform, which is very encouraging for Pocket PC. I also want to laud Microsoft for making the eMbedded tool kit available to developers for a minimum cost. This has brought a lot of people who would be interested in trying to write programs into the fold that otherwise wouldn't consider it. The more developers, or people with the development tools in hand, the better chance the Pocket PC community has at getting a lot of great software for these wonderful devices. Look at some of the applications and utilities developers have already come up with to fill holes in the Pocket PC:

Users complained that there wasn't an easy way to close applications so Developer One came up with Task Pro Navigator, which allows you to close app's and go back and forth between open app's with one tap.

Many users felt they didn't get enough flexibility with the built-in Calendar, so WebIS came up with WISAgenda and Developer One came up with Agenda Today.

Additional users felt they needed an extra layer of security and Ilium came out with a Pocket PC version of eWallet.

There are a lot of great vertical applications that have come out recently, particularly in the medical market, like LexiDrugs 2000 and the 5 Minute Clinical Consult ­ both from Skyscape.

What discoveries have you made about the Pocket PC? Do you have any interesting tips?