I have worked with computers for more than 20 years, starting out as a software developer for automated test equipment used in factories. The computers we used were designed for industrial use, yet were still extremely fragile by today's standards. Looking back, it's incredible to me how much more computing power a Pocket PC provides than those refrigerator-size "mini-computers" of the late 1970s and early 1980s. What is even more impressive is how rugged the "industrialized" Pocket PCs have become. The thought of a computer being dropped on a concrete floor makes one shudder at the tens of thousands of dollars lost. But industrial Pocket PCs can take abuse that was unimaginable for a computer just a few years ago.
The one compromise we've had to make was in data input. While the Pocket PC's touch screen is great for selecting items from menus, it is less than ideal for inputting more random information such as inventory quantities, new customer names, and other alpha numeric data. Good handheld computing application design attempts to minimize such input by providing the user with a list of current customers and inventory items, but there are certain situations where numeric or text input can't be avoided.
Fortunately for the developers of applications that require such user input in the field, there are a few new industrial Pocket PCs now available that address the problem. Here's a look at two of them.
Symbol PDT 8000 series for numeric data entry
Symbol has been a leader in industrial handheld computers and barcode readers for many years. With the PDT 8000 Series they've combined the two in an industrial Pocket PC that includes a 23-key keypad for numeric entry in addition to the normal touch screen.
Fig. 1. Symbol PDT 8000
In addition to the ten number keys, the keypad includes cursor navigation keys and three keys that can be used for custom applications.
Other features of the Symbol PDT 8000 include a 400 MHz Intel XScale processor, 128 MB of RAM, and 64 MB of flash ROM. This large amount of memory allows complex enterprise applications to be stored in non-volatile flash memory and large databases in the built-in RAM without the need for an additional storage card. But storage should not be a problem since there is a CF slot available as well as built-in wireless capability. The PDT 8000 can be configured with a Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or GSM/GPRS wireless adapter--all this in a handheld designed to withstand multiple drops from five feet onto concrete.
Industrial Pocket PC with a full keyboard
If your application requires the user to enter more than just numbers and menu selections, then you may find that the pop-up software keyboard (known as SIP, for Soft Input Panel) is a limiting factor. In this case, you will be pleased to see the new CF-P1 from Panasonic.
Fig. 2. Panasonic CF-P1
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