Pen vs PDA
PDA's and Digital Pens both have strengths, the PDA is best suited to situations where a lot of data is being sent out and only limited data sent back. Courier companies for example send out job details like "pick up four parcels from this address, deliver two here and two there". Then, on delivery only a signature is captured.
The Digital Pen is more suited to situations where a limited amount of data is being sent to the field but a fair amount of data is being sent back. Service reports or sales contracts are suited the Digital Pen. As a Field Service Solution the Digital Pen is ideal in that on completion of the task the technician can complete a job sheet which would include the hours worked, parts used, OH&S check, a problem summary and a full description of the work performed.
Completing a larger form like this is straightforward with the Digital Pen but complicated and extremely time consuming using a PDA.
In summary:
- Larger forms like service reports or sales contracts or quote forms are perfect for Digital Pens as a mobile solution.
- The Digital Pen preserves the use of paper in the field so a hard copy form can still be left with the customer.
- The Digital Pen also provides for permanent back up. If your salesman or service technician leaves their Digital Pen at home they can continue working by using a normal pen. If they leave their PDA at home they have to go back home to pick it up.
- Asset registration and asset servicing is easily achieved using the Digital Pen by the use of miniature postage stamp size forms.
- Digital Pens can be used by anyone who can write. Pen training is only one hour max.
Also consider:
- Cost of hardware.
- Cost of backend software.
- Cost of GPRS transmission. Much higher on PDAs’.
Overall we tend to find a pen solution is less than 50% of the cost of a PDA solution. Finally go and visit several reference sites. We have many happy customers willing to endorse the Digital Pens.
