Mobile computers have been used for decades in industrial settings to control equipment from handheld devices. These handheld devices help reduce errors and perform a variety of tasks in a short amount of time, delivering effective results to the businesses that use them. Handheld mobile computers help companies find the success they need by increasing productivity and decreasing the amount of human capital required to complete a project.

Using a PDA mobile computer can positively impact your business's success. However, the hard part is understanding how to select the right one for your company's needs. This article will help companies navigate the world of mobile computers and ensure they have the knowledge needed to pick the best PDA mobile computers on the market today.

What Is A PDA?

PDAs are handheld devices that combine the computing power of a laptop with the mobility and convenience of a handheld device. They were first created in 1992 by Apple. However, they still remain popular for companies around the world to stay competitive and efficient. These handheld mobile computers help reduce errors and perform a variety of tasks in a short amount of time, delivering effective results to the businesses that use them.

Determine Your Business Needs

The first step in picking the right handheld mobile computer is determining what your business needs to accomplish by using an industrial PDA. Will it be used to track inventory or assets? What type of environment does it need to withstand? What software or requirements are needed?

Understanding your business needs will help ensure that your handheld mobile computer investment is practical, making it easier for businesses to reach their goals while saving time and money. From there, companies can choose the right equipment based on the PDA formats, operating system, scanner type, and toughness level they require.

PDA Operating System

A mobile computer has an operating system (OS), just like a desktop or laptop. The operating system is the software framework for connecting hardware to application equipment or connecting a mobile computer's hardware to associated applications. The operating system, typically supported by Android or Windows that is installed on your mobile device, will dictate what your machine can do for your business.

Android Operating System

While Android has become widespread for personal mobile devices, they're now well known for their operating systems for mobile computers. Android is a popular OS for handheld mobile computers because it has open-source software, which means the device can be modified and developed by anyone. Plus, it offers greater versatility and allows productivity and communication applications to run on the same device.

Windows Mobile Operating System

Microsoft Windows Mobile operating systems are typically used in industrial handheld devices due to their stable interface and industry-specific applications. They have dominated the industry for a long time but have seen intense competition with the rise of Android systems. Windows Mobile handheld mobile computers are perfect for businesses because they can be customized to suit the needs of specific industries.

PDA Formats

Choosing the type of device, you'll need depends on many factors, but one of the most important is deciding what kind of PDA mobile computer will best suit your needs. This is usually determined by your business goals and the needs of your industry. Some of the most popular types of PDA formats include:

 1. Industrial Mobile Computer

These devices are equipped with various keyboard and display options that are designed to perform a variety of tasks on one platform. The Industrial Mobile Computer can work through a Wi-Fi network to provide high-performance output regardless of the industry as well as offering a long scan range, which is ideal for warehouses and factories. Plus, the industrial mobile computers are cold-resistant, making them ideal for retail or grocery store environments.

2. Telephone Full-Screen Terminal

Compared to other PDAs, the telephone full-screen handheld mobile computer closely resembles today's smartphones, compacting all the information needed in one tiny device. These Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connected devices come equipped with high robustness, able to take on the most challenging environments. Due to the small size, they're ideal for businesses where the applications need to be used outside business walls, inside customers' homes, or on the road.

3. Telephone Full-Screen With Keyboard Format

Like the previous PDA mobile computer, the telephone full-screen with keyboard format is similar in size but offers an alphabetical keyboard. This allows users to have the same capability as the full-screen terminal with the added flexibility of the entire keyboard. This industrial PDA does not have a stylus, relying solely on the keyboard for input.

 

It was made to be used in highly demanding industrial environments and manufacturing plants where handheld mobile computers are required. This cell phone PDA is most often seen with workers who need access to data while they're between different production areas of their plant or in a distribution center.

Toughness Level

Since many industries have various environments, they need to work in, the toughness level of the handheld mobile computer is essential to ensure it works for your business needs. Does your device need to withstand moisture, extreme temperatures, dust, water, or vibrations? High-quality industrial PDAs will have more powerful capabilities to withstand multiple environments and will last the longest in the work environment.

Type Of Scanner

The type of scanner you choose for your handheld mobile computer plays a big part in how your handheld portable computer operates, how far it can scan and what kind of codes it can read. Typical scanners are either a laser, HD, 2D imager, or long-range lasers. The type of handheld mobile computer you choose will depend on whether you need to capture barcodes, OCR text for reading documents, or high-resolution images in the field.

Why to Choose the Urovo Mobile Computers

The Urovo mobile computers combine extreme mobility with a powerful performance and high-powered features to boost your team’s productivity and improve the accuracy of your key business operations.

Take, for example, the Urovo DT50, a flagship enterprise mobile computer designed to boost your business efficiency while also guaranteeing a great user experience. It comes equipped with leading system configurations and outstanding product performance. Some of its main features include but are not limited to a 5.7” high-definition display, a powerful Qualcomm Octa-core processor, a high-speed and accurate scanning engine, a 6GB+128GB massive storage, a 2*2 MIMO super antenna design, and the latest Android system.

Contact us today to learn more about the Urovo DT50 and discover how our mobile computers can help your business flourish.

Choosing The Right PDA Mobile Computer

As an industry-leading mobile application solution provider, we know that finding the perfect device for your business needs can be a daunting task. With so many options available today, it's essential to find one that suits your specific wants and needs. Whether your company needs advanced features that are only available on the highest end of warehouse equipment or just enough power for basic tasks such as scanning products or taking inventory count, an industrial PDA can help.