Businesses rely on computers to work. And as business becomes more mobile, so do the computers that help run them. But how do you know you’re getting the best out of your handheld computers, so crucial to the transport and logistics industries? Stefan Larsson, Competence Network Leader for mobile computing at Consafe Logistics’ gives you a few tips on what to look for.

"To use a cliché it’s not just about technology, says Stefan. It’s about durability, reliability, good support, back-up and large scale deliveries. Since we acquired Captura in 2007 we’ve become market leader in Scandinavia, so we’re used to testing handheld devices, and hopefully giving the right advice".

Testing the best
Stefan warns against simply accepting the manufacturers’ test results. "We have our own benchmarks, and we’ll actually test the device against what the manufacturer says. We use 2 different testing systems – SPB benchmarking for windows Mobile and Q Bench Pro – which is designed for Windows CE and Windows Mobile engineering teams. We test how the device functions, technology, battery life, durability, scanner and lifespan for industrial use. Naturally we test WiFi and high-speed network functionality to ensure they work in the field. It’s then and only then that we can safely recommend terminals to our customers."

Preferred suppliers – guaranteeing quality
One major issue is making sure suppliers always meet the criteria you need. "We place rigorous requirements on the companies we use as preferred suppliers, and use renowned companies with a history of performance." says Stefan. "Companies like Motorola, Intermec, Honeywell and Opticon offer the best solutions for handheld computers. They’re leaders in their field, with proven good service and support.

Before appointing a preferred supplier we check what kind of repair service they provide, turnaround times, that their products have a long lifecycle, that they can give notice of End-of-sale, and whether they can supply large scale deliveries of, say, up to 1,000 units. This is crucial for large, multinational customers.”

How do you know what device you need?
Stefan suggests that when choosing devices it’s important to think about what is vital to your specific business needs, and thinking carefully about the design of the product. "It’s about your business needs. What do you want from device performance, screen resolution, touch screen, operating systems or whether the device will be used in extreme conditions? Do you need scanners or the ability to sign on glass? A large consideration is ergonomics and the effect design can have on performance. There’s no reason to carry a big brick around with you when you can slide a small terminal into your pocket. Rugged terminals should have an IP rating of at least IP 54 which gives a standard about how well protected the device is from water and dust, and how resilient it is when dropped."

Make sure you get the right level of Customer Support
The logistics and transport industries are time critical, which places unique demands on support. "We add our own service agreements to complement those from our suppliers." Says Stefan. "We realise how important it is for our customers that everything works. We deliver extra support through our service management portal and offer a 3 level service support system tailored to the individual needs of customers according to need."

Staging – seamless product replacement
One of the problems faced by many customers is how to get correctly configured replacement units with a minimum of down time. Stefan’s tip is to look at staging and management solutions. "An efficient solution should be able to automatically stage, that is to say deliver many units into the field, installing unique settings in each device. A management solution will keep the unit constantly updated, keeping track of the unit and giving continuous, seamless on-screen support. This significantly cuts down time and cost, and gets people up and running in no time." Say Stefan.

"A good example is what we did with DB Schenker. We delivered 3,500 mobile units for the tracking and tracing of vehicles, and a service to stage and program the handsets automatically. We also created a back-up support service with a pool of units automatically adapted to the needs of each driver and delivered anywhere in Sweden within a very short time."

Second best isn’t good enough
"Second best won't do for our customers", concludes Stefan. "If we use the best suppliers, offering the best products and customer support, then it’s not just us that get peace of mind. Our customers do too".