How to choose the right handheld/PDA
The range of handheld terminals and PDAs is vast and the need for digital and handheld tools has increased.
The range of handheld terminals and PDAs is vast, and as more processes become digitized, the need for digital and handheld tools has also increased. It can therefore seem confusing to find out which PDA is right for your business needs. Handheld terminals have become an indispensable tool in many large companies, mainly due to the increasing demands for data discipline, data entry and precision. Therefore, a PDA also helps to optimize and streamline your employees’ work processes, and due to its precision, it can save a lot of time and not least the amount of errors, which ultimately affects not only your employees’ efficiency, but also the quality of the product or service that your company offers.
Therefore, buying one or more PDAs is definitely an investment in your business, and the value they add to your work processes quickly exceeds the cost of your investment. That’s why we’ve put together a guide for those of you who are looking for handheld terminals – whether it’s your first investment or you’re just ready to upgrade your old PDA. We want to help you choose the right PDA for your business needs and future plans. We are also always ready to advise and help if you need a more complex solution – or just more specific guidance. So don’t hesitate to contact us.
Things to consider before choosing your new PDA
Before you dive into our guide, it’s good to establish some factors before deciding which model is best for your business.
- Where do you need the handheld terminal? In your store, in your warehouse or on the road with you?
- In which environment should the terminal be used? In a harsh environment like a warehouse – or in a more trendy retail environment?
- What do you need it for? Ordering goods, creating orders, stock checks, click-and-collect or something else entirely?
- Have you chosen the software to be used for the PDA? What requirements are needed for this?
- What kind of barcodes should be readable?
- How should the device be connected to your existing system? Via Wi-Fi, mobile internet or perhaps offline?
What environment will you use the handheld terminal in?
Below we have our top recommendations of PDAs for specific industries and environments. If you need further specifications or guidance, feel free to contact us so we can work together to find the right handheld terminal for you.
Handheld terminals/PDAs for stores
Handheld terminals can make a big difference to your store operations, allowing your employees to order goods directly on the floor, check stock status and do an efficient inventory count, among other things. Perhaps you already have an older PDA for your store but are hampered by outdated technology, poor battery life or periodic failures. You can save a lot of resources by not having to maintain old systems and terminals, wait for a slow processor or connection. In addition, you probably also want a PDA that fits into your store environment, and thus a more smartphone-like model versus a large, robust handheld terminal.
The benefits of investing in PDAs for your store include the following:
- You can order items and check stock status directly on the floor while serving your customers
- Efficient inventory counts
- Less miscommunication due to up-to-date data via the PDA
We have therefore gathered some modern and future-proof handheld terminals/PDAs that we can recommend to streamline your store operations:
Handheld terminals/PDAs for warehouses
With a handheld terminal in the warehouse, you can optimize your work processes and thus your employees’ efficiency. It’s crucial to have real-time inventory updates so that you know what’s in your warehouse at all times. Especially if you also run an e-commerce business that shares the same physical warehouse as your physical store. With the PDA, you can register incoming goods and get an accurate overview of your inventory, including their location. When choosing one of our recommended PDAs for your warehouse, you need to consider whether it will be used in dry, refrigerated or frozen storage. There are also different touch functions; whether you want a touch screen or manual keyboard. It’s also important to be aware of the harsh environment and choose a solid and robust handheld terminal. Finally, it is important to consider how far your PDA should be able to scan, as this depends on the scanning range.
The benefits of investing in PDAs for your warehouse:
- Correct registration of your inventory; both incoming and outgoing goods
- Tracking the locations of your goods
- Click-and-collect if you need to pick items from orders for shipping
We have therefore collected a number of handheld terminals/PDAs that are particularly well suited for use in a warehouse:
Handheld terminals/PDAs for field service and craftsmen
Many companies in the service industry use legacy systems and often use paper-based solutions. If you are a self-employed electrician, for example, you can easily create an order with a handheld terminal/PDA when you visit your customer, thus avoiding paperwork and incorrectly stated hours. It will also be possible to register your material consumption directly on your job, such as how many different wires you have used. When choosing a PDA for field service, it is important that it can be used with internet via SIM card/3g. A handheld terminal with a large battery capacity is also an important factor, as there is not always a guarantee of access to power at the workplace. If the handheld terminal is used in the trades, it must also be able to withstand various challenges such as wind and weather, and the device must be hardy.
The benefits of investing in PDAs for the construction industry include the following:
- Record your material consumption directly on your job
- Create orders directly with the customer
- Monitor your inventory
We have collected a variety of handheld terminals/PDAs that are ideal for both field service and the craft industry:
Delphi
PM90
Zebra
TC72
Handheld terminals/PDAs for healthcare
An increasing number of companies and public healthcare workplaces are adopting handheld terminals. In this way, they streamline the many registrations of information, dosages and notes about patients or customers. With a handheld terminal in the employee’s hand, patients also receive much safer treatment. Software in the handheld terminal can double-check that the correct patient is receiving the medication, thereby minimizing the risk of serious errors. With the handheld terminal, notes can be written directly by the patient, thereby improving information for other colleagues who are in contact with the patient at a later time. It is much easier to remember the correct information for the notes when you are near the patient and do not have to leave the room to go to a computer.
The benefits of investing in PDAs for healthcare are:
- Capture patient information directly from the patient
- Making notes about the patient in the PDA for colleagues
- Ordering goods, medicine or assistive devices
We have gathered a range of PDAs that are guaranteed to help streamline workflows for employees and ensure a safer and smoother experience for patients:
Subscription-based handheld terminal solution – from DKK 295,- per month
Handheld terminal solutions no longer need to be a complex solution that requires major investment considerations.
In the past, a handheld terminal solution has primarily been intended for larger, well-established companies with a size that requires complex systems to keep track of inventory, order management and logistics. But now it has become possible to acquire a cloud-based handheld terminal solution – down to a single terminal with a subscription solution from Delfi Technologies.
Subscription-based handheld terminal solution – from DKK 295,- per month
Handheld terminal solutions no longer need to be a complex solution that requires major investment considerations.
In the past, a handheld terminal solution has primarily been intended for larger, well-established companies with a size that requires complex systems to keep track of inventory, order management and logistics. But now it has become possible to acquire a cloud-based handheld terminal solution – down to a single terminal with a subscription solution from Delfi Technologies.