| I'm often asked for recommendations on mobile | | | | through external adapters. |
| devices for proof of delivery applications and | | | | Do you need serial port connections on the device |
| handheld data collection. If you're looking at | | | | or in the vehicle mount? |
| Motorola devices, most people need help choosing | | | | - The MC55 is targeted at basic route accounting |
| between MC55, MC75 and MC9090 devices. | | | | users.The MC55 vehicle cradle does not have a |
| This article will explain what you should consider | | | | built-in serial port. Examples of where this applies |
| when choosing mobile devices and will highlight | | | | are: serial cable connection to the vehicle GPS or |
| real-life customer examples for field data capture | | | | JBus (vehicle diagnostics), fuel delivery meters or |
| and proof of delivery applications. | | | | external communication devices. |
| Before we start with criteria, it is important to | | | | - The MC75 and MC9000 vehicle cradles have a |
| understand what features you need today as well | | | | built-in serial port. Their cradle is more expensive |
| as in the future. With rugged devices, once you | | | | than the MC55 cradle by approximately $100-200. |
| purchase the device, you cannot go back and add | | | | Do you need barcode scanning? |
| hardware options like a camera, GPS or Bluetooth. | | | | - All devices support barcode scanning. The only |
| The devices we will discuss are: | | | | decision is whether you need 1D/2D or long-range. |
| - MC9090 (MC909x) - these are the largest and | | | | - 2D scanners can be helpful if you have barcodes |
| most rugged of the 3 models. They are | | | | that may get dirty or damaged. Examples of this |
| supported on all carrriers (Verizon, Sprint, | | | | include plant nurseries where 2D barcodes may be |
| AT&T and T-Mobile) and have the broadest | | | | easier to read due to dirt on the barcode label. |
| range of hardware options. These are the most | | | | - Long range scanners can scan barcodes up to |
| expensive devices. | | | | 40' away. Long range scanners are only available |
| - MC75 - these are mid-sized devices that | | | | on the MC909x platform. Examples of long range |
| Motorola targets for proof of delivery, field data | | | | scanning would be scanning the barcode at the |
| capture and barcode solutions. | | | | top of a warehouse rack from a forklift. |
| - MC55 - this is the newest member of the | | | | Do you need RFID? |
| family, has a slightly lower level of rugged design | | | | - If you need RFID, your only option is an |
| and size than MC75's. It is the least expensive. | | | | MC9090. Note that RFID enabled devices are |
| Questions and Criteria | | | | significantly more expensive. |
| You should narrow your hardware choice by | | | | Do you have specific ruggedness requirements? |
| asking the following questions. | | | | Will you be dealing with harsh environments? |
| Do you need cellular data? If so, what cellular | | | | - The MC9000 is the most rugged device. It has |
| carrier do you use and do you know what the | | | | the best drop spec (6' to concrete) and the best |
| data coverage is in your territories? | | | | IP (intrusion protection) rating. |
| - The reason for this is simple - some territories | | | | - The MC75 is plenty rugged and designed for |
| like the North East are completely owned by a | | | | field delivery applications (5' to concrete). |
| carrier (Verizon). If someone wants T-Mobile or | | | | - The MC55 is close to, but not as rugged as the |
| AT&T coverage, they need to check or | | | | MC75. It is designed for the field but not for harsh |
| consider changing carriers. | | | | environments. |
| - The MC55 is not currently supported on Verizon, | | | | - Examples of harsher environments would be |
| so the choice is between an MC75 and MC9000. | | | | where you work outside in the rain or dirt - such |
| All devices support GSM networks (e.g. T-Mobile | | | | as oil field services, agriculture or bulk product |
| and AT&T). | | | | delivery such as fuel, lubes, chemicals or fertilizer |
| - Do you want want device to cover international | | | | to tanks outside. |
| or outside of North America? If so, you will need | | | | What size keypad do you need? What type of |
| to only consider GSM. | | | | input will the keypad be used for? Do you need a |
| If you need cellular data, are you going to do | | | | pistol grip? |
| anything that requires 3G/3.5G or faster | | | | - The MC55 and MC75 both have similar sized |
| networking? | | | | keypads. They are larger than a BlackBerry but |
| - Most customers don't know the answer to this | | | | the size of the device shell is fixed. |
| but the question becomes more clear if you are: | | | | - The MC9000 comes in a short version |
| - Taking pictures - picture size can be adjusted on | | | | (MC9090S), a long version (MC9090K) and a gun |
| the mobile device, but a reasonable quality color | | | | pistol grip (MC9090G). The keypads on MC9000's |
| picture would be approximately 1Mb or larger. | | | | are larger than the MC75 or MC55. If drivers use |
| - Downloading large files, such as site plans, MSDS | | | | gloves (such as fuel delivery) then it would be |
| sheets or merchandising plan-o-grams for proof | | | | worth comparing the MC9000 to the MC75. |
| of delivery apps. | | | | - If you perform a lot of scanning, you should |
| The more pictures and files, the more you should | | | | consider a pistol grip, which is only available on the |
| consider a 3G device such as the MC75. | | | | MC9000. |
| Occasional picture takers could get by with a 2.5G | | | | So which device is right for you? The following |
| connection on an MC55. | | | | highlights examples of using each type of device. |
| Do you need to take pictures? If so, do you need | | | | MC9090 - Bulk bleach manufacturer with 8 plants |
| high quality color pictures or can they be black | | | | in 5 states. This customer receives bleach in rail |
| and white? | | | | cars and then distributes to pool supply |
| - This might seem like an odd question, but | | | | companies, municipal water treatment facilities, |
| someone who delivers furniture or cabinets would | | | | paper manufacturers, etc. The bleach is loaded at |
| want a higher quality color camera so they could | | | | the plant and the driver starts their day by |
| take pictures that capture the details of a scratch. | | | | scanning a barcode label on the truck (tractor), |
| Technicians doing utility meter installations need to | | | | trailer and delivery ticket. They weigh the truck |
| take pictures of meters to confirm the initial | | | | on an industrial truck scale and wirelessly receive |
| meter reading. These can be black and white and | | | | the truck weight to calculate the volume of |
| therefore can be done with the 2D imager | | | | product on the truck. The driver makes deliveries |
| (scanner) versus a separate camera. Smaller black | | | | to a set of customers and scans the delivery |
| and white photos are good quality on the 2D | | | | ticket, product, etc and records product quantities |
| imager and are usually about 30kb in size. The 2D | | | | in each tank. The customer signs the device for |
| imager is NOT an autofocus camera though. If | | | | proof of delivery and then prints a receipt on |
| you need to take longer range pictures such as a | | | | mobile Zebra RW420 printers. When drivers |
| utility pole, you would need a separate camera. | | | | return to the plant, the driver scans and weighs |
| - Using the 2D imager for pictures is okay; | | | | again to calculate remaining volume. Once at the |
| however if you need pictures we are | | | | plant, deliveries are sent wirelessly to the goRoam |
| recommending getting a device with a separate | | | | server for processing and export for invoicing. |
| scanner AND camera versus using the scanner | | | | - This customer selected MC9000's because they |
| for pictures. A separate camera keeps your | | | | needed the most rugged device, a large numeric |
| options open - once you purchase a mobile device | | | | keypad, a larger battery to power the wifi since |
| you cannot change the configuration (such as | | | | they use wifi for roaming throughout the plant to |
| adding a camera). For close up pictures the 2D | | | | load products, and because they wanted a larger |
| imager is okay, but not for higher quality or long | | | | device so it was easier for the driver to keep |
| range. | | | | track of it. |
| - If you need pictures, you could use either the | | | | MC75 - HazMat pickup and disposal for large |
| MC55 or MC75 as they both have the option to | | | | retailers, oil change shops, car dealers, etc. across |
| have a separate barcode scanner AND camera. | | | | 30 states. These drivers receive routes/stops |
| The MC70 and MC9000x models do not not have | | | | through cellular communications while on the road. |
| this option. | | | | The drivers go to each stop and pickup one or |
| Do you need GPS? | | | | many HazMat containers (waste oil, paint, |
| - GPS is typically used to: | | | | chemicals, etc.). They place a barcode on the |
| - Mark where a delivery was made for Proof of | | | | container (by hazmat product type) and record |
| Delivery. This can be done behind the scenes and | | | | the contents of each container. This can involve a |
| is important when delivering to larger retailers like | | | | reasonable amount of data capture through the |
| Home Depot, Wal-Mart or Lowes. Mapping tools | | | | touch-screen on the handheld device as they |
| geocode at the street address; however, | | | | have to complete different mobile forms |
| deliveries are usually made at the back of the | | | | depending on the pickup. Once complete, the |
| store which can be many hundred yards away. If | | | | customer signs for electronic signature capture |
| you want to know when a driver breaks a | | | | proof of pickup. |
| geofence and arrived at the delivery point, you | | | | - This customer selected the MC75 because they |
| would want to get the GPS the mobile device to | | | | wanted a mid-sized device that would be easy for |
| geocode the customer. Another example is | | | | the driver to carry but would be rugged enough |
| deliveries to new subdivisions - these are not yet | | | | to be around hazardous materials and heavier |
| on maps and navigating by GPS is easier for | | | | equipment that might bang around or have the |
| subsequent trips. | | | | device dropped. They needed 3G network speeds |
| - For GPS tracking and navigation. Many | | | | to facilitate image capture. GPS is done on the |
| customers use truck mounted GPS systems, but | | | | vehicle but can also be captured on the handheld. |
| these don't provide graphical navigation. Handheld | | | | MC55 - Door-to-door surveys and canvassing on |
| devices have multiple tracking and navigation | | | | a large scale. This customer canvasses |
| options so delivery drivers can have their list of | | | | homeowners and businesses. They complete field |
| orders on the handheld and tap the order to get | | | | data surveys that may contain 300-750 questions, |
| on-screen navigation. | | | | although not all are required to be answered. |
| - For meter installations or other field device | | | | When a homeowner or business needs a survey |
| installations such as oil field equipment, you may | | | | completed, the field personnel scan a barcode and |
| need to capture GPS coordinates at the point of | | | | take 1 or more high-quality pictures per site. They |
| service. Note that if you need sub-meter | | | | take a GPS reading and possibly make a drawing |
| accuracy, you will need to get an external GPS | | | | on the device to show the site. Once complete, |
| unit or do post-processing. | | | | the homeowner signs the device for proof of |
| We recommend getting GPS on devices even if | | | | delivery/electronic signature capture and a receipt |
| you don't need it now. One company purchased | | | | is automatically emailed. |
| 250 devices without GPS - they did not want the | | | | - This customer evaluated the MC55 and MC75, |
| additional expense with their purchase. When they | | | | but selected the MC55 because it was less |
| picked up a new line of business, it required them | | | | expensive. They determined they did not need |
| to dispatch the closest driver, so they had to add | | | | the ruggedness of the MC75 or the 3G network |
| an external GPS solution which was more | | | | speed since the pictures would queue and sync in |
| expensive than purchasing GPS on the device. | | | | the background. They wanted the smallest |
| Both the MC55 and MC75 have GPS as an option. | | | | lightest device since the device would be carried |
| MC9000 devices generally don't have GPS except | | | | all day by the field personnel. |