The use of GPS-enabled handheld devices is an emerging trend in the enterprise industrial market.
"Like in the field of transport logistics, handheld devices with business applications have been used for a while, but we are now seeing these devices emerging with added GPS capabilities," explains Andrew Fosbrook, MD of ProScan.
The benefits of employing historical mobile handheld devices include invoices that could be generated on the spot, proof of delivery, and the tracking and tracing capabilities, Fosbrook adds.
"GPS is definitely the next evolutionary step and it has only recently begun to emerge in the enterprise space."
Fosbrook speaks of three emerging GPS-related applications that can be integrated into these handhelds:
* Turn-by-turn navigation - this application allows for a delivery address to be pulled from the host application onto the handheld from the back-end system. It will direct the driver to the destination. As a result, even temporary or new drivers can find their way to the address specified.
* Breadcrumbing - this application tracks the driver and vehicle, and keeps a detailed history of where the driver has been and for how long. In this way, service level agreements can be honoured, especially if a vehicle is held up for long periods of time at the loading point.
* Route optimisation - this application will find the optimal route for a driver to take to ensure deliveries are done in the quickest way possible. Even if a new destination is added on the spot, the route optimisation system will incorporate it into the existing route. This system will also geo-locate any new destination or changes in delivery address, and send the information back to the host element to be updated.
Fosbrook emphasises that both integration and device management are key for business processes relating to the device: "The applications have to be able to easily integrate into the handheld, and it is imperative that maps are updated at least once a year," he says.
These handhelds work with standard WiFi and Bluetooth, and can also be integrated with a network-independent GPS receiver and wireless WAN voice and data services (such as 3G).
Fosbrook believes the best handhelds are the most rugged ones. "These devices, although docking stations are often provided in the vehicle, are generally abused by mobile workers. Ensure the handheld is at least waterproof and can stand to be knocked around a bit," he advises.
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