BUSINESS PDAs

When it was originally conceived, the PDA was designed with the workplace in mind

However, the pick-up by companies is some way behind that original forecast. It is still recognised that the introduction of a PDA into an office environment is seldom instigated by the company but by the individual envisaging how his or her own productivity could be enhanced.

This opens up a number of potential problems for the employer. The first concerns security. If you are connecting your PDA to a company network and downloading databases and corporate files, who is responsible for their safety? Handhelds can easily be lost and potentially volatile data can be left on the back seat of a taxi or in a café. Security has to play an important part in choosing the right device. Second, who is responsible for the installation of the handheld to the company computer and network, and the maintenance of the network and device itself? Finally, if the decision to buy a PDA and use it for work purposes is an individual one, who decides which device and OS to buy? For a company to successfully implement a PDA it must lay down guidelines on preferred devices and OS.

Nevertheless, there are signs that things are improving. As PDAs mature and become increasingly more powerful, companies are beginning to see the need and usefulness of the handheld form factor. Whether it's for tracking goods or for use in meetings, the PDA is starting to make an impact.

Corporate rollouts will take such factors as security and cost of ownership into account before implementing them in the workplace. However, the choice of device will often remain a personal one of the IT buyer. On the following pages, we've highlighted the latest Palm and Pocket PC devices to help you make an informed decision.

CONTENTS:
HP iPAQ h2210 (p 2)
Palm Tungsten C (p 3)
Palm Tungsten T2 (p 4)
Sony Clié PEG-TG50 (p 5)
Toshiba Pocket PC E750 Wi-Fi (p 6)
Also Available (p 7)
Verdict (p 8)

REVIEW CO-ORDINATOR:
Katie Lee