In today’s fast-paced environment, efficient and productive professionals on the road need instant access to information in order to make quick and informed decisions.
PDA’s (Personal Digital Assistants), Smartphones, Pocket PC’s and other handheld devices help professionals access and prioritize critical data from anywhere, anytime. Decision-makers can access at-a-glance information, monitor performance against targets and receive alerts of predefined events. Handheld Devices:
- Remove the requirement to be near a desktop or laptop to view critical data
- Support decision-making with automatic alerts and data updates
- Provide at-a-glance performance monitoring, permitting accelerated action
What is a PDA?
The main purpose of a PDA is to work as an electronic information organizer and day planner that is portable, simple to use and capable of sharing information with your computer. It is meant to be an extension of the PC, not a replacement.
PDA’s have evolved significantly over the years to offer a variety of features and functions:
- Manage information (files, contacts, etc)
- Connect to the Internet
- Act as a global positioning system (GPS) devices
- Run multimedia software
Recently, manufacturers have combined PDA’s with cellular phones, multimedia players and other electronic gadgetry.
What is a Smartphone?
A Smartphone is one of two things: a cell phone with PDA features or a traditional PDA with cell phone features. Characteristics of a Smartphone include:
- A cellular service provider to handle phone service
- Internet access through cellular data networks
- Various combinations of cell phone and PDA features, depending on the device
- A number of different operating systems
Why Mobile Access is Critical
- Boosts productivity
- Streamlines processes and tasks
- Improves satisfaction for customers, clients and patients
- Increases collaboration and communication
- Leverages existing staff, skill sets and systems
Why would I need a PDA?
- Have more than one calendar to keep up with
- Have numerous addresses and phone numbers that you constantly reference
- Have a full calendar of dates and appointments to keep track of, both personal and business, and need to avoid scheduling conflicts
- Are the busy and/or forgetful type, and could use automatic reminders of appointments
- Spend a lot of time away from your desktop or laptop, but still need the information that is stored there
- Need to check email or access the internet frequently, even when you are traveling or just away from your computer
- Do not want a laptop, which is big and heavy compared to a PDA, while on the road but need some e-mail, word processing or spreadsheet capability away from your desktop
Opportunity: Save Time, Increase Productivity
PDA’s/Smartphones are both mobile and wireless. They are small and light enough to fit comfortably into any pocket or purse, and are made for people on the go that cannot be tied down to one location. It conveniently puts all the organizational tools you need right at your fingertips. The following are some features and benefits of a PDA/Smartphone.
PIM (Personal Information Management) Functions
Features
- Store contact information (names, address, phone numbers, email addresses, etc))
- Make to-do lists
- Take notes
- Track appointments (date book, calendar)
- Remind you of appointments (clock, alarm functions)
- Perform calculation
Benefits
- Eliminate outdated and bulky paper contact books, business card holders, notebooks and post-its
- Access your contact data no matter where you are
- No need to call the office to get a phone number, email address or physical location
- Record and keep all appointments digitally to keep your schedule straight and manage time efficiently
- Perform searches with names or keywords, color code items to distinguish from each other to save time
- Set alarms and reminders so you do not miss something important
- Easily connect with others at your organization by sharing your calendar appointments/events information
Software and Synchronization
Features
- Windows Mobile devices come with Pocket versions of word, excel, Internet Explorer and Outlook (which include email and PIM functions), Windows Media Player and voice memo recording.
- Most Palm OS devices include applications such as DataViz Documents to Go (compatible with Microsoft Word, Excel, and Powerpoint), PalmOne Media (for photos and video), VersalMail e-mail software, and web-browsing software.
- All devices can run other software programs including games, multimedia, expense, diet and exercise, travel, medical, time and billing and reference.
Benefits
- Run the same programs and open/view the same documents as you would at your office or home
- Never waste time sending files to yourself to download later at a different location
- Always have a backup copy of your data handy in case your PDA or computer crashes or gets stolen
Email and Internet
Features
- Send and receive emails anytime, anywhere
- Browse websites and conduct research on the spot
- Communicate with your organization from anywhere with instant messaging services
Benefits
- Immediately send critical and time-sensitive data
- Clients or supervisors/co-workers are not kept waiting for information
- Stay connected to the rest of your organization
- Complete tasks on the spot through email or internet vs. waiting until you have office/home computer access
Phone Services (Smartphones)
Features
- Combine your cell phone services with your PDA services
Benefits
- Fewer products, more office and pocket/purse space
- Less scattered and more efficient lifestyle
Solution: Integrate Handheld Devices with your Technology
Every situation is different but the basic steps we take are similar:
- Evaluate your needs by industry, existing technology and office environment
- Research and propose specific hardware and software
- Implement, Train, Synch and Monitor
Contact us today at 617.375.9100 to learn more about how a PDA or Smartphone can save you time and money.