I'm often asked for recommendations on mobile devices for proof of delivery applications and handheld data collection. If you're looking at Motorola devices, most citizen need help selecting in the middle of Mc55, Mc75 and Mc9090 devices.
This description will elaborate what you should consider when selecting mobile devices and will feature real-life customer examples for field data capture and proof of delivery applications.
Motorola Phone
Before we start with criteria, it is foremost to understand what features you need today as well as in the future. With rugged devices, once you buy the device, you cannot go back and add hardware options like a camera, Gps or Bluetooth. The devices we will discuss are:
- Mc9090 (Mc909x) - these are the largest and most rugged of the 3 models. They are supported on all carrriers (Verizon, Sprint, At&T and T-Mobile) and have the broadest range of hardware options. These are the most high-priced devices.
- Mc75 - these are mid-sized devices that Motorola targets for proof of delivery, field data capture and barcode solutions.
- Mc55 - this is the latest member of the family, has a slightly lower level of rugged form and size than Mc75's. It is the least expensive.
Questions and Criteria
You should narrow your hardware option by request the following questions.
Do you need cellular data? If so, what cellular carrier do you use and do you know what the data coverage is in your territories?
- The guess for this is uncomplicated - some territories like the North East are thoroughly owned by a carrier (Verizon). If someone wants T-Mobile or At&T coverage, they need to check or consider changing carriers.
- The Mc55 is not currently supported on Verizon, so the option is in the middle of an Mc75 and Mc9000. All devices withhold Gsm networks (e.g. T-Mobile and At&T).
- Do you want want gadget to cover international or surface of North America? If so, you will need to only consider Gsm.
If you need cellular data, are you going to do whatever that requires 3G/3.5G or faster networking?
- Most customers don't know the retort to this but the ask becomes more clear if you are:
- Taking pictures - photo size can be adjusted on the mobile device, but a uncostly potential color photo would be practically 1Mb or larger.
- Downloading large files, such as site plans, Msds sheets or merchandising plan-o-grams for proof of delivery apps.
- The Mc55 is targeted at basic route accounting users.The Mc55 vehicle cradle does not have a built-in serial port. Examples of where this applies are: serial cable association to the vehicle Gps or Jbus (vehicle diagnostics), fuel delivery meters or external transportation devices.
- The Mc75 and Mc9000 vehicle cradles have a built-in serial port. Their cradle is more high-priced than the Mc55 cradle by practically 0-200.
- All devices withhold barcode scanning. The only decision is either you need 1D/2D or long-range.
- 2D scanners can be helpful if you have barcodes that may get dirty or damaged. Examples of this comprise plant nurseries where 2D barcodes may be easier to read due to dirt on the barcode label.
- Long range scanners can scan barcodes up to 40' away. Long range scanners are only ready on the Mc909x platform. Examples of long range scanning would be scanning the barcode at the top of a warehouse rack from a forklift.
- If you need Rfid, your only option is an Mc9090. Note that Rfid enabled devices are significantly more expensive.
- The Mc9000 is the most rugged device. It has the best drop spec (6' to concrete) and the best Ip (intrusion protection) rating.
- The Mc75 is plenty rugged and designed for field delivery applications (5' to concrete).
- The Mc55 is close to, but not as rugged as the Mc75. It is designed for the field but not for harsh environments.
- Examples of harsher environments would be where you work surface in the rain or dirt - such as oil field services, agriculture or bulk stock delivery such as fuel, lubes, chemicals or fertilizer to tanks outside.
- The Mc55 and Mc75 both have similar sized keypads. They are larger than a BlackBerry but the size of the gadget shell is fixed.
- The Mc9000 comes in a short version (Mc9090S), a long version (Mc9090K) and a gun/pistol grip (Mc9090G). The keypads on Mc9000's are larger than the Mc75 or Mc55. If drivers use gloves (such as fuel delivery) then it would be worth comparing the Mc9000 to the Mc75.
- If you achieve a lot of scanning, you should consider a pistol grip, which is only ready on the Mc9000.
- This customer premium Mc9000's because they needed the most rugged device, a large numeric keypad, a larger battery to power the wifi since they use wifi for roaming throughout the plant to load products, and because they wanted a larger gadget so it was easier for the driver to keep track of it.
- This customer premium the Mc75 because they wanted a mid-sized gadget that would be easy for the driver to carry but would be rugged sufficient to be around dangerous materials and heavier equipment that might bang around or have the gadget dropped. They needed 3G network speeds to facilitate image capture. Gps is done on the vehicle but can also be captured on the handheld.
- This customer evaluated the Mc55 and Mc75, but premium the Mc55 because it was less expensive. They carefully they did not need the ruggedness of the Mc75 or the 3G network speed since the pictures would queue and sync in the background. They wanted the smallest/lightest gadget since the gadget would be carried all day by the field personnel.
Do you need barcode scanning?
Do you need Rfid?
Do you have specific ruggedness requirements? Will you be dealing with harsh environments?
What size keypad do you need? What type of input will the keypad be used for? Do you need a pistol grip?
So which gadget is right for you? The following highlights examples of using each type of device.
Mc9090 - Bulk bleach maker with 8 plants in 5 states. This customer receives bleach in rail cars and then distributes to pool furnish companies, municipal water medicine facilities, paper manufacturers, etc. The bleach is loaded at the plant and the driver starts their day by scanning a barcode label on the truck (tractor), trailer and delivery ticket. They weigh the truck on an market truck scale and wirelessly receive the truck weight to guess the volume of stock on the truck. The driver makes deliveries to a set of customers and scans the delivery ticket, product, etc and records stock quantities in each tank. The customer signs the gadget for proof of delivery and then prints a receipt on mobile Zebra Rw420 printers. When drivers return to the plant, the driver scans and weighs again to guess remaining volume. Once at the plant, deliveries are sent wirelessly to the goRoam server for processing and export for invoicing.
Mc75 - HazMat pickup and disposal for large retailers, oil convert shops, car dealers, etc. Across 30 states. These drivers receive routes/stops through cellular communications while on the road. The drivers go to each stop and pickup one or many HazMat containers (waste oil, paint, chemicals, etc.). They place a barcode on the holder (by hazmat stock type) and description the contents of each container. This can involve a uncostly whole of data capture through the touch-screen on the handheld gadget as they have to perfect separate mobile forms depending on the pickup. Once complete, the customer signs for electronic signature capture/proof of pickup.
Mc55 - Door-to-door surveys and canvassing on a large scale. This customer canvasses homeowners and businesses. They perfect field data surveys that may comprise 300-750 questions, although not all are required to be answered. When a homeowner or enterprise needs a recognize completed, the field personnel scan a barcode and take 1 or more high-quality pictures per site. They take a Gps reading and perhaps make a drawing on the gadget to show the site. Once complete, the homeowner signs the gadget for proof of delivery/electronic signature capture and a receipt is automatically emailed.
