Mobile computing in the field

Copyright 2005 Gale Group, Inc.

By Dave Cheney
Bulletin (Northwest Public Power Association)

Mobile computing is now mainstream. From handheld games and children’s toys to personal digital assistants (PDAs) and automobile navigation systems, mobile computing has moved from Star Trek theory to everyday reality. As with many new technologies, mobile computing offersthe promise of greater productivity and lowered costs. The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of modern mobile computing technologies and how they can be applied in a utility. We will investigate several prevalent technologies in more detail.

History of Mobile Technologies

The utility industry, along with ambulances, shipping companies and police forces, was among the early adopters of mobile computing technologies. Meter readers, for example, have been using handheld meterdata collection devices for many years. Some cable and telecom utilities provide their field workers with simple devices to read and check off work orders. Many utilities have deployed cell phones and Blackberries to key staff to keep them in communication as they travel. Most of the older mobile technologies are single-purpose, fairly simpledevices due to limited computing power and battery capacity. It wasn’t too many years ago that a “mobile computer” was a 30-pound monsterlike the one below. These days it’s relatively inexpensive to deploymulti-purpose mobile units to operations staff for data collection, inspections, mobile data access, and communication with the main office.

Current Technologies

These days, mobile technologies can be broken into several major categories, listed below. Our primary focus will be on the most portable of these devices.

1. Laptops and ruggedized laptops--Laptops work pretty well in a line truck, but can be unwieldy outside the truck, generally requiringa flat, stable surface.

2. Tablet PCs--Most tablets run on Windows XP Tablet Edition, which is just Windows XP with a few extra features for the tablet, such as screen rotation and a touch-screen keyboard. Some tablets are “convertible,” meaning they can flip open and act as a laptop, with a fullkeyboard. Tablets tend to have slightly slower processors than laptops, but they have several advantages for field work:

• Touch screen/pen interface with handwriting recognition.
• Tend to be more portable and weather-resistant than laptops.
• Greater processing power, storage and screen size than PDAs
• Access to all Windows desktop applications in a Windows interface, which nearly eliminates the learning curve for regular Windows users.

Disadvantages (compared to PDAs):

• Cost--Tablets are fairly expensive. Ruggedized tablet PCs range from $2,200 to $4,500. Utility field work is rough--even ruggedized tablets can be damaged when dropped or jarred. Also, evolution of computer hardware and software requires upgrading or replacing computers--desktops, tablets and PDAs alike--every few years.
• Size--A tablet can be used while standing, although it is an armful. Tablets weigh from four to seven pounds.
• Power--The new low-power processors help, but battery life on most tablets and laptops still averages only 1.5 to 3 hours. Improved battery life will make tablets more usable in the field.

Note: Extreme cold conditions can adversely affect all mobile computers. Ruggedized devices tend to recover from the cold more rapidly.

3. Handheld computing devices--In the late ‘90s, PDAs gained acceptance in the consumer marketplace by means of Palm Pilots, Blackberries and Handsprings. As the underlying technology has evolved and stabilized, it’s become possible to run industrial-level software applications on some of these devices. These days, handheld computers represent a viable, very portable, cost-effective alternative to laptops and tablets.

In many utilities, PDAs are now used for field inspections and data collection. They also turn up in mobile communications (e.g., cell phone communication with office or customers). In the future, expect them to be an integral part of dispatch, mobile worker/vehicle tracking, outage management and equipment/ worker safety monitoring.

PDAs versus Laptops and Tablets--advantages:

• Portability--The laptop on which I’m writing this article weighsa typical 7.5 pounds. Tablets weigh slightly less. My Dell Pocket PCweighs 6.2 ounces, including the battery. The Pocket PC would fit comfortably in your shirt pocket--the laptop would ruin your shirt.
• Cost--PDAs range from about $200 to $650 for regular units, and from $750 to $2,200 for most ruggedized units. Many of the utilities we work with purchase iPAQs or similar PDAs for about $575, then buy rugged cladding for $100 and additional RAM for another $100. This results in a cost less than a quarter that of a tablet.
• Solid state--There are no moving parts, such as hard drives, in PDAs. This makes them more durable and able to survive a drop that would ruin a hard drive in a laptop. It also reduces battery consumption.
• Input--Some PDAs, such as those based on Windows Mobile, have pen-based data entry, just like a tablet PC. This includes handwriting recognition which has the incredible ability to recognize most of my illegible scrawls.

PDAs versus Tablets--disadvantages:

• Screen size--PDAs have small screens that can be difficult for big lineman hands to operate. The LCD screens can also be hard to see under direct sunlight (though this is also true of tablets and laptops).
• Processing power and memory--The fastest PDA processor currentlyon the market is 624 MHz. PDAs have up to 256 Megabytes of on-board memory. Memory cards of up to 6 Gigabytes can be added to most units.Laptops and tablets can have hard drives of 100 Gigabytes or more, with significantly faster processors.
• User interface--It’s very convenient to sit in a coffee shop andwrite this article on a laptop. Although my Pocket PC has Pocket Word, it would be a major chore to write much more than a brief note on that. It’s possible to buy a fold-out full size keyboard for your PDA, but you can’t use the keyboard standing in the rain in front of a padmount transformer.
• Different operating systems--PDAs, even those based on Microsoft’s Windows Mobile platform, have a completely different operating system from Windows. A program written for Windows will run on your laptop or tablet. It will not run on a PDA. To run on a PDA, the softwaremanufacturer needs to develop a separate application specifically for the PDA.

Windows Mobile PDAs

As much fun as it would be to ramble on about every mobile device under the sun, this article has a size limit, so it’s necessary to pick a mobile technology and go into more detail. I’ve selected the Microsoft Windows Mobile platform because it’s experiencing considerablegrowth in the utility sector. Please note that the terms “Pocket PC"and “Windows Mobile device” are often used interchangeably.

Windows Mobile currently has a significant share of the utility handheld computer market. Many different hardware manufacturers (about 60 major companies, such as HP, Samsung, Symbol and Dell) develop competitive devices. No matter which of these hardware platforms is mostsuccessful, the Windows Mobile operating system is on the winning horse. Even Palm, long a PDA operating system leader, has started offering Windows Mobile on its hardware.

Windows Mobile allows you to run multiple programs simultaneously,similar to Windows XP. It is important to note that the Windows Mobile operating system differs significantly from its big brother, Windows XP. Fortunately, Windows Mobile is designed such that Windows XP users quickly learn navigation and functionality. The operating systemruns on several PDA hardware categories:

• Pocket PC
• Ruggedized Pocket PC (basically the same thing with additional weather and impact protection)
• Pocket PC Phone Edition (has an embedded cell phone)
• Smartphone
• Media player

Common Software on Windows Mobile

Several important applications are included with the operating system:

Activesync--This application is packaged with all Pocket PCs and Windows Mobile smartphones. It causes the PDA to synchronize with the desktop or Exchange server every time you pop your PDA in the cradle.It can also synchronize through a WiFi connection if you have one. Activesync keeps your calendar, mailbox, tasks and files coordinated.

Outlook Mobile--This is the Pocket PC counterpart of the desktop Outlook application. It has email, calendar, tasks and other functionsthat mirror regular Outlook.

Internet Explorer--Yep, you can even browse the Internet on your little PDA.

Other--The latest version of Windows Mobile includes pocket versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Windows Media Player (acts as an MP3 player and a video player), photo viewers, a calculator and other tools. Other applications include news feeds, podcasts, navigation applications and many more. Add-on hardware GPS units, barcode scanners, mobile printers, Bluetooth wireless devices and more. For more information, look for a copy of Pocket PC Magazine at a local magazine shop.

Databases in the Field

A significant trend in mobile application development is the move from Web-based thin clients to smart clients that can operate in occasionally-connected wireless network environments. This is particularly important for rural utilities, where wireless and cell phone coverage is spotty at best, and will never be complete. Specialized mobile databases can significantly reduce the dependency on paper notepads and increase the field employee’s access to important data.

Modern mobile computers can run sizable databases. We created a SQL CE database for our PoleTrack Mobile product. Field inspectors use it to collect inspection data, document safety violations, collect GPS coordinates and review past records for the facility. On a relatively new Windows Mobile device, this database has proven capable of handling extensive records for at least 100,000 poles and underground facilities. As the hardware evolves, the software capabilities will continue to expand.

Maps in the Field

Mapping is a major application for Windows Mobile devices. Available technology ranges from inexpensive GPS-integrated “find your way” tools like Pocket Streets and the Garmin GPS tools to GIS shape-file applications like those offered by ESRI and Intergraph.

A technology often used by shipping and law-enforcement organizations is real-time location tracking via mobile computers. Two-way communication is established (generally by cell phone connection) with mobile computers to locate vehicles or employees and show their location on a map. This allows dispatchers to efficiently manage and route field resources to emergencies.

Making a Decision

Each of the mobile technologies discussed has its advantages and disadvantages. If you intend to kick off a mobile computing initiative, you’ll need to make your decision based on your project and the specific needs of your utility. Here are some questions you’ll need to answer:

• How many users will need computers in the field?
• How much processing power, storage and graphic display capability is needed? Is a Pocket PC adequate or will a tablet PC be required?
• How “mobile” are the users? Is a tablet PC too bulky?
• What are the operating conditions? Will you be working in very low temperatures? How “rugged” does the device need to be?
• How much budget is available for the project?
• Can you purchase off-the-shelf software or will it need to be built?
• Have you allocated budget for long-term support?
• Do you have buy-in for your decision from the users?

The Future of Mobile Technologies

Mobile technologies keep getting smaller and more powerful. Cell phones are a prime example. This will also occur with tablet PCs and PDAs. The Windows Mobile operating system is already being used as the"brain” in certain embedded technologies, such as automobile computers. Major upcoming trends include:

* Regional wireless broadband coverage--This is a popular initiative in many larger cities. Philadelphia has already made the jump, with Portland and other cities actively evaluating options. It’s only a matter of time until smaller cities and towns arrange similar coverage. (I’m writing this article while connected wirelessly to the Internet at a coffee shop, enabling me to research facts, check e-mail and save files to my office network, so wireless has clearly become popular in the private sector.)

For utilities, full wireless access could allow a software system to immediately notify a field employee that a customer has paid an overdue bill in the office, putting a hold on a “cut service” work order. It could also offer real-time communication with monitoring devices on field assets. Wireless coverage in remote service territory won’t be feasible for a very long time.

* “Wearable” technologies--As mobile computers get smaller, the opportunity arises for embedding computers in jackets, goggles and gloves. Safety goggles with built-in viewers, jackets with solar panels and other wearable technologies are already on the market. Voice recognition technology, which is already available for basic commands and placing phone calls, will eventually simplify data input to a hands-free level.

Conclusion

Mobile technologies have evolved to the point of offering significant opportunities for process and safety improvement in the field. Tablet PCs and Pocket PCs each have strengths and weaknesses. Tablet PCs are better when significant processing power and a larger screen isrequired. PDAs are better for deployments requiring a lot of mobility and larger numbers of users on low-cost devices. It pays to research your choices and buy the product that best serves your need right before you deploy.

Ultimately mobile computers are going to optimize field activity, not just in terms of data collection or the subsequent output. The understanding of the field asset will grow to influence decision makingat operational headquarters in terms of the management of assets, planning of resources and the frequency and extent of field audits.

Useful Links

Tablet PC information:

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/tabletpc/ default.mspx; http://www.pencomputing.com/

Windows Mobile devices:

www.microsoft.com/windowsmobile/devices; http://www.pocketpcmag.com/

Rugged cases: www.otterbox.com.

Dave Cheney is Vice President of Business Development for Accent Business Services. He can be reached by phone at (360) 882-4002 or by e-mail at dave.chaney@accent-inc.com.