Product category:
Factory data acquisition
News Release from: MAC Solutions (UK) | Subject: Portable data collection terminal
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 04 August 2006
Portable data collection terminal is
flexible
A handheld data collection terminal combines compactness and robust performance with a handheld design that is built to adapt to a company's changing data collection requirements.
Portable data collection and scanning devices are now used at almost every point in a supply chain, from field services and manufacturing through to equipment maintenance checks, 'goods-in' inspection, warehousing, retailing, fast food outlets and hospitals The 'Eagle IT7000', a new handheld data terminal launched recently by MAC Solutions (UK), meets these challenges with unparalleled power, performance and flexibility - at a cost effective price
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 30 Apr 2008 at 8.00am (UK)
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Setting a new standard for data collection devices, the 'Eagle IT7000' is a portable data collection terminal, which combines compactness and robust performance with a handheld design that is built to adapt to a company's changing data collection requirements.
The device is an industrial strength, personal digital assistant (PDA) ideally suited to the demanding needs of mobile applications.
A scanner or imager can be added to the device, enabling the unit to capture data in the office or out in the field.
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OEMs can purchase one PDA to fulfil all their end users' data collection requirements.
They simply buy one Eagle IT7000 unit and then download the appropriate software applications to the device for each customer application.
Applications are numerous.
In production, manufacturing and warehousing environments, the device can be used for parts and material 'goods in/out' control; for daily production information on a final assembly line; for materials/parts and production plan checks; for service, maintenance and repair tasks; final inspection and quality control checks; or for shipment and delivery management.
In public utility management applications, such as gas, electricity or water, engineers can use the device to read meters and issue receipts.
The customer's account number can be keyed in or scanned, the latest consumption data calculated, then a receipt issued.
Retail establishments can use the device to make stock checks and control their inventory, or for managing price changes on goods.
The 'Eagle IT7000' is also ideal for restaurants, hotels, fast food outlets and bar staff, who can take customer orders and transfer the data directly to the point-of-sale or kitchen via LAN.
In medical applications, doctors, nursing staff and inspection teams can use the device to eliminate errors.
Patient data, for example, can be transferred to a main database or host smoothly and accurately.
Medical data can be downloaded from a hospital's main database to the Eagle IT7000, data collected from the patient, then transferred back to the host.
Voice communication between the host and the Eagle IT7000 is also an option.
For parking enforcement or traffic police support teams, a driver's information can be input to the device.
Even pictures can be taken using the integrated digital camera.
Penalty tickets can be issued via a printer and official letters can be issued with picture evidence, to a traffic court.
* Trusted 'core' technologies - at the core of the new Eagle IT7000 lies a host of trusted technologies and user-requested features.
Built around the Intel XScale PXA255, 400MHz processor and running on Microsoft Windows CE .NET, the Eagle IT7000 provides enough processing power to deploy mobile applications anywhere in an organisation.
Superior power management capabilities provide extended battery life.
With an IP64 rating, 1.2m repeated drops to concrete, and a wide operating temperature range from -10 deg C up to +50 deg C, the Eagle IT7000 withstands the harshest of environments.
The unit measures just 187mm (l) x 91mm (w) x 58/43mm (h) and weighs just 590g.
The unit's super-bright, high contrast colour screen works equally well indoors and outdoors, while an integrated touch screen provides pen-based input and handwriting recognition.
A user-accessible Compact Flash (CF) slot and a Secure Digital (SD) slot means the unit is flexible and easy to upgrade.
Users can add numerous options to the core device, including a single slot dock, which enables serial or USB communication between the Eagle IT7000 and a host PC.
The cradle also charges the terminal with a standard battery and a standard spare battery stored in the cradle.
LEDs indicate when the spare battery and terminal are fully charged.
For users who need to scan at a high rate, a rugged, ergonomic pistol grip is available.
A scan trigger can be attached to this so that the user has a dedicated data collection terminal.
Or an RFID reader card can be slotted in, giving users the latest in high-tech data collection capabilities.
There is also an Ethernet module which enables Internet communication through a single-slot docking unit.
A belt holster comes as standard on the IT7000, which secures the device on the user's waist, but there's also an optional adjustable shoulder strap.
A vehicle dock mount unit is available, which has two options: the 'VD1' enables charging and serial communication; and the 'VD2' is for charge-only applications.
Tim Ricketts, general manager at MAC Solutions (UK), commented: "The Eagle IT7000 is perfect for companies that do not want to keep buying different handheld devices or PDAs for each application".
"One Eagle IT7000 device can handle all of a customer's data collection and scanning needs in a single piece of hardware".
"The customer or OEM simply downloads the appropriate software for each individual application, which is far more cost effective for the customer.".
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