Short Cuts: Roaming Around the Mobile Computing Industry

PECO’s PatrolPad Posts Power Particulars

When asked to identify the likely early beneficiaries of stylus-based, mobile technologies, one industry keeps coming up: utilities. The newest example is Philadelphia-based PECO Energy Company, which serves 1.5 million customers spread across seven counties in Pennsylvania and Maryland.

PECO’s problem was to find a way to improve the accuracy of their data collection system while, at the same time, reducing labor costs and increasing productivity. Since the data collection task involves inspecting and reporting on the structure of power transmission facilities, their performance also has a direct effect on their customers.

The solution features a combination of hardware and software dubbed the PatrolPad. The hardware consists of Fujitsu Personal System’s PoqetPad computer, with custom software coming from Boothwyn, PA-based Cone Software.

Before PatrolPad, PECO Energy relied on a conventional paper-based system that forced re-keying at the end of the shift. Now, PECO inspectors can complete their task mostly by pointing and clicking on a pen computer.

At the end of the shift, the data is transferred to a PC using a cable connection. In addition to reducing clerical errors during keying, PECO has found that the system also enforces a new level of consistency by helping the inspector correctly complete the electronic form.

For more information, please contact either Jeff Tingley of Fujitsu at (408) 982-9500, or David Hastings of Cone Software at (610) 497-0300.

CompuServe Contest Challenges Newton Programmers

Newton programmers take note: CompuServe is holding a “Newton PIEoneers” contest to tap the vision and test the skills of PDA developers. The contest is divided into three categories:

1. Best Newton Package
2. Best PC Enhancement
3. Best Idea for a Newton Application (open only to established Macintosh programmers)

Each application must run on a Newton MessagePad 110 with the winners selected by the sysops of the Newton/PIE Forum. All entries are required to be in by noon, October 1, 1994.

The prizes include a Newton MessagePad 110 with fax modem, a Newton Programmer’s Toolkit, and copy of Ex Machina’s PocketCall, or a $100 CompuServe usage credit.

As with all contests, Newton PIEoneers is regulated by regional laws. Interestingly, the contest is void in the Province of Quebec.

For the complete rules governing the contest, download the file CONTST.TXT located in Library 1 of the Newton/PIE Forum (GO NEWTON).

Wireless Ethernet Is No Drain on Computer

Wireless access to corporate data can prove to be a valuable resource. However, the current power requirements for radio frequency-based communication can tax another equally valuable mobile resource—the battery.

Solectek Corp. offers a solution to this problem. The AIRLAN/Parallel is a wireless Ethernet Adapter that uses its own, enclosed battery supply. The device measures 7.5 x 2.5-inches (19 x 6.4 cm) and attaches to any parallel port on a mobile computer.

The unit is kept in place using a removable clip, and can operate up to 10 hours without affecting the battery performance of the notebook computer. The AIRLAN/Parallel features a set of LEDs that display several conditions including data transmission, low battery power, and the quality of the wireless link.

For example, a green LED indicates that link quality is good—the absence of this light informs you to move to a better area for transmission.

AIRLAN/Parallel is designed to provide connections to your local area network, and is compatible with all the major systems and standards including IEEE 802.3, Novell Netware, NetWare Lite, Microsoft LAN Manager, Windows for Workgroups, and Artisoft’s Lantastic.

The AIRLAN/Parallel is priced at $699, including the adapter, installation software, and a power supply suitable for use at the desktop. Units which use Nickel Metal Hydride batteries are available for $100 more.

The product also works with all DEC and NCR WaveLAN products, enabling you to integrate directly into these wireless networks. For more information, please contact James DeBello of Solectek Corp., at (619) 450-1220.

Dauphin Adds Options for DTR-1

Dauphin Technology, producer of the smallest 486-based pen computer, has demonstrated that it intends to expand the number of user applications, along with the options for transferring information collected with the device.

In terms of application use and development, Dauphin announced that it has licensed the PenRight! stylus-based environment for its DTR-1 computer. PenRight!—developed by Fremont, California-based PenRight! Corporation—brings over 800 new applications to the DTR-1.

These applications cover a broad range of vertical markets, including the healthcare, transportation, and public service industries. These applications are targeted directly at the types of problems that are best suited for pen-based technology, and should make the DTR-1 more appealing in these markets.

Dauphin also announced a new wide area connectivity option for the DTR-1, called the WAN Cover. The Cover features a radio system and extended battery pack capable of communicating over RAM Mobile Data’s nationwide wireless network.

The WAN Cover slips on the DTR-1 and enables the user to turn on both the radio and battery for data transmission, or just the extended battery to extend the DTR-1’s internal power supply.

When attached, the WAN Cover forms a single integrated unit with the DTR-1 that removes the need for external cables or separate antenna modules. For more information, please contact Colleen Burke of Dauphin Technology at (708) 971-3400.

Covering the Communication Bases

While most new mobile computers are now available with one or two PCMCIA slots, the new range of cards to plug into these slots are growing at an even faster rate. This means that computers will have to either sprout more slots, or individual cards will have to accommodate a greater number of features.

To adapt to this trend, NovaLink Technologies, Inc. recently introduced its NovaPak 144, a Type II PCMCIA card that combines an alphanumeric paging receiver with a 14.4 Kbps data/fax and voice modem, along with a suite of software suitable for wired and wireless communication.

The 4 ounce (113 g) device can be carried as a stand-alone pager and displays numeric messages directly. Inserting the card into a PCMCIA equipped Windows-based computer enables you to receive more complex alphanumeric or email messages.

The NovaPak 144 operates on a “AA” battery and comes with communication software including, CardSoft 3.1, CardView 3.1 for Windows, QuickLink Message Center for Windows, and WinBEEP 2.0 Plus.

The NovaPak carries a suggested retail price of $449. For more information, please contact Bob Fultz, Director of Marketing & Sales at (510) 249-9777 x203.

Infrared Technology Adapted to Fax/Modems

With all the recent attention focused on radio frequency (RF) communication, it’s important not to forget RF’s unlicensed cousin, infrared. K and M Electronics, Inc. clearly hasn’t forgotten, and recently introduced its AIRplex Model 2702 Wireless Infrared Jack for PCMCIA faxmodems, and Model 2705 Wireless Infrared PCMCIA faxmodem.

The Model 2702 includes a base transceiver that connects to the RJ-11 jack and a small adapter that connects to an existing PCMCIA faxmodem. The Model 2705 adds a V.32/V.32 bis PCMCIA Type II faxmodem to the equipment that comes with the Model 2702.

Using diffuse, omnidirectional infrared technology, the devices eliminate the need to a cord connection to the phone line.

For more information, please contact Gary Velotta, Product Marketing Manager at (413) 781-1350.