Where data needs to be collected, verified and
quantified an intelligent terminal capable of being configured with the
electronic equivalent of one or more forms is used. This type of device is
called a Portable Data Terminal - or PDT.
PDTs are a combination of a
small hand-held computer and a built in bar-code scanner. The PDT is configured
by designing a form in an easy to use PC program. The form can comprise of
prompts to scan a bar-code and for data, such as quantity, names or other text.
The form is downloaded to the PDT together with any required look-up tables and
it is the ready to use.
There can be several forms, selected on the PDT
by a menu. Each use of a form saves a transaction which can be time and date
stamped. The number of transaction that can be stored in the PDT is a funtion
of its memory capacity - typically hundreds or thousands can be
stored.
When the work is done the PDT is either physically located in a
cradle near the PC or, in some cases is connected by a wireless transmission
protocol. The transactions are then uploaded to the PC for processing, and
after possibly recharging the PDTs battery it is ready to use for
more.
