How to choose a handheld device that meets your needs
By Monica Schraml
Technology Representative – Wisconsin Region
Handheld devices are everywhere! These powerful little tools can make you and your business more efficient and productive. Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) can keep track of your contacts and schedule, connect to the Internet, send and receive e-mail, and beam applications and files to other users.
How do you decide which PDA is best suited for your needs? While you don’t want to spend money on features you’ll never use, it’s wise to buy a handheld device with some staying power. The key is determining what functionality you want and how much you are willing to spend.
Capabilities depend on the brand, model and software you purchase. Palm may be the most popular handheld device, but don’t forget that other options are available, too. Casio, Compaq and Hewlett-Packard, among others, manufacture devices using Microsoft’s Pocket PC platform and support Word, Excel and PowerPoint files.
Think about how you’d use a PDA. Perhaps you’d like to be able to write yourself a note or have a place to store contact information. Maybe you want to view and edit proposals or keep track of expenses. Do you want wireless access to the Web? Would you like to beam applications, documents and even your business card to other users? Are your companies offering you Web capabilities that you’d like to access while meeting with clients?
Even without wireless connection, there is software available that will allow you to download Web sites for reference while away from your PC. Each time you synchronize your PDA to your personal computer or laptop, these Web sites get updated. You can have the latest financial news from CNNfn or travel news from Expedia.com right at your fingertips.
If you’re wondering how a handheld device can make you and your business more productive, consider having the following functions available to you anytime:
- Access and organize your calendar, contacts, tasks and notes
- Synchronize these with your PC or laptop
- Perform advanced math and business functions
- View and edit documents and spreadsheets
- View and share images and video clips
- Wireless and offline access to e-mail and the Internet
- Voice recording for reminders or notes
- Read electronic books
A basic handheld device to keep track of appointments, contacts and to-do lists costs about $150. Or for about $500, you can purchase a handheld device with end-to-end wireless email, calendar, address book and task list. Pager and watch-size PDAs can give you the same functionality in a more concise package for about $250. If you choose, you can add on a portable keyboard for $50-$100. For additional memory, a 16-megabyte expansion card is available for less than $50. Palm offers a Mobile Internet Kit for $40 to upgrade some Palm versions for Internet access.
For additional information, visit the manufacturers’ Web sites. Here are some to start with:
www.palm.com
www.compaq.com
www.hewlittpackard.com
www.casio.com
www.handspring.com
About the author: Monica Schraml is a technology representative for General Casualty Insurance Companies and has been in the insurance business for 10 years. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics and a CIC (Certified Insurance Counselor) designation. She advises the Company’s independent insurance agents throughout Wisconsin on company technology initiatives, insurance industry advancements, software and platform options, and general technology issues.
For more information please contact Anne M. Smith.