A Brief Explanation to Handheld Terminal

Sometimes in the factory, we see an old fashioned-hand phone-like device that used to collect data. Maybe some of you will think that this device is an EDA (Enterprise Data Assistance) or even smartphone. But in fact, it is not. It is a handheld terminal.

May be this name is a little bit strange for you, since this device is not commonly used in the public. That’s why it’s not as popular as smartphone or any other communication devices. So, in order to make you familiar with it, below we will discuss more about this device. Some details related to this amazing device will be explained briefly.

What is handheld terminal?

A Brief Explanation to Handheld Terminal(1)

Handheld terminal or handheld computer is actually a computer that can be stored conveniently in your pocket. In another words, unlike the common computers, this device has sufficient size so you can hold it easily.

Further, by using wireless management software, it also able to communicate with database application that is hosted by the server on the mainframe computer. And with its high functionality and flexibility, sometimes this device is called Personal Digital Assistance (PDA).

There are two kinds of handheld terminal in the market. They are the one that is able to accept handwriting input, and the one that has small keyboard on it. The example of early handheld device that accept handwriting as an input comes from Cupertino giant technology company, Apple.

This product called Apple’s Newton. But, this was not really succeeded in the market. That’s why it was withdrawn by the company itself. And today, some company brand such as PalmPilot, Philips, Casio, Compact, and NEC are also producing handwriting input handheld computer.

For the functionality, handheld terminals have really high functionality. Some tasks such as keeping contact, maintaining schedule, taking notes, do simple calculation, exchanging email, browsing the internet, and many others can be done perfectly with this device.

Moreover, it also can be used in data retrieving through wireless transmission (WWAN or WLAN).  And one interesting thing here is that it is also able to read barcode. That’s why handheld terminal is perfect to be used in hospitals, stores, or even warehouse.

Handheld Terminal Needs to Obtain SDPPI Type Approval Before Distributed in Indonesia

A Brief Explanation to Handheld Terminal .(1)

We know that handheld terminal uses wireless transmission to communicate with the server on the mainframe computer. Moreover, there’s also possibility that this device also has several features such as Bluetooth, NFC, GSM, CDMA, and other relevant technologies. On the other words, this device is classified as the post and telecommunication device.

And based on Indonesian regulation number 16 Tahun 2018 about telecommunication devices certification, every communication device that still being produced, assembled, used and traded in Indonesian territory, is mandatory to have type approval certification. Therefore, manufacturer should obtain their handheld terminals products SDPPI Type Approval first before market them in Indonesia.

Some Popular Brands

With so many manufacturers manufacture handheld terminals, so there will be so many handheld terminal products in the market. But, some of them are considered superior than others. They are Palm, HP, Pharos, Dell, Honeywell, Trimble, Motorola, Sony, HTC, Toshiba, Janam, Apple, and Nokia.

Even though, we don’t close any possibilities that other brands are also has the same or even better quality than what I’ve mentioned before. However, even for unknown brands, they could make a highly qualified product, right? Therefore, if you have any though about one or certain brand that deserve to be placed in the list above, our comment session is open for your thought.

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