Developing tools for the logistics environment requires foresight, flexibility and creativity. Products need to be rugged, flexible, and easy to use. This is precisely what PSC has developed with the Falcon 4400 Series mobile computers.
The Falcon 4400 Series combines a handheld wireless computing device with a barcode scanner to provide warehouse and supply chain staff with on-time information to facilitate moving the right product to the right place. The Falcon 4400 series is an ergonomic mobile computer platform utilizing the Intel XScale microprocessor architecture. This portable data terminal is a marriage of ergonomics and ruggedness that maximizes flexibility.
To start, the Falcon 4400 Series is ruggedized to ensure reliable performance, despite the rough environment. It is tested to survive multiple drops (1.5M/5ft) to concrete, an occurrence that often happens in a fast-paced warehouse facility. PSC has designed this device with both network and operating system flexibility to enable a good fit for a wide range of enterprise network environments.
In the latest iteration of the Falcon, the IEEE 802.11g standard for wireless local area networking is supported. This allows the 4400 Series computers to communicate with a high degree of reliability and security. Data security has become increasingly important as wireless networks become more widespread. PSC is teamed with Cisco to provide the most diverse set of security protocols available in mobile computing.
In terms of operating systems, PSC has leveraged the power of Microsoft to provide choices for interacting with a variety of software platforms and data access requirements.
The Falcon 4400 is now available with Windows Mobile or Windows CE to better tailor operating systems to the user environment. These two operating systems are based on Microsoft's building block approach. Windows Mobile provides a Microsoft standard product look and feel. Windows CE maintains the lean product and market focus you have learned to trust from the Falcon 4400.
Windows Mobile focuses on standardized product features:
Microsoft specified for ease of application portability between devices
Mobile Office including Word, Excel, Power Point, and Internet Explorer
Enhanced security through provisioning and trust levels
Flash based file system secures data in permanent memory
Common user interfaces and desktops reduce training needs in mixed device environments
Windows CE enables vertically focused features:
Tailored OS minimizes space for faster upload and more storage
Larger effective memory by combining RAM Object Store with Flash
Built in tools including Microsoft WordPad, Excel Viewer, and Internet Explorer
Localization through a wide variety of languages supported
Ability to customize for unique end user requirements
The ability to choose the operating system that best fits the customer environment is just another example of PSCs commitment to flexibility in design.
Scanning barcodes to capture product and shipping information is another critical component of logistics in the supply chain. The Falcon 4400 Series incorporates a wide variety of scanning options to allow for application specific solutions. Imaging performance has improved dramatically with the technological advances in digital photography and video technology. PSC offers the benefit of these imaging advances or the traditional laser based scanning option; again emphasizing responsiveness to customer requirements.
Scan engine options include:
Standard Range Laser
Long Range Laser
Advanced Long Range Laser
Linear Imager
2D Imager
Since many of the functions of these devices are somewhat repetitive for workers, PSC has also incorporated important ergonomic features into the Falcon devices. Perhaps most important is the low weight of the product. Shaving off a few ounces in weight makes a big difference in a scan intensive environment. Other features such as a tethered stylus, a loud beeper (for audible confirmation in noisy environments) and bright screen for easy readability; are all design features that reflect PSCs understanding of user requirements in the logistics workplace.
In the latest iteration of the Falcon rugged mobile computer, PSC has stepped up to make this device as flexible and reliable as possible. And with the service plans and support available around the world, investing in PSC Falcon products is a better choice than ever.
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