The 'Net is in the palm of your hand

By Shawn P McCarthy -- Logistics Management, 2/1/1998

One of the more exciting developments on the Internet in recent months is the proliferation of handheld devices that support TCP/IP, the Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol that serves as the Internet's underlying communications glue. TCP/IP support allows these devices to send hypertext transport protocol (HTTP) calls over the Internet, and receive data and hypertext documents.

Browsing the open Web with any of these devices can be tough. Most have black and white liquid-crystal displays (LCDs) that can't display today's colorful, heavily formatted documents. But they are excellent for sending and retrieving data in a standardized format from virtually any dial-up or direct Internet connection.

Already, specialized sites aimed at handheld users are cropping up. Some use the "handheld device markup language." HDML-compliant data documents are streamlined for small screens and are the foundation for the so-called Wireless Application Protocol microbrowser, now under development.

Last fall, AT&T Wireless Services introduced AT&T PocketNet. Subscribers can browse via specialized cell phones and other devices with extended text display screens. They can check listings for people, businesses, and government officials, obtain door-to-door directions, or read news.

Sun Microsystems Inc. also has great hopes that its PersonalJava platform for information appliances will become a staple for new applications designed for handheld systems.

The handheld device gaining the most popularity these days is the PalmPilot Professional from 3Com Corp. The Professional edition, priced at about $350, added TCP/IP and more memory to the already successful line of personal information managers (PIMs).

The Professional allows you to access your home network via dial-up (with optional modem) or from anywhere on the Internet, to check mail and schedules. Third-party programmers already are working on Internet news readers and intranet search solutions. The possibilities are limitless.

There's also the Nokia 9000 Communicator with both PC and Macintosh support (http://www.nokia.com). The $999 device weighs 14 ounces and contains a cell phone, network connectivity, and software for e-mail, fax, and telnet.

And check out the MobileAccess 120 from Mitsubishi Wireless, a $399 cell phone that doubles as an e-mail client, pager, fax modem, and Internet client.

Internet browsing and upload devices embedded in cell phones are a hot new commodity. The logistics applications, from on-site auditing to on-the-road browsing, could be a godsend for logistics professionals. Even if you don't need them today, learn about them. Chances are they will affect the way you do business in the very near future.

Pointers

* PalmPilot information can be found at palmpilot.3com.com.

* To read the Proposal for a Handheld Device Markup Language, visit www.uplanet.com/pub/hdml_w3c/hdml_proposal.html.

* For information on AT&T PocketNet and other wireless services, visit www.att.com/features/0697/message.html.

* Zsigo Wireless Data Consultants Inc. occasionally offers seminars that deal with HDML and other issues. Visit www.zsigo.com/.

Tip of the Month

Looking to expand your Internet services in the months ahead? You're probably already looking at faster modems. Make sure you look for the "v.pcm" label.

After a year of jockeying, modem makers have "agreed to agree" on an industry standard for 56-KBPS modems. V.pcm is the so-called pulse code modulation standard. It blends parts of different technologies developed by the key participants. Expect vendors to unload existing surpluses of older 56-KBPS modems at good prices in the months ahead. Most of these modems were built to be upgradeable to the new standard. But ask the vender to guarantee in writing that the modem you purchase is indeed upgradeable. Find out if there's a charge to upgrade and find out what's involved. It may be worth waiting for the new crop of modems if you want to avoid the hassle.