Handheld terminals and data collection

What a terminal does on a round

A handheld terminal replaces paper checklists and manual transcription on inspection and patrol rounds. The operator scans or reads an asset tag, the terminal records the reading with time and position, and the record moves to a site system over Wi-Fi, mobile network or a docking sync. The Ex PDA 7100/7200 listing names the identification set for this job: two-dimensional barcode scanning, RFID, UHF and NFC, plus GPS and Bluetooth printer support for on-the-spot labels and receipts.

Specify the identification mix first

Barcode, RFID, UHF and NFC are not interchangeable. Barcodes are cheap and visual but need line of sight; RFID and UHF read at distance and through dirt; NFC works at close range for tap-to-confirm steps. Before choosing a terminal, list the tag types already fixed to your assets, because the terminal must read what is already installed. The listing record for this range names the four functions without performance measurements — read range, read rate and tag compatibility are questions for the quote request, not assumptions from the function names.

Screen, battery and handling

The listed range set includes a 5.2 inch full-HD screen, Android 11.0, 4 GB RAM with 64 GB storage, and two battery tiers, 5000 mAh or 8000 mAh. The source does not assign one battery tier to one model, so buyers should confirm which tier applies to the model they order. A 5.2 inch screen suits one-handed scanning; it does not suit long-form reading, which is a tablet job. The comparison guide covers that split in more detail.

What to put in the quote request

Confirm MOQ and lead time in your quote request. Confirm certification scope and marking for your target market before ordering. Confirm the model availability for your site before ordering. Confirm the applicable hazardous-area classification for your site before ordering. Certificates available upon request. Related: intrinsically safe PDA terminals, Ex PDA 7100/7200.