Frail consumer devices not meant for business apps
- TAGS:handhelds, mobile broadband, mobile computing
- IT TOPICS:Development, Emerging Technology, Hardware, Mobile, Networking
 Market researcher Venture Development Corp. of Natick, Mass., issued a report last month indicating that when consumer-focused handheld devices are used for business applications, such as in hospitals, their total cost of ownership run 23% higher than for purpose-built units. The primary reason for higher TCO? People drop the dainty devices. Yet, businesses continue to deploy frail handhelds because, observes Kevin Mills, CEO of Socket Communications Inc. in Newark, Calif., managers like the initial low purchase price of the devices. Mills, whose company does business as Socket Mobile, claims his SoMo 650 handheld, while not ruggedized, is far more durable than rinky-dink consumer gadgets, saving companies money in the long run. Perhaps equally important is that the SoMo 650 is designed to have 3-5 year product lifespan, unlike consumer units that fall from fashion annually like autumn leaves. Mills says business buyers take a long time to specify, budget for and deploy mobile devices. Often, he claims, by the time the buying process is complete, a consumer device has been discontinued and the purchase cycle has to begin again. Mills says while the SoMo 650 won't change in any fundamental way, in the coming year Socket Mobile intends to build units for application-specific needs, such as hospital environment, where an anti-bacterial coating and a white color would improve their value. The SoMo 650 starts at $695.
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