Electronic Data Capturing In this research paper you must be able to describe how federal express and united parcel service implemented the uses of their handheld delivery devices, show the level of production and efficiency the such devices have created - Essay Example

viders such as FedEx and UPS invest constantly in technology and research to provide their customers with efficient services and to keep customers satisfied. There’s always a need of better and more technologically advanced equipment for these companies to retain their customers. In February of 2003, FedEx Corp took yet another huge step in the name of innovation. FedEx decided to provide 40,000 of its couriers with brand new customized handheld devices. This investment cost them approximately $150 million including the cost of software and hardware (Brewin, 2002).

These handheld devices are called Power Pads. Much of today’s handheld device technology gives immense portability and reach to the service providers. The devices have battery life of up to 12 hours and weigh so less that they can be easily carried by the drivers and delivery staff. The previous devices used by FedEx facilitated communication between the drivers and staff at the head office. However, the devices had to be kept installed on another device inside the truck for power and signals.

What FedEx wanted was a way to communicate with the drivers even when they were not inside the vehicle (Malloy, 2004). Power Pads provided this. FedEx collaborated with Motorola Inc. to create Power Pads. They were based on Microsoft’s Pocket PC Windows Operating System. These devices were to replace FedEx’s current handheld delivery devices, called the Super Tracker, and completely automate courier dispatch, pickup and delivery operations (Brewin, 2002). The system works on GPRS to long distance communication through which it would be able to access the central database for real time updated information and other back-end systems for additional services such as tracking.

Moreover, it also offers shorter range communication based on LAN (local area networks). This enables the FedEx staff to communicate with each other if they are within a range of 30 feet or with the computer system and printer in the