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The U.S. Navy puts Palm handhelds into service (continued)
Lt. Ken Schneider, Sea Control Squadron Three Eight (VS-38), and Lt. Mike LaPaglia, Sea Control Squadron Three Five (VS-35), decided a better method was needed, so they wrote a software application called PASS for the Palm OS using Metrowerks' CodeWarrior software (at http://www.metrowerks.com/products/palm/). They created an electronic form, including shortcut keys and drop-down menus, that allows LSOs to quickly choose a grade and enter comments for each landing. The software is now being used by LSOs aboard the USS Constellation and USS Abraham Lincoln, pictured in Figure C.
FIGURE C
 
LSOs aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln benefit from Palm handhelds. Roll over picture for a larger image.
Another advantage of the Palm OS application is that LSOs no longer have to carry penlights because the Palm handheld's backlight resolves the lighting problem. The Palm handheld solution also reduces the LSOs' administrative duties by eliminating the need to manually type the data. The details of the day's landings can be synchronized with the desktop computer via a quick HotSync operation.
Conclusion
As you can see, the U.S. Navy has found a vast amount of uses for Palm handhelds. The benefits are almost univerally the same:
- Field level automation: the mobile devices enable field workers to access Navy-specific applications digitally, anytime and anywhere;
- Elimination of paper record keeping: no need to scribble notes onto paper forms;
- Elimination of lost data: data is captured digitally and synchronized directly with the required Navy database;
- Elimination of redundant data entry;
These types of benefits aren't limited to the Navy by any means. These same principles can apply, whatever business you're in, whether it be land, sea, or boardroom. Almost any paper-based system can be automated as a Palm OS application. Let what these departments of the U.S. Navy have done be an inspiration for your business as you continue your Palm handheld integration.
Ray Rischpater is a freelance author entranced by mobile devices, having published several books and articles on the topic, including Palm Enterprise Applications: A Wireless Tech Brief, from John Wiley and Sons. He lives near Santa Cruz, CA with his wife and son.
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