HSBC
HSBC Brasil (at http://www.hsbc.com.br) is a major Brazilian bank with branches in over 600 municipalities. It's yet another company offering their clients services via Palm handhelds. Using any model of Palm handheld, HSBC clients can access account reports, transfers, and investments quickly and securely. They can also access information regarding the bank's 1,400 points of service and 3,000 ATMs. This information is automatically updated on users' handhelds.

The HSBC.PRC program uses a wireless technology-based solution to bring home-banking conveniences to Palm handhelds. Like Unibanco's system described above, HSBC's program was developed by EverSystems. EverSystems has a number of tricks up its sleeve when it comes to new handheld applications expected in Brazil. According to Sergio Valeiro, account director at EverSystems, soon Brazilian users of Palm handhelds will be able to pay for titles, utilities, public services, and taxes via wireless online transactions."

Volkswagen
Volkswagen do Brasil (at http://www.volkswagen.com.br) has found a rather unique use for Palm handhelds within their business, being the first company in Brazil's auto manufacturing sector to utilize handhelds on the vehicle assembly line. By using Palm III and Palm IIIx handhelds to enforce strict quality standards, Volkswagen do Brasil has reduced assembly line errors at its plants by 14%. According to Carlos Moya, Solutions Analyst at Volkswagen, "Paper flow is dropping and worker productivity is rising."

Volkswagen team members involved in the development of the project were eager to explore the extent of the Palm handhelds' capabilities. Then, once Volkswagens Technology and Information Division began using the Palm handhelds, they found that workers were eager to train their colleagues. Today, workers use 120 handhelds in a relay system managing quality control for painting and assembly.

Conclusion
This brief survey of Brazilian companies that have found success integrating Palm handhelds into their business demonstrates the breadth of possibilities the technology affords. Palm handhelds have proven themselves to be incredibly versatile tools, providing a flexible system that offers developers, licensees, and OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) partners an ideal foundation on which to create handheld computing and mobile information management solutions.

Not only can Palm OS solutions work for any company, they can work in any country, no matter what language is used. For more information on how Palm applications can be programmed for various languages, check out my article on localized applications in the May 2001 issue of PalmPower's Enterprise Edition at http://www.palmpowerenterprise.com/issues/issue200105/localized001.html.

Contributing Editor Steve Niles is a freelance writer and videographer. He can be reached at sniles@zatz.com.