PDA Heaven - Hell on Earth
Posted by Peter Cavallo on July 30, 2006
TEST DATA! Give me test data! I’m heard screaming in my cubicle.
Ok, what we have here is our first mobile application to review. Which is an application that keeps track of stock items and transfers of stock and Bin locations (Bins are containers that hold stock).
This is a connected application, which means it needs to work in close proximity to the local network. I am told the application is used by warehouse workers who are computer iliterate! Ok, so this has to be very intuitive, almost to the piont where it thinks for you.
So, I connect the application to the local network here and away we go.
Hang on. I’m using a PDA bought from Harvey Norman will they be using the same type??! Guess what! “NOPE!” says the product manager. “They will be using a device with a mini keyboard and barcode reader”. “oh”, I say feeling the next question bubbling up inside. “Do….we……have……one?” “Um no” he says looking down to the ground in shame. “But we are discussing with a company about supplying one……soon”.
OK, let’s go onto something else while I wait for this new device to come through.
Ahh. I’ll contact the Customer and talk to some of the users of the first version of this application. (The one they didn’t tell me about until it was finished and sent to the customer! argh!) Right I need to contact the guy who talks to the customer. Write and email, yes good plan, explain the whole thing in detail and then I can get moving with putting some user profiles together.
…..waiting
