WHITE PAPER

NATuRAl TAsk suPPoRT

Designing Mobile Computing Devices That Improve Worker Productivity

2009 Psion Teklogix Inc.

For more information, please visit www.psionteklogix.com

Natural Task Support: Designing Mobile Computing Devices That Improve Worker Productivity Providing mobile workers with computing devices that assist them in the field creates great opportunities to improve productivity. To be most effective, mobile computing devices must not only perform the tasks they are required to do, but also be designed to meet the needs, abilities, and limitations of workers and their work environments. This means ergonomics, a scientific discipline that concerns itself with finding the perfect fit between people and their work to improve employee job satisfaction, is a crucial element when designing effective mobile computing devices. Research findings indicate there is a strong correlation between employee job satisfaction and productivity. Workers who are happier on the job are more likely to demonstrate high productivity. It is therefore important for organizations to maintain high levels of job satisfaction amongst its workforce in order to recognize the maximum productivity potential. To mobile workers, the tools they are equipped with can make an enormous difference in how they perform their job. If mobile devices are awkward, heavy or hard to use, then morale and productivity will suffer. Businesses must recognize the relationship between workers job satisfaction and the tools they are equipped with, and hence, make ergonomics a required feature for handheld devices. The following paper outlines the characteristics of an ergonomically designed handheld device that contributes to making mobile workers happier and more productive in their jobs. Evaluating the Ergonomics of Mobile Computing Solutions Ergonomics is a scientific discipline which focuses on using tools and methods to improve worker well-being and overall organizational performance. By optimizing the ergonomics of a handheld device, mobile workers will be less frustrated performing their jobs, and they will work more effectively and efficiently. Therefore, ergonomics must be considered in the design of all handheld products to ensure optimal worker performance. An Outer Shell Comfortable For All If workers do not feel comfortable holding the tools they need to perform their jobs, they will grow frustrated with those tools and their performance will suffer. The body of a handheld device should match the contours of a workers hand for maximum comfort, lock the users hand into place for the best control, and provide easy access to the keypad. The materials used for the exterior of a handheld can determine whether a user is happy with the device. Does the handheld rest comfortably in a users hand? Is it slip-resistant in wet conditions? Are there extra gripping points lining the

2009 Psion Teklogix Inc.

For more information, please visit www.psionteklogix.com

body that lock a users hand into place? Ensuring that a devices shell is comfortable to hold and slip-resistant is extremely important. Many rugged handheld manufacturers choose to use metals such as magnesium for the shell. Although a metal body can be strong, it can also be uncomfortable to hold since metal is prone to heat up in hot conditions and cool down in cold conditions. Furthermore, metals lack texture and can be slippery and hard to hold. If a device is continuously slipping out of workers hands, then not only are workers going to grow frustrated with the device, but there is a higher risk of damage to the device from increased drops and tumbles. Customers should look for rugged devices that use textured plastics for the shell and integrate rubber into the handhelds design so it is easier for a worker to hold. Nobody has the exact same hand size or shape and it would be costly to provide workers tools specifically designed for them. To fit a diverse workforce, it is better to design mobile computing devices with a universal fit for all hand shapes and sizes. Furthermore, handhelds should be designed ambidextrously to provide left and right-handed users the same comfort. Having mobile devices that fit every type of hand will go a long way in not only increasing worker satisfaction, but also decreasing the costs of equipment for the organization. Many people are surprised to learn that balance is more important than weight. Over the course of a regular workday, a handheld that has its weight evenly distributed across the device can feel lighter than a handheld that actually weighs less. This is because workers are not constantly pulling back or pushing forward with their wrist to keep an evenly balanced device level. Therefore, mobile workers comfort can be greatly improved if their tools have an appropriate weight distribution, and hence, minimize the effort and strain required to hold the device. A Keypad That Is Convenient Now and Later When designing handheld keypads, ergonomics and aesthetics are closely linked. The keypad is a main method by which users interact with the mobile computer. Since the keypad is the source of the many interactions between users and handhelds, it makes sense to design keypads so users can find the keys they need as easily as possible. Thus, keys size, spacing, shapes, colors, and text-characteristics are all design elements that should be considered to choose a handheld that is the best fit for the users needs. Handheld providers should offer the flexibility to choose between keypad options that meet the needs of a specific application. The application may require only a small number of function keys, for which a small keypad with functional keys that are easily accessible and distinguishable could be ideal. On the other hand, for applications such as messaging, a QWERTY keypad could be the better option. In either scenario, keypad characteristics such as spacing and font must be designed wisely so the keypad is organized and easy-to-read.

2009 Psion Teklogix Inc.

For more information, please visit www.psionteklogix.com

One feature often overlooked is if the keypad is wear-resistant. If keypads cannot withstand the grinding and scraping that occurs in harsh work environments, keys will become illegible and workers will become frustrated. Better rugged mobile computing devices limit the use of paint, and where paint is a must, a plastic coating should be applied for protection. The best providers use a technique called coactive molding to apply graphics to their keypads. Coactive molding actually molds graphics to the underside of the keys and is much more wear-resistant than simply applying paint. The result is a handheld that remains easier to use for a longer period of time. A Clear and Easy-to-View Display The display is one of the most important ergonomic aspects of any device. It is the primary interface to the device, and hence, the application. Consequently, it tends to be one of the key determinants in device selection. But even here, there can be more to the story than one might expect. It is important to consider a rugged handhelds application when choosing or evaluating its display. A constant design challenge is to maximize the display quality while offering display protection options for those devices used in the roughest of applications. The basis for this challenge is that the protective cover that shields the display can result in some image distortion. Therefore, the application helps determine how much image quality can be sacrificed in favor of better screen protection. If the handheld is to be used in harsh environments, then it is likely best to choose a handheld that has superior display screen protection while offering the best possible image quality. Even though some image quality may be given up in order to have better protection, the display screen will be less prone to breakage which results in lost productivity and worker headaches. For less extreme environments, a display with higher image quality and an acceptably reduced level of protection may be a better option. There are other tactics that device manufacturers can use to improve ergonomics, such as angling displays. A handheld with an angled screen does not force workers to continuously adjust their wrists to view the display after performing a barcode scan. This can deliver a significant benefit over the course of a full workday because workers need fewer breaks to relieve wrist strain, and hence, productivity increases. A common irritant to mobile workers is dealing with the glare off the display which can render it unreadable in certain conditions. It pays dividends to ensure that the display screen is readable in all lighting conditions with both antiglare/reflection coatings as well as an ambient brightness adjustment feature where the display will automatically adjust to the optimal brightness based on the environment it is in. After all, its hard for workers to be productive if they cant see their displays. The Importance of Ergonomic Accessories

2009 Psion Teklogix Inc.

For more information, please visit www.psionteklogix.com

A common mistake is to ignore the characteristics of the accessories that are needed to operate handheld devices. Many rugged handheld device accessories fail to receive the same design effort as is given to the core products. Because accessories are a significant component of many implementations, it is extremely important that all accessory items support the goal of ergonomics. Pistol grips should be designed to fit the contours of a workers hand; docking stations, mounts and cradles should allow workers to easily retrieve and store their devices; and batteries should maintain a charge for a full workday.

Psion Teklogix: Making Life Easier for Mobile Workers Psion Teklogix dedicates itself to designing mobile computing devices that are easy to use and ergonomically sound. It understands that happy workers are more valuable to their organizations. Therefore, quality tools that make their lives easier contribute greatly to their happiness. This is why Psion Teklogix has evolved its view of ergonomics into something called Natural Task Support, where the focus is on simplifying the work of mobile workers. Natural Task Support is the sum of ergonomics, interface design, and key performance metrics such as battery life. From the design of the body, keypad, and display of its mobile devices to that of the accompanying accessories, Psion Teklogix has taken the time and effort to make things better for users. Furthermore, the firm extensively tests its devices to ensure it has not overlooked any elements that may hinder a workers ability to operate the product. Psion Teklogix undergoes a lengthy process to ensure that its handhelds fit securely in workers hands of any shape or size. A textured-plastic shell lined with rubber gripping points locks users hands into place and makes it extremely comfortable to hold. In-house focus groups and external ergonomic specialists assist in both device and accessory design to ensure a universal fit for all hand shapes and sizes. For example, feedback from focus groups and specialists led to the development of the ridge on the battery cover of the Ikn and NEO. This ridge provides those with small hands the same comfort as those with larger hands when holding these devices. Psion Teklogix also considers the applications its devices are designed for, and then works to minimize the size and distribute the weight accordingly. For example, it was determined that the 7535 would be primarily used for scanning applications. Thus, the design team gave the 7535 perfect balance so workers can keep the device steady when scanning without straining their wrists. All other devices in the Psion Teklogix portfolio have their weight distributed to meet the demands of their intended application. Resolved design, a technique that ensures all elements of a handheld support one another, is used by Psion Teklogix in many facets of the design, but it is perhaps most evident in the keypads. For instance, the WORKABOUT PRO G2

2009 Psion Teklogix Inc.

For more information, please visit www.psionteklogix.com

has a scanning button designed so left or right-handed users can easily perform scanning operations. Every keypad design makes heavy use of spacing and color to make it easier for workers to find the keys they require. Regardless of keypad configuration, Psion Teklogix spends considerable time and effort to eliminate clutter and ensure easy readability. Furthermore, coactive molding is used to maintain the look of the keypad for a longer period of time than competing devices. To ensure display readability in all conditions, Psion Teklogix offers a mix of screen technologies that are employed depending on the device and its intended application. Transmissive screens are best for indoor use because pixels are illumined from behind the display to make the screen bright in dark surroundings. Reflective screens are best for outdoor use because they reflect sunlight, and transflective screens utilize a mix of these technologies for those applications taking place both indoors and outdoors. Furthermore, glare coatings are applied to each type of screen to ease the eyes of users in every condition. Also, scanintensive devices such as the NEO have an angled display so users do not have to adjust their wrist after a scan to see the display. Other handheld devices such as the 7530 and 7535 are designed to operate in poorly lit conditions and adjust brightness automatically to meet the demands of the environment. Moreover, the freezer version of the 7530 has a built-in heater to minimize condensation and keep the display bright and clear even in very cold environments. If accessory items do not uphold their ergonomic requirements, then all Natural Task Support features are less relevant. At Psion Teklogix, docking stations can hold a handheld while it is still attached to a pistol grip. Users must not worry about having to continuously attach and detach the pistol grip from the handheld when it is retrieved or docked. Also, pistol grips undergo the same extensive tests and revisions as handhelds to achieve a design that fits all hand shapes and sizes. The pistol grip for the NEO alone required 15+ revisions before a universally designed handle was finalized. Psion Teklogix also spends an enormous amount of time squeezing every last coulomb of energy from its batteries. It has developed a program to map power flows in use, and as a result, some devices and applications can achieve 16-18 hours of real use. One way the battery power is optimized is through software utilities - working to minimize use of power by either adjusting scanning intensity to the environment, or turning accessories off when not in use. Psion Teklogix also utilizes the latest technology and highest quality battery types. Cylindrical Lithium Ion batteries are used for the Ikn the most efficient cell form in the world. Finally, Psion Teklogix provides security to mobile workers with Total Recall - a software utility that is always backing up both the device image and its resident data. If the battery does ever die, users do not have to worry about spending valuable time and effort recovering work.

2009 Psion Teklogix Inc.

For more information, please visit www.psionteklogix.com

Psion Teklogix has been creating mobile computing solutions for over 40 years. Over this time, the firm has performed research and gathered customer feedback to determine what areas of mobile computing design could improve workers lives. This research has lead to a portfolio of handhelds that meet the challenges of tough environmental conditions head-on and improve the well-being of workers lives. Psion Teklogix is continuously re-evaluating its handheld portfolio to see if it is possible to make improvements and enhance the Natural Task Support it provides to its customers. To learn more about Natural Task Support in Psion Teklogix rugged mobile computing solutions, please visit www.psionteklogix.com.

2009 Psion Teklogix Inc.

For more information, please visit www.psionteklogix.com