Hardware > Printers, Scanners, etc., Buying & Owning Hardware

A Day in the Life of a PDA User

By Morgan Killick
Lasa Information Systems Team

Whilst not in itself a true story, all of these events show how a Personal Digital Assistants (PDA) could commonly be used by an Advice Worker. For this example we are going to use an Outreach Advice Worker working for a Housing charity.

The device cost absolutely nothing as it was free on a mobile phone contract.

0800: Wake up to the alarm clock on my PDA!

0830: Plug my PDA into home computer and synchronise the podcast I downloaded last night on issues regarding social housing. I might get a chance to listen to it later!

0900: On the way to work I decide to listen to the podcast.

1000: A reminder goes off on my PDA to tell me that I have a meeting in half an hour. Better get going!

1005: I can’t seem to remember the address of that meeting! Never mind, from my calendar I find the contact of the person I am going to meet along with the address.

1300: Fresh out of the meeting, I have arranged to a second meeting again next month. I add the appointment to my PDA and synchronise it with my office server. This way, my office know that I am busy and can’t double-book me. This also brings down my latest email and I check these quickly.

1400: I’m at my next appointment now and the client has asked for an update on booking a place for them on the Carers’ holiday we arrange every year. Our database is web-based so I open a browser on the PDA and log in. I find the details and confirm that two places have been booked.

I record on the system that our Administrator needs to send a confirmation letter regarding the holiday so transport can be arranged. Now we have a record of this the Administrator will see that this is done this afternoon.

1530: On the way back to the office I get a phone call on the PDA. I need to visit a client who is unhappy about their condition of the housing.

1555: I drop in to look at the property. I take some photographs of it using the camera on the PDA so that I can show colleagues later.

1625: Back in the office and time to get some work done. I plug the PDA in to my computer so that it can recharge.

While this is happening I download the photographs I took earlier. I then email this them to a colleague so that we can discuss the best way to resolve the issue.

1800: Leaving for home I do one final sync. This puts in all the appointments that have been recorded for me whilst I have been out. Lucky I did as my first meeting tomorrow is cancelled!

2300: I reflect on this little marvel. Without it, I would have to have organisational skills of the highest order.

I might even need a part time PA. I have consistently saved time and money throughout the day.

I cannot believe it cost me nothing. Addicted yes, but as a business tool, priceless!