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Many marine surveyors have found that using a mobile handheld digital device
called Pocket PC or PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) for gathering
surveying data can save even more time than traditional pen and paper note
taking or relying on your memory. A Tablet PC offers similar benefits
although a Tablet PC is larger, more costly and heavier to carry around.
NOTE: The
NewAge
Marine Survey Reporting System comes with a FREE copy of Pocket 3-D software to
use with a Pocket PC. The NewAge
system however, does not require the use of a Pocket PC. The following is presented for
information purposes only.
PRACTICAL REASONS: (Built into the Microsoft Pocket PC software)
-
CALENDARING-
You have your calendar
and appointment schedule with you at all times even during a survey. You can
view your appointments by the Day, Week, Month or Year. You can schedule a
survey on the Pocket PC to reserve a date. The calendar appointments will
automatically sync each time you connect to your desk top.
-
CONTACTS- You have all of your
contacts names, addresses, phone no's etc with you at all times. The contacts
data will automatically sync each time you connect it to your desk top keeping
your Pocket PC up to date with the most current information.
-
TO DO'S- Your list of "To
Do's" will be with you at all times and will automatically sync each time you
connect to your desk top.
-
KEY
DATA- If you have key
reference information on your desktop, you can download them to your Pocket
PC so
they are always at your fingertips.
If you have a rate
sheet that you use on Excel or Word, you can download it to your Pocket PC for
reference when clients want a quotation. If you quote by the hour or by the foot
this is an easy way to quickly provide a quote.
-
CALCULATOR- There is a built in
calculator if you need to perform any calculations.
-
VOICE
RECORDER- There is a built in
voice recorder on most Pocket PC's that allow you to record voice messages or notes to
yourself for later follow up.
-
GAMES- If you are delayed for
awhile (like waiting for a travel lift), you can play with the games
provided on the Pocket PC or add games of your choice.
-
WEB
ACCESS / EMAIL- Last but not least,
you can connect wirelessly to the Internet for email or browsing web sites if you
are near a wireless connection point.
MARINE SURVEYING REASONS:
-
SURVEY
NOTE TAKING- You can write
across the face of the Pocket PC/PDA and it will convert your handwriting to digital
text. A PDA can be a
full replacement for all hand written paper notes. This saves translating and
re-keying information when you get back to your office.
-
BRIGHT SCREEN- The PDA screens are
backlit and very
readable both in bright outdoor light as well as dimly lit vessel interior
locations.
-
VOICE RECORDING- Most PDA's support
voice recording so you may choose to record key findings, problem areas or other
information for later follow up etc. NOTE: You most likely will not be able to
record an entire survey as you will not have enough memory unless you use a
storage card.
-
EFFICIENT
TOUCH SCREEN- Pocket 3D software for the PDA uses hundreds of pull down,
touch screen selections (also on the desk top) so it is very efficient. Most PDA batteries
should last for a full day survey depending on features selected so battery
power should not be a problem. NOTE: It is still wise to carry a spare backup
battery due to unforeseen circumstances or extended use.
-
SHORTCUTS-
Windows PDA software
supports using shortcuts to save time while writing in comments during a survey.
For example; "pt" for port, "st" for starboard, "ap" for appears etc. I currently
use over 50 short cuts to reduce writing out full words on my PDA. Short cuts
can be any no of characters that convert to full words.
-
MINIMAL REPORT PREP- Most of your survey
report will be nearly done when you get back to your office. Besides determining
fair market value and replacement cost the remaining survey items will be: to
edit your comments, key in/finalize your recommendations, insert your
photos and run spell check. These do not normally take much time.
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