DBK
has created (in-house)
an automated Mail
Tracking System for
a major airline to
automate the tracking
process for mail being
delivered by the airline
to the Unites States
Postal Service and
picked up from the
USPS by the airline.
The
application operates
on an Intermec hand
held computer. The
handheld computer
is placed in a holster
that the baggage handler
straps onto their
belt, allowing for
hands free operation.
The scanning function
is facilitated by
using a Metrologic
hands free scanner.
This enables the employee
to scan the bar coded
tags that are affixed
to each piece of mail,
carton or bag to be
scanned. This allows
full use of both hands
for picking up and
moving each item.
The
application development
supports both an on-line
“interactive”
capability and “batch”
transmission capability.
The interactive communication
will be facilitated
through the use of
Wide Area Network
(WAN) technologies
using AT&T GPRS
service. The Intermec
unit supports the
AT&T GPRS radio
card and antenna built
into the handheld
unit that communicates
in a wireless environment
over the network similar
to a cellular phone
connection.
All
handheld computers
transmitting through
the AT&T GPRS
network will communicate
directly with an Application
Service Provider (ASP)
environment at DBK
Concepts in Miami
Florida. The ASP will
facilitate the transmission
between the handheld
computers and the
airline's host computer
system. The communications
between the ASP environment
and UAL will be managed
using a VPN and T1
connection.
The
interactive application
using the WAN communication
network will support
a multi-function or
multi-threaded approach.
One thread, running
in low priority will
continuously verify
the connection to
the WAN. A second
thread will control
the data collection
and scanning operation.
As the mail pieces
or carts are scanned
the information is
stored in a file in
the Intermec handheld
computer and is communicated
at regular intervals
to the host computer
over the WAN connection
for processing.
All
handheld computers
that do not have access
to the AT&T WAN
will communicate in
a direct connect environment
between the Intermec
unit and the UAL PC
at the scanning station
using a communications
cradle and serial
connection. All data
will be sent from
the PC directly to
UAL over their Local
Area Network (LAN).
This connection will
allow the hand held
computer to send and
receive data to and
from a PC located
at the UAL station.
Over
the next few weeks,
DBK will deploy over
500 Intermec handheld
computers across the
nation. This mail
tracking system will
make United Airlines
compliant the the
new USPS regulations.
This
solution can be customized
for any company that
transports mail for
USPS. For more information
on this solution,
contact DBK Concepts,
your Intermec Distributor.
E-Mail:
sales@dbk.com
Phone:
1-800-725-7226
..
