LTB 764/13 Update Postal Digital Assistant (PDA)

[fishtank]

LTB 764/13 Update Postal Digital Assistant (PDA) Handheld Intermec (CN3) Scanner

No. 764/13

Ref 540 C12

Date: 15th November 2013

To: All Postal Branches

Dear Colleagues

Update: Postal Digital Assistant (PDA) Handheld Intermec (CN3) Scanner

Further to LTB 1002/09 the purpose of this LTB is to update Branches regarding the extension of PDAs to all delivery routes, a project named PDAs For All, by Royal Mail.

The extension of the PDA will mean there will be 64,000 Intermec CN3 PDAs that have been deployed as part of the on-going investment in delivery transformation to support and enhance the delivery operation by providing up to date information for customers, particularly where packets/parcels are concerned.

Since their introduction in 2008 PDAs have been in use with very few problems reported. A number of enhancements have been added via regular software updates over the last few years.

As reported in the aforementioned LTB, there were aspirations that a smaller model than the Intermec CN3 would be developed as it was considered too bulky at the time for anyone other than drivers, but with the roll out of the delivery methods programme and the increase in packet traffic it has been necessary to review their use and suitability.

Royal Mail had initially started to deploy this initiative without any safety concurrence or operational considerations, and as the Union was not involved at the start of this project we were unable to influence our long term aims of improving the range of equipment available - a matter which has been raised as part of the ongoing national talks.

The safety concurrence process and operational use has now been reviewed and this has resulted in a number of improvements being introduced, including a revised Safe System of Work and an improved training package. In addition there is a deployment guide and WTLL brief available to support effective deployment.

Branches should also note that the leaving of PDAs in pouch boxes or at TSO's has not been discussed with the CWU at National level and our advice is to agree alternative arrangements for the return of PDAs to delivery units.

All of this documentation is available to download from the CWU website here http://www.cwu.org/royal-mail-deliveries.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Any enquiries to Bob Gibson's Office, quoting reference 540

Email address: hnutley@cwu.org

Any enquiries to Dave Joyce's Office, quoting reference C12

Email address: lhance@cwu.org

Bob Gibson Dave Joyce

CWU Assistant Secretary - Outdoor CWU Health, Safety and Environment Officer

[shepherdess]

So when are we going to get new smaller pda, s like our competitors

[dvbuk55]

So when are we going to get new smaller pda, s like our competitors

I don't think there is a smaller version. All our delivery staff have PDAs, walkers and both crew on a P&L and they're the same.

[knackeredjointsRUS]

I'm on a HCT duty and mine is forever running out of battery with no access to charging, it just doesn't last over 4hrs. I've heard also HCT's aren't meant to be using them at all and that a newer PDA is on it's way which will be more compatible with the HCT deliveries, can anyone shed any light on the rumours ....cheers

[Lincox]

Improved training package. Never had the original.
WTLL Session. Haven,t had one of these in 3 years
Safe systems of work. Never heard of this with PDA

About time the union realised that Royal Mail do not carry out any of the above in many DOs and in SPDOs I would imagine zilch as it costs them money if they do.

[shepherdess]

So when are we going to get new smaller pda, s like our competitors

I don't think there is a smaller version. All our delivery staff have PDAs, walkers and both crew on a P&L and they're the same.

When I say smaller our competitors already have small pda, s which do exactly the same job but are only the size of an iPhone these are old technology

[dvbuk55]

I'm on a HCT duty and mine is forever running out of battery with no access to charging, it just doesn't last over 4hrs. I've heard also HCT's aren't meant to be using them at all and that a newer PDA is on it's way which will be more compatible with the HCT deliveries, can anyone shed any light on the rumours ....cheers

They're a ball ache, we have 91 and I must have swapped them all out more than once in the last 3 years. They are so unreliable even the swap outs are dead on arrival at times. The straps are useless and barely survive a week in some cases. They have fitted a new type of strap but I can't see they are going to be any better than the original because it basically relies on the same lower wire fitting.

[dvbuk55]

So when are we going to get new smaller pda, s like our competitors

I don't think there is a smaller version. All our delivery staff have PDAs, walkers and both crew on a P&L and they're the same.

When I say smaller our competitors already have small pda, s which do exactly the same job but are only the size of an iPhone these are old technology

Well some of our competitors haven't, one bloke got me to sign for a parcel and it looked like a brick

[Cut Off King]

Royal Mail had initially started to deploy this initiative without any safety concurrence or operational considerations, and as the Union was not involved at the start of this project we were unable to influence our long term aims of improving the range of equipment available

I'm glad that we're going to enter a period of trust and understanding with the new & improved deal of the century 2013

[fishtank]

As reported in the aforementioned LTB, there were aspirations that a smaller model than the Intermec CN3 would be developed as it was considered too bulky at the time for anyone other than drivers, but with the roll out of the delivery methods programme and the increase in packet traffic it has been necessary to review their use and suitability.

So the union has gone from a position that they were too bulky for anyone other than drivers to a position where they are suddenly fine for everyone?
What brought about the flip flop this time?

[Sergeant Blast]

I'm on a HCT duty and mine is forever running out of battery with no access to charging, it just doesn't last over 4hrs. I've heard also HCT's aren't meant to be using them at all and that a newer PDA is on it's way which will be more compatible with the HCT deliveries, can anyone shed any light on the rumours ....cheers

Try turning the comms off to reduce battery consumption.

[dvbuk55]

As reported in the aforementioned LTB, there were aspirations that a smaller model than the Intermec CN3 would be developed as it was considered too bulky at the time for anyone other than drivers, but with the roll out of the delivery methods programme and the increase in packet traffic it has been necessary to review their use and suitability.

So the union has gone from a position that they were too bulky for anyone other than drivers to a position where they are suddenly fine for everyone?
What brought about the flip flop this time?

I'm surprised it wasn't a joint statement - we've had them for trolley dollies for about 6 months but the others for 3 years or so - we've 32 just loose on docking bays screwed to a shelf, despite the promise of a new cabinet. I've just changed 8 docking bays in the original cabinet, because some of them were goosed and we had to move the PDAs around to get them charged.

As for training some of these have a job to spell their name the same 2 days running.

[Hitcher]

They're that good we've now been told to take the old paper style as well incase of failures!

[chrisj]

I saw one of those smaller PDA with a bloke delivering parcels in an unmarked van. Yes, it is the size of a I-phone or oldish Motorola Mobiles.

Folks, can anyone explain please, why the PDA tends to go into the (Vodafone) phone mode and keeps trying to ring out. And why does the 'device lock' not work on some of them or why the device actually locks on some when it has not be locked?

[mandelsons_toenail]

I play solitaire on mine