Bloody PDA's

Post by **SpacePhoenix** » 04 Dec 2016, 15:11

toomuchcoke wrote:
TrueBlueTerrier wrote:
Rommagic wrote:EE seem to be the problem when does the contract run out with them?.
from what I gather although EE have the contract, its RM that cocked up by not getting enough bandwidth or data plan.
Ah, so EE are providing exactly what the RM asked for ... And the fault lies with the RM for not asking for what they needed?

In theory the bandwidth problem should be solvable (to some extend) by a software fix on the PDA (basically buffer up scans and send them to the server in batches, similar to what the old PDAs did when you where scanning Tracked items in the mornings), except I'm definitely getting the impression that the PDAs go out to the network much more than you'd expect? You'd think they'd only need an external connection to (a) authenticate a log-in, (b) down a collection manifest and (c) to upload a data, but it seems that they connect when you actually scan the item? (To see if it needs a signature?)

They goto the network as soon as something is confirmed delivery on them, the signature becomes available on the track and trace within 2-3mins

nickbsmooth · Post by **nickbsmooth** » 04 Dec 2016, 15:26

Instead of these shitty devices,why not just supply an app we can use on our reliable smart phones.
Then RM can pay us a nominal fee say £30pcm and we get,our phones financed and they get devices that work on multiple networks that dont cost the earth.
No doubt RM are tied into some watertight extortionate contract.
The one advantage of the old brick PDA was it worked offline.

Bernardson · Post by **Bernardson** » 04 Dec 2016, 20:43

nickbsmooth wrote:Instead of these shitty devices,why not just supply an app we can use on our reliable smart phones.
Then RM can pay us a nominal fee say £30pcm and we get,our phones financed and they get devices that work on multiple networks that dont cost the earth.
No doubt RM are tied into some watertight extortionate contract.
The one advantage of the old brick PDA was it worked offline.

I don't have an I phone there is no requirement to have one for employment at RM either.
Only the door hangers have the office managers personal number

Post by **woopesh** » 05 Dec 2016, 07:35

nickbsmooth wrote:Instead of these shitty devices,why not just supply an app we can use on our reliable smart phones.
Then RM can pay us a nominal fee say £30pcm and we get,our phones financed and they get devices that work on multiple networks that dont cost the earth.
No doubt RM are tied into some watertight extortionate contract.
The one advantage of the old brick PDA was it worked offline.

Most phones wont put up with constantly taking pictures all day. They'd run out of battery in about 2 hours. Given the rate I drop the PDA because of juggling parcels and bundles, I wouldn't want to use my phone for Royal Mail duties. It would last a week before it got smashed. My current phone is already in the worse possible shape because I carry it on my round.

Post by **97gaz** » 05 Dec 2016, 10:32

Post by **greengiant** » 05 Dec 2016, 14:25

97gaz wrote:It was the PDA Frontline that crashed last week so I'm guessing that it's RMs servers that just can't cope with tens of thousands of PDAs trying to logon and download all around the same time.

Is this the RM server?

vic20_ad.jpg

Darwinsdad · Post by **Darwinsdad** » 05 Dec 2016, 14:44

greengiant wrote:
97gaz wrote:It was the PDA Frontline that crashed last week so I'm guessing that it's RMs servers that just can't cope with tens of thousands of PDAs trying to logon and download all around the same time.
Is this the RM server?
vic20_ad.jpg

I believe that is the upgrade planned for 2023. Copious amounts of investigation have concluded that this is the actual RM server....

Post by **TrueBlueTerrier** » 05 Dec 2016, 15:07

and here is RM first try at a PDA

hampshireman · Post by **hampshireman** » 05 Dec 2016, 15:18

TrueBlueTerrier wrote:
Rommagic wrote:EE seem to be the problem when does the contract run out with them?.

from what I gather although EE have the contract, its RM that cocked up by not getting enough bandwidth or data plan.

RM have almost certainly cocked up in this area... But EE are also to blame as they have not sized the bandwidth . frequency of transaction correctly.

The backend engines that the PDA,s talk to are probably undersized as well.

With any new system there will be quirks etc ... too many quirks here.

BTW.. I have an old style PDA and the battery is screwed ... cant be replaced... Oh dear

Jpro747 · Post by **Jpro747** » 05 Dec 2016, 16:03

Anyone know how to contact the IT department so we can tell them these machines are a pile of shite?

wookie · Post by **wookie** » 05 Dec 2016, 17:01

Jpro747 wrote:Anyone know how to contact the IT department so we can tell them these machines are a pile of shite?

If you ever get their number make sure you use the PDA to ring them, so at least they know one thing works on the bloody thing.

Post by **wacko74** » 05 Dec 2016, 17:45

Jpro747 wrote:Anyone know how to contact the IT department so we can tell them these machines are a pile of shite?

You're probably best writing a letter to them... they've probably not yet quite got the grasp of this fangled new email thingy.

ewancurze · Post by **ewancurze** » 05 Dec 2016, 20:42

New Server.

Post by **97gaz** » 05 Dec 2016, 20:56

Darwinsdad · Post by **Darwinsdad** » 05 Dec 2016, 21:44

Rumour has it that procurement have sourced a replacement PDA already, and are currently actively researching ways they can be attached to LWT's

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