I must be the only driver in the world that likes DIAD 4 and wouldn't change too much with it outside of a complete overhaul.
I`m getting wood!After a lot of research, progress is being made in securing the next DIAD terminal.
The company had a desire to use "off the shelf" devices if possible with only minor customizations (color and logos). As some of you are aware, there were several tests performed in actual small package operations and that data was evaluated to figure out if "off the shelf" was a realistic goal.
All of the terminals tested had the following things in common.
The terminals were of differing shapes and sizes and had a mix of the following features
- Smaller and lighter than the current DIAD 4.
- Have the display oriented in portrait instead of landscape (taller than wide instead of wider than tall).
- Use a 2D imager as opposed to the 1D scanner in the DIAD 4.
The following things were determined from our testing:
- ABC and QWERTY keyboards
- Scanners at various angles in relation to the top of the device
Now for what's important to you.
- The smaller group of the terminals were too small to allow for adequate keyboard space.
- Lanscape screen orientation was acceptable for displaying the DIAD application
- The QWERTY keyboard, which has 10 keys in each row, required the keys to be too small to be usable by many drivers
- 2D scanner was acceptable and often performed better when barcode might be unreadable by laser scanner
- The scanner should be at an angle to the top of the terminal and should not shoot straight out the top of the device
- I still lurk on here
- An announcement of the selected vendor and device should be coming in the near future.
- The device is expected to use the same software as the DIAD 4 with some improvements to take advantage of the capabilities of the new terminal.
- There will be no "shift" key
- The signature key should be a non-issue
I must be the only driver in the world that likes DIAD 4 and wouldn't change too much with it outside of a complete overhaul.
My ideal DIAD would be worn on your belt and have a wireless ring scanner. Completely hands free. And Blackberry size.
Actually DIAD IV can already use the Emerald Ring Scanner. Will the DIAD V?
I actually like DIAD 4 also. Prefer it to 3. The sig key is my only complaint. I don't even mind the toggle from alpha to numeric.
Sorry, DiadDude, not trying to stick the knife in deeper
I suppose more driver time would be wasted if the DIAD was kept right side up for the signiature.
Have the duplicate key be more functional. Shipper numbers duplicate fine on the ASD screen, but not when scanning waybills.
Hey Diad dude,
Was adding some sort of printer option ever discussed? Doesn't FedEX have the ability to input information via their powerpad and print a label right from their truck? Sure would be faster than filling out 25 ASDs like I did today...
So instead of spending huge $$ to create an entirely new DIAD...why not just upgrade the DIAD 4's?
All we need to do...is switch out the functions of the 4 keys on the corners of the keypad. Currently, we have the signature key in the top right corner, the "cycle" key on the top left corner, and the arrow-over keys on the bottom right and left corners.
Flip them. Move the arrow keys up to the top, and the cycle and signature keys down to the bottom, away from where the customers thumbs will hit them. Problem solved.
As far as the "shift" key goes....move it off of the "friend" key and relocate it to the F5 key so that alphanumeric shipper #'s and waybills with an "friend" in them arent such a royal pain.
As far as I am concerned, these are the only real flaws with the DIAD 4, other than that I am very happy with it and it seems silly to spend the $$ to make a whole new one.
Well P-Man, you just ruined Sobers assignment to IE!!!
That is A LOT more expensive than buying a new DIAD.
Think of your cell phone. When it breaks, you can't just get it fixed. The electronics become old and are no longer available.
The DIAD hardware is the same. The CPU, Radio, Memory, etc. is no longer available to buy.
Unless we have a need that cannot be purchased off the shelf, Its much more expensive to have custom devices like the DIAD IV.
P-Man
I make no claim to any computer or electronics skills so this might be a stupid question but....wouldnt switching the key functions around be a software upgrade vs a hardware upgrade?
Its not like the keys would have to be physically moved....the program would be altered to change their function. We have DIAD upgrades all the time, how would this be any different?
If what you are saying is why can't they disable the key that physical signature key.... If they did, the physical press by the customer would be irrelevant. I different key (probably an friend key could be used the end the signature event.
If that's what you were thinking then you and I are on the same page.
I asked the corporate guys this fairly recently, and they said they were looking at it.
By the way, this is much different than the hardware replacement for DIAD V. The DIAD IV hardware is old and needs replacing.
I've seen pictures of some of the replacement proposals. They look good to me.
P-Man