Tough state-of-the-art smartphone enterprise PDA (by Conrad H. Blickenstorfer) Datalogic introduced the Memor 20 rugged mobile computer in April 2020 as yet another addition to its growing roster of rugged Android PDA devices designed for scanning-enabled applications in Retail, Healthcare, Transportation and Logistics, and Manufacturing. Datalogic's overall goal with the Memor 20 was to combine the best features of a smartphone with the durability and functionality of enterprise level devices. Given the massive worldwide proliferation of smartphones, offering enterprise-class versions that can stand up to the daily use and abuse on the job in industrial and other demanding professional applications makes perfect sense. Hitting the right balance between consumer smartphone looks and industrial features and durability, however, is not an easy task. The quick product cycle of consumer smartphones makes it hard to keep up, and the universal availability of inexpensive protective cases represents a challenge for makers of ruggedized handhelds. This means providers of such special purpose smartphones/PDAs must offer a compelling value proposition and features that set their products apart. Here is what we assume Datalogic considered when they designed the Memor 20: Up-to-date-technology — The specs and electronics had to be reasonably close to the current consumer smartphone state-of-the-art. So the Memor 20 has a 2.2 GHz octa-core Octa-core Qualcomm SD660 processor, a 5.7-inch display with 424ppi retina resolution, a small second display on top of the device for certain Android notifications, an up-to-date version of Android (v9), USB Type C 3.1, fast WiFi, Bluetooth, and mobile broadband. Industrial grade functionality — Most consumer phones can scan with an app and their cameras. That's not good enough for enterprise use where scanning is often a big part of the work. The Memor 20 has an industrial-grade 1D/2D scanner with Datalogic's unique "green spot" technology that projects a green flash right onto the barcode just scanned. And to make extended scanning easier, Datalogic offers a pistol-grip handle. Service — When it comes to service and repair, many smartphone providers are less than helpful and often downright antagonistic. That won't do in the enterprise. As a global provider in the automatic data capture and process automation for decades, Datalogic knows that and offers a whole range of post-sales services, organized in three levels of support (see Datalogic's customer service) Security and management — Setup, deployment and management of devices is important in the enterprise. To that extent, Google created the "Android Enterprise Recommended" program. To qualify, a device must support multiple major operating system releases, deliver Android security updates within 90 days of release from Google for a minimum of five years, and must be protected against moisture and dust intrusion. In addition, the devices must offer bulk deployment options, including the Android zero-touch enrollment option for easy setup and configuration. The Datalogic Memor 20 is qualified. But Datalogic didn't stop there. They also gave the Memor 20 fast 15-watt wireless charging, which the company had initially introduced in their Joya Touch device as an industry first. This eliminates battery contacts and pins, which are a frequent point of failure in heavily used retail and industrial deployments. Another couple of interesting details that show Datalogic's understanding of, and commitment to, their customers: the Memor 20 is tough enough to handle the usual MIL-STD-810G drops from four feet (as well as hundreds of tumbles). If a bit more is required, there's a custom rubber boot that boosts the drop spec to six feet. And since the Memor 20 is also well suited for healthcare deployments, the device is also available in a white Healthcare model with chemical-resistant plastics designed to withstand daily cleaning with harsh disinfectant solutions such as isopropyl alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, or Clorox bleach. On the communications side of things, the Memor 20 comes with dual-band 802.11a/b/g/n/ac WiFi, NFC, Bluetooth 5.0, and also LTE-Advanced/4G+ mobile broadband. For wired onboard connectivity there is a fast USB 3.1 Type C OTG port. Like all modern smartphones, the Memor 20 has a full complement of sensors, including a capacitive fingerprint sensor that can store five fingerprints per user for up to five users. The device also includes an 8mp front camera and an 13mp rear camera with LED illumination. The 15.6 watt-hour battery is designed for extended use (and, thanks to wireless charging, can easily be topped off). Designed for use in a variety of environments, the Datalogic Memor 20 carries IP67 sealing where the "6" means the computer is totally protected from dust, and the "7" that it can handle full submersion in water. It can operate within a wide temperature range of -4 to 122 degrees Fahrenheit. How does the Memor 20 fit into Datalogic's lineup of handheld mobile computers? In many ways it seems an evolution and replacement of the DL-Axist that Datalogic introduced four years ago. Progress in Android handhelds is fast and furious. The difference between the DL-Axist running Android 4 on an old 1GHz Texas Instruments OMAP chip and the new Memor 20 blazing away on Android 9 and an octa-core Snapdragon 660 is gargantuan, even though the two units aren't that far apart in look, size and weight. Compared to the much more recent Memor 10, the Memor 20 differentiates with a larger and much sharper display and the latest tech. Overall, the Datalogic Memor 20 represents a very attractive proposition for a wide variety of retail, industry, healthcare, transportation, and logistics deployments. It is suitable as an enterprise-issued standardized and easily managed/updated/deployed communication device as well as a serious data collection tool. And since Android dominates the smartphone market, almost everyone will know how it works without much, or any, training. This may well convince some potential customers that going with devices such as the built-tough-from-the-ground-up Memor 20 makes more sense than gamble on deploying fragile consumer phones. -- Conrad Blickenstorfer, May 2020
Given the massive worldwide proliferation of smartphones, offering enterprise-class versions that can stand up to the daily use and abuse on the job in industrial and other demanding professional applications makes perfect sense. Long Form Of Pda
Hitting the right balance between consumer smartphone looks and industrial features and durability, however, is not an easy task. The quick product cycle of consumer smartphones makes it hard to keep up, and the universal availability of inexpensive protective cases represents a challenge for makers of ruggedized handhelds. This means providers of such special purpose smartphones/PDAs must offer a compelling value proposition and features that set their products apart.
Here is what we assume Datalogic considered when they designed the Memor 20: Up-to-date-technology — The specs and electronics had to be reasonably close to the current consumer smartphone state-of-the-art. So the Memor 20 has a 2.2 GHz octa-core Octa-core Qualcomm SD660 processor, a 5.7-inch display with 424ppi retina resolution, a small second display on top of the device for certain Android notifications, an up-to-date version of Android (v9), USB Type C 3.1, fast WiFi, Bluetooth, and mobile broadband. Industrial grade functionality — Most consumer phones can scan with an app and their cameras. That's not good enough for enterprise use where scanning is often a big part of the work. The Memor 20 has an industrial-grade 1D/2D scanner with Datalogic's unique "green spot" technology that projects a green flash right onto the barcode just scanned. And to make extended scanning easier, Datalogic offers a pistol-grip handle. Service — When it comes to service and repair, many smartphone providers are less than helpful and often downright antagonistic. That won't do in the enterprise. As a global provider in the automatic data capture and process automation for decades, Datalogic knows that and offers a whole range of post-sales services, organized in three levels of support (see Datalogic's customer service) Security and management — Setup, deployment and management of devices is important in the enterprise. To that extent, Google created the "Android Enterprise Recommended" program. To qualify, a device must support multiple major operating system releases, deliver Android security updates within 90 days of release from Google for a minimum of five years, and must be protected against moisture and dust intrusion. In addition, the devices must offer bulk deployment options, including the Android zero-touch enrollment option for easy setup and configuration. The Datalogic Memor 20 is qualified. But Datalogic didn't stop there. They also gave the Memor 20 fast 15-watt wireless charging, which the company had initially introduced in their Joya Touch device as an industry first. This eliminates battery contacts and pins, which are a frequent point of failure in heavily used retail and industrial deployments. Another couple of interesting details that show Datalogic's understanding of, and commitment to, their customers: the Memor 20 is tough enough to handle the usual MIL-STD-810G drops from four feet (as well as hundreds of tumbles). If a bit more is required, there's a custom rubber boot that boosts the drop spec to six feet. And since the Memor 20 is also well suited for healthcare deployments, the device is also available in a white Healthcare model with chemical-resistant plastics designed to withstand daily cleaning with harsh disinfectant solutions such as isopropyl alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, or Clorox bleach. On the communications side of things, the Memor 20 comes with dual-band 802.11a/b/g/n/ac WiFi, NFC, Bluetooth 5.0, and also LTE-Advanced/4G+ mobile broadband. For wired onboard connectivity there is a fast USB 3.1 Type C OTG port. Like all modern smartphones, the Memor 20 has a full complement of sensors, including a capacitive fingerprint sensor that can store five fingerprints per user for up to five users. The device also includes an 8mp front camera and an 13mp rear camera with LED illumination. The 15.6 watt-hour battery is designed for extended use (and, thanks to wireless charging, can easily be topped off). Designed for use in a variety of environments, the Datalogic Memor 20 carries IP67 sealing where the "6" means the computer is totally protected from dust, and the "7" that it can handle full submersion in water. It can operate within a wide temperature range of -4 to 122 degrees Fahrenheit. How does the Memor 20 fit into Datalogic's lineup of handheld mobile computers? In many ways it seems an evolution and replacement of the DL-Axist that Datalogic introduced four years ago. Progress in Android handhelds is fast and furious. The difference between the DL-Axist running Android 4 on an old 1GHz Texas Instruments OMAP chip and the new Memor 20 blazing away on Android 9 and an octa-core Snapdragon 660 is gargantuan, even though the two units aren't that far apart in look, size and weight. Compared to the much more recent Memor 10, the Memor 20 differentiates with a larger and much sharper display and the latest tech. Overall, the Datalogic Memor 20 represents a very attractive proposition for a wide variety of retail, industry, healthcare, transportation, and logistics deployments. It is suitable as an enterprise-issued standardized and easily managed/updated/deployed communication device as well as a serious data collection tool. And since Android dominates the smartphone market, almost everyone will know how it works without much, or any, training. This may well convince some potential customers that going with devices such as the built-tough-from-the-ground-up Memor 20 makes more sense than gamble on deploying fragile consumer phones. -- Conrad Blickenstorfer, May 2020
Industrial grade functionality — Most consumer phones can scan with an app and their cameras. That's not good enough for enterprise use where scanning is often a big part of the work. The Memor 20 has an industrial-grade 1D/2D scanner with Datalogic's unique "green spot" technology that projects a green flash right onto the barcode just scanned. And to make extended scanning easier, Datalogic offers a pistol-grip handle. Service — When it comes to service and repair, many smartphone providers are less than helpful and often downright antagonistic. That won't do in the enterprise. As a global provider in the automatic data capture and process automation for decades, Datalogic knows that and offers a whole range of post-sales services, organized in three levels of support (see Datalogic's customer service) Security and management — Setup, deployment and management of devices is important in the enterprise. To that extent, Google created the "Android Enterprise Recommended" program. To qualify, a device must support multiple major operating system releases, deliver Android security updates within 90 days of release from Google for a minimum of five years, and must be protected against moisture and dust intrusion. In addition, the devices must offer bulk deployment options, including the Android zero-touch enrollment option for easy setup and configuration. The Datalogic Memor 20 is qualified. But Datalogic didn't stop there. They also gave the Memor 20 fast 15-watt wireless charging, which the company had initially introduced in their Joya Touch device as an industry first. This eliminates battery contacts and pins, which are a frequent point of failure in heavily used retail and industrial deployments. Another couple of interesting details that show Datalogic's understanding of, and commitment to, their customers: the Memor 20 is tough enough to handle the usual MIL-STD-810G drops from four feet (as well as hundreds of tumbles). If a bit more is required, there's a custom rubber boot that boosts the drop spec to six feet. And since the Memor 20 is also well suited for healthcare deployments, the device is also available in a white Healthcare model with chemical-resistant plastics designed to withstand daily cleaning with harsh disinfectant solutions such as isopropyl alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, or Clorox bleach. On the communications side of things, the Memor 20 comes with dual-band 802.11a/b/g/n/ac WiFi, NFC, Bluetooth 5.0, and also LTE-Advanced/4G+ mobile broadband. For wired onboard connectivity there is a fast USB 3.1 Type C OTG port. Like all modern smartphones, the Memor 20 has a full complement of sensors, including a capacitive fingerprint sensor that can store five fingerprints per user for up to five users. The device also includes an 8mp front camera and an 13mp rear camera with LED illumination. The 15.6 watt-hour battery is designed for extended use (and, thanks to wireless charging, can easily be topped off). Designed for use in a variety of environments, the Datalogic Memor 20 carries IP67 sealing where the "6" means the computer is totally protected from dust, and the "7" that it can handle full submersion in water. It can operate within a wide temperature range of -4 to 122 degrees Fahrenheit. How does the Memor 20 fit into Datalogic's lineup of handheld mobile computers? In many ways it seems an evolution and replacement of the DL-Axist that Datalogic introduced four years ago. Progress in Android handhelds is fast and furious. The difference between the DL-Axist running Android 4 on an old 1GHz Texas Instruments OMAP chip and the new Memor 20 blazing away on Android 9 and an octa-core Snapdragon 660 is gargantuan, even though the two units aren't that far apart in look, size and weight. Compared to the much more recent Memor 10, the Memor 20 differentiates with a larger and much sharper display and the latest tech. Overall, the Datalogic Memor 20 represents a very attractive proposition for a wide variety of retail, industry, healthcare, transportation, and logistics deployments. It is suitable as an enterprise-issued standardized and easily managed/updated/deployed communication device as well as a serious data collection tool. And since Android dominates the smartphone market, almost everyone will know how it works without much, or any, training. This may well convince some potential customers that going with devices such as the built-tough-from-the-ground-up Memor 20 makes more sense than gamble on deploying fragile consumer phones. -- Conrad Blickenstorfer, May 2020
Service — When it comes to service and repair, many smartphone providers are less than helpful and often downright antagonistic. That won't do in the enterprise. As a global provider in the automatic data capture and process automation for decades, Datalogic knows that and offers a whole range of post-sales services, organized in three levels of support (see Datalogic's customer service) Security and management — Setup, deployment and management of devices is important in the enterprise. To that extent, Google created the "Android Enterprise Recommended" program. To qualify, a device must support multiple major operating system releases, deliver Android security updates within 90 days of release from Google for a minimum of five years, and must be protected against moisture and dust intrusion. In addition, the devices must offer bulk deployment options, including the Android zero-touch enrollment option for easy setup and configuration. The Datalogic Memor 20 is qualified. But Datalogic didn't stop there. They also gave the Memor 20 fast 15-watt wireless charging, which the company had initially introduced in their Joya Touch device as an industry first. This eliminates battery contacts and pins, which are a frequent point of failure in heavily used retail and industrial deployments. Another couple of interesting details that show Datalogic's understanding of, and commitment to, their customers: the Memor 20 is tough enough to handle the usual MIL-STD-810G drops from four feet (as well as hundreds of tumbles). If a bit more is required, there's a custom rubber boot that boosts the drop spec to six feet. And since the Memor 20 is also well suited for healthcare deployments, the device is also available in a white Healthcare model with chemical-resistant plastics designed to withstand daily cleaning with harsh disinfectant solutions such as isopropyl alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, or Clorox bleach. On the communications side of things, the Memor 20 comes with dual-band 802.11a/b/g/n/ac WiFi, NFC, Bluetooth 5.0, and also LTE-Advanced/4G+ mobile broadband. For wired onboard connectivity there is a fast USB 3.1 Type C OTG port. Like all modern smartphones, the Memor 20 has a full complement of sensors, including a capacitive fingerprint sensor that can store five fingerprints per user for up to five users. The device also includes an 8mp front camera and an 13mp rear camera with LED illumination. The 15.6 watt-hour battery is designed for extended use (and, thanks to wireless charging, can easily be topped off). Designed for use in a variety of environments, the Datalogic Memor 20 carries IP67 sealing where the "6" means the computer is totally protected from dust, and the "7" that it can handle full submersion in water. It can operate within a wide temperature range of -4 to 122 degrees Fahrenheit. How does the Memor 20 fit into Datalogic's lineup of handheld mobile computers? In many ways it seems an evolution and replacement of the DL-Axist that Datalogic introduced four years ago. Progress in Android handhelds is fast and furious. The difference between the DL-Axist running Android 4 on an old 1GHz Texas Instruments OMAP chip and the new Memor 20 blazing away on Android 9 and an octa-core Snapdragon 660 is gargantuan, even though the two units aren't that far apart in look, size and weight. Compared to the much more recent Memor 10, the Memor 20 differentiates with a larger and much sharper display and the latest tech. Overall, the Datalogic Memor 20 represents a very attractive proposition for a wide variety of retail, industry, healthcare, transportation, and logistics deployments. It is suitable as an enterprise-issued standardized and easily managed/updated/deployed communication device as well as a serious data collection tool. And since Android dominates the smartphone market, almost everyone will know how it works without much, or any, training. This may well convince some potential customers that going with devices such as the built-tough-from-the-ground-up Memor 20 makes more sense than gamble on deploying fragile consumer phones. -- Conrad Blickenstorfer, May 2020
Security and management — Setup, deployment and management of devices is important in the enterprise. To that extent, Google created the "Android Enterprise Recommended" program. To qualify, a device must support multiple major operating system releases, deliver Android security updates within 90 days of release from Google for a minimum of five years, and must be protected against moisture and dust intrusion. In addition, the devices must offer bulk deployment options, including the Android zero-touch enrollment option for easy setup and configuration. The Datalogic Memor 20 is qualified. But Datalogic didn't stop there. They also gave the Memor 20 fast 15-watt wireless charging, which the company had initially introduced in their Joya Touch device as an industry first. This eliminates battery contacts and pins, which are a frequent point of failure in heavily used retail and industrial deployments. Another couple of interesting details that show Datalogic's understanding of, and commitment to, their customers: the Memor 20 is tough enough to handle the usual MIL-STD-810G drops from four feet (as well as hundreds of tumbles). If a bit more is required, there's a custom rubber boot that boosts the drop spec to six feet. And since the Memor 20 is also well suited for healthcare deployments, the device is also available in a white Healthcare model with chemical-resistant plastics designed to withstand daily cleaning with harsh disinfectant solutions such as isopropyl alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, or Clorox bleach. On the communications side of things, the Memor 20 comes with dual-band 802.11a/b/g/n/ac WiFi, NFC, Bluetooth 5.0, and also LTE-Advanced/4G+ mobile broadband. For wired onboard connectivity there is a fast USB 3.1 Type C OTG port. Like all modern smartphones, the Memor 20 has a full complement of sensors, including a capacitive fingerprint sensor that can store five fingerprints per user for up to five users. The device also includes an 8mp front camera and an 13mp rear camera with LED illumination. The 15.6 watt-hour battery is designed for extended use (and, thanks to wireless charging, can easily be topped off). Designed for use in a variety of environments, the Datalogic Memor 20 carries IP67 sealing where the "6" means the computer is totally protected from dust, and the "7" that it can handle full submersion in water. It can operate within a wide temperature range of -4 to 122 degrees Fahrenheit. How does the Memor 20 fit into Datalogic's lineup of handheld mobile computers? In many ways it seems an evolution and replacement of the DL-Axist that Datalogic introduced four years ago. Progress in Android handhelds is fast and furious. The difference between the DL-Axist running Android 4 on an old 1GHz Texas Instruments OMAP chip and the new Memor 20 blazing away on Android 9 and an octa-core Snapdragon 660 is gargantuan, even though the two units aren't that far apart in look, size and weight. Compared to the much more recent Memor 10, the Memor 20 differentiates with a larger and much sharper display and the latest tech. Overall, the Datalogic Memor 20 represents a very attractive proposition for a wide variety of retail, industry, healthcare, transportation, and logistics deployments. It is suitable as an enterprise-issued standardized and easily managed/updated/deployed communication device as well as a serious data collection tool. And since Android dominates the smartphone market, almost everyone will know how it works without much, or any, training. This may well convince some potential customers that going with devices such as the built-tough-from-the-ground-up Memor 20 makes more sense than gamble on deploying fragile consumer phones. -- Conrad Blickenstorfer, May 2020
Another couple of interesting details that show Datalogic's understanding of, and commitment to, their customers: the Memor 20 is tough enough to handle the usual MIL-STD-810G drops from four feet (as well as hundreds of tumbles). If a bit more is required, there's a custom rubber boot that boosts the drop spec to six feet.
And since the Memor 20 is also well suited for healthcare deployments, the device is also available in a white Healthcare model with chemical-resistant plastics designed to withstand daily cleaning with harsh disinfectant solutions such as isopropyl alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, or Clorox bleach.
On the communications side of things, the Memor 20 comes with dual-band 802.11a/b/g/n/ac WiFi, NFC, Bluetooth 5.0, and also LTE-Advanced/4G+ mobile broadband. For wired onboard connectivity there is a fast USB 3.1 Type C OTG port.
Like all modern smartphones, the Memor 20 has a full complement of sensors, including a capacitive fingerprint sensor that can store five fingerprints per user for up to five users. The device also includes an 8mp front camera and an 13mp rear camera with LED illumination. The 15.6 watt-hour battery is designed for extended use (and, thanks to wireless charging, can easily be topped off).
Designed for use in a variety of environments, the Datalogic Memor 20 carries IP67 sealing where the "6" means the computer is totally protected from dust, and the "7" that it can handle full submersion in water. It can operate within a wide temperature range of -4 to 122 degrees Fahrenheit.
How does the Memor 20 fit into Datalogic's lineup of handheld mobile computers? In many ways it seems an evolution and replacement of the DL-Axist that Datalogic introduced four years ago. Progress in Android handhelds is fast and furious. The difference between the DL-Axist running Android 4 on an old 1GHz Texas Instruments OMAP chip and the new Memor 20 blazing away on Android 9 and an octa-core Snapdragon 660 is gargantuan, even though the two units aren't that far apart in look, size and weight. Compared to the much more recent Memor 10, the Memor 20 differentiates with a larger and much sharper display and the latest tech.
Overall, the Datalogic Memor 20 represents a very attractive proposition for a wide variety of retail, industry, healthcare, transportation, and logistics deployments. It is suitable as an enterprise-issued standardized and easily managed/updated/deployed communication device as well as a serious data collection tool. And since Android dominates the smartphone market, almost everyone will know how it works without much, or any, training.
Handheld Mobile Computer This may well convince some potential customers that going with devices such as the built-tough-from-the-ground-up Memor 20 makes more sense than gamble on deploying fragile consumer phones. -- Conrad Blickenstorfer, May 2020