...of RF Devices and 400 environments

Hello everybody -

I am writing this note to inquire about those of you who have...or who are
currently working with...400 WMS environments that employ RF technology to
handle transactions.

We have been long time users of TEKLOGIX equipment running under their
TEK-TERM operating system (workstation controller guided). The usage of the
controller provides an important fallback feature wherein if a device
"freezes" during a transaction event (and devices have a tendency to do so
occasionally), the user may power off and back on and regain the
transaction, enabling it to be completed. These devices were NOT providing
standard 5250 color emulation...only B&W.

Recently, TEKLOGIX offered an upgraded hand-held that promised a colorized
platform running as a fat client through an internet-type connection. At
one point they tried MOCHA-SOFT and then moved onto something else that
successfully produced 400-type colored text and backgrounds. We signed on
for a demo period and found the colorizations to be eventually good but it
appeared as if the "freezing" ramped up in volume...a major set back to our
database without the security blanket of the saved transaction feature
provided by a control unit.

At this point, we are having a difficult time in choosing to abolish our
B&W devices as the need for preservation of data outweighs the luxury of
colored hand-helds. However, we would, of course, like the cake to be eaten
too if possible!

i am curious what other companies people have utilized for RF technology
(i.e. SYMBOL) and whether anyone has a 5250 emulated color environment that
actually works with a control unit-powered system. Or, a fat client where
the transactions still can be recovered without self-modification to
software. One important thing to remember: the 400 makes use of all 24
function keys and i seem to remember that SYMBOL did not offer more than 12
or 18...but i am not certain about that.

Hopefully, there are more stable solutions out there for colorized
hand-helds or the 5250 color emulation in a controller environment.

Thank you for any time contributed to this letter.

Rick Rayburn
NYC