By David Gewirtz
We've completed a full year of PalmPower's Enterprise Edition and this issue marks the first issue of our second year. So please join me in wishing the magazine a Happy Birthday. Feel free to send gifts, chocolate, and cookies!
A birthday is always an opportunity to both look back and to look forward, to consider the lessons learned and to anticipate the adventures yet to come. And so, in this editorial, I'm going to do a little of both. I'm going to look back at what we've learned about Palm computers in the enterprise, and look forward to the future opportunities that are waiting out there for all of us.
Let's talk first about the big lesson we've all learned. We've all learned that Palm handhelds, unequivocally, are ideal for the enterprise. When we started the publication, we were pretty sure that Palm computers had a foothold in the corporate world. After all, PalmPower Magazine had been covering occasional stories about enterprise uses for Palm handhelds since its inception. But now, after a full year of coverage of nothing but mobile enterprise computing here in PalmPower's Enterprise Edition, it's absolutely clear that these devices have strong footing in the enterprise world.
From vineyards using Palm handhelds to increase their data collection productivity to Latin American beverage companies using Palm handhelds to simplify the data entry processes in key stages of its beverage production, we've seen Palm handhelds go to work.
From grain dryers in agribusiness, where Palm handhelds are used to do field upgrades, to how a world-renowned cleaning company, ServiceMaster, has used Palm computers to more efficiently track the quality of its service, we've seen Palm computers play the field and win.
Many of the tasks undertaken by the U.S. Navy are performed in environments such as cramped submarines, aircraft, and ships and without access to power outlets. Considering these factors, its no wonder the Navy is such a major consumer of Palm handhelds. From the trucks of animal control officers, to the offices of senators, to the Navy's ships at sea, we've seen Palm handhelds answer the call.
And we've seen Palm handhelds hold their own in other industries as well. We've devoted entire issues to Palm handhelds in medicine, in finance, and in law. We've learned how Palm handhelds can help employees learn and thereby be more productive.
And we've talked to you, our readers. Some of you have told us how you've bet your jobs on Palm solutions - and won. Some of you are physicians, who've told us that your uses of Palm computers have ranged from helping your practice to saving lives. Through the magic of the Internet, we've talked to you no matter where you are in the world. Whether you're in business in the U.S., India, Croatia, Latin America, Europe, or Asia, we've heard the same stories. These small machines are really and truly having a big impact on business.
