Review: Intermec CN70e Ultra-Rugged Mobile Computer

Intermec’s 70 series range of ruggedised Windows Embedded handhelds addresses just about all enterprise needs for field mobility environments [see picture].

The CK70 and CK71 are targeted at parcel delivery, and warehousing respectively, while the CN70 is aimed at field service, transportation and logistics, and the CN70e caters for direct store delivery [see picture].

All the devices in this range have common application code bases, architectures, base software builds, and accessories/peripherals.

We looked at the CN70e device, which has a larger keyboard for environments where workers could be wearing gloves [see picture].

Specifications
The CN70e weighs 491g with the battery and has dimensions of 19.5 x 8.0 x 3.4cm (7.66 x 3.15 x 1.34in), and has an 8.9cm (3.5in) backlit-LED transmissive VGA display giving a native resolution of 480 x 640 in 16-bit (65,536) colour. It runs the Windows Mobile 6.5 Professional operating system.

The processor is a Texas Instruments [ARM Cortex-A8] 600MHz OMAP3 model with dedicated digital signal processors for imaging and audio processing, and the CN70e has 512MB of RAM, 1GB Flash ROM to hold the operating system and applications, and also has a micro-SD slot supporting cards up to 32GB.

Network connectivity
Network connectivity is provided by GSM/GPRS/HSUPA mobile connections, but will be dependent on the selected mobile operator’s 3G rollout. The CN70e also has an IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n dual band Wi-Fi, certified for Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) and WPA2. There’s also a class 2 Bluetooth 2.1 wireless PAN and an IRDA-compliant infra-red connection.

The CN70e also supports 802.1X authentication and can use Cisco compatible extensions (CCX) version 4, using Funk security profiles that can use standard authentication protocols like Lightweight Extensible Authentication Protocol (LEAP) and Tunneled Transport Layer Security (TTLS).

In use
The CN70e is a nice size for a handheld with a good screen (except in bright sunlight), and once you get used to the myriad keypad functions,  which are clear and well laid out, we found it easy to traverse the options and features.

The letters and symbols on the keys are acid-etched, so they won't rub off, and will stand up to a large amount of use and abuse. The touch panel screen is high durability Gorilla Glass.

The CN70e also has a phone function, along with mobile braodband connectivity. To use the phone and store data locally we inserted a SIM and also put in a 2GB micro-SD card. Both fit into slots located beneath the quick release battery under a cover secured by two screws [see picture].

The CN70e picked up our test wireless network run via a Thomson SpeedTouch 580 Wireless ADSL modem/router easily, and with just a few clicks to connect to the wireless router, we could access the internet.

We used Microsoft security to access the Wi-Fi network, but firms needing higher security will want to use the alternative Funk security, which the CN70e provides.

We used a standalone charging adaptor to re-charge our CN70e, but firms rolling out a significant number of the devices would be using a FlexDock modular docking system for recharging devices overnight after a day's field use.

There is also a vehicle dock, allowing battery power to be saved when users are on site visits, and Intermec can also provide a variety of  snap-on adaptors [see picture].

We used a serial-to-USB connector to synchronise the CN70e with our Labs test laptop running Windows XP Professional.

We could easily import our email contacts and calendar from Outlook using ActiveSync 4.5. It was also easy to pull data (pictures taken with the onboard camera, for example) off the device using ActiveSync to view the folders on the CN70e [see picture].

The SmartSystems Foundation software platform runs on the CN70e and gives IT admin and integrators an easy way to provision, deploy and manage Intermec devices.

Firms can use the ScanNGo software to configure some features of the device. For example, users can scan bar codes to configure the 802.11 Wi-Fi on the CN70e and to use Microsoft security or Funk's [see picture].

The device has a client that offers health monitoring of the device and remote reporting. This means potential problems can be reported before they affect productivity.

For example, any deviation in standard battery performance could be flagged, reported and the battery replaced before it is a problem for CN70e users.

Camera and scanner
The camera is a 5-megapixel auto focus colour model that has an LED flash, and was very easy to operate [see picture].

The barcode imaging and sensor system was also easy to use, and the scanner performed very well.

The scanner is Intermec's EA30 2D imaging model with a laser aimer capable of scanning ordinary and two-dimensional data matrix barcodes, as small as 5mm.

We used it to scan a variety of barcodes and it worked well even when the CN70e was moving relatively fast between scanning images – showing impressive motion tolerance and resolution.

The CN70e's scanner coped well, even with damaged or distorted postcodes and datamatrixes, and its performance will save users significant time if their jobs involve large amounts of barcode and datamatrix scanning.

Ruggedisation specifications

The CN70e complies to the US Department of Defense MIL-STD 810G, a standard guaranteeing that the CN70e can operate in temperatures between -20C and 60C, and can be stored at temperatures ranging from -30C to 70C.

MIL-STD 810G means the CN70e should be able to be dropped from 1.8m (6ft) and survive.

The CN70e is also rated at 67 on the Ingress Protection (IP) scale as defined by the European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardisation.

This should give it complete protection against dust ingress, and protection against immersion in up to 1m of water.

Battery life
The battery has a rating similar to standard laptop Lithium-ion batteries at 4.4Ah, giving a lifetime of around eight hours, according to Intermec. Our tests showed that this might be slightly optimistic unless screen timeouts are set low.

However, users driving to work onsite would probably have a vehicle dock installed able to charge the CN70e between site visits.

Conclusions
The CN70e is a well-built portable handheld, well up to the rough-and-tumble of just about any field mobility environment, and with enterprise device management and application support.

The only minor niggle we had was something common to all devices used outside – screen glare when using the system in bright sunlight.