Old Dominion drivers get handheld computers

More than 1,700 Old Dominion Freight Line drivers are being equipped with Symbol PDT 7500 handheld computers, which will be used by each driver on their pickup and delivery routes. The Symbol computer allows the driver to communicate through wireless wide-area network communications timely information important to managing the route and customer orders no matter where the driver may be. Route information

Tim Parry

Dec. 4, 2002

More than 1,700 Old Dominion Freight Line drivers are being equipped with Symbol PDT 7500 handheld computers, which will be used by each driver on their pickup and delivery routes.

The Symbol computer allows the driver to communicate through wireless wide-area network communications timely information important to managing the route and customer orders no matter where the driver may be.

Route information is downloaded at the start of a work shift to the handheld computer. A PDF417 bar code containing shipper information is generated and scanned by the computer to identify those pickups not wirelessly received.

The information, along with each customer's delivery, payment or customer exception, is communicated to the headquarters' main server database, noted Symbol.