Expect to see even more handheld computers and other portable terminals on the shop floor within the next year.

The sales of portable, wireless operator interface (OI) terminals are expected to grow to over $80 million by year-end 2005, according to a report from Venture Development Corp. (www.vdc-corp.com) about wireless monitoring and control products in discrete parts manufacturing. This represents a growth rate of 53.3% from levels last year.

Portable wireless OI terminals include handheld and notebook computers, personal digital assistant (PDA) devices and tablets and wearable operator interface terminals.

Notebook computers, for instance, are expected to increase from $12.8 million in shipments in 2003 to $31 million in 2005. The sale of handheld computers and PDAs in 2005 is also expected to reach $31 million, a projected increase of $17.6 million.

Of the end users and original equipment manufacturers surveyed, the majority of participants cited mobility, cost-effective maintenance and automated, remote monitoring of operations as the key advantages of using portable, wireless OI terminals.