Mobile Devices
On mobile devices (smart phones and tablets) there are some limitations about the usability of the PPS which depend on the hardware characteristic. On one hand on these devices there processors in use that are up to a factor of 10 slower than the processors used on desktop PCs. Due to this difference the operation appears to be slow on mobile devices in general. Some views, especially the graphically demanding as for example the timeline may take a long time to be displayed. The slowness increases with the number of machines and orders to be displayed.
The performance of the tablets or smartphones depends greatly on the hardware characteristic. Older hardware is normally significantly slower, which is due to the memory capacity as well as to the processor. This is valid for Android devices and also for Apple iOS devices. As the PPS have high demands on the client hardware, use only powerful devices of the newest generation in each case.
A general recommendation for mobile devices can not be made, as we do not know your requirements and the prices you want to pay. Additionally the market offers an immense number of devices that are replaced by new devices in ever faster successions. Therefore, please, test yourself some current devices before deciding the acquisition. We made good experiences so far with the higher quality devices of Samsung and Apple.
The operating system used under Android as well as under iOS is very important for a smooth usage of the PPS. With new operating system versions, some applications as well as browser views receive a larger allocation of memory (especially under Apple iOS). Therefore it is recommended to install always the newest possible operating system version which can be installed on the device.
PPS is a modern web application and therefore it needs a modern web browser. On mobile operating systems often times it must be installed afterwards. Safari under iOS, Chrome under Android and Internet Explorer 11 under Windows are the best supported browsers. Other browsers may display more or less malfunctions, especially under Android.
The screen resolution and the quality of the touch screen have an effect on the operation of the PPS interface on your mobile device. PPS is intended for a screen resolution of at least 1024x768. A resolution that does not reach one of these two dimensions is inappropriate for using PPS. An aspect ratio of 4:3 is recommended but not mandatory. A good touch screen reacts faster and more accurately to gestures an leads to a better user experience. Starting with a display size that is smaller than 5 inches, the devices with pen handling are easier to operate. To a certain point you can improve the operation and overview if you rotate the device by 90º depending on the view. Ideal effective resolutions correspond to the ones mentioned here: Server
The availability of a WLAN network is another decisive factor for the successful use of mobile devices. The bandwidth of the WLAN and the selection of the transmission channel determine the availability and with it how reliable the data of the PPS server is transferred to the mobile device. In case you have problems with the network access via the WLAN, let a professional IT specialist check and setup the WLAN coverage of the network in your industrial environment so that disconnections and low transfer rates do not restrict the usage.