Mobile computing systems are handheld, portable, or vehicular systems with integrated features such as global positioning system (GPS) receivers, cellular phones, barcode scanners for data collection, mapping and navigational software, and touchscreen displays. Manufacturers of mobile computing systems produce many different types of products. Examples include laptops, barcode scanners and wands, thin client and client-server devices, and specialized mobile computing software. The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) maintains and publishes standards related to mobile computing systems. These standards include the 802.11 series for wireless local area network (LAN) hardware requirements, and other similar standards dealing with WiFi and WiMAX.

Mobile computing systems differ in terms of specifications, features, and applications. Selecting a mobile computing system requires an analysis of real-time data tracking and productive portability for active users. Data that is collected rapidly and then uploaded into a database can be disseminated and redistributed throughout an enterprise. Consequently, efficient mobile computing systems can play a major role in supply and distribution systems. For example, businesses that use mobile computing technology can collect information about inventory levels, enter stock quantities during counts, and run timely reports. Manages can then use this data to make decisions regarding the purchasing, marketing, and transportation of products.

Mobile computing systems are handheld, portable, or vehicular systems with integrated features such as global positioning system (GPS) receivers, cellular phones, barcode scanners for data collection, mapping and navigational software, and touchscreen displays. Manufacturers of mobile computing systems produce many different types of products. Examples include laptops, barcode scanners and wands, thin client and client-server devices, and specialized mobile computing software. The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) maintains and publishes standards related to mobile computing systems. These standards include the 802.11 series for wireless local area network (LAN) hardware requirements, and other similar standards dealing with WiFi and WiMAX.

Mobile computing systems differ in terms of specifications, features, and applications. Selecting a mobile computing system requires an analysis of real-time data tracking and productive portability for active users. Data that is collected rapidly and then uploaded into a database can be disseminated and redistributed throughout an enterprise. Consequently, efficient mobile computing systems can play a major role in supply and distribution systems. For example, businesses that use mobile computing technology can collect information about inventory levels, enter stock quantities during counts, and run timely reports. Manages can then use this data to make decisions regarding the purchasing, marketing, and transportation of products.

Some mobile computing systems offer wireless mobile computing, which involves communication between multiple mobile computers and servers across a wireless LAN (WLAN). Wireless LANs are interconnected systems that are designed to form a singular and comprehensive mobile computing solution. WLANs are used widely in the geographical navigation and mapping industries. At the highest layer, a mobile computing device aboard an automobile, all-terrain vehicle, or airplane can use a GPS computer system and laser technology to feed statistical data into a mobile computing application. This information is then downloaded to hardware components linked to those mobile computing systems in order to produce maps, surveys, and other geological data in print and electronic formats. Other uses for mobile computing systems include the entry of statistical information into a mobile data terminal, which may operate as a thin client to server-side applications. Examples are touch screens used at checkout counters and in point-to-point sales systems (P2PSS).