ABSTRACT
The personal digital assistant (PDA) first made a brief appearance in 1993 when John Scully, CEO of Apple Computer, Inc., introduced the Newton. He envisioned a way simple mobile devices could be used to connect mobile users. Now, nine years after the unveiling and four years after its demise, PDA manufacturers are fulfilling Scully’s vision. The Apple Computer device did not last very long. Perhaps it was the timing of this device, which lacked the capabilities that were yet to come along. PDAs did not take on their current appearance until much later when first beginning as a simple device to keep track of phone numbers and to-do lists. However, smart handheld devices are predicted to exceed 63 million units by 2004, with more than 60 percent of office workers carrying one or more mobile computers. With this, it is expected that the demand for remote systems management solutions will expand to nearly $630 million by 2005.
