Early portable data entry terminals, capable of recording and transmitting data, were certainly not an alternative to POS terminals. But, argues our contributor, the new generation of PDETs are capable of accepting alpha numeric input, can be programmed and reprogrammed, and are capable of sending special instructions down the line from head office. In stores with low sales volumes, it is possible to develop cost effective alternatives to POS based on the use of a PDET alongside a low cost ECR.