Editing Mobile data terminal (section)

{{Short description|Computer device used to communicate with a dispatcher, often installed in a fleet vehicle}}
[[File:Police car computer USA.jpg|thumb|A police officer accessing a mobile data terminal in a police car]]
A '''mobile data terminal''' ('''MDT''') or '''mobile digital computer''' ('''MDC''') is a computerized device used in [[emergency service]]s, [[public transport]], [[taxi]]cabs, [[package delivery]], [[roadside assistance]], and [[logistics]], among other fields, to communicate with a central [[dispatcher]]. They are also used to display mapping and information relevant to the tasks and actions performed by the vehicle such as CAD drawings, diagrams and safety information.

Mobile data terminals feature a [[Display device|screen]] on which to view information and a [[Computer keyboard|keyboard]] or [[keyboard technology|keypad]] for entering information, and may be connected to various [[peripheral]] devices. Standard peripherals include [[Two-way radio#Data over two-way radio|two-way radio]]s and [[taximeter]]s, both of which predate [[computer-aided dispatch]]ing. MDTs may be simple display and keypad units, intended to be connected to a separate black-box or AVL (see below) computer. While MDTs were originally [[thin client]]s, most have been replaced with fully functional PC hardware, known as MDCs (Mobile Digital Computers). While the MDC term is more correct, MDT is still widely used. Other common terms include MVC (Motor Vehicle Computer) and names of manufacturers such as iMobile or KDT.