Schultz is also confident the number of franchisees will continue to grow.

"We are aiming at 120 across Australia within the next three years in addition to US and New Zealand," he said.

The initial trial was set up on Vodafone Group PLC's GPRS network; each PDA has its own IP address and is configured to allow almost seamless data transfer between the two units.

"With the arrival of Vodafone's 3G network, data can be sent and received at far greater speeds than on current GPRS networks so the service to Xpresso will only get better," according to Absoft general manager Chris Lord.

PDAs were chosen because the touchscreen better replicated normal order forms and they can also retain and report data which Schultz finds useful for regular clients.