MobileDataforce has just finished developing a mobilized version of the EPA's (environmental protection agency) underground tank inspection form for use on tablet pcs. This same mobiel software application could also be used on a mobile handheld PDA. This mobile software application was developed for a region in the state of Washington.
This mobile inspection application has over 400 data fields and allows the underground tank inspector to draw diagrams in the application and to wireless synchronize the inspection data and drawing back to a database in the office.
This mobile software application was developed for a Tablet PC, which was the customer's preference because of the large numbers of data fields and desire to draw diagrams depicting problem areas identified during inspections.
MobileDataforce mobilizes paper forms daily. We help our customers convert their paper processes to mobile software applications that can synchronize to office database application or accounting systems remotely from the field. We support rugged mobile handheld computers, Tablet PCs and laptops.
MobileDataforce can quickly convert paper forms to mobile software applications by using the mobile development environment called the PointSync Mobility Platform.
Mobile Handheld PDA - Socket Mobile Announces Antibacterial Handheld Computer
OK, I must admit that I had not considered the fact that I was buying a mobile handheld PDA infected with bacteria. I guess ignorance is bliss. However, now that I know I can buy a handheld computer that is an "Antibacterial Handheld Computer" I will no longer have bliss.
In the past I just wanted a nice, fast and dependable handheld computer with a good screen and lots of memory. However, going forward I will add to my list of wants a handheld computer that includes - antibacterial additives that gradually releases microbe-fighting metal ions upon becoming moist or wet.
Socket Communications, Inc., dba Socket Mobile, Inc., an innovative provider of mobile productivity solutions, recently announced a new line of products to be built with an antibacterial plastic targeted toward healthcare and other markets that involve hygiene-sensitive environments. The first product combination to debut in the new line is the SoMo 650 handheld computer and docking cradle, which will be on display at the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) annual conference and exhibition in the Socket Mobile booth #1312. SoMo 650 handheld computer product demonstrations will also be taking place in the Cisco booth #6251 in conjunction with its recently attained Cisco Compatible Extensions (CCX) 4.0 certification.
"Calls for patient safety to drive health IT investments is among the top 10 issues facing the healthcare industry today," said Bob Zink, vice president of worldwide sales and marketing at Socket Mobile. "As more mobile devices make their way into sterile environments, it is important to take into consideration the effect that will have on patient safety. Our focus on and dedication to the healthcare industry has driven us to build an antibacterial product line to assist in the industry's efforts to make patient safety first and foremost in order of priority."
The new antibacterial product line incorporates the use of an antibacterial additive that gradually releases microbe-fighting metal ions upon becoming moist or wet. In conjunction with the traditional cleaning and sterilization procedures used on similar data collection equipment in the healthcare and hospitality industries, devices built with antibacterial plastic provide an additional layer of protection against the multiplication and spread of potentially harmful bacteria and microbes, giving organizations the opportunity to enhance the safety of medical staff, patients, workers and visitors. In addition, the antibacterial plastic reduces, or in many cases eliminates, the need for and dependence on protective skins or shells that can become expensive over time as a consumable-type accessory.
In the past I just wanted a nice, fast and dependable handheld computer with a good screen and lots of memory. However, going forward I will add to my list of wants a handheld computer that includes - antibacterial additives that gradually releases microbe-fighting metal ions upon becoming moist or wet.
Socket Communications, Inc., dba Socket Mobile, Inc., an innovative provider of mobile productivity solutions, recently announced a new line of products to be built with an antibacterial plastic targeted toward healthcare and other markets that involve hygiene-sensitive environments. The first product combination to debut in the new line is the SoMo 650 handheld computer and docking cradle, which will be on display at the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) annual conference and exhibition in the Socket Mobile booth #1312. SoMo 650 handheld computer product demonstrations will also be taking place in the Cisco booth #6251 in conjunction with its recently attained Cisco Compatible Extensions (CCX) 4.0 certification.
"Calls for patient safety to drive health IT investments is among the top 10 issues facing the healthcare industry today," said Bob Zink, vice president of worldwide sales and marketing at Socket Mobile. "As more mobile devices make their way into sterile environments, it is important to take into consideration the effect that will have on patient safety. Our focus on and dedication to the healthcare industry has driven us to build an antibacterial product line to assist in the industry's efforts to make patient safety first and foremost in order of priority."
The new antibacterial product line incorporates the use of an antibacterial additive that gradually releases microbe-fighting metal ions upon becoming moist or wet. In conjunction with the traditional cleaning and sterilization procedures used on similar data collection equipment in the healthcare and hospitality industries, devices built with antibacterial plastic provide an additional layer of protection against the multiplication and spread of potentially harmful bacteria and microbes, giving organizations the opportunity to enhance the safety of medical staff, patients, workers and visitors. In addition, the antibacterial plastic reduces, or in many cases eliminates, the need for and dependence on protective skins or shells that can become expensive over time as a consumable-type accessory.
Mobile Sales, Orders and CRM on Handheld PDAs
My team has a lot of experience helping our customers develop world class mobile sales and mobile delivery software applications for use on handheld PDAs that use Windows Mobile. These projects include:
- Mobile sales orders - take orders in mobile locations
- Tracking the delivery of products to retail grocery stores
- Collecting in-store marketing information
- Collecting product price information
- Proof-of-delivery
- Water bottle delivery solutions to homes/businesses
- Post-delivery inspection applications (check product for shipping damage and get customer signature)
- Mobile retail planagrams (detail the shelf location of products and the re-stocking amounts)
If you would like to brainstorm about how to develop custom mobile software or mobilize your sales, delivery or CRM solutions please contact us at MobileDataforce.
Mobile Handheld PDAs in the Healthcare Field
MobileDataforce is working on a significant number of interesting mobile software projects for handheld PDAs in the healthcare services, pharmaceutical and medical logistics markets. The following links point to blog articles that describe some of these mobile software applications:
- Home Heathcare Services
- Mobile Clinical Trials Software
- Mobile Patient Monitoring
- Board of Pharmacy Mobile Software
- Mobile Software for Orthodics
- Clinical Research
- Medicine Logisitics, Transportation and Delivery
MobileDataforce Team Photos 2008
MobileDataforce has more than doubled in size in the past year. We are fortunate to have been invited to participate in some very large and interesting mobile software development projects in many different areas in the world.
We want to thank our many mobile software customers for your faith and confidence in our enterprise mobility solutions for handheld PDAs, smartphones and industrial handheld barcode scanners. You have challenged us with the complexity of your IT environments and we have learned much as we have helped you achieve your ROIs!
We want to thank our many mobile software customers for your faith and confidence in our enterprise mobility solutions for handheld PDAs, smartphones and industrial handheld barcode scanners. You have challenged us with the complexity of your IT environments and we have learned much as we have helped you achieve your ROIs!
Inc. Magazine on MobileDataforce's PDA, Handheld and Mobile Software Blog
Inc. magazine's online technology website published an article this week on the subject of - this blog (the one you are now reading).
http://technology.inc.com/internet/articles/200803/blog.html?partner=rss-alert
This very blog is used as an example of a company's CEO communicating with customers, partners and other parties interested in mobile software solutions.
Thanks for reading!
http://technology.inc.com/internet/articles/200803/blog.html?partner=rss-alert
This very blog is used as an example of a company's CEO communicating with customers, partners and other parties interested in mobile software solutions.
Thanks for reading!
Make More Sales by Using Mobile Handheld PDAs and Smartphones
I often talk to potential customers about the cost savings that can be achieved by mobilizing business processes and deploying them to mobile handheld PDAs or smartphones, however, for many of our customers increasing sales is also a key motivator. Let's talk about how mobile software applications on PDAs can help increase sales:
- Mobile applications can prompt service technicians to renew service contracts
- Mobile applications can prompt service technicians to offer additional and complimentary services. For example: Plumbers can offer to conduct a water conservation inspection in the house while they are there repairing the toilet. The inspection can identify various ways the customer could conserve water by replacing shower heads, toilet tanks, etc.
- Mobile applications can prompt service technician to offer products related to the needs of the customer. Plumbers could talk to customers about water filtration systems, and other products.
- Mobile applications can prompt service technicians to sell extended product warranties
- Mobile applications can prompt service technicians to identify various service and product needs that were noted while on site with the customer. This information can be shared with the sales team for follow-up.
These are just a few examples of how mobile software applications on handheld PDAs and smartphones can intelligently remind and prompt field service technicians to help increase the sales of products and services.
MobileDataforce provides a wide range of both mobile software applications and custom mobile software development services.
Handheld PDA Research Tools in the Emergency Department
MobileDataforce is working on many mobile healthcare related projects these days. One of our customers forwarded the following article to me yesterday. It shows objective data on the value and benefit of using handheld mobile devices for data collection.
Prospective, randomized evaluation of a personal digital assistant-based research tool in the emergency department
BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making 2008, 8:3doi:10.1186/1472-6947-8-3
Published:
18 January 2008
Abstract (provisional)
Background
Personal digital assistants (PDA) offer putative advantages over paper for collecting research data. However, there are no data prospectively comparing PDA and paper in the emergency department. The aim of this study was to prospectively compare the performance of PDA and paper enrollment instruments with respect to time required and errors generated.
Methods
We randomized consecutive patients enrolled in an ongoing prospective study to having their data recorded either on a PDA or a paper data collection instrument. For each method, we recorded the total time required for enrollment, and the time required for manual transcription (paper) onto a computer database. We compared data error rates by examining missing data, nonsensical data, and errors made during the transcription of paper forms. Statistical comparisons were performed by Kruskal-Wallis and Poisson regression analyses for time and errors, respectively.
Results
We enrolled 68 patients (37 PDA, 31 paper). Two of 31 paper forms were not available for analysis. Total data gathering times, inclusive of transcription, were significantly less for PDA (6:13 min per patient) compared to paper (9:12 min per patient; p<0.001). color="#006600">Conclusions
Using a PDA-based data collection instrument for clinical research reduces the time required for data gathering and significantly improves data integrity.
Marcel P.J.M. Dijkers Ph.D. FACRM
Professor of Rehabilitation Medicine
Mount Sinai School of Medicine
Prospective, randomized evaluation of a personal digital assistant-based research tool in the emergency department
BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making 2008, 8:3doi:10.1186/1472-6947-8-3
Published:
18 January 2008
Abstract (provisional)
Background
Personal digital assistants (PDA) offer putative advantages over paper for collecting research data. However, there are no data prospectively comparing PDA and paper in the emergency department. The aim of this study was to prospectively compare the performance of PDA and paper enrollment instruments with respect to time required and errors generated.
Methods
We randomized consecutive patients enrolled in an ongoing prospective study to having their data recorded either on a PDA or a paper data collection instrument. For each method, we recorded the total time required for enrollment, and the time required for manual transcription (paper) onto a computer database. We compared data error rates by examining missing data, nonsensical data, and errors made during the transcription of paper forms. Statistical comparisons were performed by Kruskal-Wallis and Poisson regression analyses for time and errors, respectively.
Results
We enrolled 68 patients (37 PDA, 31 paper). Two of 31 paper forms were not available for analysis. Total data gathering times, inclusive of transcription, were significantly less for PDA (6:13 min per patient) compared to paper (9:12 min per patient; p<0.001). color="#006600">Conclusions
Using a PDA-based data collection instrument for clinical research reduces the time required for data gathering and significantly improves data integrity.
Marcel P.J.M. Dijkers Ph.D. FACRM
Professor of Rehabilitation Medicine
Mount Sinai School of Medicine
Clinical Research Projects and Mobile Handheld PDA Solutions
This article discusses the use of mobile handheld PDA solutions (Palm Treos) in a clinical research environment.
Company Overview:
Craig Hospital is a non-profit spinal cord and brain trauma rehabilitation and research hospital. Based in Denver Colorado, Craig Hospital has been treating brain and spinal cord trauma patients since 1956 and has treated over 25,500 patients.
Research Challenge:
Craig Hospital recently received a government grant to perform research on 8 different forms of rehabilitation in order to understand what techniques are most effective for each of the 8 disciplines. Craig Hospital teamed up with 5 other research hospitals (Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, Shepherd Center, Mount Sinai, Carolinas Rehabilitation, and the National Rehabilitation Hospital) in order to make the findings representative of spinal cord injury rehabilitation practices nationwide. The data needed to be collected and sent to a main database at an outside location to be analyzed. ISIS/ICOR (International Severity Information Services/Institute for Clinical Outcomes Research) was the organization selected to perform the data analysis and to maintain the database to which all collected information was to be sent. The problem was that the hospitals and patients were all in different geographic locations, and the patient care happened in a mobile working environment which made the collection and secure synchronization of the research data to a central database a challenge.
MobileDataforce Solution:
MobileDataforce created a mobile handheld application for each of the 8 different types of rehabilitation. Each healthcare provider was issued a handheld HP iPAQ HX 2190 PDA running Microsoft’s Windows Mobile operating system and asked to record rehabilitation progress with each of their patients in the study. There were approximately 250 mobile devices across the 6 hospitals.
By using a mobile software application rather than using paper forms Craig Hospital was able to:
- Save data entry time
- Save the costs of shipping and storing paper forms
- Ensure data accuracy through the use of data validation features
- Pre-load patients’ names and information onto the mobile device to save time and ensure accuracy
- Speed up research and analysis by downloading data directly from the handheld devices to the central research database
By selecting MobileDataforce’s PointSync Mobility Platform and professional services, Craig Hospital obtained a complete enterprise mobility platform and an experienced mobile software development team. MobileDataforce developed 8 mobile clinical research software applications that allowed for the 6 hospitals to capture information quickly, in real time, from all across the United States and synchronized it into one central research database. This allowed for research and analysis to be conducted on the data in near-real time.
MobileDataforce implemented software security features to ensure patient privacy and compliance to industry rules. MobileDataforce also helped Craig Hospital select the appropriate mobile handheld devices for their data collection requirements.
Conclusion:
Craig hospital was able to collect research data on 8 different rehabilitation disciplines from 6 different hospitals across the country and synchronize the data into one centralized database using the PointSync Mobility Platform from MobileDataforce, http://www.mobiledataforce.com/. Craig Hospital saved time and ensured data accuracy by designing a custom mobile application for clinical research with the help of MobileDataforce. MobileDataforce assists organizations around the world mobilize business and field data collection processes. For additional information please visit our website at: http://www.mobiledataforce.com/.
You can find more information on these studies here.
MobileDataforce's Office and International Visitors
In the past few months MobileDataforce has attracted some very interesting customers and visitors from all around the globe to look at our mobile software for handhelds and PDAs. Last week in our office we hosted Mayor Dave Bieter of Boise, and just this morning we had a visitor from the French government. A few months ago we hosted visitors from the UK , the Netherlands and the Idaho State Board of Pharmacy.
MobileDataforce has also been interviewed by Fortune magazine, Forbes magazine, Inc. magazine and VAR in the past 4 weeks. Many of these interviews focused on quality of life and fast growing high tech companies in the inter-mountain region of the USA.
Our office is right on the Boise river and it is a very attractive destination for fisherman, mountain bikers and skiers. If you are a fishing fan - this Idaho Fishing Guide is a great place to learn about fishing in and around Idaho.
MobileDataforce has also been interviewed by Fortune magazine, Forbes magazine, Inc. magazine and VAR in the past 4 weeks. Many of these interviews focused on quality of life and fast growing high tech companies in the inter-mountain region of the USA.
Our office is right on the Boise river and it is a very attractive destination for fisherman, mountain bikers and skiers. If you are a fishing fan - this Idaho Fishing Guide is a great place to learn about fishing in and around Idaho.
MobileDataforce and IBM's Maximo for Mobile Handheld PDAs
MobileDataforce has recently completed a mobile software development project that integrates the PointSync Mobility Platform with IBM's Maximo application. This project was developed by MobileDataforce and implemented in both Australia and New Zealand. Our customer is a very large engineering and construction firm that works throughout the Asia/Pacific region and needs field services dispatch, work orders and asset tracking on mobile handheld PDAs.
The software application is a mobile work order management application.
The software application is a mobile work order management application.
Global Warming & Mobile Handheld PDAs
MobileDataforce is seeing more and greater effects from global warming and energy issues on our business. In our case, the effects are positive for our business. We have a growing reputation as a preferred provider of mobile solutions for large services companies that work on utility and government contracts. My mobility experts in our professional services organization can quickly and cost effectively deliver just about any custom mobile software application that is required by utilities and government agencies. Here are some examples of current projects we are working on that are related to global warming and energy issues:
- Energy efficiency inspection and service ticket applications for utilities
- Water efficiency inspection applications and service ticket applications
- Disaster & Damage inspection and repair estimate applications
- Public housing inspections in the Benelux
- Housing Inspections in the UK
- Canyon County Building Inspection application
Many of these projects are motivated by the need to conserve energy. In the case of both the mobile energy efficiency and water efficiency applications the purpose is to reduce the use of these two scarce resources.
The building applications and housing inspection applications are focused on compliance with government regulations. These include energy efficiency levels and environmentally sound practices.
We are asked more and more to help with inspection applications that can be used to quickly estimate damage from storms and bad weather.
Our customers are generally the company that is contracted to provide these services. Since these projects are often won through a competitive bid process, each service company is seeking ways to be more efficient so they can provide more services for less and keep a satisfactory profit margin.
Chain of Custody Applications & Mobile Handheld PDAs
MobileDataforce is currently working on a very important mobile software project for implementation in Africa using mobile handheld PDAs. It involves the transportation and delivery of AIDs medicine and other critical healthcare tests and materials. The project enables the organization to track and validate that the medicine that is intended for a specific location actually arrives at that location. In one of the most recent mobility projects we delivered - the transportation of the medicine required a total of 8 signatures to be captured at the various supply depots along the way. These signatures were from the individuals accountable for verifying the correct medicine, in the correct amounts had arrived and been forwarded.
The organizations responsible for transporting and delivering the medicine is looking at standard consumer grade PDA phones using Microsoft's Windows Mobile OS. They will wirelessly sync the chain-of-custody information back to a database in North America for accountability and auditing.
Mobile Software Applications for Handheld PDAs in Africa
Who would have thought it? MobileDataforce is working on a long list of very large mobile software application projects in Africa. In my original business plan for MobileDataforce, I must admit that the continent of African did not play a significant role in my 5 year plan.
Much of our work in Africa revolves around developing mobile software for PDAs on government projects, water delivery, medicine delivery, logistics and inspections. A lot of these projects originate in Europe or North America but extend to Africa.
The mobile software application industry is certainly very exciting and ever changing. It is fasinating how new opportunities pop-up in unexpected industries and geographies on nearly a daily basis.
This is Not the Way to Mobilize Work Orders for Handheld PDAs
I was in Starbuck's on friday. I must confess this is not out of the ordinary for fridays, nor any other day, but I witnessed an event that was. Two service technicians were sitting at a table reading a work order on their mobile phone screen. This phone had about a 1" x 1" screen. They squinted at the screen and then filled our a paper work order on a clipboard. This is certainly one way of mobilize field service technicians, but I would recommend some better ways, and different mobile handheld PDAs or smartphones.
- Provide a service technician with a full work order on a mobile device that has a big enough screeen to read. I can still see both service technicians squinting at their tiny screens over their mochas.
- Don't make them rewrite the work order. Use a mobile work order software application on the handheld mobile device. Let them read the service ticket, fill it out, and sign the screen.
- Don't use a paper work order. Wirelessly send new and completed work orders back and forth wirelessly. There is no need for paper.
- Track inventory on the mobile work order application so inventory levels are automatically deducted when parts are used.
- Let service technicians view their schedules on the mobile device.
- Let service technicians view the status of ordered parts on the mobile device
- Track time on various projects using the mobile device. Compare actual time with estimated time.
- Complete job estimates on the handheld mobile devices and wirelessly send back to the office
- Dispatch new work orders directly to the mobile handheld device
There are many more reasons to mobilize field service operations. MobileDataforce has been helping companies mobilize their businesses since 2000 and deploying powerful work order software applications for use on mobile handheld PDAs.
Managing Remote Locations & Franchises with Handheld PDAs
One of my marketing team members, Matt Jantz, has been working with a number of franchise companies that are interested in mobile handheld PDA solutions. He compiled the following list of reasons why a company with franchises or remote locations may want to mobilize their business processes.
- Streamline business process with immediate data transference from handheld devices to main office
- Save money, administration costs and time by going paperless
- Ensure business processes are being carried out correctly by franchisees and their employees
- Protect franchise name and reputation by ensuring processes are being completed to franchise standards
- Improve time and cost efficiencies by eliminating data interpretation and entry into home database
- Improve customer service by providing customers with prompt billing and service information
- Receive payment for service faster by getting payment on site (mobile credit card processing and or using mobile printers) or sending customer invoices and billing faster
- Ensure that employees are recording necessary customer and job information correctly on site with the use of data integrity features: data will not be sent to home office until required fields are complete
- Track sales at every location to ensure the franchising company gets their agreed upon percentage of sales from franchisees
- Ensure delivery and receipt of equipment and supplies by tracking them from origin to final destination
- Use handheld devices for onsite reference and training to help new associates learn the process and maintain the franchise reputation
- Allow field technicians to locate parts necessary for given jobs, retrieve pricing information, and provide accurate repair estimates
- Gain a technological competitive advantage over competition, which can be leveraged to smite competition and retain franchisees
MobileDataforce has delivered many world class mobile solutions for companies that have franchise models.
Handheld PDAs - More than Data Collection Devices
When some people think about replacing paper forms with handheld PDAs or smartphones - they are only thinking about collecting data and sending it wirelessly back to the office. However, simply collecting, storing and moving data would be a missuse of a powerful handheld PDA or rugged handheld. A computer should compute. By that I mean - a handheld computer should analyze the data collected and take action based upon the data. Here is an example:
Your house is on fire. You can take out a handheld PDA and enter data that says, "my house is on fire," and store it as the house collaspes around you, or you can program your handheld PDA to automatically call 911, turn on the sprinklers, call your work to report you will be in late, order new carpets and cancel the evening poker game, and provide a damage estimate.
OK - so that is a silly example but the point is a handheld computer can analyze the data you enter, and be programmed to take action. Handheld computers should do the following:
Your house is on fire. You can take out a handheld PDA and enter data that says, "my house is on fire," and store it as the house collaspes around you, or you can program your handheld PDA to automatically call 911, turn on the sprinklers, call your work to report you will be in late, order new carpets and cancel the evening poker game, and provide a damage estimate.
OK - so that is a silly example but the point is a handheld computer can analyze the data you enter, and be programmed to take action. Handheld computers should do the following:
- Allow you to enter information/data
- Store it
- Synchronize it with a distant software application
- Take action based upon the information
- Alert people or other computers about the data
- Analyze the data and make predictions
- Activate other computer programs to take action
- Decrease inventory numbers
- Close work orders
- Enter a new customer order
- Replace inventory with a new order
- Track packages
- Call your customers
- Reschedule an appointment
- Estimate the closest service technician
- Predict the fastest route to drive
- Analyze the accuracy of job estimates
- Conduct time tracking
- Copy and send the data to multiple destination
- Perform mathmatical computations and take action based upon the result
- Activate mechanical equipment to take action based upon the information
- Turn on and off electronics
All of these actions can be programmed to take place based upon the data you enter into a handheld computer. At MobileDataforce we work with customers on these kinds of issues daily.
Growing a Business Using Mobile Handheld PDAs
One of the major reasons small service companies call MobileDataforce is to investigate our mobile field service solutions for use on mobile handheld PDAs and smartphones and to try to understand how they can grow their business without adding additional administration resources and costs. This is the age old problem of how do you grow beyond the capabilities of the immediate owner/manager. The answer is to automate the business processes that are related to field services.
- Use wireless dispatching of service orders
- Synchronize completed service orders directly to the office accounting system
- Accept digital signatures on service orders completed in the field
- Use a mobile printer to print completed work orders
- Use time tracking on the handheld computer to monitor the time spent on each job
- Track inventory used on the handheld computer and have this information synchronized to the office so all parts and equipment usage is tracked
- Include a customer survey on the handheld device and associate the survey with each work order
- The handheld computer can remind the service technician to upsell warranties, maintenance programs and new upgraded equipment sales
MobileDataforce Acquires Treetop Technologies to Increase Capacity for Developing Mobile Software Solutions
MobileDataforce Acquires Treetop Technologies
Acquisition supports strategy for rapid growth in the enterprise mobile software applications markets for handheld PDAs and Smartphones
Boise, Idaho— January 30, 2008 – MobileDataforce® a leading provider of business critical mobile software applications for handheld PDAS and Smartphones announced today it has acquired privately-held Treetop Technologies of Boise, Idaho. Financial terms were not disclosed.
The acquisition of Treetop Technologies extends MobileDataforce’s portfolio of services to include enterprise database and web design, development and integration. “These are skills that are in high demand by our medium to large mobile application customers.” says Kevin Benedict, CEO of MobileDataforce. “MobileDataforce is experiencing rapid growth around the world and as our mobile software development projects for handheld PDAS and Smartphones grow in size and complexity, the talents of the Treetop Technologies’ team will become critical to our future success and growth plans. This move continues to reinforce our goal of providing complete mobility enablement solutions that extend from the office to the field.
Treetop Technologies was ranked as Inc. Magazine’s 18th fastest growing software company in America in 2005. Their client list includes multi-national Fortune 500 companies, technology-based firms and various public entities. Treetop Technologies has provided services and support for projects ranging from mission critical manufacturing systems to complex business solutions. “Combining Treetop Technologies with our 11 years of experience developing enterprise applications with MobileDataforce’s exceptional growth in the mobile application market will create one of the world’s leading mobile solutions companies,” explains Jason Crawforth, CEO of Treetop Technologies.
The acquisition was successfully managed and executed by Nick Miller and team at Hawley Troxell Ennis & Hawley LLP in Boise, Idaho.
About MobileDataforce
MobileDataforce is a global leader in the development of enterprise class mobile software development platforms and mobile business applications for use on handheld computers, PDA phones, Tablet PCs and laptops. MobileDataforce is a fast growing company with offices in Europe, North America and in Australia to support their expanding customer base and sales channels. Privately held, MobileDataforce has been mobilizing business processes since 2000. For more information, please visit our website at http://www.mobiledataforce.com/news/www.mobiledataforce.com.
Acquisition supports strategy for rapid growth in the enterprise mobile software applications markets for handheld PDAs and Smartphones
Boise, Idaho— January 30, 2008 – MobileDataforce® a leading provider of business critical mobile software applications for handheld PDAS and Smartphones announced today it has acquired privately-held Treetop Technologies of Boise, Idaho. Financial terms were not disclosed.
The acquisition of Treetop Technologies extends MobileDataforce’s portfolio of services to include enterprise database and web design, development and integration. “These are skills that are in high demand by our medium to large mobile application customers.” says Kevin Benedict, CEO of MobileDataforce. “MobileDataforce is experiencing rapid growth around the world and as our mobile software development projects for handheld PDAS and Smartphones grow in size and complexity, the talents of the Treetop Technologies’ team will become critical to our future success and growth plans. This move continues to reinforce our goal of providing complete mobility enablement solutions that extend from the office to the field.
Treetop Technologies was ranked as Inc. Magazine’s 18th fastest growing software company in America in 2005. Their client list includes multi-national Fortune 500 companies, technology-based firms and various public entities. Treetop Technologies has provided services and support for projects ranging from mission critical manufacturing systems to complex business solutions. “Combining Treetop Technologies with our 11 years of experience developing enterprise applications with MobileDataforce’s exceptional growth in the mobile application market will create one of the world’s leading mobile solutions companies,” explains Jason Crawforth, CEO of Treetop Technologies.
The acquisition was successfully managed and executed by Nick Miller and team at Hawley Troxell Ennis & Hawley LLP in Boise, Idaho.
About MobileDataforce
MobileDataforce is a global leader in the development of enterprise class mobile software development platforms and mobile business applications for use on handheld computers, PDA phones, Tablet PCs and laptops. MobileDataforce is a fast growing company with offices in Europe, North America and in Australia to support their expanding customer base and sales channels. Privately held, MobileDataforce has been mobilizing business processes since 2000. For more information, please visit our website at http://www.mobiledataforce.com/news/www.mobiledataforce.com.
Energy Efficiency & Handheld PDAs and Mobile Software Solutions
Our team in the UK has been working on various large mobile energy and water efficiency inspection applications for the last year. MobileDataforce is now being approached in the USA by a number of electrical and water utilities seeking our help developing mobile software applications that can be used for home inspections to determine where both electricity and water can be saved.
Yesterday, I received a flyer from our local electrical utility asking for homeowners to subscribe to a service that allows the electrical utility to inspect their air conditioning units, and then apply a piece of monitoring equipment that allows the utility to regulate the use of the unit during peak times in the summer. I am not necessarily comfortable with a outside entity running my air conditioning unit from a distance, but I understand their need to start taking steps to better manage the use of electricity for conservation purposes.
The bottom line - they need MobileDataforce's mobile handheld inspection software for energy efficiency inspections, and our mobile work order software for dispatching field service technicians. We have a lot of experience in this area and it provides a great service to our communities.
Mobile Solutions for Handheld PDAs and Tablet PCs in China
Two of our PSO (professional services organization) team members returned on Saturday from a 10 day trip to China where they were working on a mobile software project for Quality Assurance and Reporting. The quality of the manufacturing is very important to the buyer in the USA, so having good inspection software and reports are required to be gathered at the point of manufacturing in China and the data is sent around the world for review and storage in California. The mobile software applications can be configured to work on mobile handheld PDAs or Tablet PCs.
This is a very complex mobile solution, one of the most challenging we have implemented, but the satisfaction of having safeguarded products used by millions is worth it.
This is just one example of the many large international mobile software projects MobileDataforce is currently working on to mobilize various business processes for our enterprise customers.
Chain of Custody with MobileDataforce's Mobile Handheld PDA Software Solutions
Our professional services team has just completed a very powerful mobile software application for, use on handheld PDAs, that provides a "chain-of-custody" solution for delivering medicine primarily to African and South American locations. The specific application that we just delivered tracks the delivery of AIDs medicine from the warehouse to the clinic.
One of the big challenges faced by organizations providing medicine to remote areas, is to make sure that the medicine purchased and shipped actually arrives at the designated location. The application we just delivered includes functionality that validates that the medicine, in the appropriate quantities, arrives at 8 specific locations along the shipping route and is confirmed with digital signatures from valid signers.
The distance, environmental challenges and lack of infrastructure often mean that mobile software solutions are the best option for tracking supplies around the world. MobileDataforce is working on many such solutions today.
One of the big challenges faced by organizations providing medicine to remote areas, is to make sure that the medicine purchased and shipped actually arrives at the designated location. The application we just delivered includes functionality that validates that the medicine, in the appropriate quantities, arrives at 8 specific locations along the shipping route and is confirmed with digital signatures from valid signers.
The distance, environmental challenges and lack of infrastructure often mean that mobile software solutions are the best option for tracking supplies around the world. MobileDataforce is working on many such solutions today.
Mobile Handheld PDAs, Politics & Barack Obama
Politics & Windows Mobile Software ApplicationsOne of my Product Managers created a mobile software application last week for the campaign team that works for presidential candidate Barack Obama. It was designed to help caucus participants quickly compute a caucus strategy during the dynamic events of the night. This is a first for me. I have never seen a custom mobile software application designed to help define and develop a political strategy in real time. Good job Tim!
How is this possible you might ask - he developed it using MobileDataforce's PointSync Mobility Platform. Using a rapid application development platform like PointSync, you can quickly create all kinds of interesting mobile software applications that you can run on your PDAs and PDA phones.
Mobile Mobile Water Bottle Delivery Solution on Handheld PDAs
My team is working on a mobile water bottle delivery solution for use on handheld PDAs for a Portuguese company that delivers water in Africa. The mobile software solution includes the following:
- Route delivery information
- Barcode scanning
- Mobile Inventory of water/water bottles
- Delivery details
- Mileage of vehicle
- Mobile printer and printing support
MobileDataforce is delivering an increasing number of these kinds of mobile route delivery applications for both handheld PDAs and handheld barcode scanners. If a company is currently using paper, the ROI is very easy to document. Not only can the basic business processes associated with deliveries be mobilized, but CRM information, competitive data collection, new order processes, service details, etc., can all be mobilized using the same mobile software platform and the same handheld computer.
12 Steps to a Successful Mobile Software Deployment on Handheld PDAs
Companies around the globe are looking for ways to do more with less. Many recognize that their mobile workforce is being managed inefficiently and extending business process automation to mobile field workers using handheld PDAs is becoming a priority. The following 12 steps identify how you can get started automating and mobilizing these business processes for use on handhelds.
Step 1 – Understand the ROI/Scope of the Project and Plan Ahead
What are some of the key challenges with a mobile software development project? Many companies don’t put enough thought into what they need, and what the anticipated ROI will be. Others don’t assign and schedule testing resources. Some finish the development but have no deployment strategy. Still others buy incompatible handheld PDAs before they start development and find out they don’t meet the requirements of the field user. The results of these deficiencies are project scope creep, cost overruns, missed deadlines and dissatisfied end users.
Step 2 – Build a Team and Include the Field User
Make sure the members of your team have the right roles and responsibilities to help the mobility project succeed. Mobile solutions usually tie into other corporate IT assets and business processes, therefore impact other IT departments and business units. In addition, a representative mobile field worker(s) should be included on the project team to provide valuable “real-world” insight.
Step 3 – Select the Right Mobile Solution and Advisers
Performing successful data synchronization from mobile computing devices can be a challenging and complex task. There are many variables that can determine the success of a mobile development project. Make sure you have experienced mobility experts to advise you and select a proven mobile middleware solution as the foundation for your solution.
Step 4 – Know Your Target Users and Their Environment
During the planning and scoping phase of your mobile project, take the time to experience the working environment of your mobile field workers and observe the business processes in action. Focus on how the information is collected and exchanged between the office and the mobile workers. These observations can significantly impact the design, development and deployment of a successful project! Evaluate the physical environment of the work. How do moist, cold and dirty environments impact the mobile devices? How does low light or bright sunlight affect visibility of the screen? Can workers read the small text on the PDA screen, or does the text need to be larger?
Step 5 – Decide Who will Develop the Mobile Solution
Do you have an IT department with software developers that are available for a new development project? Do they have experience developing custom mobile software solutions? Are they knowledgeable with mobile data synchronization issues? Will they be able to dedicate the time to finishing the application in the necessary time frame? Do you have the risk tolerance for letting an inexperienced internal development team attempt the project, or is the ROI sufficient to justify contracting with mobility experts to develop the custom application?
Step 6 – Do You Start with a Mobile Software Platform or Build from Scratch?
Do you start developing your mobile software project with a blank computer screen, or do you start with a packaged mobile middleware solution that has a development environment included like the PointSync Mobility Platform from MobileDataforce? Again, your success is heavily reliant on your expertise in custom mobile application design and development. If you have experience developing mobile middleware applications and custom mobile software applications, then using a packaged application is less important. If you don’t have experience and are working with a limited budget and time frame, then it is crucial that you select a mobile application development solution to expedite the project.
Step 7 – Understand How to Re-engineer Business Processes for Mobility
Mobile solutions can provide bar code scanning, digital images, GPS, RFID, data synchronization, enterprise database queries, integration with inventory, scheduling, work order, accounting and many other enterprise software applications. How will these capabilities change the way the field user works?
Step 8 – Build in Phases
Most successful projects involve a series of phased implementations. Each phase can be developed, tested and implemented in an orderly manner. Once a phase is deployed and proven, additional phases can be layered on top that include more features and added complexity. Remember, the more data requirements that you add the more data you must synchronize, and the longer each synchronization session will take. Only synchronize data that your remote users require in the field. Be aware that most mobile devices don’t have the same CPU power or memory as a PC/laptop, so understand the performance of your application on mobile devices before designing the solution.
Step 9 – Evaluate Your Hardware and Connectivity Needs
The term “mobile devices” can have many different interpretations. Today, laptops, Tablet PC’s, UMPCs, PDAs and Smart phones are all identified with this term. When determining the best mobile device for your project you will want to consider screen size, data storage capacity, security, physical working environment, required hardware accessories such as barcode scanners, GPS, digital cameras, RFID, and the ability to upgrade the device with updated hardware and software components.
How do you connect your mobile device to your enterprise database applications? You have many options including cradle, WiFi, satellite, Bluetooth, wireless, dial-up modems and satellite uplinks to name a few. The method(s) you choose will be affected by how often your mobile workers need to send/receive data. How much data will be transmitted and will they always have connectivity. Study each option, your working environment and consult your mobility partner to make the best selections.
Step 10 – Deploy, Evaluate and Improve
Once you have completed the first phase of your mobile solution and you are ready to deploy in the real world, roll out your solution to a group of trusted and motivated field users. Define a specific period of time to evaluate the solution, document the results and identify any required changes and improvements. The result of this evaluation should be an improved mobile solution that is ready for a wider deployment.
Step 11 – Set and Enforce Hardware and Security Policies
Mobile devices are small computers with the ability to store sensitive corporate data, communicate this data over the Internet and even catch viruses. You must clearly communicate how mobile devices are to be used and for what purpose. Establish and publish guidelines for using mobile devices.
Step 12 – Provide Full Support for Mobile Users
Mobile devices are guaranteed to break. What is your plan for keeping a mobile worker productive and communicating business critical information when their mobile device ceases to function or gets misplaced? These are inevitable issues that are best planned for in advance. Have a plan and a documented back up process.
For more information on MobileDataforce's PointSync Mobility Platform please visit our website, email us or call us at USA 208-854-1200.
Step 1 – Understand the ROI/Scope of the Project and Plan Ahead
What are some of the key challenges with a mobile software development project? Many companies don’t put enough thought into what they need, and what the anticipated ROI will be. Others don’t assign and schedule testing resources. Some finish the development but have no deployment strategy. Still others buy incompatible handheld PDAs before they start development and find out they don’t meet the requirements of the field user. The results of these deficiencies are project scope creep, cost overruns, missed deadlines and dissatisfied end users.
Step 2 – Build a Team and Include the Field User
Make sure the members of your team have the right roles and responsibilities to help the mobility project succeed. Mobile solutions usually tie into other corporate IT assets and business processes, therefore impact other IT departments and business units. In addition, a representative mobile field worker(s) should be included on the project team to provide valuable “real-world” insight.
Step 3 – Select the Right Mobile Solution and Advisers
Performing successful data synchronization from mobile computing devices can be a challenging and complex task. There are many variables that can determine the success of a mobile development project. Make sure you have experienced mobility experts to advise you and select a proven mobile middleware solution as the foundation for your solution.
Step 4 – Know Your Target Users and Their Environment
During the planning and scoping phase of your mobile project, take the time to experience the working environment of your mobile field workers and observe the business processes in action. Focus on how the information is collected and exchanged between the office and the mobile workers. These observations can significantly impact the design, development and deployment of a successful project! Evaluate the physical environment of the work. How do moist, cold and dirty environments impact the mobile devices? How does low light or bright sunlight affect visibility of the screen? Can workers read the small text on the PDA screen, or does the text need to be larger?
Step 5 – Decide Who will Develop the Mobile Solution
Do you have an IT department with software developers that are available for a new development project? Do they have experience developing custom mobile software solutions? Are they knowledgeable with mobile data synchronization issues? Will they be able to dedicate the time to finishing the application in the necessary time frame? Do you have the risk tolerance for letting an inexperienced internal development team attempt the project, or is the ROI sufficient to justify contracting with mobility experts to develop the custom application?
Step 6 – Do You Start with a Mobile Software Platform or Build from Scratch?
Do you start developing your mobile software project with a blank computer screen, or do you start with a packaged mobile middleware solution that has a development environment included like the PointSync Mobility Platform from MobileDataforce? Again, your success is heavily reliant on your expertise in custom mobile application design and development. If you have experience developing mobile middleware applications and custom mobile software applications, then using a packaged application is less important. If you don’t have experience and are working with a limited budget and time frame, then it is crucial that you select a mobile application development solution to expedite the project.
Step 7 – Understand How to Re-engineer Business Processes for Mobility
Mobile solutions can provide bar code scanning, digital images, GPS, RFID, data synchronization, enterprise database queries, integration with inventory, scheduling, work order, accounting and many other enterprise software applications. How will these capabilities change the way the field user works?
Step 8 – Build in Phases
Most successful projects involve a series of phased implementations. Each phase can be developed, tested and implemented in an orderly manner. Once a phase is deployed and proven, additional phases can be layered on top that include more features and added complexity. Remember, the more data requirements that you add the more data you must synchronize, and the longer each synchronization session will take. Only synchronize data that your remote users require in the field. Be aware that most mobile devices don’t have the same CPU power or memory as a PC/laptop, so understand the performance of your application on mobile devices before designing the solution.
Step 9 – Evaluate Your Hardware and Connectivity Needs
The term “mobile devices” can have many different interpretations. Today, laptops, Tablet PC’s, UMPCs, PDAs and Smart phones are all identified with this term. When determining the best mobile device for your project you will want to consider screen size, data storage capacity, security, physical working environment, required hardware accessories such as barcode scanners, GPS, digital cameras, RFID, and the ability to upgrade the device with updated hardware and software components.
How do you connect your mobile device to your enterprise database applications? You have many options including cradle, WiFi, satellite, Bluetooth, wireless, dial-up modems and satellite uplinks to name a few. The method(s) you choose will be affected by how often your mobile workers need to send/receive data. How much data will be transmitted and will they always have connectivity. Study each option, your working environment and consult your mobility partner to make the best selections.
Step 10 – Deploy, Evaluate and Improve
Once you have completed the first phase of your mobile solution and you are ready to deploy in the real world, roll out your solution to a group of trusted and motivated field users. Define a specific period of time to evaluate the solution, document the results and identify any required changes and improvements. The result of this evaluation should be an improved mobile solution that is ready for a wider deployment.
Step 11 – Set and Enforce Hardware and Security Policies
Mobile devices are small computers with the ability to store sensitive corporate data, communicate this data over the Internet and even catch viruses. You must clearly communicate how mobile devices are to be used and for what purpose. Establish and publish guidelines for using mobile devices.
Step 12 – Provide Full Support for Mobile Users
Mobile devices are guaranteed to break. What is your plan for keeping a mobile worker productive and communicating business critical information when their mobile device ceases to function or gets misplaced? These are inevitable issues that are best planned for in advance. Have a plan and a documented back up process.
For more information on MobileDataforce's PointSync Mobility Platform please visit our website, email us or call us at USA 208-854-1200.
Building Businesses with Mobile Handheld PDAs and Mobile Software
I have written a great deal on the value of specific mobile solutions like the following:
- Mobile Work Orders
- Mobile Inspections
- Mobile Job Estimates
- Mobile Asset Tracking
- Mobile Delivery Solutions
Today I want to focus on some key problems businesses face, and how mobile solutions can help solve these problems. When a company expands beyond the capabilities of the owner/manager, new employees or contractors must be added. This can often introduce the following kinds of problems:
- Inexperienced workers
- Unreliable workers
- Irresponsible workers
- Uncommitted workers
- Forgetful workers
- Thieves and felons on the payroll
These problems can lead to the following set of issues:
- Unhappy customers
- Cost overruns
- Incomplete and/or incorrect paperwork
- Inaccurate job estimates
- Work quality issues
- Slow work production
- Lost tools and equipment
- Management headaches
Believe it or not - many of these issues can be improved and corrected by using mobile software applications on handheld computers to help ensure the best work in the field. Mobile handheld PDAs can help the owner/manager keep better tabs on the work and equipment in the field, ensure completed and correct paperwork, monitor customer satisfaction, and get real time notification if the job is taking longer than anticipated.
For more information on mobile solutions that can help in these areas please visit our website.
Smartphones, Mobile Handheld PDAs, Location Based Mobility - Google, Starbucks & Safeway
I made an interesting observation while taking a road trip over the holidays. Mobile handheld PDAs and Google and mapping software have made it possible for businesses without obvious street front locations to become more successful. Let me explain - My wife wanted to know if there was a Starbucks location along our driving route. She googled (used as a verb) the word Starbucks on her mobile handheld PDA phone and looked for a location in one of the small rural towns we would be traveling through. She quickly found a Starbucks location inside a Safeway in Baker City, Oregon. Here is the interesting point, this Safeway was not visible from the freeway, yet Starbucks had a long line of travellers waiting for their hot drinks. Seems we were not the only travelers clever enough to use a mobile phone, Internet explorer and Google to find their favorite drink.
Again, the fact that the location was not visible from the freeway did not seem to be a problem. How might this change the economics of the retail industry? In the near future, the key to retail success may be more dependent on your ability to be found on search engines like Google and Yahoo, and less on the physical location of the retail establishment. Hummm...perhaps I should use all of my saved money and buy 1 share of Google.
Again, the fact that the location was not visible from the freeway did not seem to be a problem. How might this change the economics of the retail industry? In the near future, the key to retail success may be more dependent on your ability to be found on search engines like Google and Yahoo, and less on the physical location of the retail establishment. Hummm...perhaps I should use all of my saved money and buy 1 share of Google.
Apple Stores, iPhones & Symbol MC50 Handhelds an Interesting Combination
I was shopping in Portland, Oregon yesterday and observed a very interesting combination of handheld computers, iPhones and PDAs at work. As I was shopping in the Apple store at Pioneer Place, I noticed that the Apple sales people were all carrying Symbol/Motorola MC50 handheld computers with wireless support, credit card swipers and bar code scanners all running on Windows Mobile 5.0 operating systems. Do you see the irony in this? The Apple sales people are selling smartphones (iPhones) and PDAs (iTouch) using the Apple operating system, but all of their sales people use Windows Mobile operating systems for their business applications. This is just not right.
The way the Apple sales people were using the MC50s handhelds was very cool. They could swipe debit and credit cards anywhere in the store, give you the product and email your receipt to you. That is very cool! No long lines at the cash register, the sales people can take care of all credit card and debit card purchases anywhere in the store. Now if only they could figure out a way to accomplish that using their own Apple PDAs.
Automating a Paintless Dent Repair Business with PDAs, Handhelds and Mobile Software
I have had the opportunity to learn a lot about the paintless dent repair (PDR) business in 2007. Through many conversations with paintless dent repair technicians and managers I have come to learn a few things about how to automate and improve the operations of a PDR business using PDAs, handhelds, Smartphones and mobile software. The following articles summarize many of these lessons.- http://www.mobiledataforce.com/ceoblog/2007/10/review-of-paintless-dent-repair.html
- http://www.mobiledataforce.com/ceoblog/2007/10/paintless-dent-removal-mobile-software.html
- http://www.mobiledataforce.com/ceoblog/2007/10/paintless-dent-repair-mobile-automotive.html
- http://www.mobiledataforce.com/ceoblog/2007/10/mobile-automotive-inspection-software.html
- http://www.mobiledataforce.com/ceoblog/2007/04/paintless-dent-repair-handheld.html
- http://www.mobiledataforce.com/ceoblog/2007/11/mobiledataforce-announces-fieldsync.html
Building a Small Mobile Business Using Mobile Handheld PDAs and Smartphones
Over the past few years companies were coming to MobileDataforce to ask about mobilizing existing business processes like field services, work orders, asset tracking, inspections, etc. These were companies that were just looking for ways to make things more efficient using handheld PDAs and smartphones. I am now seeing a new trend. This trend is companies that are starting from the ground up with a mobile business plan that takes advantage of mobile software and handheld PDA technology at their core.
Companies that can be run by a mobile owner/manager. The mobile owner/manager is able to enter work orders and job assignments on his handheld computer, dispatch the job to his team and keep working in the field. All the work is electronically documented on handhelds and synchronized back to his office accounting and work order software without human intervention.
These capabilities offer very compelling competitive advantages. You have full business visibility on the handheld. You don't have the high admin cost for the office. You can run very small operations very efficiently and with built in quality assurance.
For more information please visit MobileDataforce's website.
Companies that can be run by a mobile owner/manager. The mobile owner/manager is able to enter work orders and job assignments on his handheld computer, dispatch the job to his team and keep working in the field. All the work is electronically documented on handhelds and synchronized back to his office accounting and work order software without human intervention.
These capabilities offer very compelling competitive advantages. You have full business visibility on the handheld. You don't have the high admin cost for the office. You can run very small operations very efficiently and with built in quality assurance.
For more information please visit MobileDataforce's website.
38 Reasons to Mobilize Your Business with Handheld PDAs
This article describes the value that mobile software applications on handheld PDAs can provide businesses:
- Eliminate time spent in the re-typing data collected in the field.
- Reduce time spent on the phone dispatching service tickets , rather dispatch direct from your office computer to the mobile handheld computer in the field.
- Send driving directions in the mobile work order to save driving time and fuel costs.
- Save driving time by wirelessly synchronizing work orders with the office.
- Reduce fuel costs by minimizing the need to drive back and forth to the office to deliver paper work.
- Provide better customer service by accessing their account information via wireless connectivity on your handheld computer.
- Improve the efficiency of field data collection by using barcode scanners or RFID readers for rapid asset tracking.
- Improve the quality of work by providing real-time management visibility to work being done in the field.
- Create and schedule service tickets direct from the field. Reduces the need for an administrative intermediary.
- Immediate invoicing for faster collections and cash management by synchronizing with the office accounting system or by using a mobile printer and credit card swipe machine on the handheld computer.
- Proof of work – GPS audit trail of work with date and time stamp documents location and time of work. Reduces invoicing disputes.
- Reduce introductions of human errors with automated business processes and systems integration. Move electronic data from the field to your database applications without human intervention.
- Ensure complete data is sent from the field – incomplete data wastes time tracking down later.
- Avoid handwriting and translation errors by pre-populating electronic form information.
- Validate answers on mobile handheld PDA forms – to ensure data accuracy.
- Take digital images to document work and avoid invoicing disputes
Push data to the handheld and avoid time communicating information on the phone. - GPS tracking for reduced travel time and lower fuel consumption.
- Compute and analyze data on the handheld in the field – programmed analytics can help field users make quicker and better decisions.
- Automated business processes - your mobile application can be configured to perform all kinds of automated business functions, queries, computations, analytics and many more time consuming features automatically based on data input or buttons pushed.
- Enforce business processes for efficiency and best practices - mobile software solutions can be configured to ensure the field user follows the appropriate business processes.
- Avoid lost data —capture data immediately and sync to headquarters.
- Avoid undocumented inventory usage and unbilled time due to forgetfulness. Enforce real time data entry at point of work.
- Require clock in and clock out at jobsites to document the accuracy of work/time estimates.
- Train new service technicians and inspectors with audio memos or video clips.
- Capture digital signature for proof-of-delivery and proof of work on handheld computers.
- Query for available inventory in nearby work vans to save travel time, inventory and fuel cost.
- Use product and services information on handheld computers to up-sell.
- Query latest shipping status and/or inventory levels via handheld computer while onsite with customer.
- Document work and inspections time and dates to limit liability and disputes
Use mobile technologies as a competitive advantage and show instant visibility to work. - Demonstrate to potential customers the advantages of including GPS, time and date stamps, digital images, audio memos and more to document work and synchronize with the office using your handheld computer.
- Download product warranty information to the handheld computer for review at point of work.
- Using rugged handhelds are often easier to carry around at job sites and are more durable than using laptops—lower ownership costs.
- Mobile handheld computers with barcode scanners capture data quicker than typing on a laptop.
- Combine your phone, GPS device, laptop, digital camera, paper forms and barcode scanner all on one mobile handheld device to save money, weight and support costs.
- Combine job estimates, inspections, work orders, mobile inventory, time sheets all on one mobile application and one synchronization platform to mobilize and automate the entire business.
- Scale your business by lowering administrative costs and the administrative work required to run the business.
- Improve profits by analyzing real-time data collection on handhelds to understand the amount of time each task takes—so better scheduling and estimates can be implemented.
- Push data to the handheld and avoid time communicating information on the phone.
MobileDataforce, Mobile Software, PDAs and Handhelds at the 2008 Olympics
MobileDataforce has a customer in the Netherlands called Janssen-Fritsen. They are supplying all gymnastics equipment for the 2008 Olympics in Beijing next year. This is their fifth Olympic order. They are a market leader and expert in the field of equipment and materials for sports education, gymnastics and sports centers. Most of their products are developed in-house and supported by their professional services team.
The company has 25 field workers that register and work with large quantities of information related to the installation and condition of the equipment. Until recently, all of this information was managed with paper forms. They have now mobilized these paper processes using MobileDataforce's PointSync Mobility Platform to improve service efficiency and to significantly reduce the reporting time.
Mobile Handheld PDA Applications for Inspections on Hospital Equipment
MobileDataforce is working on a mobile software application for use on handheld PDAs and barcode scanners by a biomedical equipment company that provides services to over 200 hospitals. The mobile field services application provides:
- Work Orders software
- Inspection Software
- Breakdown repairs and preventative maintenance on all biomedical equipment
- Safety and performance testing of all biomedical equipment
- Loan equipment to minimise inconvenience
- Acceptance testing of all new biomedical equipment
- Training and education on equipment operation and maintenance
Our mobile application will integrate with their pre-existing CMMS (computerized maintenance management system) to provide mobile handheld PDA applications for their service technicians.
MobileDataforce Launches PointSync – Professional Version 2.0
Boise, Idaho— November 29, 2007 – MobileDataforce® a leading provider of business critical mobile software applications for use on handheld PDAs, today announced the release of the PointSync Mobility Platform, Professional version 2.0. This release represents a major upgrade to the company’s award-winning rapid application development solution.
“PointSync Mobility Platform, Professional version 2.0 contains over 29 new features to help make mobile application enablement faster and less expensive,” said Tim Cerami, Director of Product Management at MobileDataforce. “We worked closely with our technology partners, customers and channel partners to better understand their need to develop custom mobile software applications faster and with more tools to help develop larger and more complex enterprise mobile solutions. The results can be found in today’s release.”
New Version Includes:
- Support for larger data requirements on data intensive mobile applications
- Support for server to server synchronization which enables complex mobile architectures and high volume data movement
- New mobile application design features to speed up development (Control Picker, Tab Controls, Expanded Toolbars, Dynamic Show/Hide Controls, etc)
- Ease of use features for mobile applications running on Windows Mobile phones
- GPS Device Settings – enhanced GPS integration features for mobile applications
About PointSync Mobility Platform
The PointSync Mobility Platform is an enterprise class development platform used to rapidly design, develop, deploy and support mobile business applications running on mobile handheld PDAs and barcode scanners. It is architected to provide database centric mobile applications with bi-directional synchronization, connectivity, security and enterprise database integration all within one platform.
MobileDataforce is a global leader in the development of enterprise class mobile software development platforms and mobile business applications for use on handheld computers, PDA phones, Tablet PCs and laptops. MobileDataforce is a fast growing company with offices in Europe, North America and in Australia to support their expanding customer base and sales channels. Privately held, MobileDataforce has been mobilizing business processes since 2000. For more information, please visit our website at http://www.mobiledataforce.com/news/www.mobiledataforce.com.
Using Mobile Software Applications & Handheld PDAs for Inspections
I often get asked what markets we focus on with our mobile software applications for handheld PDAs. My first reaction is to say only the markets that have money, but that is not true...we are particular...we prefer certain currencies such as the Euros now days! The real answer is that inspection services is a very big market for us.
In the inspections services market nearly every customer has unique data collection requirements. They can not simply go to Office Depot and find a handheld PDA software application that meets their unique inspection service needs. What is required is the ability to cost effectively customize a mobile inspection solution in a relatively short period of time. We developed the PointSync Mobility Platform for that purpose.
Most inspections follow a common process. From a high level software technology perspective an inspection looks like this:
- Create and upload an electronic inspection form to a handheld computer
- Capture data
- Synchronize data and integrate data with the office database application
When you drill down a bit deeper it looks like:
- Development tools for creating electronic inspection forms quickly
- Add pick lists and drop down menus of items to inspect (to speed up inspections)
- Add the measuring scale for inspections (i.e. excellent/good/fair/poor)
- Add data validation to ensure quality data is capture
- Add business rules to the handheld inspection form (i.e. the answer is invalid if it says the VW can carry 76 passengers)
- Configure connectivity preferences (i.e. wireless, wifi, cable, satellite, etc.)
- Configure the synchronization process
- Configure the security settings
- Configure integration of data with the designated database
- Manage application updates and versions
- Manage mobile users
- Manage a large variety of unique mobile applications
- Manage mobile handheld PDAs
Two of the key words above are "Configure" and "Manage". You don't want to be required to program or code these items. It takes far too long and is far too expensive. You need a rapid application development tool for mobile inspections. You want to be able to design, develop and deploy new custom inspections quickly and cost effectively.
Some of our biggest mobile inspection customers are electrical utilities, food processing companies, electrical contractors, government agencies, construction engineering firms, etc. The common theme is a huge amount of data needs to flow easily and cost effectively between the field and the office over handheld computers, laptops or Tablet PCs.
If you would like to brainstorm about how to mobilize your inspection processes please contact us.
MobileDataforce Hires Mike Freeman as VP of Sales
MobileDataforce Hires Mobility Expert Mike Freeman to Accelerate Success in Worldwide Sales of Mobile Software Solutions
Noted Speaker, Sales Leader and Visionary Business Executive Joins MobileDataforce as VP of Sales...learn more
We are growing very fast here at MobileDataforce and we are attracting some very good industry talent to our management team. Mike Freeman, former VP of Enterprise Sales at Palm Inc, will bring a huge amount of talent and expertise to our team.
Welcome Mike!!!
Noted Speaker, Sales Leader and Visionary Business Executive Joins MobileDataforce as VP of Sales...learn more
We are growing very fast here at MobileDataforce and we are attracting some very good industry talent to our management team. Mike Freeman, former VP of Enterprise Sales at Palm Inc, will bring a huge amount of talent and expertise to our team.
Welcome Mike!!!
Getting Paid for Field Services - Using Handheld PDAs
I had the opportunity recently to spend time with one of our mobile software customers. They are developing a new business and dedicating a lot of time to thinking through their business processes. As he shared this experience, it occurred to me that my client is not getting paid for the work completed, but rather on the completed documentation of the work done. I realized these two items go hand-in-hand, but you don't automatically receive payment for work, unless there is adequate data that documents the work.
I again saw this phenomena in play when a large customer would not pay their bill until I properly registered as a vendor, got approved as a vendor, and filled out a series of forms before they would even consider paying me. Again, it was the completed and submitted data that released the funds, not the work.
The importance of getting accurate, complete and timely data from the point-of-work to the bill paying department of your customer is crucial to your success. Many small companies don't recognize this upfront. They assume doing a good job in the field will equate to good collections and a good bank account. Wouldn't that be nice.
Reality is that many small companies fumble around with these processes trying to keep stacks of loose forms and paper that are floating around in the cab of their delivery or service truck organized long enough to carry them into the office and pile them on the admin's desk. The admin looks at the stack of dusty and mud stained forms with blazing eyes that leave you watching your back.
The good news is that mobile handheld PDAs and smartphones with good mobile software applications can now be cost effectively integrated directly with your accounting and work order management systems.
The purpose of these mobile software applications is to ensure that accurate and complete data, that documents the work you have performed, gets into the hands of your paying customers as soon as possible, with as little administrative work and expense as possible. We call that "mobile business process optimization." If you would like to learn more about optimizing your field services using mobile handheld devices and mobile software applications please contact us or visit our website.
I again saw this phenomena in play when a large customer would not pay their bill until I properly registered as a vendor, got approved as a vendor, and filled out a series of forms before they would even consider paying me. Again, it was the completed and submitted data that released the funds, not the work.
The importance of getting accurate, complete and timely data from the point-of-work to the bill paying department of your customer is crucial to your success. Many small companies don't recognize this upfront. They assume doing a good job in the field will equate to good collections and a good bank account. Wouldn't that be nice.
Reality is that many small companies fumble around with these processes trying to keep stacks of loose forms and paper that are floating around in the cab of their delivery or service truck organized long enough to carry them into the office and pile them on the admin's desk. The admin looks at the stack of dusty and mud stained forms with blazing eyes that leave you watching your back.
The good news is that mobile handheld PDAs and smartphones with good mobile software applications can now be cost effectively integrated directly with your accounting and work order management systems.
The purpose of these mobile software applications is to ensure that accurate and complete data, that documents the work you have performed, gets into the hands of your paying customers as soon as possible, with as little administrative work and expense as possible. We call that "mobile business process optimization." If you would like to learn more about optimizing your field services using mobile handheld devices and mobile software applications please contact us or visit our website.
MobileDataforce VIN Decoding Technology (MVDT) on Mobile Handheld PDAs
Mobile handheld PDAs are a wonderful thing. We are using them plus our “MVDT” (MobileDataforce VIN Decoding Technology) to deliver some very interesting projects involving field services and automobiles.The following items can be identified by simply scanning the barcode on the dashboard or on the door frame of a car: year, make, model, body type, bed length, doors, # of cylinders, engine formation, engine size, fuel delivery method, fuel type, gross vehicle weight, build plant, restraint system, transmission gears, transmission type, wheelbase, antilock brakes (y/n), stability control (y/n), traction control (y/n), trim level, curb weight, EPA city mileage with auto, EPA city mileage with manual, EPA highway mileage with auto, EPA highway mileage with manual, ground clearance, height, length, width and color options.
All of this information can be automatically imported into a vehicle inspection or a work order uniquely associated with the automobile. For more details please visit our website.
Broncos vs Vandals and Using Mobile Handheld PDAs
Our office in Boise, Idaho is nicely decorated today in two different color sets. One is black and gold - representing the University of Idaho Vandals football team, and the other color scheme is blue and orange for the Boise State University Broncos football team. This week the two interstate rivals will be playing each other.Nick Martin, a Boise State University graduate and technical support guru, arrived at his office to an unpleasant surprise this morning. His desk was fully decorated in his rival's colors. I am sure revenge and conspiracy course through the halls.
How does this relate to mobile handheld computers? I took this picture with my Palm Treo 750 PDA phone running on Windows Mobile 6.0. I synced the image back to my desktop where I am writing this blog. Using the software solution PointSync Mobility Platform I can do the exact same thing with any business application - work orders, inspections, asset tracking, proof-of-delivery and more. The world is now ready for mobilized business applications of all kinds. If you would like to discuss your thoughts on mobilizing business applications please contact us.
MobileDataforce Announces FieldSync Automotive™ for Paintless Dent Repair
Mobile software solution provides VIN scanning and decoding, automotive inspections and work order applications for use on Windows Mobile handheld devices
Boise, Idaho— November 15, 2007 – MobileDataforce® a leading provider of business critical mobile software applications today announced a new mobile software solution called FieldSync Automotive which was designed and developed using the popular PointSync Mobility Platform for mobile handheld PDAs. This application is specifically designed for companies involved in the mobile automotive services market such as Paintless Dent Repair, Smart repair, windshield repair, bumper repair and other mobile services that require automotive inspections, work orders, VIN scanning and decoding, mobile invoices and reports.
“We are excited about offering a new category of mobile business software solutions,” says Kevin Benedict, CEO MobileDataforce. “FieldSync Automotive is the first in a series of mobile business solutions that we will be releasing on the PointSync Mobility Platform to run on Windows Mobile devices.”
Boise, Idaho— November 15, 2007 – MobileDataforce® a leading provider of business critical mobile software applications today announced a new mobile software solution called FieldSync Automotive which was designed and developed using the popular PointSync Mobility Platform for mobile handheld PDAs. This application is specifically designed for companies involved in the mobile automotive services market such as Paintless Dent Repair, Smart repair, windshield repair, bumper repair and other mobile services that require automotive inspections, work orders, VIN scanning and decoding, mobile invoices and reports.
“We are excited about offering a new category of mobile business software solutions,” says Kevin Benedict, CEO MobileDataforce. “FieldSync Automotive is the first in a series of mobile business solutions that we will be releasing on the PointSync Mobility Platform to run on Windows Mobile devices.”
iPAQ Handheld PDAs Everywhere
Our office is covered with many HP iPAQ handheld PDAs today. They are getting installed with a mobile supply chain logistics application that is being used to track supplies heading to various clinics in Africa that treat Aids patients. My PSO (professional services organization) team developed this custom mobile application to our customer's specifications and is now helping install all of the mobile applications on the PDAs in preparation for use in the field.
Our customer selected the iPAQ 694o with an Otterbox as a protective cover.
xTablet T8600 Rugged Tablet PCs Compete with Handheld PDAs
My team is working with an xTablet T8600 rugged Tablet PC in the office today. It is being considered by a number of our customers and competing against handheld PDAs. Our customers need a rugged Tablet PC to view either map details or to conduct in-depth equipment inspections. It has a barcode scanner on the top, a credit card swipe on the right side and a great strap on the back to slip your arm through to hold it.For more information click here. Here are some statements from their website:
Flexibility: MobileDemand's Rugged Tablet PC's are created to be as flexible as your workforce needs - regardless of the industry you are in.
Total Cost of Ownership: For markets such as Direct Store Delivery (DSD), Field Service, Transportation and Logistics, Healthcare, and Manufacturing and Distribution the right choice is a mobile computer..
Durable, Rugged Tablet PC: Nowhere is a failure more recognizable to the customer. It is critical that your field personnel are equipped with the best mobile solution.
Superior Customer Service From MobileDemand: MobileDemand's goal is to provide the best total experience before, during, and most importantly after the sale.
Customer Focused Engineering: MobileDemand takes pride in listening to our customers and using their input in the product design of our products and accessories.
MobileDataforce often works with both rugged handheld computers and rugged Tablet PCs. The majority of our customers have projects that involve data collection out-of-doors in wet, muddy and dusty environments so durability is an important component.
Application Enablement for Mobile Software Solutions, PDAs and Handhelds
I have read about a dozen reports over the last month on the subject of mobile software, handheld and PDA applications. Many companies have synchronization technologies for email, calendars, tasks and messaging, but one of the biggest needs right now is "application enablement." The definition of application enablement, as I understand it, is the ability for a company with a defined need for a mobile application to find a way to cost effectively develop and deploy it.
Here is a scenario - The Business Manager walks down the long row of cubicles to the IT manager's desk and says, "I need a field service work order management system on rugged PDA phones for my service technicians."
The IT manager closes down his My Space page and slowly turns and faces the Business Manager. "We have a custom Work Order Dispatch application written by your cousin Pete. There are no mobile applications that plug into it off-the-shelf."
"Just develop it then."
"How? Do you have a large budget and 12 months?"
This is the question that comes up in companies across the globe. The big unknown is how do you cost effectively create mobile applications. The answer is you need a RAD tool (rapid application development tool) that is designed for mobile applications. The following link covers this subject in more detail.
The PointSync Mobility Platform is the RAD tool created by MobileDataforce to address this need.
Here is a scenario - The Business Manager walks down the long row of cubicles to the IT manager's desk and says, "I need a field service work order management system on rugged PDA phones for my service technicians."
The IT manager closes down his My Space page and slowly turns and faces the Business Manager. "We have a custom Work Order Dispatch application written by your cousin Pete. There are no mobile applications that plug into it off-the-shelf."
"Just develop it then."
"How? Do you have a large budget and 12 months?"
This is the question that comes up in companies across the globe. The big unknown is how do you cost effectively create mobile applications. The answer is you need a RAD tool (rapid application development tool) that is designed for mobile applications. The following link covers this subject in more detail.
The PointSync Mobility Platform is the RAD tool created by MobileDataforce to address this need.
Making Millions with Mobile Handheld PDA Software Applications
In the last month I have spoken to several of our customers about their motivations for mobilizing their business processes for use on handheld PDAs. I was very intrigued that several of them identified their primary motivation was closing new business.
At MobileDataforce we are very focused on helping our customers identify the cost savings that can be achieved by mobilizing business processes on handhelds like:
- Work Order Dispatch
- Inspections
- Asset Tracking
- Delivery services
- Clinical trials data collection
- etc.
However, sometimes this can blind us to the fact that the primary motivations of some of our customers are to close new business by mobilizing, rather than achieving cost savings by mobilizing.
Two of the custom mobile software projects my teams are working on today were initiated because our customers wanted to achieve a competitive advantage in their business. They were not motivated primarily by cost savings due to business process efficiencies. They wanted to show their sales prospects a better way of conducting business using handheld computers, mobile software applications and wireless synchronization with their office database applications. In both cases it worked. Their end user customers chose them over competing companies that were still using inefficient paper, clipboards and fax machines.
I wrote an article called the 28 Reasons to Mobilize which can be downloaded here, but in this article I failed to list as a motivation - closing new business. Yes mobilizing your business prcesses to run on handheld PDAs can save money through efficiencies, but it can also add top line revenue to your business.
RFID Adoption Rates are Dropping
In an article in the Wall Street Journal on Tuesday, October 30, 2007 it is reported that RFID adoption rates are actually dropping. In 2006 13% of logistic providers said they have committed to using RFID at some point in the future, in 2007 the number is only 10%. Currently only 8% of logistics providers are involved in proof-of-concepts and this is also down from 2006 numbers.
The ROIs are simply not there yet for the majority of companies. The RFID tags remain too expensive and the accuracy of many RFID systems is not sufficient. Tom McKenna, VP of Penske Corp., says he could only get 95% accuracy on the RFID reads, which of course does not work for him.
Long live the bar code!!!
MobileDataforce has created many barcode and RFID solutions. Our mobile software solutions, the PointSync Mobility Platform, does not care if the data comes to the handheld through a bar code scanner, RFID reader or any other method. We process the data the same way and wirelessly synchronize it with enterprise database applications.
Introducing the Psion Teklogix Ikon - Rugged Handheld PDA Smartphone
Here is an interesting experience. I am using blogging software that is provided by Google, and it detected that I was blogging from a location in the Netherlands today and it switched all the instructions to Dutch. Oh well, nothing ventured nothing gained.
I was in Paris last week for the unveiling of Psion Teklogix's new rugged handheld PDA phone/scanner/gps data collector called the Ikon (sorry Psion I don't know how to make your special font characters). It is one of the few rugged phones with built in industrial strength scanners and batteries for real world working environments like the ones MobileDataforce works in on a daily basis.
Here is the text from Psion Teklogix's press release:
25 October 2007
Paris, France Signifying the dawn of a new era in the PDA marketplace, Psion Teklogix (LSE: PON), a global provider of solutions for mobile computing, wireless data collection, imaging and RFID, announced its return to the market it pioneered over 20 years ago, launching today its newest product, the rugged PDA – iKôn. A sleek, compact and powerful design with robust built-in functionality, iKôn is an ideal mobile computing device, delivering increased productivity and efficiency by enabling advanced mobile applications across the enterprise. "We’re extremely proud to be launching iKôn today, a day when we’re also celebrating our 40th year of existence in a very exciting marketplace," said Psion Teklogix CEO Jacky Lecuivre. "iKôn is the most advanced handheld computer our company has ever brought to market. It is a very synergistic addition to our portfolio as it enables us to truly address the needs of mobile workers, helping them do their jobs with the best possible mobile computing support." He added, "With the launch of this new rugged PDA, the company continues to evolve in the best Psion tradition. We are universally acknowledged with having created the PDA, with the introduction of the original Psion Organiser in 1984, and today we’re proving how our past is indeed the way to our future." Customers and partners worldwide were solicited for input and feedback on the types of capabilities they expect in a rugged PDA. "We listened to our customers, to the point where they became an integral part of the design and features definition process. Consequently, initial market reaction to our prototypes has been immensely positive and we are extremely optimistic about the prospects for iKôn," said Lecuivre. iKôn packs incredible functionality into a compact form factor with class-leading ergonomics, aesthetics, and ease of use. Whether reading barcodes with the integrated imager or scanner, or using the camera to take a colour picture, iKôn is a category-leading data capture device ideal for mobile workers in dynamic applications. With a choice of three operating systems, including Microsoft Windows CE 5.0, Microsoft Windows Mobile 6 Classic and Professional, iKôn offers customers an industry standard, yet leading edge platform for their applications. The capability of iKôn to fully integrate voice and data communication options onto a single device eliminates the need for multiple devices - effectively reducing capital expenditures as well as support costs. iKôn delivers true anytime, anywhere, wireless voice and data communications, GPS positioning, with simultaneous WiFi, Cellular (GSM/GPRS/UMTS) and Bluetooth connectivity options. These features enable real-time information management, improved efficiencies and increased asset visibility across a customer’s operations. With a full VGA display, iKôn is more suitable for complex applications with sophisticated graphics than many competing devices with one-quarter VGA displays. Finally, the highest battery capacity of the market ensures full-day productivity for mobile workers. International consulting firm Capgemini is already seeing the benefits of iKôn as the company is planning to work with its client, Hydro One Networks, in Ontario, Canada, to pilot the new device on a large Smart Meter project. Hydro One Networks owns and operates one of the ten largest electricity transmission and distribution systems in North America. iKôn will be used by Hydro One installers, alongside other Psion Teklogix rugged PDAs already being used, to support the smart meter installations – part of the provincial government initiative to have electricity distribution companies install smart meters in all homes and small business by 2010. "We’re excited to be among the early adaptors of this great new device. With its rugged design and multi-mode capabilities, iKôn will help in our efforts to create a culture of energy conservation across the province of Ontario," said Gord Reynolds, the Capgemini Program Manager of Field Services for the Smart Meter Project at Hydro One. Capgemini, one of the world's foremost providers of Consulting, Technology and Outsourcing services, enables its clients to transform and perform through technologies. iKôn will be available to customers through Psion Teklogix' global sales offices and value-added resellers in December 2007.
I was in Paris last week for the unveiling of Psion Teklogix's new rugged handheld PDA phone/scanner/gps data collector called the Ikon (sorry Psion I don't know how to make your special font characters). It is one of the few rugged phones with built in industrial strength scanners and batteries for real world working environments like the ones MobileDataforce works in on a daily basis.
Here is the text from Psion Teklogix's press release:
25 October 2007
Paris, France Signifying the dawn of a new era in the PDA marketplace, Psion Teklogix (LSE: PON), a global provider of solutions for mobile computing, wireless data collection, imaging and RFID, announced its return to the market it pioneered over 20 years ago, launching today its newest product, the rugged PDA – iKôn. A sleek, compact and powerful design with robust built-in functionality, iKôn is an ideal mobile computing device, delivering increased productivity and efficiency by enabling advanced mobile applications across the enterprise. "We’re extremely proud to be launching iKôn today, a day when we’re also celebrating our 40th year of existence in a very exciting marketplace," said Psion Teklogix CEO Jacky Lecuivre. "iKôn is the most advanced handheld computer our company has ever brought to market. It is a very synergistic addition to our portfolio as it enables us to truly address the needs of mobile workers, helping them do their jobs with the best possible mobile computing support." He added, "With the launch of this new rugged PDA, the company continues to evolve in the best Psion tradition. We are universally acknowledged with having created the PDA, with the introduction of the original Psion Organiser in 1984, and today we’re proving how our past is indeed the way to our future." Customers and partners worldwide were solicited for input and feedback on the types of capabilities they expect in a rugged PDA. "We listened to our customers, to the point where they became an integral part of the design and features definition process. Consequently, initial market reaction to our prototypes has been immensely positive and we are extremely optimistic about the prospects for iKôn," said Lecuivre. iKôn packs incredible functionality into a compact form factor with class-leading ergonomics, aesthetics, and ease of use. Whether reading barcodes with the integrated imager or scanner, or using the camera to take a colour picture, iKôn is a category-leading data capture device ideal for mobile workers in dynamic applications. With a choice of three operating systems, including Microsoft Windows CE 5.0, Microsoft Windows Mobile 6 Classic and Professional, iKôn offers customers an industry standard, yet leading edge platform for their applications. The capability of iKôn to fully integrate voice and data communication options onto a single device eliminates the need for multiple devices - effectively reducing capital expenditures as well as support costs. iKôn delivers true anytime, anywhere, wireless voice and data communications, GPS positioning, with simultaneous WiFi, Cellular (GSM/GPRS/UMTS) and Bluetooth connectivity options. These features enable real-time information management, improved efficiencies and increased asset visibility across a customer’s operations. With a full VGA display, iKôn is more suitable for complex applications with sophisticated graphics than many competing devices with one-quarter VGA displays. Finally, the highest battery capacity of the market ensures full-day productivity for mobile workers. International consulting firm Capgemini is already seeing the benefits of iKôn as the company is planning to work with its client, Hydro One Networks, in Ontario, Canada, to pilot the new device on a large Smart Meter project. Hydro One Networks owns and operates one of the ten largest electricity transmission and distribution systems in North America. iKôn will be used by Hydro One installers, alongside other Psion Teklogix rugged PDAs already being used, to support the smart meter installations – part of the provincial government initiative to have electricity distribution companies install smart meters in all homes and small business by 2010. "We’re excited to be among the early adaptors of this great new device. With its rugged design and multi-mode capabilities, iKôn will help in our efforts to create a culture of energy conservation across the province of Ontario," said Gord Reynolds, the Capgemini Program Manager of Field Services for the Smart Meter Project at Hydro One. Capgemini, one of the world's foremost providers of Consulting, Technology and Outsourcing services, enables its clients to transform and perform through technologies. iKôn will be available to customers through Psion Teklogix' global sales offices and value-added resellers in December 2007.
Work Orders on Mobile Handheld PDAs
Many owner's of small services companies ask me how a paper based work order or service request document can be condensed to fit on a small handheld PDA screen. Good question! Let me explain some of the ways the team at MobileDataforce would layout the screens in an easy to use manner.Most service or work order documents are divided into common sections:
- Date, Service Technician name, service ticket number
- Customer Name, address, phone number
- Reason for Today's Call
- Work Performed and description
- Identify equipment that was serviced
- Cost of work performed
- Cost of parts used
- Status of Work (complete, incomplete, outstanding)
- Payment information
- Customer and Service Technician signatures
We use the ability to pre-load the mobile work order application with all the dispatched customer information from the office. Most of the data the service technician enters into the mobile application can be done using:
- Check boxes
- Pick lists
- Radio buttons
- Pull down menus with multiple choice
- Digital signature capture
- Pre-determined labor rates
- Pre-determined parts' pricing
- etc
We are able to automatically compute the cost of labor and parts and you can even swipe a credit card from many of the handheld PDAs.
What is the value of mobilizing a work order or service request service?
- Faster dispatch from the office
- Pre-populated work orders synchronized to the handheld PDA
- Less data to fill out on work orders
- Instant invoicing for work complete
- Faster collections
- Complete and accurate work orders synchronized back to the work order or accounting system in the office
- Less admin work in the office
- Less dispatch work in the office
The benefits list is very long. If you would like to discuss your business requirements with a mobile solutions expert, please contact MobileDataforce by email or by visiting http://www.mobiledataforce.com/.
Here is another article on mobilizing work orders/service requests using handheld computers.
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