Kevin Benedict is a TCS futurist and lecturer focused on the signals and foresight that emerge as society, geopolitics, economies, science, technology, environment, and philosophy converge.
Samsung Q1 Ultra - Handheld Computer for Construction and Building Inspections
MobileDataforce and HVAC Service Software on Handheld PDAs
"I am getting buried in paper work orders! Is there a way to have an electronic work order on a handheld PDA or Smart Phone that wirelessly synchronizes directly to my accounting software? Can work orders be dispatched from my office to a handheld computer? I would like my service technicians to enter their time, parts used, work status and get a digital signature on a handheld computer. Can that be done cost effectively for my 18 service technicians?"
My answer - "Yes sir...we deploy integrated mobile work order solutions weekly."
Here are some common features:
- Dispatch of service tickets/work orders
- Reassignment, Cancellation handling, Emergency calls
- Routing and event status, Maps and routing information sent with jobs
- Status of jobs
- Job data and description
- Customer data
- Technical Data
- Equipment data
- Parts and part orders
- Inventory checks
- Locating parts
- Parts orders
- Shipping status
- Invoicing
- Customer signatures
- Mobile invoice printing
- Sales and Mobile CRM
- Up selling products and service packages
- Warranties and renewals
- Job estimating
- Customer Survey
- Inspections
Additional articles on mobile handheld computer solutions - click here.
Additional mobile Work Order related articles
Muffled Voices in Your Mobile Handheld PDA
Voice memos? These are useful when you need to record your findings while keeping your hands free (dangling from a 40 story building, climbing a ladder, crawling through a pipe). These voice memos can be wirelessly synchronized to a database and someone back at the office can type them into the database if needed.
MobileDataforce's PointSync Mobility Platform enables you to attach voice memos to a database on the device and to have this voice memo synchronized with the enterprise database application in the office.
Wal-Mart and Mobile Handheld PDA Solutions - Symbol MC50
Appforge Users - What are the Choices?
- Use .NET to develop mobile applications and a mobile application platform
- Use a "rapid application development solution for mobile environments" like MobileDataforce's PointSync Mobility Platform.
MobileDataforce® PointSync is a complete mobility platform, used to rapidly design, develop and deploy business critical mobile applications to the field force. The PointSync® Mobility Platform is an enterprise class solution architected to provide database centric applications with full bi-directional synchronization and security for use on handheld computers, Smart Phones, Tablet PCs and Laptops.
It really depends on if your interest is a cool IT development project, or if you simply want the mobile application done so you deploy and start using it. If your interest is really the completed project, not the development experience, then using the PointSync Mobility Platform is likely going to get you deployed in the field in a fraction of the time and with a lot less cost and effort.
If you would like a personal demonstration of the PointSync Mobility Platform click here.
Mobile Software Solutions and Breakfast in Boise
Otterbox and the iPAQ Handheld PDA Drop Test
Question - What does MobileDataforce do with old HP iPAQs?
Answer - We place them in a variety of rugged Otterbox cases and drop them to see if these handheld PDAs will break.
Details: We dropped the HP iPAQ many times from 8 feet. We used 2 different Otterboxs and we could not break the iPAQ inside. We then used a rugged iPAQ case from HP. The rugged case shattered, but not the iPAQ. So if you had a large number of HP cases, the iPAQ would be fine.
TDS Ranger & Trimble Ranger Rugged Handheld Computer
Although one of the larger rugged handheld computers, the shape is very agreeable to the grip and the weight is reasonable. One of our customers is currently using this device in the context of mobile autobody services.
Unscientific Analysis of the Mobile Software Market for Handheld PDAs
Handheld Computers & Rugged PDAs Everywhere
When you walk the halls of MobileDataforce you will see desk's covered with PDAs, rugged handheld computers, bar code scanners, cradles, satellite domes, etc. On a pass a few minutes ago I saw the following:
- Intermec CN3
- Psion Teklogix's WorkAbout Pro (different sizes)
- Socket SoMo (and Socket Bar code Scanner)
- Symbol MC70
- Palm Treo 750 (700, 650...)
- HP iPAQ
- Dell Axim
- Symbol 9000
- T-Mobile MDA
- Samsumg
- Casio
- Mobile Mapper CE
- Itronix Duo-Touch
- TDS Nomad
- Mobile Printers of all kinds
A paradise of mobile gadgets, Windows Mobile applications,cradles and cables that we are testing or deploying at sites around the world.
Two weeks ago one of our senior engineers had a Psion Teklogix WorkAbout Pro on his desk. It was sent to us from a customer in the UK, shipped from the Netherlands and manufactured in France. It contained a specialized RFID radio in it that we configured to work with the PointSync Mobility Platform. This solution was going to be used on RFID enabled "wheelie bins" or large trash containers. What could be more fun?For those of you pondering how to choose the right hardware for your company's needs, please follow this link and download the document called, "Selecting Appropriate Handheld Computers."
Interviews with Kevin Benedict
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Futurist David Espindola’s new book has just been released, "Soulful: You in the Future of Artificial Intelligence." Alex Whittin...
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I had a great time participating in the filming and development of a 10 minute film on digital twins recently. Last week was its premier at...
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In this deep dive with Munich Re (Groups) cybersecurity expert Bob Parisi, we learn how the insurance and reinsurance industry develops poli...