Getting Started on a Mobile Software Development Project for Handheld PDAs and Smartphones

What does it take to get a mobile software application for a handheld PDA or smartphone developed? The quick answer is just time and money, but the long answer follows:

1. Draw a picture or diagram of the various players, software systems, buildings, vehicles, etc., that will be involved in the system. It helps everyone to see where the data starts, where it is collected, edited, synchronized used and stored.
2. List the business processes involved in the system (i.e. work orders, asset tracking, inventory, inspections, accounting, payroll, invoicing)
3. List who will be using the system
4. Ask an expert to draw out and detail how the enterprise application works and interfaces with third party software
5. Identify how each person involved will access the information (i.e. mobile handheld computer, desktop application, web application, etc.)
6. What reports do they need to have? Are they dynamic, or are they standard reports?
7. What database application(s) does the mobile application need to interface with?
8. Provide a database schema for the database where the data will be stored?
9. Make an expert, that knows your database application, available so the development team can quickly get their questions answered
10. Pick your mobile device or handheld computer early so the development team knows screen sizes, button configurations, bar code, RFID, GPS etc., configurations
11. Have a person available to review and test the work each step of the way.
12. Don't ask the mobile application to do all of the same things as an enterprise software application. Be careful to use the mobile software application in the right manner with an understanding of the limited screen size, processor speed and memory available on mobile devices.

Microsoft, Palm and MobileDataforce Recorded Webinar

Microsoft, Palm and MobileDataforce combined to record a webinar detailing how our mobile solutions for handheld PDA and smartphones work together to help small to medium sized companies mobilize their workforces. You can also register to try a Palm Treo 750 (running Windows Mobile) with the PointSync Mobility Platform for a 30-day trial.

Africa & Mobile Handheld PDA and Smarphone Applications

I am continually surprised by the wide variety of business processes and geographical locations where our mobile software applications are being used. We are regularly helping with large mobile software projects in Africa. Who would have predicted that? Here are some sample applications:

• Mobile tax assessment application
• Mobile water deliver application
• Mobile clinical supplies and supply chain logistics application

All of these customized mobile software applications were developed using the same mobile software development platform called the PointSync Mobility Platform by MobileDataforce for use on handheld PDAs and Smartphones.

Auto Appearances - PDAs, Handhelds and Mobile Software Application

Mobile Enterprise magazine published an interesting article about a mobile software solution for PDAs and handhelds developed by MobileDataforce to help an automotive services company automate and mobilized their business processes. The solution included the following components:

• Mobile auto inspections
• Mobile job estimates for auto detailing and PDR
• Mobile work orders
• Wireless synchronization and integration with enterprise work order management system
• Integration with Microsoft Dynamic GP for accounting
• Production and work reports

RFID & Mobile Handheld Solutions from MobileDataforce

Our team in the UK has recently been working on a mobile "wheelie bin" application that uses RFID tags and RFID readers integrated into a Psion Teklogix WorkAbout Pro to uniquely identify the bins. They deliver, pick-up, inspect and repair these wheelie bins. The data is collected and synchronized with their enterprise database. You could list this mobile application in several different categories - inspections, delivery, asset tracking and field services.

The application was developed using MobileDataforce's PointSync Mobility Platform.

Free Palm Treo 750 Smarphone for 30-days

Palm is running a promotion with Microsoft and MobileDataforce to provide a 30 day trial of the PointSync Mobility Platform software and a Palm 750 running the Windows Mobile OS. This promotion is for qualified companies interested in mobilizing their field services teams.

The Palm Treo combines the power and functionality of a PDA with the capabilities of a mobile phone.

The Handheld PDA - iPAQ 900 Series Business Messenger

Have you seen the new mobile handheld PDA or smartphone line up by HP? They have some interesting new Windows Mobile devices. The device shown in this image is the iPAQ Business Messenger.

Follow this link to a full description.

MobileDataforce provides mobile software tools for developing a wide variety of mobile business applications and data collection solutions on handheld PDAs. We love PDA phones running Windows Mobile OS. This PDA phone has a keyboard for data entry and the connectivity to synchronize data from just about anywhere in the world that has wireless network coverage.

30-day free Trial of an Unlocked Palm Treo 750 Smartphone

If you are a field services company (anyone working out of the office and receiving service requests, job tickets or work orders) you may find this offer interesting. The details are on both Palm's and Microsoft's websites.

http://www.palm.com/us/business/solutions/mdf.html

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsmobile/enterprise/default.mspx

In summary - qualified field services companies can receive a free 30 day trial of a Palm Treo 750, the PointSync Mobility Platform, 4 sample mobile software applications and up to 4 hours of free mobile solution consulting by registering.

Pipeline Construction & Inspection and Handheld Computers

We are working with a large civil engineering firm on a 500 mile pipeline construction project. The engineering firm is using the PointSync Mobility Platform to develop mobile software to do environmental impact data collection in the field. If there is a negative environmental impact, then remedial plans and efforts must be implemented. They first collect data on a location using a mobile handheld PDA before the pipeline is installed, and later conduct follow-up data collection using rugged handhelds once the pipeline has been constructed to monitor the impact on the environment.

This is a custom inspection software application developed specifically for handheld PDAs.

Interesting New Projects

It is never dull here at MobileDataforce. Every day has its own set of interesting new projects. Here are some of the latest business processes and projects we are reviewing or mobilizing:

• Time sheets
• Pet vaccination tracking
• Tracking medicine shipping to Africa
• Concrete testing
• Government housing inspection projects
• Subway system switch inspections
• Tracking condom distribution to clinics
• Beverage distribution and promotion system
• Clinical studies on sever spinal injuries
• Electronic Patient diaries for Hemophiliac patients
• ATM repair and maintenance
• Heating ventilation and air condition work orders
• Electric company's work order system
• Oxygen delivery
• Propane delivery
• Medical supply delivery
• Much more...

MobileDataforce's PointSync Mobility Platform is used by companies around the world to mobilize a wide variety of business processes.

Hospitals and Data Collection on Handheld PDAs

My wife and I spent Saturday evening visiting a friend in the hospital here in Boise. While in the hospital I quickly became distracted by the nurse. Not the nurse specifically, but by the handheld PDA she was carrying around. She was doing the following:

1. Scanning a bar code on the wrist band of the patient
2. Scanning a bar code on the applied medicine
3. Capturing the date and time stamp on the handheld computer
4. Synchronizing the data to an enterprise software application
5. The collected data activates business rules
6. The business rules prompt the user with questions
7. The system alerts user if there is a problem with the treatment or treatment schedule
8. Ask for response to alert

This was a fascinating example of a handheld PDA and a mobile data collection system that is integrated with an enterprise database. These same 8 steps can be implemented with many different assets. Let's consider a large piece of manufacturing equipment and a plant maintenance technician:

1. Scan a bar code on the side of the equipment
2. Scan a maintenance service bar code to designate the service you are performing
3. Capture date and time stamp on the handheld computer
4. Synchronize the data with your Asset Tracking or CMMS system
5. The collected data activates business rules
6. The system's business rules prompt you with questions about the service
7. The system sends you service alerts based upon stored data
8. You respond to the alert and verify you read it

These 2 data collection systems work the same from a mobile data collection technology perspective, but serve 2 completely different industries.

MobileDataforce develops mobile software applications that help companies improve their field services operations.

Microsoft, Palm and MobileDataforce Team Up for Handheld PDA and Smartphone Campaign

Microsoft, Palm and MobileDataforce team up to provide small to medium sized companies with cost effective mobile field services applications for use on smartphones and handheld PDAs. Here is the slogan:

Mobile Field Service Workers. Wireless access. Get it Done.

Deliver mobile work orders, inspections, up-to-date asset information, and more with the PointSync Mobility Platform & Palm® Treo™ smartphones

How valuable would it be for your field services team to easily access mobile work orders, wireless pick lists, inspections and up-to-date asset information on their Palm® Treo™ smartphones?

Join Palm and MobileDataforce for a live, interactive Webinar to find out how. By attending, learn how to qualify for a free 30-day trial of the MobileDataforce PointSync® Mobility Platform and a Palm Treo 750 smartphone.

Qualified users for the trial will also receive a free mobile consultation and discounted pricing from MobileDataforce – and up to four hours of mobile solution consulting for free! And... Get all your mobile field service questions answered live during the Webinar by representatives from Palm, Microsoft and MobileDataforce.

Discover how MobileDataforce PointSync on Palm Treo smartphones can help your company:

• Deliver work orders, inspection forms, asset management and more to your field service workers


• Sync two-way data from the point of business to help save time, improve accuracy, and avoid misplaced forms


• Consolidate multiple mobile devices into a single Windows Mobile® smartphone that delivers voice, email, text messaging, and mobile field service applications2


• Create your own mobile applications, or have the MobileDataforce Professional Services team complete and deploy a solution for you


• Stay ahead of the competition and help ensure top-level customer service

We look forward to seeing you at the Webinar. Join us to take advantage of the opportunity to get a free, no obligation trial offer and realize the mobility benefits of this solution for your field services team.2

Concrete Sawing and Drilling and Mobile Handheld Computers

I had the opportunity to be the keynote speaker at the Concrete Sawing and Drilling Association meeting this week in Phoenix, Arizona. It was a cool 112 degrees on Wednesday when I arrived. I was able to spend a lot of time with these CSDA folks (who would go outdoors in that heat?) and learn even more about their individual businesses.

Here are some of the reasons companies in this industry are interested in mobilizing their field services:

1.Wirelessly dispatch job tickets to mobile handheld computers
2.Pre-task planning to prepare for job and have all required equipment loaded on vehicle
3.Track equipment that is needed and removed from warehouse
4.Record the person who checked out the equipment
5.Record the vehicle that equipment is assigned to
6.Document the tasks that need to be performed on the job. Were they all done?
7.How much time did each task take? Improve job estimates
8.Wirelessly synchronize data back to the office for instant invoicing
9.Was all equipment checked back into the warehouse?

These are similar requirements to many different field service industries. The business owners I spoke with were all looking to decrease loss, reduce unnecessary expenses and increase productivity and profits.

MobileDataforce has a great deal of experience helping field service companies mobilize their operations and accomplish the goals listed above.

MobileDataforce Named Microsoft Certified Partner

MobileDataforce Named Microsoft Certified Partner

Idaho Software Company Further Distinguishes Itself by Earning ISV Competency

Boise, Idaho— August 23, 2007 – MobileDataforce® a leading provider of business critical mobile software applications for the SMB markets today announced it has earned certified status in Microsoft’s Partner Program, which recognizes MobileDataforce’s expertise and impact in the technology marketplace. As a Certified Partner, MobileDataforce has demonstrated expertise with Microsoft technologies and proven ability to meet customer needs. Microsoft Certified Partners receive a rich set of benefits, including access, training and support that give them a competitive advantage in the marketplace.

“Only companies that have demonstrated high levels of customer service, proved their experience and attained advanced certification receive the designation of Microsoft Certified Partner,” said Allison Watson, corporate vice president of the Worldwide Partner Group at Microsoft. “Today, Microsoft recognizes MobileDataforce for its skills and expertise in providing customer satisfaction with Microsoft products and technology.”

In addition to achieving certified status, MobileDataforce has declared the ISV/Software Solutions Competency. Microsoft Competencies are designed to help differentiate a partner’s capabilities with specific Microsoft technologies to customers looking for a particular type of solution. Each competency has a unique set of requirements and benefits, formulated to accurately represent the specific skills and services that partners bring to the technology industry.

The ISV/Software Solutions Competency recognizes the skill and focus partners bring to a particular solution set. Microsoft Certified Partners that have obtained this competency have a successful record of developing and marketing packaged software based on Microsoft technologies.

“We are pleased to have earned certified status in the Microsoft Partner Program. This achievement demonstrates to our customers our experience and commitment to developing mobile software applications that run on Microsoft operating systems,” said Kevin Benedict CEO of MobileDataforce.

About the PointSync Mobility Platform

PointSync Mobility Platform is an enterprise class solution used to rapidly design, develop and deploy mobile software applications. It is architected to provide database centric mobile applications with bi-directional synchronization, GPS, barcode scanning, RFID, connectivity, security and enterprise database integration all within one solution.

About MobileDataforce

MobileDataforce is a global leader in the development of enterprise class and business critical mobile software applications for use on handheld computers including Smart Phones, Tablet PCs and laptops. MobileDataforce has 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/.

Symbol MC50, Target & Handheld PDAs in the Field

My family and I were doing something for the first time - outfitting a university dorm room. My son is about to leave the nest and join the ranks of academics and scholars (I hope!). Did you know that Target (USA based stores) has a complete line of products for dorm rooms called "07 College?" OK, they were not too creative on the brand name, but we did buy about a half dozen products from that line for his dorm room. In the process of shopping a store clerk walked by with a Symbol MC50 handheld PDA in her hand (if you are a regular reader you will note that Wal-Mart also used this handheld PDA and barcode scanner). She was looking up product inventory with the handheld and answering customers' questions.

I pondered the activities of the store clerk and considered how that same activity (i.e. business process) could also be used outside the store. Most of the mobile software solutions MobileDataforce helps deploy involve some level of rain, wind, dust and mud (in addition to oil, blood, ice, explosions, etc.). The store clerk was looking up inventory to help a customer know if they could buy the product. The query also would tell the clerk where the products were located, and if there were more in the warehouse.

Field Service technicians use this same feature everyday. They just work in locations with more dirt and spider webs. Picture this - the service technician is on his back under a furnace. A replacement part is required for the repair. He pulls out his Smart Phone and queries the inventory in his van. The part is not there, but it is in a van just 1 mile away. He calls to the other van driver who delivers it.

Inspection Data Requires Visibility and Handheld PDAs Can Help

I was in the Benelux working with a large Fortune 1000 company on a global inspection project involving over 500 inspectors. One of the motivations for the project was to ensure that the inspection data that was collected was synchronized from the mobile handheld computers directly to a database that could be viewed and analyzed by management in near real time. Previously, when inspections were completed on paper forms - the paper forms were simply filed in a cabinet. The only forms reviewed by management were those with a very, very bad scores. That meant nearly all the collected data was trapped on a paper form and stuffed in a dark file cabinet unavailable for easy viewing, distribution and analysis. The problem with not viewing the data that is collected is that trends and patterns can not be recognized and corrected in advance. There was a lot of money spent collecting inspection data that could not be acted upon in a preventative manner.

This week's bridge collapse in Minneapolis brought the Benelux example to mind. Seems there had been many inspections, but obviously the data was not being viewed by the right parties in a manner that would motivate preventative action.

Samsung Q1 Ultra - Handheld Computer for Construction and Building Inspections

MobileDataforce is working on a construction and building inspection software project in China. The handheld device chosen by our customer is a Samsung Q1 Ultra. It is a two-handed handheld computer. The Qwerty keyboard is split half on one side and half on the other side of the screen. The mouse is on the left side and a navigation button on the right.

This device will be used for inspections and quality assurance audits.

It is a good looking device, but a two-handed handheld will take some getting used to.

MobileDataforce and HVAC Service Software on Handheld PDAs

MobileDataforce supports mobile software applications for many different kinds of service technicians and handheld PDAs. This time of year (summer 2007 and hot weather) has us working with many HVAC (heating, ventilation & air conditioning) companies.

A recent report from Aberdeen Group says that field service automation can lead to an 18% increase in service revenues and 9% reduction in Mean Time to Repair. The typical conversation with the owner of an HVAC company goes as follows:

"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."

Click the image on the right to enlarge.

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

If you would like to discuss mobile software applications for handheld PDAs in detail please contact MobileDataforce, or click here to request a personal demonstration.

Additional articles on mobile handheld computer solutions - click here.

Additional mobile Work Order related articles

Muffled Voices in Your Mobile Handheld PDA

We are working on a large inspection software project in the UK for a water utility that uses handheld PDAs. In the course of supporting this effort one of the inspectors sent a problematic handheld PDA in for service. Seems it had run out of memory. Upon closer inspection we found a 30 minute voice memo of the inside of his pocket. For the curious - not much of interest in the recording.

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

I was shopping at Wal-Mart last night. OK!!! I needed food and it was there. As I am prone to do...I stopped a Wal-Mart employee who was walking by with a Symbol MC50 handheld and asked how she was using it. She said their new system allows her to approve or disapprove any issues at the cash register while working anywhere in the building. She simply punches in here ID on the transaction in question and selects here options to approve or disapprove. It saves management the time and exercise of running from the back room to the front cash register all day long. I wonder how this anti-exercise technology effects the manager in question?

The process described above does have some interesting lessons. How often do field service technicians have questions, or need approval to purchase items for a project? Perhaps they need a part, filter, tool etc. How much time is wasted trying to track down the operations manager on the golf course just to get a simple approval. Wal-Mart provides another useful process that involves handheld computers.

MobileDataforce provides a mobile software development platform and development services for mobilizing all kinds of business processes that are deployed to handhelds, smartphones and PDAs.

Appforge Users - What are the Choices?

MobileDataforce has had dozens of calls from Appforge users looking for new and different options for mobile application development. We generally present them with the following options:

1. Use .NET to develop mobile applications and a mobile application platform


2. 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

The sales team at MobileDataforce prepared a delicious breakfast for the rest of the company this morning. They served "New York" style muffins (fried muffins with butter) and wonderful omelets! The photo on the right shows Jody Sedrick (in the red apron) making an omelet, while Sean Robideau supervises.

MobileDataforce is having a record sales year developing mobile software solutions for use on smartphones and handheld PDAs and the growth keeps everyone very focused. The sales team wanted to thank our customers, and all the other departments in MobileDataforce for the hard work that goes into supporting this growth.

This photo was taken from the back door of our office on the Boise river.

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

The TDS, or Trimble Ranger pictured here in the development screen of the PointSync Mobility Platform, is an interesting and very usable device. It is designed around the concept of a landscape view that makes it easier to read long data fields. This particular device is water proof and comes with more buttons than you could ever use. It has a full alphabetical keyboard and a full number pad plus navigation buttons.

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

If you are looking for a scientific study, with verifiable statistics, on the trends to be found in the enterprise mobile software application market, this is the wrong place. What I can share is the following examples from the past few days in Boise, Idaho, USA.

Last week I looked out of my office window (I do this a lot to appear contemplative), and see a mobile dent repair van in the parking lot. We have been involved with many mobile dent repair business application projects - my sales team swarmed him. Later that day the paintless dent repair technician visited our website to download information on our mobile solutions for paintless dent repair.

Yesterday, I visited Starbucks (this was not my first time), and saw a gentleman wearing a shirt that had a "Carrier" logo. Carrier is a manufacturer of Air Conditioning equipment. We have been involved with numerous mobile software application projects with HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) companies.

I said, "Howdy! I work for a company that develops software applications for handheld PDAs used in the HVAC industry." He looked at me with surprise (I get that a lot when I talk to people) and then he said, "I am looking for mobile work order software for my HVAC business right now."

Later, I was working in my tomato garden (a world class production) last week and my neighbor came over. He leaned against my fence and said the software company he works for is interested in mobilizing their work order management software application. I know just the company I told him. He is coming over to the office later this week.

Again yesterday I was returning to the office after having visited a unique, one-of-a-kind place called Starbucks, and there in the parking lot was a van with the words "Mobile Windshield Repair" on the side. I went down the hall to our sales department and pointed out the window. With an explosion of papers and headsets the room cleared. The Mobile Windshield company has many locations and vans operating across multiple states. They are interested in mobilizing their dispatch and work order processes.

My truly unscientific analysis suggests the market is very interested in mobilizing business processes today. I want to be the first to raise my hand and say - talk to us here at MobileDataforce. We have operations in North America, Europe and in Australia. We are helping companies achieve inspiring returns on their investments in mobile solutions and providing significant competitive advantages around the world.