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.
MobileDataforce's Office and International Visitors
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
The software application is a mobile work order management application.
Global Warming & Mobile Handheld PDAs
- 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
Mobile Software Applications for Handheld PDAs in Africa
This is Not the Way to Mobilize Work Orders for Handheld PDAs
- 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
- 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
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
- 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
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
Mobile Solutions for Handheld PDAs and Tablet PCs in China
Chain of Custody with MobileDataforce's Mobile Handheld PDA Software Solutions
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
Mobile Mobile Water Bottle Delivery Solution on Handheld PDAs
- 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
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
- 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
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
Automating a Paintless Dent Repair Business with PDAs, Handhelds and Mobile Software
- 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
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
Mobile Handheld PDA Applications for Inspections on Hospital Equipment
- 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.
Interviews with Kevin Benedict
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