I’m sure you’ve all heard of 4G, but what does it mean and what can it do for you?  4G is the fourth generation wireless service that offers between 4 and 10 times the performance of 3G networks.  4G is the new generation of mobile broadband and offers faster download speeds to enhance demanding applications while on-the-go.  The two main technologies of 4G are WiMax and LTE (Long Term Evolution).  According to PC World Magazine:

• WiMax providers are advertising download speeds between 2 mbps and 6 mbps, with peak speeds of 10 mbps or more
• LTE is expected to offer download speeds in the 5 mbps to 12 mbps range

Most 3G networks deliver 1.5 mbps.  With this enhanced speed you’ll truly be able to perform no matter where the job takes you.

I’m sure there will be interesting developments in the coming months, so stay tuned for more information about the 4G evolution.

Let’s Get Mobile!  Contact DecisionPoint Systems, Inc. for additional information about 4G and what it can do for your mobile workforce.

According to a recent Aberdeen Group study, 57% of retailers using or planning to deploy RFID prefer to employ the technology at item level.  Item level RFID enables the accurate tracking of inventory and prevents out-of-stocks.  In addition, it also provides item level security.  Item level RFID technology will not only tell retailers exactly what items have left the store, but also send an alert if a high number of items were removed from the shelf at once.  This kind of tracking is particularly important for retailers with high value goods that face a greater risk of theft.  Item level RFID has become quite popular in a number of retail segments, including:

• Fashion and Apparel
• Jewelry
• Pharmaceutical

Item level RFID has the ability to improve inventory accuracy and efficiency is easily increased with handheld RFID readers.  The Aberdeen Group reported that 17% of respondents are currently using handheld RFID readers and 24% plan to deploy handhelds in the next 12 months.  You can check out the Motorola MC3090-Z handheld RFID reader in action in our March 15th post.

Let’s Get Mobile!  Contact DecisionPoint Systems, Inc. to learn more about RFID solutions for retailers.

Recent research conducted by VDC revealed some of the key decision criteria many businesses use when evaluating a mobile device.  The following is snapshot of this study:

Mobile Device Requirements

• Wireless Functionality   51%
• Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)   45%
• Device Weight and Ergonomics   29%
• Operating System    29%
• Level of Ruggedness    25%
• Integrated I/O Options    21%
• Integrated Voice and Data Capacity  20%

Enterprise Digital Assistants support these requirements and address the issues organizations have faced in the past when deploying consumer devices.  As we discussed in our August 16th post, commercial devices have a much higher failure rate than rugged devices and can lead to increased downtime and lost productivity.  With an EDA, you still receive a small form factor, but it packs a punch.  EDAs feature:

• Larger displays
• Rugged design
• Multiple keypad options
• Long battery life
• Real-time access to critical data in the field

Enterprise Digital Assistants are designed with mobile task workers in mind.  With an EDA, you’ll have all the features you need to improve productivity and minimize downtime no matter where the job takes you.

Let’s Get Mobile!  Contact DecisionPoint Systems, Inc. for additional information about Enterprise Digital Assistants.

Enterprise Asset Management (EAM) Solutions enable you to track, service and maintain assets no matter where they’re located.  Mobile computing greatly enhances asset management and allows you to better utilize resources, improve efficiency and reduce operational costs.  Ruggedized handheld mobile computers and the right software can improve a variety of key processes, including:

• Work order scheduling
• Inventory management
• Preventative/corrective maintenance
• Inspection
• Asset audits

The following are some typical characteristics of organizations that benefit from an EAM system with wireless mobile computing:

• You have 50 or more technicians servicing facilities, office equipment, machinery and fleets
• You use paper-based work orders
• Your technicians perform numerous jobs per day
• Your organization is spread across a large area or your workforce is widely dispersed
• Your workforce has minimal computer skills

If this sounds like your business, contact DecisionPoint to learn more about how you can maximize mobility and improve productivity.

Let’s Get Mobile!  Contact DecisionPoint Systems, Inc. for additional information about Enterprise Asset Management Solutions.

In our January 12th post we announced the release of the Motorola CLP Series Two-Way Radios and last week we announced DecisionPoint’s recent certification as an Authorized Motorola Two-Way Radio Reseller.  Today I’d like to provide you with the opportunity to learn more about the Motorola CLP Series and what makes these radios ideal for the retail industry.

Motorola consulted a wide range of retailers to get specific input about how they use their current two-way radios and they used the results to design the CLP Series, making it Motorola’s first two-way radio designed specifically for the demanding, fast paced retail environment.  Retailers were looking for the following design elements to better satisfy their customers and staff:

• Comfort-flexible options to comfortably wear the radio
• Performance-strong audio even in noisy retail environments
• Image-lightweight, durable and sleek design

The CLP Series has all of these features and more.  Read the CLP Series Retail Application Brief to learn more about how the CLP Series provides efficient staff communication and responsive service to customers.  You can also check out the sleek design and features by watching the Motorola CLP video in our Media Center.

Let’s Get Mobile!  Contact DecisionPoint Systems, Inc. for more information about the Motorola CLP Series two-way radios.

It’s time for a little bar code 101 again.  Today we’re going to take a look at Direct Part Marking (DPM).  DPM is a process to permanently mark an asset with a bar code.  The preferred codes for DPM are Data Matrix and the QR Code.  DPM is commonly used by automotive, aerospace and electronics manufacturers, as well as the United States Department of Defense.  DPM is a reliable means of identifying parts and can assist with safety and warranty issues and satisfy regulatory requirements.  Permanently marking the asset can be done in several ways, including:

• Laser marking
• Dot peening
• Chemical etching
• Ink jet printing

There are several factors to consider when deciding how the part will be marked, such as:

• Part shape-the Data Matrix code is difficult to place on a curved surface
• Part function-for parts used in critical safety applications it is best to use a non-intrusive method
• Surface thickness-you don’t want to use intrusive methods on parts that may be weakened due to the marking depth
• Surface-highly polished surfaces must first be textured to reduce interference with bar code reads

Let’s Get Mobile!  Contact DecisionPoint Systems, Inc. to learn more about DPM and the industries it is designed for.

In our April 8th post we discussed the features of Mobile Task Management Solutions and the ways that they provide consistency across retail store locations.  Another mobile solution that provides consistency and improves productivity is a mobile planogram solution.  Planograms are an important part of the retail industry because proper product placement and merchandising is crucial to sales.  That’s why you’ve got to get it right, and not just in one location, but in every store. 

Depending on the size of a store or the shelf reset that is taking place, paper planograms can become quite confusing.  At right is a screenshot from DecisionPoint’s software partner Global Bay that shows the detail your associates will have right at their fingertips instead of relying on a poorly printed paper planogram.  With a mobile planogram solution in place, headquarters captures and sends images and detailed store-specific instructions to mobile devices and store associates are trained on the shelf layout guidelines.  Once the layout has been completed, store associates can send an image back to headquarters for approval.  With a mobile planogram solution you will:

• Eliminate confusion and error
• Maintain a standardized floor and shelf layout
• Enforce product placement guidelines from headquarters
• Improve productivity
• Enable fast transmission of time sensitive layouts

Let’s Get Mobile!  Contact DecisionPoint Systems, Inc. for additional information about mobile planogram solutions and other mobile retail applications.

From receiving to picking, there are numerous warehouse mobility solutions that are designed to reduce errors and improve productivity.  Picking in a retail warehouse environment is an important part of your internal supply chain and can dramatically affect customer satisfaction.  Accurate picking operations ensure that your customers receive the right product without any shipping delays.  End-to-end mobility solutions provide the pickers in your retail warehouse with the tools to:

• Increase speed
• Improve accuracy
• Improve output
• Ensure the correct items are shipped on time

With a mobile computer (or wearable mobile computer) and a mobile printer your employees can scan, verify that the right product was selected and print pick slips and packing slips on the spot.  The mobile device organizes the picking order route to minimize travel through the warehouse and the mobile printer eliminates the need to travel to printers located elsewhere.  Everything is completed right from the warehouse floor in only a few steps— minimizing picking time and maximizing accuracy.

Let’s Get Mobile!  Contact DecisionPoint Systems, Inc. for additional information about warehouse mobility solutions.

As we discussed in our June 23rd post, not all healthcare applications occur within the four walls.  Another example of a healthcare service that requires field workers is patient transport services.  Implementing a mobile solution for patient transport services reduces costs and improves productivity by enabling:

• Web-based dispatching that sends drivers routes to the mobile device
• Current driver location is tracked in real-time
• Ability to dispatch the nearest driver
• Route optimization and turn-by-turn directions
• Geofencing to alert patient of expected arrival time
• Pick-up and drop-off location and time entered on an electronic form
• Signature capture
• Automatic capture of mileage driven
• Data is sent to the back office in real-time
• Extensive reporting

Let’s Get Mobile!  Contact DecisionPoint Systems, Inc. to learn more about mobile healthcare solutions that reduce costs, eliminate paperwork and improve productivity.

DecisionPoint Systems is proud to announce that today is our milestone 300th blog post!  We’d like to thank all of our dedicated readers.  If you don’t already, be sure to subscribe to our RSS feed and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.  Stay up-to-date on all of the latest mobile solutions and the newest hardware and software designed to improve productivity and increase ROI.

Let’s Get Mobile!  Contact DecisionPoint Systems, Inc. to learn more about our end-to-end mobile solutions.