DecisionPoint Systems, Inc. (OTCBB:DNPI) announced yesterday that they received certification as an Authorized Motorola Two-Way Radio reseller.  Motorola’s industry-leading Two-Way Radios are a perfect extension to our retail, manufacturing and warehousing mobile solutions.  You can read the entire press release “DecisionPoint Systems Receives Certification as Authorized Motorola Two-Way Radio Reseller” for more information.  Also be sure to visit DecisionPoint’s Two-Way Radio Page for additional information about the benefits that two-way radios offer and to download industry specific application briefs.

Let’s Get Mobile!  Contact DecisionPoint Systems, Inc. for more information about Motorola Business Two-Way Radios.

In our August 13th post, we discussed the tests that devices must endure to be labeled rugged and provided a white paper from Motorola with more information.  Today I’d like to compare the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) of rugged devices and commercial devices.  Although rugged devices may have a higher purchase price than commercial devices, hardware failures and resulting downtime are common occurrences for enterprises using non-rugged devices outside their intended application.  It’s important to look beyond just the purchase price and focus on the expected life of the device and the environment it will be used in.

According to Venture Development Corporation (VDC), the expected failure rate of commercial handhelds compared to rugged devices can be as high as 4 to 1.  In addition they also found that downtime for mobile workers using commercial devices can be as much as 48% higher than for rugged users.  Device failures lead to lost productivity, a decrease in customer satisfaction and will have a significant impact on ROI.  Because commercial devices are designed for use in non-rugged office environments they lack rugged features, this can dramatically shorten their life span and add to the total cost of ownership.  Rugged devices on the other hand are designed for use in the field and boast features that will extend their life span.  According to the VDC’s Total Cost of Ownership study, rugged devices have a lower total cost of ownership over a 5 year period.

Let’s Get Mobile!  Contact DecisionPoint Systems, Inc. to learn more about total cost of ownership considerations and which rugged mobile device meets your requirements and budget.

As you’ve probably noticed in several past posts, we love to display the ruggedness of mobile devices that can withstand use in extreme environments and put up with daily use and accidental abuse (or abuse caused just for a video).  Rugged devices are designed for field workers and provide a longer life span than commercial grade devices, which is money well spent in the long run.  Today I’m going to provide an overview of what a mobile device must withstand to be labeled rugged.  A variety of standardized tests have been developed to test the ruggedness of devices, including:

Drop Rating-is a measure of a devices ability to withstand repeated falls from a specified height to concrete.  Standard testing states that a drop height of 4-5 ft. to concrete is considered rugged, but as you’ve seen in past videos, numerous Motorola devices exceed this height.

IP Rating-the Ingress Protection Rating (IP Rating) is the standard used to identify how well the device can withstand dust, dirt, liquids and other solid particles.  IP ratings are an important consideration for devices that will be used outdoors.  Learn more about 2-digit IP Ratings and view a comparison chart in our Feb. 22nd post.

Operating Temperature-rugged devices are designed to withstand temperatures that aren’t considered “normal” and can work in a variety of temperature ranges that even include temperatures below freezing.  This too is an important consideration for devices that will be used in the field.

Download the Motorola white paper, “What Does It Mean To Be Rugged?” for additional information about the stringent testing involved.  Be sure to visit us again next week when we compare rugged and consumer devices.

Let’s Get Mobile!  Contact DecisionPoint Systems, Inc. to learn more about rugged mobile devices that meet your requirements and are built for all day use outside of the enterprise.

In our July 13th, 2009 post we provided more information about MobileArc.  MobileArc is DecisionPoint Systems’ mobility practice and provides all of the necessary components for a mobile solution.  This includes determining the software that best meets the customer’s business requirements and budget, hardware, project management and carriers.

When combined with our MobileCare Support services you’ll have everything required to implement your mobile solution and the post-sales support that will maintain your mobility.  DecisionPoint has expanded the suite of MobileArc Field Mobility Solutions to include:

• MobileArc Courier Solutions
• MobileArc Security Service Solutions
• MobileArc Field Inspection Solutions

Other solutions include:

• MobileArc Field Services Solutions
• MobileArc Proof of Delivery (POD) Solutions
• MobileArc Salesforce Automation Solutions
• MobileArc Direct Store Delivery (DSD) Solutions

With over 30 years of experience, the experts at DecisionPoint’s will provide you with everything you need for success.  MobileArc is your answer to realizing the benefits of field-based workforce automation and desired ROI.

Let’s Get Mobile!  Contact DecisionPoint Systems, Inc. to learn more about our MobileArc Field Mobility Solutions.

Do you have the ability to easily push out firmware updates to correct problems with devices?  Imagine this; a new firmware update is released to correct an issue that you’ve been experiencing on all of your devices.  Do you have the resources to send someone to manually correct the issue for each device?  How many devices do you have?  How widely dispersed are they?  Can you afford the lost productivity to take the devices out of the field?   It’s important to think about these kinds of scenarios and questions when implementing a mobile solution.

With DecisionPoint’s MobileCare device management, we create the firmware package and send it down to each device to correct the issue remotely.  This means no wasted resources and your devices are back in the field more quickly so your employees can stay productive. 

Let’s Get Mobile!  Contact DecisionPoint Systems, Inc. to learn more about our full suite of MobileCare Support Services designed to keep on-the-go workforces productive.

DecisionPoint’s Grapevine™ Push-to-Talk solution offers a number of key features and benefits including:

• Almost instantaneous communications with virtually no latency
• Excellent sound quality
• Uses data plan
• Easy installation with (almost) zero configuration
• Works on any Windows Mobile phone
• PC client available for dispatcher / back office
• Grapevine is both cross-carrier and Wi-Fi interoperable
• Closed loop solution prevents abuse and increases productivity 
• Individual or group communications
• Mappable Push-to-Talk key
• Low cost: $3.99/mo.

 You can listen to an audio demo of  Grapevine™ Push-to-Talk at Grapevine™ Push-to-Talk Audio Demo.

Let’s Get Mobile!  Contact DecisionPoint Systems, Inc. to learn more about Grapevine™ Push-to-Talk.

It’s time for another fun video featuring a mobile device withstanding a variety of ruggedness tests.  This video features a Motorola MC75 putting up with multiple drop tests, tumble tests and more.  Enjoy!

Let’s Get Mobile!  Contact DecisionPoint Systems, Inc. to learn more about rugged mobile devices like the Motorola MC75.

DecisionPoint Systems exists to create operational advantages for businesses.  We offer a range of services designed to increase productivity, drive out costs and increase sales.  Our core competencies include:

• Consulting
• System Design
• Software Leadership
• Deployment/Implementation
• Pre-Sales Support-technical analysts
• Post-Sales Support-Help Desk, Express Depot, Remote Device Management
• Consumables
• RFID

With over 30 years of experience, we’re experts in mobile software and wireless integration and have a proven track record of making our client’s businesses run more smoothly and more profitably while minimizing frustration.  We also provide nationwide coverage with offices in New Jersey, Connecticut and California and we’re always just a phone call away at 800.336.3670. 

Let’s Get Mobile!  Contact DecisionPoint Systems, Inc. for additional information about our full range of mobile services and solutions.

Mobile workforces require rugged devices that can put up with all day use no matter where the job takes them.  But what are your options if your workers require a large display?  The typical laptop isn’t built to withstand harsh environments and isn’t easy to transport when you’re constantly on-the-move.  In our March 1st post we provided more information about REDFLY Mobile Companion, a way to provide your mobile field workers with a larger display while on-the-go —without having to rely on a device that isn’t built for extreme environments.  Other options include rugged tablet PCs and rugged convertible notebooks.

Rugged tablet PCs boast large displays, sealed all-weather designs and are easy to carry.  Some of these only weigh 3 lbs. yet feature displays as large as 10.4”.  Convertible notebooks are also fully rugged and can quickly be converted from a notebook to a tablet PC for field work.  With protection against water, dirt and dust, rugged tablets can withstand environmental factors that would severely damage a commercial grade PC.

These rugged devices are a great alternative if your field workers require a larger display and will ensure that they remain productive and on-the-go throughout the day.

Let’s Get Mobile!  Contact DecisionPoint Systems, Inc. for additional information about rugged tablet PCs or rugged convertible notebooks.

In our July 20th post we announced that select Motorola devices can now be upgraded to Windows Mobile 6.5.  This is a perfect example of how remote device management can not only make your life easier, but provide cost savings.  If you have geographically dispersed field workers and don’t have a remote device management solution in place, upgrades like this can be a costly and daunting task.  You can easily spend thousands of dollars just in travel expenses to upgrade devices, not to mention the lost time and productivity.  With a remote device management solution from DecisionPoint you can push out software updates, firmware updates and upgrades remotely without taking devices out of the field or sending valuable resources to each device.

Let’s Get Mobile!  Contact DecisionPoint Systems, Inc. for additional information about the benefits and features of a remote device management solution.