I recently read a very interesting article in Computerworld that described the ways the rules for enterprise software applications are changing.  Computerworld offered 3 new rules for enterprise software to be successful.  These included:

1. Make it appealing – Enterprise software must be user-friendly and work well on all commonly used browsers and mobile devices.  According to Gartner analysts, business strategies for application development need to consider three user groups: B2B, B2E (employee) and B2C (consumer).
2. Make it transparent – Real-time data is more important than ever before.  Employees that have access to up-to-date information have a competitive advantage.  In addition to real-time data, users are also interested in having information presented in graphical form with tables and charts.  These analytic tools help users discover trends and improve decision-making.
3. Update it often – Employees expect and want frequent updates to the applications they use. And with the increasing use of cloud-based software, updates are easier than ever to push out to users.

Let’s Get Mobile!  Contact DecisionPoint Systems, Inc. to learn more about enterprise software applications.

I recently read an interesting article in Field Technologies Magazine that included some tips for a successful mobile deployment.  According to the article, one of the most important items that companies often overlook is ensuring that employees are properly trained on the mobile solution and they understand the reason for the transition.

We talk a lot about the productivity and efficiency improvements that mobile solutions provide, but unless employees understand how to use mobile technology you won’t realize these benefits.  Tips from the article include:

1. Get your mobile workers involved early on
2. Help them understand how they will benefit from the deployment
3. Plan for proper training

DecisionPoint understands the importance of proper training, that’s why our MobileArc Field Workforce Automation Solutions include expert professional services for technical set up and user training.

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

The Express Carriers Association (ECA) 2012 MarketPlace will held April 10-12 at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare in Chicago, IL.  Be sure to save the date!  The ECA MarketPlace is an annual conference for shippers and carriers to learn about the latest developments in the express delivery industry as well as the opportunity to network and form logistical partnerships.

DecisionPoint will be attending the show in Booth #22 to provide information about our MobileArc™ Courier Solutions that utilize the latest mobile software and technologies to eliminate delivery errors, meet customer expectations and drive workforce productivity.

We hope to see you at the show.  Stay tuned for more information about the solutions we’ll be exhibiting during the show as we get closer.

Let’s Get Mobile!  Contact DecisionPoint Systems, Inc. to learn about our end-to-end mobile solutions designed for the express delivery industry.

In past posts I’ve provided information about the multiple benefits that GPS solutions provide, such as fuel savings, increased security and improved driver productivity.  DecisionPoint’s partner GeoMicro offers 3 Software as a Service products that quickly enable you to achieve desired ROI for your field workforce automation deployment.

• Mobium GPS turns any Windows Mobile handheld computer and smartphone into a GPS navigation system with turn-by-turn, GPS guided and voice prompted route guidance.
• Mobium GPS Fleet Tracking System records the movements of all the vehicles in a customer’s fleet with current location, historical (breadcrumbing) data and geofencing and alert options.
• AltaMap Routing Engine provides route optimization designed and developed to create routes based on user-specified origins, waypoints, and destinations. It provides turn-by-turn driving directions, distance, and estimated drive times for the U.S. and Canada.

Let’s Get Mobile!  Contact DecisionPoint Systems, Inc. to learn more about integrating turn-by-turn navigation, GPS tracking and route optimization into your operations.

This new video from DecisionPoint’s partner Zebra technologies showcases the multiple uses for Zebra’s products and where they show up in people’s everyday lives.  I think this video is very interesting and shows how bar code and RFID solutions for retail, hospitality, logistics and more—truly impact customers daily experiences.

Let’s Get Mobile!  Contact DecisionPoint Systems, Inc. to learn more about Zebra products and our end-to-end bar code, RFID and mobile solutions.

Many courier and express delivery businesses are required to provide customers with proof of delivery.  Mobile computers that feature signature capture and bar code scanning provide comprehensive proof of delivery information that is captured in real-time and sent to the back office to meet these requirements.  Even if your customers aren’t demanding this capability yet, large shippers have created an expectation for this type of service.  Mobile technology continues to evolve and taking a proactive approach ensures that your customers remain happy and your business is staying ahead of the competition.  DecisionPoint’s MobileArc Courier Solutions provide the mobile features that your drivers need to complete deliveries and to capture the detailed delivery information your customers have come to expect.

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

As fuel costs continue to rise, organizations are faced with an increase in annual costs per vehicle, making it essential to have solutions in place to reduce fuel consumption.  For many businesses, fuel costs can be as high as 10 to 15 percent of total operating costs.  Fleet managers understand the importance of controlling a fleet’s fuel costs and are turning to fleet management solutions to measure consumption and driver performance.

Real-time information about driver behavior enables fleets to reduce speeding, hard braking and rapid acceleration.  Reducing this type of aggressive driving can lower gas mileage by 33 percent on the highway and by 5 percent in the city.  Automatic alerts for required maintenance can also ensure that your fleet is running at its peak.  Regular servicing of the engine and tires can have a big impact on gas mileage.  In fact, replacing a clogged air filter can improve gas mileage by as much as 10 percent.  Additionally, strategic route planning and solutions such as GPS tracking and turn-by-turn directions further reduce fuel consumption and improve overall operations and customer service.

Let’s Get Mobile!  Contact DecisionPoint Systems, Inc. for additional information about fleet management solutions that reduce the impact of rising fuel costs.

We’re all familiar with the ways that GPS tracking solutions increase driver safety, reduce fuel costs and boost driver productivity, but GPS solutions also provide the added bonus of increased security.  Knowing where your vehicles are at all times protects these high-value assets.  When businesses set up geofences to track vehicles they are alerted to any suspicious movement.  GPS tracking alerts can be set up for businesses to monitor:

• If a vehicle has moved in or out of the facility
• If a vehicle has entered an unauthorized area
• If a company vehicle is being used off-hours

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

In past posts we’ve provided information about DecisionPoint’s Push-to-Talk solution Grapevine and the benefits it provides to field-based workforces.  Grapevine Push-to-Talk is an “always on” solution that enables instant voice communication over Windows Mobile phones or PCs and is ideal for communications between dispatch and field workers.  Check out the latest video from DecisionPoint that features Grapevine and showcases its high-quality voice and performance.

Let’s Get Mobile!  Contact DecisionPoint Systems, Inc. for additional information about Grapevine Push-to-Talk.

Our post yesterday focused on the opportunity to increase revenue by selling additional products and services during service calls with the help of mobile solutions.  Adding mobile payment functionality to the mix further enhances up-sell opportunities.  Mobile computers and printers enable field workers to close an entire deal on the spot, which has a big impact on up-selling and cross-selling opportunities.  With an end-to-end field payment solution your workers can not only offer additional services and products, they can also:

• Accept payment at the time of order
• Capture signatures
• Print out a receipt
• Send digital receipts

More and more companies are adopting mobile payment to shorten the sales cycle and increase revenues by enabling field workers to up-sell, extend contracts and more—all at the point of customer engagement.

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