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.

During NRF 2012, Motorola Solutions introduced the MPM-100 that will be available in April. This exciting new Mobile Payment Module enables the process of any type of payment—anywhere and anytime. When pairing this small multi-payment module with your mobile computers via Bluetooth, workers can accept:

• Credit (capture signatures on mobile device)
• Debit
• Loyalty and gift cards with magnetic stripes
• Chip and PIN-based credit
• Near Field Communication (NFC) payments made via mobile phones

The versatile MPM-100 also boasts the highest level of data security and offers cost-efficient PCI compliance.

Stay tuned in the coming months for additional information about this exciting new device.

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

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.

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.

In our Aug. 1st post I provided a brief introduction of the soon-to-be-released Panasonic enterprise-grade Toughbook Android tablet.  Panasonic recently launched a microsite for this much anticipated mobile computing device.  The Toughbook Android Tablet microsite provides information about device specs, product news and various solution applications such as:

• Field Sales
• Hospitality
• Retail
• Government
• Healthcare

Let’s Get Mobile!  Contact DecisionPoint Systems, Inc. for additional information about Panasonic Toughbook tablets.

Through its nationwide direct store delivery (DSD) system, Bridgford Foods delivers, stocks, and replenishes microwaveable sandwiches, luncheon meats, pepperoni, sausage, beef jerky, and baked goods to thousands of retail stores in all 50 states.  When Bridgford Foods upgraded to Datamax O’Neil microFlash 4te printers they increased employee productivity and reduced service and material costs. 

Download the Datamax O’Neil case study to learn more about the challenges the company faced and how DecisionPoint Systems worked with Bridgford Foods to deploy Datamax-O’Neil’s microFlash 4te printers to solve their problem comprehensively.

Let’s Get Mobile!  Contact DecisionPoint Systems, Inc. for additional information about our end-to-end mobile solutions for Direct Store Delivery.

Adding mobile printers to your DSD operations enables you to increase productivity and efficiency which results in additional sales and merchandising opportunities.  Check out this video from DecisionPoint’s partner Zebra Technologies to see how easy it can be to drive efficiency in your DSD operations.

Let’s Get Mobile!  Contact DecisionPoint Systems, Inc. to learn more about our MobileArc Direct Store Delivery 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.

Panasonic Solutions Company recently announced the Toughbook H2, a fully rugged Windows tablet PC that is the next generation in their industry-leading line of rugged tablets.  The Toughbook H2 offers enhanced performance and starts at only 3.5 pounds, so your workers can truly remain mobile.  Designed for workforces on the move, the Toughbook H2 is ideal for field service workers who require a device as tough as the multiple environments they work in.  Key features of the Toughbook H2 include:

• 10.1” sunlight-viewable LED screen
• Fully rugged design: MIL-STD-810G tested 6 foot drop rating
• Fast charging twin hot-swappable batteries
• IP65 sealing
• Ergonomic design with strap and dome hand support

The Toughbook H2 also includes optional integrated features such as a bar code scanner, camera and GPS to enhance productivity by providing your mobile workforce with all the tools they need in one device.

Let’s Get Mobile!  Contact DecisionPoint Systems, Inc. for additional information about the Panasonic Toughbook H2 and our end-to-end field mobility solutions.

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.