In our Monday post I provided information about M2M technologies and as promised, today we’re going to take a look at the components of an M2M solution.  According to Field Technologies Magazine, understanding the components of an M2M solution is the first step to success and they include:

1. Product/Asset: the product or asset you’ll be monitoring and communicating with is the first component of the solution.
2. Wireless Module: for your product or asset to be able to communicate, it must be embedded with a wireless modem or cellular module.
3. Wireless Network: wireless connectivity is required in order for the module to be able to communicate the data gathered from your asset.
4. Software: a software application is necessary to make sense of all of the data flowing from your M2M-enabled assets.
5. Platform: the platform is the home of your M2M software solution.  Many platforms are cloud-based, which enable easier deployment and reduce IT management costs.
6. Value-Added Service Provider: according to Gartner, M2M projects that leveraged a third-party service recognized 30% to 50% faster deployment.

Let’s Get Mobile!  Contact DecisionPoint Systems, Inc. to learn more about complete M2M solutions.

M2M, or Machine-to-Machine, refers to technologies that allow both wireless and wired systems to communicate with other devices.  In M2M communications, a remote sensor or meter gathers data and sends it wirelessly through a network to a software application that translates the data into meaningful information and routes the information to a backend server.

Vending machine monitoring is a good example of an M2M application.  Remote sensors can automatically collect stock levels, vending temperatures, sales transactions and also send alerts on stock shortages or theft.  This information is transmitted in real-time to the back office and field workers. Some of the most common M2M applications include:

• Remote Monitoring
• Measurement and Condition Recording
• In-Field Data Collection
• Fleet Management and Asset Tracking

Be sure to check back on Wed. to learn more about the various components of M2M solutions.

Lets’ Get Mobile!  Contact DecisionPoint Systems, Inc. for additional information about M2M solutions.

Mobile field inspection solutions enable you to manage your assets more efficiently by eliminating the need to travel back and forth between the field and the office. Empower your employees with mobile devices that transmit real-time information to your back office database and other employees. Mobile Epiphany’s industry-leading software integrates into any business process, so regardless of industry we can create workflows for any asset and any task. See for yourself, check out this great new video.

Let’s Get Mobile! Contact DecisionPoint Systems, Inc. to learn more about end-to-end mobile field inspection and asset tracking 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.

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.

Last week I provided some of the responses regarding field service software from Field Technologies recently released Field Mobility 2012 special report.  Some additional responses from the survey that were quite interesting involved handheld mobile computers, device form factors and features.

According to Field Mobility 2012, 81% of respondents currently use handheld mobile computers in field operations.  When asked what device form factor they would be considering for their next refresh the results were as follows:

• Tablet – 51%
• Laptop/Notebook – 66%
• Handhelds – 78%

Respondents also cited the following top 10 features and functionalities they look for in mobile computing devices:

1. Wireless communications capabilities
2. Processor power/speed
3. Battery life
4. Ruggedness/durability
5. Ergonomics
6. Memory/storage
7. GPS
8. Camera
9. Windows OS
10. Bar code scanner

Let’s Get Mobile!  Contact DecisionPoint Systems, Inc. for additional information about our field workforce automation solutions and mobile computing systems that meet the requirements on the top 10 list.

Field Technologies recently released their Field Mobility 2012 special report which includes feedback from a sample of 327 readers.  The report provides a real-world take on the features and functionality you should look for in field workforce automation solutions.  45% of respondents with mobile workforces that use automation software cited the following top 10 features and functionality of field service software:

1. Ability to integrate with back-office systems
2. Ability to update remotely
3. Customizable
4. Ability to work untethered (without wireless connectivity)
5. Real-time data transfer
6. Scalability
7. Ability to support multiple goals/functions
8. Rapid deployment framework
9. Multi-platform support
10. SaaS/Cloud-based

Let’s Get Mobile!  Contact DecisionPoint Systems, Inc. for additional information about our end-to-end mobile field service solutions that provide these features and functionalities.

In our Oct. 28th post I provided additional information about the Panasonic Solutions enterprise-grade Android tablet and the microsite they launched in Sept.  In early Nov. Panasonic held a launch event for the Panasonic Toughpad A1.

Panasonic’s Toughpad A1 is targeted as a solution that provides the popular form factor of a tablet with the ruggedness required by many enterprise applications.  The Toughpad A1 provides field workers with access to the tools they need and withstands drops and abuse.  Check out the video below to see what the Panasonic Toughpad A1 can do for field maintenance workers.

Let’s Get Mobile!  Contact DecisionPoint Systems, Inc. for additional information about the Panasonic Toughpad A1.

Aberdeen Group recently released a research report on the key trends in the path to service revenue.  They surveyed approximately 150 service organizations to understand these key trends and the report also documents best practices relied upon by leading service organizations.  In the report, the importance of mobility tools was rated at least a 4 out of 5 in every category, including:

• Reducing errors
• Growing service profitability
• Improving customer satisfaction

According to the report, equipping field technicians with mobile computers is the key to improving workforce utilization and efficiency.  By doing so, service organizations can raise productivity over 23%.

Let’s Get Mobile!  Contact DecisionPoint Systems, Inc. to learn about our mobile field service solutions.