DecisionPoint’s software partner TotalMobile recently announced the release of TOTALMOBILE™ 5.  TOTALMOBILE™ 5 is the platform for the next generation of mobile working solutions and is the only enterprise-ready solution available on all leading Operating Systems.  Check out the video below to learn more about the next generation of TotalMobile that enables businesses to improve processes, increase field worker productivity, reduced costs and increase compliance.

Let’s Get Mobile!  Contact DecisionPoint Systems, Inc. for additional information about TotalMobile 5.

Guest Author: Paul Dorado

According to “The Real-Time Service Enterprise: Leveraging Remote Connectivity to Drive Service Performance,” a research report by Aberdeen Group, the primary drivers for remote asset connectivity are:

• Customer demand for improved service
• Reducing costs
• Increasing productivity and efficiency
• Need for increased service revenues

Many smaller companies are now utilizing remote connectivity and M2M technology to provide faster issue resolution for customers.  According to the report, the falling cost of wireless data service and cloud-based solutions is driving growth in this sector. In fact, 80% of survey respondents had some sort of link to serviceable assets in the field. This is significant growth for what used to be a niche application utilized for high-value assets like medical devices.

Let’s Get Mobile!  Contact DecisionPoint Systems, Inc. to learn how you can leverage asset connectivity to improve your business processes.

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.

We talk a lot about the operational improvements businesses realize when deploying mobile computing systems, but mobility also improves customer satisfaction.  Keeping customers happy is critical for success and mobile solutions enable you to increase convenience and provide exceptional service.  How are businesses utilizing mobile technology to better serve customers?

1. GPS fleet tracking ensures you’re optimizing your resources so field workers arrive on time for service calls.
2. Mobile payment at the point of service makes it easier for customers to pay with debit and credit cards and mobile printers provide on-site receipt printing to complete the transaction.
3. Optimizing schedules and tracking mobile inventory ensures that field workers with the right skill level are sent to jobs with all the parts they need.

With a mobile field service solution your customers will receive service in a timely manner, have the convenience of payment the way they want and repeat trips can be eliminated so you fix issues during the first visit.

Let’s Get Mobile!  Contact DecisionPoint Systems, Inc. for additional information about end-to-end mobile solutions that increase customer satisfaction.

DecisionPoint and TotalMobile would like to invite you to attend a FREE 30 minute webinar to learn how easy it is to increase productivity and efficiency with a mobile field service solution.  Register today for “How Mobility Drives Productivity for Maintenance and Repairs.”  Space is limited so register today!

Date: Tuesday, October 4th
Time: 2:00pm – 2:30pm EST

Can’t make it?  Still register and we’ll send you a recorded version after the webinar.

Let’s Get Mobile!  Contact DecisionPoint Systems, Inc. to learn more about mobile field service solutions that improve workforce productivity.

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.

Equipping your field technicians with the right parts for repairs is essential to keep customers happy and provide efficient service.  With a mobile inventory management system your mobile workforce can manage and account for off-site inventory, no matter where it might be located.  Technicians can access data on mobile computers to track the parts they have on their vehicle as well as locate parts at warehouses and in other vehicles.  Increase first-time fix rates and workforce productivity with a real-time mobile inventory management system that enables technicians to:

• Locate parts and equipment immediately
• Place emergency reorders in the field
• Track responsibility and history of transferred inventory between warehouses, vehicles and field workers

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

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.

Your field service technicians are responsible for more than just repairs.  While they may not be traditional sales people, your customers consider them trusted advisors.  Mobile field service solutions provide big opportunities to increase revenue by empowering field technicians and providing them with access to customer and service history.  Alerting technicians to performance trends raises the potential for up-sell or cross-sell opportunities.  A simple screen listing of appropriate services and products for each customer can be viewed on a mobile device to immediately extend an expiring warranty or service contract, upgrade services and cross-sell related products.  There is no need to tell a customer that they need to contact customer service, it can all be taken care of during the service call.

Let’s Get Mobile!  Contact DecisionPoint Systems, Inc. for additional information about mobile field service solutions that increase revenue.

In our June 1st post I provided information about the importance of assigning field technicians to service requests with the right skills and inventory.  It is also critical that your field technicians meet on-site service response times to keep customers satisfied.  Turn-by-turn directions and route optimization ensure that your field techs arrive at the correct location—at the correct time.  Optimizing routes and providing access to turn-by-turn directions enables service organizations to:

• Increase workforce productivity
• Reduce overtime costs
• Decrease total service costs
• Increase overall service profitability

You’ll also improve customer satisfaction and reduce fuel costs with a mobile field service solution that optimizes routes and ensures your technicians arrive at the customer site as efficiently as possible.

Let’s Get Mobile!  Contact DecisionPoint Systems, Inc. for additional information about mobile solutions that feature turn-by-turn directions and route optimization.