On Monday, I provided a brief definition of cloud computing and its expected growth as reported by Gartner.  As a follow-up, today I’d like to take a look at the key benefits that cloud computing solutions offer.

1. Cloud-based solutions don’t require any upfront capital equipment purchases.
2. Maintenance and updates are automatically taken care of by the service provider.
3. Cloud computing solutions are easy to implement.
4. Cloud computing is highly-scalable.  As your applications grow, you can add capacity as needed.
5. Reduce overall hardware and IT support costs by outsourcing. 

Let’s Get Mobile!  Contact DecisionPoint Systems, Inc. for additional information about cloud-based mobile applications.

A common and growing trend for businesses across all types of industries is to make the move to cloud computing.  In fact, a recent study conducted by Gartner reported that the cloud computing market is expected to reach $150 billion by 2013.

So what exactly is cloud computing?  Cloud computing delivers applications via the internet, which are accessed from web browsers and desktop and mobile apps, while the business software and data are stored on servers at a remote location.  According to InfoWorld, cloud computing encompasses any subscription-based or pay-per-use service that, in real-time over the Internet, extends IT’s existing capabilities.

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

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.

DecisionPoint Systems is pleased to announce the latest release of the Grapevine Push-to-Talk Android client.  Grapevine Push-to-Talk Android v1.14 features several new enhancements including:

• Full voice history
• Automatically change status to ‘Busy’ when phone call is active
• Added option to view users connected to a channel
• Added auto-launch option when phone boots
• Added vibration notification options
• Added ‘Over’ beep to indicate finished talking and listening for reply
• Added option to set alerts volume
• Support Bluetooth headsets (may not work on all phones)
• Support headset buttons when the screen is locked and the app is in the foreground
• Support separate settings for Wi-Fi and mobile network

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

Yesterday DecisionPoint Systems announced the release of the much anticipated Grapevine Push-to-Talk client for the Android operating system.  Grapevine Push-to-Talk is a cloud-based, worry-free Software as a Service (SaaS) product. There are no servers to set up and maintain, just improved communications.

The new Grapevine Android client builds on the success of the Windows Mobile client that DecisionPoint announced in February 2011 and the Blackberry client that was announced in August 2011. The Android client is interoperable with the Windows Mobile and Blackberry clients. This fulfills the needs of customers requiring instant communications between field workers equipped with rugged Windows Mobile devices and managers with consumer devices.

For more information read the entire press release here or download a copy here.

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

Leading research firm Gartner released a forecast in June saying that worldwide Software as a Service (SaaS) revenue is forecast to reach $12.1 billion in 2011, a 20.7 percent increase from 2010. Gartner estimates that 75 percent of current SaaS delivery, as measured by revenue, could be regarded as cloud services, and this could exceed 90 percent by 2015 as the SaaS model matures and converges with cloud service models. SaaS is a low cost, subscription-based way for businesses to obtain rights to use software and offers numerous benefits:

• Minimal up front capital expenditure because it is subscription-based
• Rapid implementation
• Worry-free, complete end-to-end solution
• New functionality can be added at minimal cost

Let’s Get Mobile! Contact DecisionPoint Systems, Inc. for additional information about SaaS and to see if it is right for you.

DecisionPoint is pleased to announce that Grapevine, their cloud-based Push-to-Talk software for Windows Mobile phones and Windows PCs has been certified on a variety of Intermec rugged devices.  Although Intermec doesn’t have a formal certification process, Intermec’s Cedar Rapids software engineering group recently completed successful testing of DecisionPoint’s Grapevine Push-To-Talk solution on several of their most popular mobile computers including the CS40, CN3, CN50 and CN70.

Grapevine delivers Push-to-Talk capability over the Internet and across disparate carrier and Wi-Fi networks.  It keeps workforces connected no matter how widely dispersed, enabling users to improve their communications while reducing costs.  Grapevine Push-to-Talk is a cloud-based, worry-free Software as a Service (SaaS) product.  There are no servers to set up and maintain, just improved communications.  Grapevine is ideal for immediate communications between dispatch and field workers, is highly scalable and supports communication among up to 5,000 individuals and 100 participants at once in a group.  Key features include high-quality voice with audio alerts plus a private and secure network with voice encryption and sub-second transmission.

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

In our post yesterday, I provided information about the importance of mobile device management solutions.  Today I’d like to take a look at DecisionPoint’s software partner AirWatch and their comprehensive mobile device management solution.  AirWatch is a web-based mobile device management product that features:

• Advanced Mobile Device Security Management-application lockdown, Internet lockdown, device wipe and device lock.
• Advanced Remote Mobile User Support-file management, remote control, screen capture and warm and cold reset.
• Advanced Application, OS and Settings Management-manage settings and profiles, application and OS provisioning, bulk device management and registry editor.
• Advanced Mobile Asset Tracking and Management-Cell & SMS log capture, collect device statistics, GPS tracking and send messages from console.

AirWatch Device Management can be deployed as Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) and coupled with live support from experienced DecisionPoint personnel.

Let’s Get Mobile!  Contact DecisionPoint Systems, Inc. for additional information about AirWatch Mobile Device Management.

If you were at the MCAA Annual Convention and Exposition last week we hope you stopped by DecisionPoint’s booth.  Once again, the MCAA Annual Convention was an exciting event and we hope you had a chance to visit with DecisionPoint and learn more about the latest mobile solutions designed for last mile distribution and expedited delivery.  If you were unable to attend, or didn’t have a chance to stop by DecisionPoint’s booth, you can learn more about the solutions we had on display by visiting the links below:

• Mobile Device Management- DecisionPoint takes the complexity out of managing your mobile devices and leaves you to focus on what you do best: running your business.
• Grapevine™ Push-to-Talk Software- PTT functionality on Windows Mobile devices.  Improve communications while reducing costs with a worry-free Software as a Service (SaaS) product managed by DecisionPoint.
• MobileCare™ Up and Running- this bundled set of MobileCare™ Services ensures a positive initial user experience and also provides ongoing support through the first 90 days of the project.  Make sure your mobile deployment is a success right out-of-the-box.
• MobileCare™ Keep it Running- this bundled set of MobileCare™ Services ensures that your mobile system continues to deliver the same performance that your users have come to expect with fixed annual support costs and no new hires needed.  Everything you need to keep your mobile system running and delivering results.

Let’s Get Mobile!  Contact DecisionPoint Systems, Inc. for additional information about our MobileArc Courier Solutions.