Tuesday 29 June 2010

MobileDemand xTablet T7000 Keeps Pace with Red Bull Racing




InkShow: MobileDemand xTablet T7000 Keeps Pace with Red Bull Racing
by Xavier Lanier


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Friday 25 June 2010

6 enterprise mobility things about the Motorola ES400



There has been much comment in the past week about Motorola's latest enterprise mobility EDA the ES400.
A replacement for the MC35 was sorely needed and adding a unit under the popular rugged MC55 MC75 MC9500 trio makes a lot of sense. Making a case for an affordable yet rugged enough device against the never ending list of "shineys" is a not easy.
We have picked out 6 points that might well make this a compelling price/performance device for many users in the enterprise. As you might expect a device like this has a long list of what have become standard elements such as enhanced ruggedness multiple radios, accelerometer, camera hi visibility screen and a fast chipset.

  • Device support, deployments in the enterprise need longer than consumer product life cycles. The ES400 is shipping with a 3 year warranty and access to Moto's all inclusive service from the start plans that revolutionised the maintenance offer in the ruggedised device market when it was launched 5 years ago.

  • Available 3080 mAh battery. Rated at 500 hours standby 12 talk time.

  • Good quality illuminated camera for twilight pictures.

  • Built in fingerprint biometrics for user sign on security.

  • Support for Windows Mobile 6.5.3.

  • Red line LED aimer for barcode scan through the camera. Scanning barcodes with the MC35 was hit and miss lets hope this implementation performs better.

As the wireless networks get more interested in enterprise mobility it will be interesting to see how many ES400's end up being sold as devices on data contracts rather than through traditional industry specific two tier distribution channels. The networks do not tend to specialise in line of business apps for enterprise scenarios that a unit like this is designed to address so we can expect software developers and VAR's still having a role to play.

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Tuesday 22 June 2010

A simple Guide to how GPS works - Part 2 some techie stuff!

Whilst GPS is everywhere and is literally rocket science what are the nuts and bolts of how it works. Mike Forbes at Electric Compass explains more...

In standard GPS navigation, each GPS receiver produces “replicas” of the code transmitted by the various satellites. These replicas represent the code the receiver expects to receive from any given satellite. A satellite is located and verified when a replica of the code matches up with the code received(a process known as code phase tracking). At the beginning of each individual signal is a sort of time stamp.

When the two signals are examined by the receiver (called “correlation”), the time stamps of the two signals are compared and a time difference is ascertained. Given this time difference and the rate of propagation of the signal, the GPS receiver uses the simple formula of Rate times Time equals Distance (R*T=D) to compute the distance to each satellite. Due to the uncertainties introduced by the many variables this distance to each satellite is only an estimate, and is known as the pseudo-range.

Pseudo-Range Navigation
The pseudo-range from each satellite can be seen as a radius of a large sphere, and the location of the GPS receiver is one point on that sphere. When several pseudo-ranges from several satellites are used in conjunction, the position of the receiver is simply the intersection of these spheres at a given time. The position is first determined in what is known as the Earth-Centered, Earth-Fixed (ECEF) coordinate system, which describes the receiver’s position relative to the center of the earth. From this ECEF location the receiver then easily deduces the latitude, longitude, and altitude, which of course describes the receiver’s position on the surface of the earth.In solving for the ECEF position the receiver needs to examine four variables (three dimensions and time), and a minimum of four satellites is required. In the event that only three satellites are available, a two-dimensional fix can be calculated by assuming a certain altitude. The greater the number of satellites visible to the receiver the greater the level of GPS accuracy, as five or more satellites can provide position, time and redundancy.

Types of GPS Errors
GPS accuracy is diluted by errors that can be introduced by a number of sources. GPS errors can be any combination of noise, bias, and blunders.Noise errors combine the electronic noise from the space segment and the noise generated by the user’s device.Bias errors were historically a result of the intentional degradation of GPS accuracy by the DOD known as Selective Availability, but this source of bias error is no longer active.

There are many means of improving the accuracy and precision of Global Positioning System data. The most common method of improving position information is known as Differential GPS, or DGPS. DGPS is predicated on the concept that for two receivers positioned reasonably close to each other, several of the errors will be common to both devices, and can therefore be subtracted from the navigation solution. Errors common to both receivers are known as common mode errors, and do not include multipath errors or errors due to noise in the user segment. Specifically,DGPS requires that one receiver is stationary at a known location, and that it sends corrected signals to a roving station; the roving station then incorporates the new information into the range corrections for each satellite.The best DGPS corrections for the roving station occur when the common-mode errors are most similar, or when the receivers are 100 km or closer to each other.

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Monday 21 June 2010

A simple guide to how GPS works - Part 1 rocket science

There are many many articles and websites well worth visting about GPS and how it works. Mike Forbes at Electric Compass takes a look at the main elements.The Global Positioning System, or GPS, is a satellite-based navigation system. It was developed by the United States Department of Defense (DOD) for military and government use, but the information it provides is available free for civilian and commercial uses.From satellite-guided bombs used in the war against terrorism to handheld receivers carried by hikers, GPS offers a wide range of applications and uses.The first GPS satellite was launched in 1978. The full constellation of 24 satellites was in place in 1994 and the system was declared fully operational in 1995.Another key date in GPS history is May 1, 2000, the day “Selective Availability” was discontinued, significantly increasing the accuracy of GPS signals.
In simple terms, GPS is a broadcasting (not receiving) system in which satellites transmit information toward Earth.GPS receivers take the transmitted information and use a form of triangulation to calculate the user’s exact location. The basic premise of the technology is that the GPS receiver compares signal transmission time with the signal reception time, and then uses the time difference and the propagation speed to deduce the distance from each of the visible satellites.

Of course, it is not that simple – GPS really is quite literally “rocket science.” The best place to start a review of the Global Positioning System is with the three segments that make it up:The Space Segment, consisting of the GPS satellites orbiting the earth.The Control Segment, consisting of a system of tracking stations located around the world.The User Segment, consisting of GPS receivers and the user community.

Space Segment

The Space Segment consists of a minimum of 24 satellites orbiting 12,600 miles above the earth. Each satellite travels at about 7,000 miles per hour, enabling them to orbit the earth in just under twelve hours; the altitude and orbital inclination are such that each satellite repeats the same ground track in each twelve-hour orbit. The satellites are arranged in six orbital planes, spaced equally at 60 degrees apart, and each inclined at about fifty-five degrees with respect to the equatorial plane.This spacing is intended to ensure that the required four satellites are viewable at any giventime from any spot on Earth, however there are often eight and up to twelve satellites visible. Each satellite weighs approximately 900 Kilo, is approximately 5 meters across, and uses solar panels to power its electronics and transmit the GPS signal. It’s worth noting that at 50 watts or less, the GPS signal is at approximately the same level as the background noise of the universe by the time it reaches Earth.

Control Segment

The Control Segment consists of a network of monitor stations located around the world used totrack the “health” of all of the satellites, as well as one master control facility located at a US Air Force Base in Colorado Springs. The orbital models for each satellite describes the degree to which each SV is on its proper flight path; the monitor stationsmeasure certain signals from the satellites, determine to what degree each satellite is off course,and compute new orbital data and clock corrections. The monitor stations then send the new orbital information (known as ephemeris data) and the clock corrections to the master control station, which then relays the information to the satellites.

User Segment

The User Segment consists of the GPS receivers in the hands of the community of GPS users. GPS receivers convert satellite signals into position and time estimates, and often use this information to calculate other information such as velocity and heading. GPS receivers make positioning, navigation, and time dissemination possible. This information is then used for recreational, educational, commercial, research, and many other applications including Navigation and Tracking.

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Thursday 17 June 2010

MobileFrame Issued Patents for Its 100% Code Free Smart Database

MobileFrame Issued Patents for Its 100% Code Free Smart Database

5 more things to think about when planning an enterprise mobility deployment

Is your organisation investigating ways to eliminate collecting data on paper for your mobile workforce?

This week we are exploring the top 10 important questions you should ask vendors you are evaluating before you make this decision.

5 More things to think about....

6. Can my customers have automatic reports emailed to them when the mobile worker completes the job at the customer location? Can the management team also receive automatic email reports so they can manage the activity in the field?
Data collected in the field can be automatically embedded in a PDF report, attached to an email and sent immediately, all with no intervention from the Administrator. The PDF can embed signatures, photos or sketches that were collected in the application as well. The business rules can be configured so that the report is automatically emailed out to customers, division managers or anyone who needs to review the data. This feature means that your customers could have an email in their inbox before the mobile worker leaves the site.

7. Do I have the option to lock down the device so my mobile workers can’t inadvertently download viruses, games, etc?
Administrators can completely customize what features the users have access to on their devices. For example, devices can be locked down in Kiosk Mode to prevent users from installing games or applications that IT would then be forced to support. Administrators can also control the menu access, thereby giving access to only those menu items they deem appropriate. Because the platform is integrated with LDAP and Active Directory, these options can be set individually, for groups or for all mobile workers globally.

8. What features are built into the solution for me to remotely manage my mobile workforce?
The Desktop allows Administrators to send alerts and messages to mobile workers in the field. When the mobile worker reads the message an acknowledgement is immediately sent to the Administrator for tracking purposes. Administrators can also monitor the device battery life, memory, device ID and version of software deployed. Built in Google Map tracking also allows managers to report activity monitor and coach users.

9. Do I have to manually upgrade each device if the vendor issues a new release of their software or can this be managed remotely?
The platform has built in remote software updates, which means that customers do not have to purchase a 3rd party application to manage software releases. The platform allows remote software updating for not only our own applications, but any third party applications. Instead of calling the devices in from the field to manually upgrade them, Administrators simply import the new release files into the Desktop. During the next synchronization the updates will be sent to the device, activated, and applied. This means your IT department is free from the countless hours of labor typically required to keep your devices on the latest version of software. And, your mobile workforce avoids downtime while waiting for the updates to be applied. This feature eliminates the administrative costs typically required in a mobile project.

10. What happens if I start synching data and my connection gets dropped? Is there any synchronization management built into the solution?
If the mobile worker’s connectivity is lost in the middle of synchronizing data, the system tracks where it left off and will begin syncing again from the exact same place when connectivity becomes available again. This feature greatly minimizes transmission costs and optimizes user productivity.
Customers can prioritize their sync networks as well as set their sync preferences so the system will begin synching at their preferred times or based on an event within the data collection process. If no network is available at the defined times, the system will keep trying to sync until successful. This process is autonomous with the mobile worker taking no action. And, if the mobile worker is in the middle of collecting data at the time of the scheduled sync, the sync engine runs in the background and does not take over the screen or slow performance.


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Tuesday 15 June 2010

The first 5 things to think about when planning an enterprise mobility deployment

Is your organisation investigating ways to eliminate collecting data on paper for your mobile workforce?

This week we are exploring the top 10 important questions you should ask vendors you are evaluating before you make this decision.

1. Does the solution allow me to configure applications with no programming required? Will I need to pay the vendor each time I want to make changes to my applications?

We use the MobileFrame platform where no custom programming is required to create applications custom tailored to your organization's needs. Because business is dynamic, most companies need to make changes to their applications as their business evolves. The solution allows customers to simply open the application in the Task Library, make the changes and deploy them to the field without writing a single line of programming code or paying us for each change.

2. Can I use a variety of hardware in the field? Some of my users want a handheld Windows Mobile device and other users want to use tablets or laptops. What about supporting different hardware manufacturers with different operating systems?
Applications can be deployed to any .NET enabled device such as Windows Mobile, Tablet PC, or Laptops without having to compile code for each device-type or re-compile code when the application changes. The software recognizes what device it is installed on and will automatically call the correct barcode drivers, imagers, etc. Over time many customers purchase additional hardware as their workforce grows.

3. I have data in tables that is constantly changing, such as work order assignments, inventory levels, etc. How do the mobile workers get this new data?

Our Dynamic Enterprise Data feature allows the customer to define how often updated/changed data is sent out to the field. And, business rules can be defined that tell the system to send this new data to everyone assigned to the project or to only those workers who need to see the specific data. For example, if work orders were assigned to a specific technician the system could be set up to automatically send the data only to that technician.

4. How can I integrate the mobile applications with my backend business systems?

The majority of applications deployed today require integration to the customer’s business systems so that mobile workers can access data such as inventory levels, work orders assigned to them, account status, etc.

The Integration Wizard makes this task a very simple process that can be accomplished in minutes instead of the months required by traditional development solutions. It also allows automatic table discovery with point and click integration to any OLEDB or ODBC capable database. Once connected to the external database, the Integration Wizard will create the integration code automatically with no programming required. The wizard even allows the user to schedule how often to retrieve new or changed data in the backend system tables. Once changes are detected, the data is routed to the correct mobile worker with no manual intervention required.

5. How does the solution work if there is no internet connectivity?

Because wireless networks are not always available or reliable, the platform is designed to contain all business logic and data on the handheld device, enabling full functionality both online and offline. When wireless or wired access is available, mobile workers can communicate with the office in real-time. The system can automatically or on command send and receive queued transactions, content and messages via a secure connection. This feature optimizes user productivity while minimizing transmission costs.

Next time 5 more things to think about...

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Friday 4 June 2010

5 reasons to add tracking into your enterprise mobility app


Real-time insight into the location and status of your field workers can strengthen your organization allowing quicker response to customer requests and changing conditions in the field. As well as addressing efficiencies around the primary in field costs of labour fuel and the vehicle itself.

Building Google Map based tracking right into our application workflow allows us to provide you with an even more enterprise mobility functionality:

  1. Increase Productivity and Efficiency
    Add more jobs to the work day by ensuring that employees are operating efficiently. Workers who know they are being monitored will follow guidelines and take more direct routes to jobs/stops. Correct mobile worker inefficiencies with enhanced oversight of their travel. Generate reports on driver activity.
  2. Improve Customer Service
    Respond instantly to customer questions and requests. Use GPS tracking to see every mobile worker on a single map and route the nearest worker to job sites. Resolve customer disputes related to arrival time, service duration and service location.
  3. Lower Costs
    Tracking employee movement in the field prevents excessive idling, and personal use of company assets while improving routing. Workers who know they are being monitored change their work patterns to fit agreed guidelines.
  4. Enhance Safety & Security
    Track unsafe habits, instantly locate field workers and send help if they are stranded or in trouble. Receive automated alerts when workers violate safety and/or security policies.
  5. Liability Protection & Theft Recovery
    Have real time knowledge of your entire workforce location, eliminate non-work related stops at non-work related sites, track and remotely operate lost or stolen devices to assist the police in recovery stolen devices.

Learn More

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