Article transcript: Handheld Data Collection Software – What You Should Know This is an introduction for someone looking to start using handheld mobile devices to collect data. 1. BizSpeed has experience delivering mobile applications for over 10 years as of 2010. We provide handheld data collection software for: Proof of Delivery, Pickup, Inspections, Field service, Asset tracking, inventory . 2. Handheld Data Collection Definition - Using a mobile device that fits in your hand to capture data in an electronic form 3. Typical handheld data collection applications: Surveys, Inspections, Field service , Asset tracking, Inventory audits, Proof of Delivery, Pickup and Delivery (courier) 4. Two types of Applications: 1) Paper to electronic forms which is good for replacing paper for documentation, such as inspections 2) Line of Business (LOB) which are Tailored to specific business processes. 5. Need to determine your needs first: a. Mobile forms authoring or dedicated Line of Business package? b. Wireless or batch? c. Dispatch integration? d. Backend integration? e. Device – rugged, GPS, barcode scanner, camera, printer? f. App updates - manual or automatic? 6. Mobile Forms Authoring: a. Best for turning paper forms into electronic b. Should NOT require detailed programming c. Examples d. Utility meter installation e. Site surveys f. Operator rounds g. Safety inspections h. goRoam walk through for automating forms for handheld data collection. Forms have sections->Sections have questions->Questions have attributes: i. Textbox ii. Checkbox iii. Radio button iv. Picture v. GPS vi. Drawing vii. Dropdown list viii. Etc. 7. Line of Business Apps: a. Have specific logic such as invoicing, proof of delivery or inventory b. Usually need automated integration into back office systems such as accounting, order entry, warehouse inventory or dispatch. c. Must confirm that mobile apps can connect to these existing systems. 8. goRoam Proof of Delivery mobile example: a. Driver logs ons b. Starts trip c. Receives route and orders d. Completes delivery for each order e. Receives customer signature and prints receipt f. Order is sent automatically to central office for invoicing 9. Other questions for selecting handheld data collection software: a. Do I need mobile forms software or a Line of Business App? b. Can I use a standard mobile app package or do I have to custom build the software? c. How does the mobile software integrate with my other applications? d. How long does it take to install the mobile app? e. What is required for support – the users are in the field, not here with my IT staff? f. Does the mobile software need a network connection or does it work in store-and-forward mode, automatically detecting network changes? g. What happens when I need to make changes to the mobile application – users are in the field so how do changes get sent to them?

2. Houston

4. Definition Handheld Data Collection Using a mobile device that fits in your hand to capture data in an electronic form

5. Applications Surveys Inspections Field service Asset tracking Inventory audits Proof of Delivery Pickup and Delivery (courier)

6. 2 Classes of Apps Paper to electronic forms Replacing paper for documentation, such as inspections Line of Business (LOB) Tailored to specific business processes Typically have calculations or complex logic like pricing, flow volume, meter integration, etc.

7. Determine Key Needs Mobile forms authoring or dedicated Line of Business package? Wireless or batch? Dispatch integration? Backend integration? Device – rugged, GPS, barcode scanner, camera, printer? App updates - manual or automatic?

8. Mobile Forms Authoring Best for turning paper forms into electronic Should NOT require detailed programming Examples Utility meter installation Site surveys Operator rounds Safety inspections

9. Forms Authoring - goRoam goRoam turns paper into electronic forms Forms have sections Sections have questions Questions have attributes: Textbox Checkbox Radio button Picture GPS Drawing Dropdown list Etc.

10. Mobile Forms Automation In Detail Specify the form

11. Add form questions Add questions for handheld data collection

12. Preview and Publish Publish for mobile users to collect using handheld devices. Or, create a dispatch and pre-populate fields for users to complete the form.

14. Inputs can be from:

15. Barcode scanner

16. Touchscreen

17. Camera

18. GPS

19. When forms are complete, synchronize to the server using:

20. Cradle connected to PC

21. WiFi wireless

23. Line of business applications

24. Line of Business Apps Have specific logic such as invoicing, proof of delivery or inventory Usually need automated integration into back office systems such as accounting, order entry, warehouse inventory or dispatch. Must confirm that mobile apps can connect to these existing systems.

25. Proof of Delivery Example Driver logs on to start a trip (route). Orders for that route are sent to the handheld.

26. View Route Orders Driver views stops in their route – loads, orders, etc. Sees orders in the order they are supposed to be completed

27. Scans delivered items and gets customer signature

28. What else should I ask?

29. Other questions… Do I need mobile forms software or a Line of Business App? Can I use a standard mobile app package or do I have to custom build the software? How does the mobile software integrate with my other applications? How long does it take to install the mobile app? What is required for support – the users are in the field, not here with my IT staff? Does the mobile software need a network connection or does it work in store-and-forward mode, automatically detecting network changes? What happens when I need to make changes to the mobile application – users are in the field so how do changes get sent to them?

30. More Info Submit questions at http://www.bizspeed.com/about/contact/