The Mobile Worker / The Mobile Enterprise
- 1. The Mobile Worker / The Mobile Enterprise Twenty years ago any company using bar code scanning was considered “cutting edge”. Today, scanners are everywhere including your mobile phone. The situation is similar today regarding the mobile worker. Companies who outfit their workers with mobile devices and applications are still somewhat “cutting edge”. This makes researching information on the state of mobile technology and applica- tions difficult. This e-book is meant to be a guide to the hardware, software and services for the Mobile Enterprise. ADC Integrated Systems exists to help you pull together the right pieces to make your Mobile Workers more efficient. The Pieces of the Puzzle A successful mobile enterprise will include: * A mobile application * Mobility hardware * Data communication technology * An interface to your existing computer software * Technical support for the mobile worker The overlap in these areas makes it difficult to separate each one out individu- ally. As we go through each we will “link” the pieces that create the solution.
- 2. Applications GPS (Global Positioning System) GPS is so commonplace that it doesn’t seem like an application. But the ways in which GPS can be used by the mobile enterprise makes it the number one application used by the mobile worker. However, it is not always integrated tightly into the daily work flow of mobile workers. Simple GPS tracking The simplest use of GPS is for directions. But installing a Garmin or Tom-Tom does nothing to make the driver more efficient nor does it track their speed or show you where they are. Mobile Applications using GPS Building on standard GPS, Xora Mobile Software provides real-time visibility of workers or ve- hicles, optimized routing plans, and even time and attendance tracking via GPS location. This is all accomplished via a SmartPhone (to be discussed more later) or a GPS device mounted in the vehicle. Xora Mobility Software works well with the GenX Mobile Tracking Device. This is a “black box” device mounted in the vehicle; a GPS device which can be combined with a variety of software (such as Xora products) to make a “Smart” vehicle. GPS solutions can include automated vehicle routing (upload your routes to Xora and have them optimized to save time and fuel), turn-by-turn directions for greater driver efficiency, geo-fencing (confirma- tion that a vehicle is staying within a defined zone or area or alerting a distribution center of an impending
- 3. inbound vehicle), Time & Attendance (confirming a delivery or service call by logging it with a time, date and location stamp). Field Sales and Service Drivers typically carry some combination of the following: a cell phone, a GPS device, pa- per forms, a hand held terminal running company software. We will discuss hardware op- tions later but what can you expect a worker to accomplish using mobile applications? Order Taking Field Sales employees (HVAC, plumbers, etc) may need to accept payments in the field. If the application permits, the worker may take credit cards using a snap-on module for their hand held terminal or Smartphone. One from Motorola can be seen here: Additionally, the mobile worker can accept and clear checks if their mobile device has Internet connectiv- ity by using an online check clearing service such as BetterCheck. Workers enter information from the check on their Smartphone or mobile terminal and the check is verified in real time. Based on the software in use, the employee can also enter new sales, do inventory of their vehicle using a barcode scanner, collect signatures electronically, and take digital pictures as proof of delivery. This information may be communicated in real time via a cellular connection or “batched” when the vehicle comes in range of a Wi-Fi network; a technique referred to as “store and forward”.
- 4. DSD (Direct Store Delivery) Probably the most widely used mobile application, DSD picks up where the warehouse system ends. Orders are picked and staged in a warehouse then loaded into trucks for delivery. DSD systems track these deliveries to the end user. DSD may incorporate mobile printing solutions from compa- nies such as Zebra, Intermec and Brother. These are typically Bluetooth- enabled printers that work wirelessly from the mobile device. DSD may also include signature capture on the device and damage assessment us- ing a digital camera. Another aspect of DSD may be the elimination of paper forms. Using soft- ware from Adesso allows complex paper forms (receipts, bills of lading, inspection documents) to be reduced to a few keystrokes and screen clicks. Fleet / Yard Management Another offshoot of the warehouse management system is the yard management system. In a nutshell, the YMS controls the flow of trucks into and out of a distribution facility. This may include both inbound and outbound vehicles be- ing directed to the correct dock or bay, tracking 3PL or non-company vehicles and interfacing with the back office system.
- 5. Beyond the yard, Fleet Management systems track trucks via GPS, cellular or satel- lite communication. In addition to location tracking, fleet management software can monitor truck and driver activity up to and including engine idling, vehicle speed and location, Referred to as “Telematics”, these systems interface to an in-cab computer such as this. These in-cab computers can run sophisticated programs, deliver turn-by- turn directions via GPS, take inventory of the truck via a cordless scanner, and monitor the vehicle through a “j-bus” connection to the truck itself. Wireless/WWAN/Satellite All of this connectivity requires an ongoing data connection to the back office sys- tems. Three kinds of wireless networking come into play in a successful mobile appli- cation. 802.11 is also known as Wi-Fi; this is the same wireless you use at Starbucks. However when utilized in a manufacturing or distribution environment, these wireless networks may be extended to include the yard around the dock doors using an Access Point designed to be mounted outdoors. The Motorola AP7181 is a much more powerful wireless device extending network coverage up to ½ mile. This can be used to provide connectivity to trucks entering and exiting a large distribution complex. After leaving the area covered by Wi-Fi, wireless communication defaults to the cellular networks. All major wireless carriers offer data plans for on-the-road access to corporate applications and commu- nication. With a hand held or in-cab computer, drivers can receive continual updates to orders, direc- tions, route changes, etc. Each cellular carrier has advantages and disadvantages such as call quality, cost of data plan, and coverage areas.
- 6. Satellite tracking usually involves a module attached to the top of a container to enable it to be tracked in real time from any- where in the world. Hardware Hand Held Devices The capabilities of a Smartphone are often taken for granted. A Smartphone is actually a hand held computer that just happens to make phone calls. But much of this power is often overlooked when choosing a cell phone plan for mobile workers. The most com- mon problem? Multiple devices when one integrated device will do. If you have GPS in your vehicles, a cell phone for voice calls and some sort of mobile terminal for orders and deliveries, you have two devices too many. The MC65 from Motorola and the CN3 from Intermec are integrated devices that can perform multiple tasks. They are first and foremost a mobile computer running the Windows Mobile operating system. This makes them easy to integrate into most corpo- rate IT operations. A list of features in these devices includes: * Mobile Windows computer * Digital Camera * Cell phone * Barcode scanner * Wi-Fi * Bluetooth capability (for scanners and mobile printers) * GPS
- 7. Black Box Devices If vehicle tracking is more important, a “black box” device like the GenX GPS modem can be per- manently mounted in the vehicle to provide a tracking system for that specific vehicle. This can be used in conjunction with Xora or other software to give you real-time, two-way communica- tion and tracking. Integration Almost every company has a business software package ranging from Peachtree to SAP. Some of these packages offer a suite of mobile applications which are already integrated into the “back office”. But other business software may not offer a mobile suite. What are the ways you can integrate the information from your mobile workforce with your back office? Local Host In this scenario, you purchase a package that offers the kinds of applications you need for mobile workers. This is typically run or hosted on your company server and is often “license based” in that you pay based on the number of users. This type of system will have to be integrated into your back office so make sure it has the capabilities that your IT department needs or you’ll end up with a lot of mobile data that still has to be hand keyed into your software. ADC has experts in systems integration who can help you with these choices. SaaS (Software as a Service) SaaS companies “rent” their software. It is usually web-based and available for a monthly fee per user. You have no responsibility for maintaining the software or services; you simply provide your workers with Smartphones and a data plan and the software resides “in the cloud”. Companies like 2Go Software have a wide variety of applications for field sales, field service, store delivery and other mobile programs. Some companies may include both the soft-
- 8. ware and needed hardware and data fees into the monthly cost. Integration with your current software You must ask the question, what level of integration do I need? Tight integration means real-time, host-based, ‘thin client’ software. This might be a web-browser based program running in real time over the cellular or Wi-Fi network. Your workers are actually running ‘terminal sessions’ on your host. If the software is down or the cellular network is unavailable, they will not be able to work. Loose integration – sometimes called “batch”. Here the software is running completely on the hand held or vehicle terminal (also called a “fat client”). The software gathers information and stores it locally; it is uploaded once the device is back in the wireless network or, in some cases, even by docking the device and transferring the information to a PC when the truck returns to the office. Some questions to consider as you look at integration: Does my software provider currently offer a mobile solution tightly integrat- ed with my back office? Do I need my workers to be online at all times? In other words, do I need to update them with new orders or new tasks? Do I need to know where they are in real time? Is a batch solution adequate? In other words, do I need to spend on a data plan that allows them to be constantly in contact? Other Items RFID Ford Motors currently offers trucks and delivery vans with integrated RFID capability. Aimed mostly at con- tractors, an RFID tag is attached to expensive tools and an RFID reader in the truck can take an instant inven- tory. This helps assure the mobile worker that he has the tools and supplies needed once he leaves the office.
- 9. VPN for Session Maintenance If you are using an “on line” “real time” solution, you are basically connected by a terminal session with each mobile worker. If the cellular signal is lost will they have to reboot or reload sessions when they come back into range? A mobile VPN (virtual private network maintains the worker’s computer session even if they are out of range of a cell connection automatically reconnecting them when coverage is restored. Digital Pen and Ink You’ve decided there is no way you can give up the forms and other paperwork designed especially for your operation. You can still automate by using digital pen and ink solutions. Digital pens record every check box or blank filled in and transmits that information via Bluetooth to a Smartphone. The Smartphone can then store the information or transmit it. Digital pen and ink from Anoto replicates your paper forms and captures every stroke in the onboard memory. MDM – Mobile Device Management Now you have 10 to 100 workers out in the field. You’ve never been so productive or been able to track your business so closely. But what if a large firmware or software upgrade is required? How do you “touch” all those field devices? Do they have to be brought in? Shipped in? A technican sent out to up- grade each one? Mobile Device Management provides an online “dashboard” that allows IT to see and control all devices in the field. This allows for software updates, turning devices off and on and troubleshooting mobile equip- ment from a web-based portal.
- 10. Conclusion The mobile enterprise offers a wealth of opportunities to increase efficiency and improve the bottom line. From more steamlined order taking, to faster, more accurate deliveries, to increased field sales – mobile technology offers many benefits. But finding the right solution is much more complex than simply choosing a device and a cell provider. ADC Integrated Systems has over 200 man years experience in solving complex automation problems; let us help you make the right mobility decisions. Request a free, no-obligation mobility review - either of your existing mobile applications and hardware or an evalu- ation of how Mobility could bring new efficiencies to your operation (including an ROI estimate). Email sales@adcisi.com or call 901-327-9946, ext 106 to schedule your review. Copyright 2011, ADC Integrated Systems, Inc. 2701 Union Avenue Extended, Suite 504 Memphis, Tennessee 38112 901-327-9946