Survey points out that there is a strong demand for tablets

As a Software Advice survey points out, interest in tablet computers has been very strong across the healthcare industry, even though the iPad is devoid of certain significant features that physicians wish it had. The survey pointed out that more than half of the respondents were either very likely or somewhat likely to opt for a tablet sometime in the following year.

The physicians contacted by the survey expressed a wish to use the tablet for notes, prescription drug reference, lab orders, clinical decision support, medical image viewing, e-mail, e-prescribing and a host of other tasks. The number one reason for choosing the tablet turned out to be ease-of-use, closely followed by software and durability.

The iPhone operating system from iPad scores high in the ease-of-use factor. However, physicians have pointed out that the current App Store excludes comprehensive software required to manage electronic medical records (EMRs). We will have to wait to find out whether the additional capabilities that the iPad has promised lead to the developers creating a new utility in future. There are already a wider range of advanced software titles offered for the healthcare industry that are compatible with traditional notebooks, however traditional notebooks do not offer the ease-of-use and portability that the iPad and iPhone offer. The physicians who participated in the survey revealed that the second most important addition they desired was resistance to dust and liquids. The iPad, in its native form, does not have a high level of protection against rugged environments. That being said as with the iPhone third parties are already working to create accessories to accompany the iPad. A number of other important features, including barcode scanning, fingerprint access, integrated camera and RFID reader, are missing in the iPad.

It is a wasted effort to try to shoehorn a desktop OS into a tablet. This has already been attempted by Microsoft only to discover there just isn’t a market for it. A respondent to the survey also pointed out that a modal interface, like that of the iPhone, is more appropriate for touch-screen use which makes it more sensible for use in the healthcare system.

At this stage, when the market is yet to witness the arrival of the iPad, one can’t be certain how it is going to fare in respect to its competitors that are set for release later this year. According to analytical forecasts, the device expected to sell over 10 million units by 2011.

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The recent Mobile Loyalty Solution responds to customer request for portable and flexible servicing options within the store and outside

The Mobile Loyalty Solution – the retail mobile industry’s all-inclusive service programme that allows retailers to develop a more personal rapport with customers and digitize onto customer phones the store’s exclusive membership cards – was today inaugurated by the Enterprise Mobility Solution department of Motorola. This recent service is usable with the bulk of mobile phones available in today’s U.S. market, is a very handy shopping service for consumers, and offers privileged offers and concessions on a variety of products.

A study by Juniper Research shows that by 2014 there is scope for generating about $6 billion worldwide through the retail redemption of mobile coupons.  With high customer expectations from their preferred retailers, Motorola is aware of the pertinence of consumer faithfulness and satisfaction and its Mobile Loyalty Solution is an initial step in an intended series of mobile commerce programs to assist retailers in establishing an unforgettable shopping experience for their preferred clients.

“The nature of mobile phone usage is evolving and so is its significance during shopping. With the increasing customer base of smart phone users and the improved functioning of the operational platform, we are entering an age when a shopping experience is magnified as a result of a continuous digital connectivity through the mobile phone,” said Dana Warszona, worldwide head of m-commerce division in the Motorola Mobile computer section. “Right from allowing clients to look for products attributes to carrying out a transactions, the mobile phone is today a significant device that retailers need to include in their customer satisfaction plan.”

The Motorola Loyalty Solution can be the next step or a possible option for the retailers current loyalty plan and will allow the retailers to relay sales and discount to the consumer’s mobile phones, thereby doing away with offer tickets and membership cards.  The clients can choose to receive details of the various offers on their mobile phone either online or in the shop by sending a short SMS. The customer then obtains a mobile application with a bar code on their mobile device which represents the customer’s identity or a mobile loyalty card. This can then be scanned at the sale counter. Retailers benefit from a wider reach of the program and customers benefit from the special discounts, an easier access to personalized tickets and a faster shopping experience.

Senior Vice President Merchandising and Marketing, of Kerr Drug Bill Baxley said “Kerr Drug understands that for sustaining consumer faithfulness, availability of product details, services and offers is crucial. As part of the Kerr Rewards bigger plan, we will be introducing the Motorola Loyalty Solution, in a few days. This is a crucial segment since it will allow us to interact directly with customers having the digital tickets and discounts and assist in developing a better rapport with our clients.

The Motorola Mobile Loyalty Solution is a “one-way” mechanism and helps retailers in keeping a detailed information base of customer likes, buying trends and favorites. Since Motorola undertakes the broadcasting to program associates, the retailer needs to only look at developing pertinent promotional material and the frequency of sending out these offers. Consequently, offers are well scheduled and redemptions are followed precisely.

Just as retailers are in a position to draw more clients and augment store footfall with the offers, consumers benefit from the ease of accessing store incentives and determining the closest shopping locations using their mobile phones.  This provides the retail chain with a means of developing sales, augmenting redemptions and furthering client satisfaction by removing the conventional method of rewarding consumers on their way out from the shop. This also enhances the chances for the manufacturer and the retailers to work more efficiently on current incentives. Consumers do not require to carry tickets or membership cards for redemption. Therefore, the processing time is reduced considerably which in turn enhances the shopping event. This is also an environment friendly option which requires no printing thereby reducing the use of paper and costs.

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Dolphin® 9700, a toughened digital assistant launched  by Honeywell is a very reliable, secure and easy-to-use device that has multi-functional communications and data collection capabilities.

This model is suitable for businesses which specialize in point-of-care healthcare applications, field services, delivery of parcels and route accounting. It enables them to provide better service to their customers by improving productivity through enhanced connectivity, better system performance, extraordinary user interfaces, and associated ergonomics.

Having a sleek yet hardy design, Dolphin 9700 has multi-media data collection capabilities to capture signatures and full-color videos and images. It comes with the company’s signature Adaptus® Imaging Technology that allows sophisticated bar code scanning. Providing users with complete control on programming, the automated camera control makes it easy for camera users with the point-and-shoot option that reduces image blur and enhances quality of pictures. Moreover, Dolphin 9700 is the foremost mobile computing device that allows the user to scan bar codes and take pictures with the same application, thereby increasing worker productivity. Further, the device is well equipped with multi-modal communications systems like Web browsing, e-mail, messenger, and voice-enabled navigation, which make it easier for workers to remain connected all through their shifts.

Darius Adamczyk, President – Honeywell scanners and mobile computers, said that the company’s customers have become more mobile and thus require access to a robust device for real-time communications in order to perform their daily operations. He said that in order to meet these requirements, the company is investing continuously in products such as Dolphin 9700 that allow its customers perform an increasing number of tasks with one device, thereby improving worker productivity and eventually decreasing operating costs.

Dolphin 9700 has inbuilt functionalities like the Windows Mobile® 6.5 OS and a 3.7” high-resolution display system that makes it easier for the user communication on a familiar platform. To suit its users’ requirements, this robust digital assistant has dual options for keypad —one is a 31-key numeric keypad and the other is a complete 45-key QWERTY keypad; both have navigation keys that are strategically placed for facilitating single-handed use. Further, Dolphin 9700 can be used for high-speed wireless connectivity requirements across the world and for real-time location-based data exchange solutions, thereby making it possible for its users to connect to their customers and/or their internal network in seconds, irrespective of the physical location.

Paul Bryan, Microsoft Mobile Communications Business’s Senior Director of Business Experiences Product Management said that Microsoft will work with Honeywell to ensure creation of tough, greatly connected mobile tools based on the Microsoft’s Windows Mobile technologies. He further stated that the Windows Mobile 6.5 OS on Dolphin 9700 is extremely intuitive and has a great interface which is touch-friendly.  It has improved third-party application services, and optimized Web browsing functionality in-built which enables the phone’s users to rapidly adapt to the new high tech and state of the art device.

Two key features of this device are assisted GPS (A-GPS) and voice-enabled turn-by-turn navigation; these features maximize the device’s satellite connectivity speed, even in locations where the signals are quite weak. These features along with the multi-modal and multi-media communications would be of great help to people in the field of transportation. In other words, all these features equip drivers with the highest level of support on one robust and reliable device and help them make accurate, on-time deliveries.

Gene Cornell, President – Cornell-Mayo Associates, said that  an increasing number of the company’s clients have started using mobile devices with their point-of-sale lanes in order to ensure better handling of the store traffic during business hours and at alternate location events. He further said that the new Dolphin 9700 definitely has an edge over its competitors with respect to barcode scanners, battery life, comfort, form factor, and screen quality. He said that the device provides a total POS solution when it is used along with the company’s OPUS Millennium Store System®.

Dolphin 9700 is also offered with Honeywell’s disinfectant-ready covering, which can effectively resist the harsh chemicals that are used in healthcare environments for cleaning purposes. This device helps healthcare providers to provide fast and accurate bedside patient care, including the verification of the prescribed medication. With a high-speed wireless connection and the device’s large, bright display, healthcare providers can easily read and quickly transmit the patient information to the relevant electronic medical record. Further, the device’s comfortable grip and the company’s Shift-PLUS power management system, which powers real-time multi-media and wireless applications for 8+ hours, thereby enhancing productivity, guarantee that medical professionals have a device on hand to support them all through their shift.

Cornell further said that his company is very enthusiastic of the collaboration with Honeywell on the ISV program. He said that Honeywell’s heavy investment on its mobile computing products and the apparent advantages of the ISV program are the reasons they chose Honeywell as their hardware partner.

Further, Dolphin 9700 comes with the Honeywell Scanning & hand held computers help decrease the time and expenses associated with design, development, management as well as system integration. This makes the implementation easy and cost effective.
The company will start shipping for the orders for Dolphin 9700 in February.

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The 2010 Business Solutions Magazine Best Channel Vendor award has been given to Intermec Technologies (NYSE: IN) for data collection and mobility hardware category. This is an annual list of top channel vendors chosen by VAR subscribers.

Jim McDonnell, SVP of Global Sales expressed gratitude saying, “It’s great to be recognized and validated by the VAR community for our ongoing commitment to the channel.” He added that the company’s goal would be to improve their collaboration and programs with their channel partners in order to deliver new products that strengthen their market lead. Business Solutions has carried out a survey of VAR subscribers on the internet from mid-September to early October 2009, which measured seven categories. These categories are service and support, channel friendliness, channel program, product features, product reliability, product innovation apart from adequate VAR margins. Only the top 15 percent of vendors in each of these categories qualified as the Best Channel Vendors.

Amongst the industry’s most comprehensive rugged mobile business portfolio, the Intermec CN3 mobile computer, was selected as the Best Channel Product by Business Solutions Magazine in October.  McDonnell added that the channel is slated to get a first look at the material enhancements to the Intermec channel program at their upcoming Intermec Partner Summit scheduled to take place in February 8-10 in Orlando, FL. They expect the event to drive partner satisfaction to scale new heights.

The show is set to reveal last year’s Intermec Honours Partner Awards apart from a new Intermec channel program. The January 2010 issue of Business Solution is running a feature on Intermec and other award recipients.

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Motorola handheld computers has now been supplemented with the first lightweight non-industrial handheld one. The MC3090-Z is a light RFID reader equipped with an omni-directional antenna that can locate specific RFID tags and is useful for tracking assets in IT or health care centers, products in retail outlets, or even documents in offices. With a weight of only 22.93 ounces, it is lighter than all other RFID readers, but can read tags lying within a 3-ft to 9-ft area around the reader, according to Motorola’s director of Product Marketing, Chris Schaefer. He said that the MC-3090-Z also had a design that would lead to the traced RFID tag through audio and video cues displayed on the screen. It would be ready for commercial use after it is released in the spring of 2010.

The product has already been certified by EPCglobal to be compliant with UHF passive EPC Gen 2 standard (ISO 18000-C) that can read and encode all passive tags. It can link readers from most manufacturers except the ALE standard (application level events). Its 3-inch touch screen is a color LCD display, a scanner for reading linear barcodes and a 48-character alphanumeric keypad. Other features include the Microsoft Windows Mobile 6.1 operating system, can be connected to the user’s wireless LAN, and radio compliance with IEEE 802.11a/b/g standard.

The device would be suitable for users currently using the MC9090-G RFID-interrogator or other industrial readers that can last in tough environments along with resistance to shock when dropped. Such devices are wasted in carpeted environments and are inconvenient due to their rugged and heavy design. Getting this feedback from users prompted Motorola to come up with a lighter design that is meant for carpeted environments. Nonetheless it passes tough impacts tests like resisting multiple 4-ft drops to concrete, functioning in temperatures between –10 degree Celsius and 50 degrees Celsius. Its omni-directional antenna has recently been patented, and eases the tracking of RFID tags regardless of orientation. This makes tracking easier in retail environments and the reading zone gets extended considerably. It proves to be advantageous over a uni-directional antenna.

The first version of the MC3090-Z operating at 902-928 MHz, will be available for use in US and Canada in January 2010, with a price tag of $3395, and the European version that will operate at 865.7 to 867.5 MHz, will be released later in the year.

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Visualize an interactive shopping experience that is really enjoyable. Now it is feasible with the new Datalogic Joya, a mobile computer that accomplishes just that. Datalogic has been following a shop evolution program with the idea of initiating a direct personal interaction with the customer providing him with the information and inputs he may require, and a personalized service that would enhance his comfort level while deciding about his purchases. The Joya gives shoppers a detailed list of the net prices of all the products they have picked up so that they know exactly what the total is going to be at the cash register. For the retail store, there are benefits of using the Joya screen to advertise products and make the customer aware of other things they offer. Additionally, Datalogic is able to give a complete data analysis of customer selections and preferences, which enables retailers to assess their best selling products and what more to stock.

The Working of the Datalogic Joya

1. Customers enter the store and pick up the Joya from a dispenser. The Joya lights up when it reads a loyalty card or when close to an NFC mobile phone.
2. They use the Joya to scan the barcode of a product they pick up, get the details of the product on the screen, and on the basis of that information decide whether or not to place it in their cart.
3. The Joya can be used for creating a personalized shopping list with item names, net prices, total value, discounts and reward points, nutritional information of foodstuff, calories and so on.
4. The Joya alerts customers about other products in the store as the customer approaches “hot spots”.

Features of the Datalogic Joya

1. An elegant and lightweight pod
   • Ergonomic design
   • Easy to use with a touch screen
   • High resolution backlit color display for clips and images
   • Personalized attractive covers
   • Polyphonic sound and microphone
   • High capacity battery
   • WiFi, Bluetooth, and USB connectivity
   • Microsoft Windows CE

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