Volume 1, Issue 8 / 2008

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Google: Where Are the Business Applications?

Accelerating innovation and disruption in the market has been a constant byproduct of Google’s quest to own as many web surfing customers as possible. With the advent of the browser on the cell phone, people are accessing web-based content with increasing frequency on their handheld. So, it was just a matter of time for Google to enter the mobility market.

Android, which is supported by Google, was recently launched, amid the usual hype, and now the industry pundits are starting to weigh in. In summary, ‘Android needs time to evolve,’ as the developers, the wireless network operators and their hardware partners are not swarming to the platform that is supposed to challenge iPhone. The launch started with T-Mobile, not the largest wireless operator, and one handset dubbed the G1 which is manufactured by HTC. Many of the applications that were initially launched were low quality (calculators, weather, budget planning…even a flashlight).

Businesses are on the lookout for mobile applications that create efficiencies in their operations. Our research and testing on the Android platform indicates that it will not have much to offer in the very near term. But, as Motorola and other hardware companies have started to incorporate Android into their product lines, we will see more options for our customers.

For more information on Android, please don’t hesitate to contact me clint.parr@goanyware.com.

Sincerely - Clint Parr
 

The rebirth of the U.S. oil and gas industry is presenting organizations with the challenge of growth management. The investment and deployment of field assets and people at rapid rates can create both challenges and opportunities. One of the biggest challenges is managing new operational processes while streamlining existing ones, ensuring both are feeding information back to corporate managers in a time sensitive and meaningful reporting format.

The “checklist” is at the core of these operational processes. The information written on that clipboard stuck to the dashboard of the pickup truck has increasing value, but paper is becoming obsolete as mobile solutions are replacing those inefficient paper processes. Site inspections, vehicle use tracking, storage tank inspections, pipeline operations and countless other areas that need oversight are discovering justification for the use of mobile technology.

Nexen and Anyware partner Beyond Compliance, Inc. implemented a system that replaces clipboards with handhelds. Over time, Nexen had accumulated enough paper forms and checklists to cover two conference room tables with twelve inch-thick stacks.. The data gathered on all of this paper was manually entered into several different systems and formats and often very difficult to retrieve.

To fix this problem, Nexen chose Beyond Compliance’s FieldTRAK product, a mobile solution which puts the paper inspection process on an inexpensive Palm handheld - costly and often fragile laptops were not needed. Nexen saw immediate results during an initial two week pilot. Data collection time was reduced dramatically, errors were minimized, identification of potential operations issues became near-real time and employees became more efficient. Even the human resources department benefited as newly hired employees required much less training and orientation by simply using the automated handheld solution.

If the clipboard is on the dashboard of your employee’s truck and they are familiar with cell phones or smart-phones, it might be time to take advantage of some of the technology, know-how and partners we have at Anyware.  Email Us today!

Due to legal and customer service requirements, paper tickets are a way of life in oil and gas transportation services. Of course, lost or damaged run tickets, poor handwriting, inaccurate numbers and unreadable customer receipts are inherent downfalls of this traditional, paper-based communication. But it doesn’t have to stay that way because Anyware can help you eliminate these downfalls by showing you how to manage your run tickets with mobile technology, saving you money and improving your customer’s satisfaction.

Using a unique approach we call a ‘hybrid solution’, we can use our software development platforms and tool sets to quickly create and deploy a “mobile run ticket” system designed specifically for your company. Using this system, drivers responsible for picking up and hauling the crude oil, water or frac fluid products can eliminate the downfalls inherent in paper processes.

While on location, drivers can simply use a (typically rugged) mobile device to enter product volume, quality and other metrics directly into the mobile run ticket system. Any required calculations can be handled on the device, eliminating the burden of finding correct values by searching through printed volumes and manually manipulating the numbers. At the press of a button, the system can wirelessly send the information to the operations office.

The increase in productivity and gained efficiencies can be impressive. For example, the mobile run ticket provides management near real-time exposure to field operations. This timely information allows for improved financial forecasting and operational planning based on numbers that properly reflect the current state of the business.

With your competitors providing the same types of oil and gas transportation services, offering a higher level of customer service can be an important distinction for your company. For instance, our mobile run ticket platforms provides printed (and accurate) receipts for your customers, which adds value and can increase their level of satisfaction with your company. Having access to up-to-date run ticket data enables your staff to rapidly react to customer questions or issues instead of waiting for the paper trail.

Anyware Mobile Solutions provides hybrid software and hardware solutions that improve the quality of your transportation operations, reducing operational inefficiencies, enhancing customer relationships, and improving your bottom line. Contact our team of mobile application specialists today to find out how we can benefit you!

For those of us that eat and sleep mobile (that’s our job, right?), it’s been interesting to follow how the big industry players are rushing to create online mobile application “stores”. Riding on the coattails of the successful iPhone App Store, Microsoft, Google, RIM and others are all jumping into the ring to compete head-to-head with Apple.

These industry behemoths are launching their online stores so end users / customers can find, buy and download applications and other content for their mobile devices. Additionally, it provides a marketing outlet for the growing developer community to showcase and sell their wares. That’s great news for our industry as it shows strong interest and continued growth in mobility. Loosening carrier restrictions and opening platforms means just about anyone can develop, upload and sell a mobile solution to this growing market. Of course, if you’ve been reading our newsletters you know that you’re not likely to find many strategic business applications on these sites.

It’s one thing to hack out some code utilizing the iPhone’s accelerometer to mimic a pint of beer and upload it to the iTunes App Store, but developing and successfully marketing a strategic business application (one that provides clear value and a quick return on investment) requires a different kind of business model. For many small and medium sized developers a great product is enough to build a list of local clients. But extending their product’s reach to the regional or national stage can be overwhelming due to prohibitive marketing and advertising costs, product support and training issues, sales channel complexities, mounting fees, distribution issues and more. Unfortunately, these big online stores don’t help with those issues because they simply aren’t designed to offer any more than just the application.

Since many business application developers struggle to effectively market their apps, potential customers have difficulty finding their products. The major search engines are too broad to be effective and most online sites are consumer-focused or too narrow. So where does Joe the Electrician (just couldn’t bring myself to say ‘plumber’!) go to find a bundled solution for inventory management, vehicle tracking and m-commerce for his business? Well, it’s not the iTunes App Store. Microsoft’s upcoming “Skymarket” store has potential, but only if the software is written on Windows Mobile 7 (which isn’t even out yet!). What about RIM’s BlackBerry store? Possibly, but Joe may need something more rugged than a shiny new BlackBerry Storm.

As the experts in mobility, Anyware has the experience and know-how to help you find and implement the right mobile solutions for your business needs. Many applications may work for your business right “off the shelf”. If not, we can use our extensive library of mobile software components to make enhancements so it fits perfectly. And as always, if the right product has yet to be created, we can build it for you. Let us know what you’re looking for and we’ll make it happen.

It goes without saying that PDA’s are officially a required piece of any mobile workers arsenal. If you don’t believe that try leaving yours at home one day. Worse yet, drop it onto concrete from 3 feet and see what thought’s race through your mind as it plummets to a certain death. (The author does not recommend doing this with consumer grade PDA’s). When taken into account all of the features (your phone, pocket office, internet browsing…) it’s easy to see why we’ve come to value them so.

That said, what is the worth of a PDA that can withstand 4 ft drops to concrete? Being left out in the rain? Advanced sealing to resist dust and moisture? Comprehensive coverage policies that repair or replace devices when they are accidentally damaged? Did you even know such a device existed?

Enter the industrial PDA. They’ve broken out of the four walls applications and are improving efficiency and up time across a broad spectrum of the mobile workforce. From police department ticketing applications to direct store delivery to sales, mobile workers everywhere are benefiting from the rugged, small form factor, feature rich industrial PDA. Popular offerings include Intermec’s CN3 and Motorola’s MC70. Less well known (more margin/less competition for resellers) are the Unitech PA600, Datalogic’s Pegaso, and the Opticon H16. What Cisco did for warehouse and office productivity in the 90’s these devices are doing for mobile workers today.

Additionally, your clients will enjoy features such as built in scanners, GPS and WLAN radios. Bluetooth is standard on all models. Universally they take advantage of the Window’s Mobile OS.

When taken into account all of the valuable features and information that PDA’s afford your clients it’s easy to see why they’d benefit from more rugged, dependable device. Just ask them to give theirs up for a day and see what type of reaction you receive. The author advises you to have a big smile on your face when you present that one to them. If they think you’re serious you might just lose the client!  The experts at Anyware Mobile Solutions can help you find the perfect mobile device - email us today!