MobileFrame Blog » Field Service Automation

Separating Fact from Fiction: Digital Forms vs. Mobile Business Applications

Patricia Oswalt — Tue, 10 May 2011 14:46:27 +0000

Along with the smartphone boom of the past decade we have also seen an exponential increase in the number of companies providing mobile applications.

This increase in the number of available software vendors has caused confusion in the marketplace when trying to determine what the main differences are between companies that provide simple mobile forms vs. mobile business applications.

When most companies are investigating solutions they are looking for ways to eliminate the manual process of collecting information on paper. By eliminating the collection of data on paper, the business will be able to save costs, and ultimately increase profits. As an example let us assume that you are currently looking for a mobile software vendor to help eliminate paper from your field operations. You have completed your preliminary research and think you have found 2 companies that could be a potential fit.

The 2 companies you have found offer different solutions; one provides simple mobile forms and the other provides mobile business applications

Company A – Provides a mobile forms tool which enables you to re-create simple paper forms on a smartphone. This tool makes it easy to collect simple text based information using your smartphone when connected to the Internet.
MobileFrame – Provides a Mobile Business Application tool set which enables you to create, manage, deploy and support an infinite number of mobile business applications. This tool makes it easy to collect not only text based data but also rich data types including photo’s, barcode scans, voice notes, and can operate even when disconnected from the Internet. Meaning all associated business logic, data from your back-office systems is made available at all times even when working in remote locations.

Mobile Forms vs. Mobile Business Applications – What is the difference?

Collecting information using a mobile form is still a one-time event. Information is collected, saved, and transmitted back to the host system. Once completed, someone still needs to physically copy, calculate, or re-purpose the data for your business to receive any benefit.

In other words the means of collecting the information has simply changed formats, but the actual business process that needs to be completed (the one that is taking all of the time) is still manual.

Other common issues with this approach include the lack of the ability to collect data when disconnected from the Internet, control over the data format, scalability, device management, and peripheral support (barcode scans, photos, voice notes, rfid, etc.).

In contrast mobile business applications like the ones developed by MobileFrame, enable you to bi-directionally exchange information between multiple back office business systems (Accounting, Inventory Tracking, CRM, etc.) and the mobile workers in real time. These thick client mobile business applications embed all of the business logic, and necessary data into the database so the mobile worker is able to do their work without having to worry about connecting to the Internet. Mobile business applications also provide peripheral support making it possible to collect rich data types, and validating the data as it is being entered into the system. The best part is that once data is received by the back-office system, automated tasks can be set up to automatically process the data once it is received in real time.

Why selecting a Mobile Business Applications is the right decision:

Using a Mobile Business Application you are not only eliminating paper you are eliminating the administrative overhead, and manual data processing of information back at the office. Information is collected digitally, validated at the point of entry, and automatically entered into the other systems immediately once data is received back on the server. This means that your business will be able to run smoother, faster, and less expensively than ever before possible.

As takeaway from this article here are the 3 differences between mobile forms, and mobile business applications that you should remember.

Mobile Business Applications Provide Control
- Do you want an open, free text entry or do you want to ensure that the information has a level of control to it? Are phone numbers actually phone numbers or simply a combination of 10 digits? Are your addresses formatted correctly? There is no reason to electronically store information if it is not accurate and you lack control of what is captured. Garbage in – garbage out.
Mobile Business Applications are Integrated
- As you are fulfilling customer orders, you can automatically update your inventory tracking system, produce a mobile invoice, send it to your accounting program and update your CRM system in real-time with no additional effort. When your systems are talking to each other it saves you the time of duplicate (or triplicate) data entry.
Mobile Business Applications can run automatically
- Possibly the most powerful benefit of this type of system is the ability to DO something automatically as information is received. Your workflow can be simplified when it is automated. When you are running low on a particular part, your mobile system can update your ERP which can send an alert to the purchasing department and let them know it’s time to order more. Other additional benefits include leveraging management dashboards, customer self-service portals, and automatic delivery of daily productivity reports.

If you are interested in learning more about our award winning mobile enterprise application platform, please contact us today!

Southern Star Central Gas Pipeline chooses MobileFrame

Danielle Mora — Tue, 21 Dec 2010 07:00:00 +0000

Southern Star Central Gas Pipeline has chosen MobileFrame to track their parts and labor. Southern Star Central Gas Pipeline previously used Microsoft InfoPath for simple forms building, but they needed a solution that allowed for more complex workflow creation and ease of integration. Southern Star Central Gas Pipeline has over 150 forms teed up to automate, so MobileFrame’s platform approach is a perfect fit. After seeing MobileFrame’s full-featured platform in action, Southern Star Central Gas Pipeline was confident that it would meet their needs. With MobileFrame, Southern Star Central Gas Pipeline will be able to utilize the latest mobility technologies to implement full-featured mobile work order applications to track their parts and labor that easily integrates with their existing homegrown SQL backend system.

Although application development tools are commonplace, those tools require costly, time-consuming development to create business applications. Moreover, such business solutions tend to be inflexible, requiring expensive custom programming whenever business processes change. As business processes evolve, MobileFrame’s software provides users with unparalleled flexibility to create new mobile applications of any degree of complexity, incorporating any mix of business processes, and to make changes to those applications on-the-fly. With its flexibility and ease of use, MobileFrame’s enterprise mobility software will allow Southern Star Central Gas Pipeline to quickly deploy their mobile work order applications and make changes as needed, without time-consuming and expensive development efforts.

“MobileFrame is pleased to win this account with Southern Star Central Gas Pipeline. Our award winning software allows SSCGS to mobile track all of their parts and labor, without requiring any coding. MobileFrame’s software provides substantial cost savings through standardization and elimination of time-consuming hard coded mobile application projects based on obsolete software development tools.”

— Lonny Oswalt, MobileFrame CEO

About Southern Star Central Gas Pipeline

Southern Star is a natural gas transmission system spanning over 6,000 miles in the Midwest and Mid-continent regions of the United States. Southern Star’s 500 employees and its pipeline system and facilities are located throughout Kansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Wyoming, Colorado, Texas, Nebraska, and Kentucky. It serves major markets such as St. Louis, Wichita, and Kansas City. Southern Star is a locally managed private company owned by GE’s Energy Financial Services business and Morgan Stanley Infrastructure Partners. For more information visit: http://www.sscgp.com

About MobileFrame

MobileFrame is the leading provider of Configurable Mobile Applications™ enterprise software that requires no coding or programming to create, deploy and remotely manage sophisticated mobile applications. With secure SOX compliant instant messaging, remote device control, configuration and management, intelligent networking, remote software updates, prioritized synchronization, automatic device driver recognition and loading all built-in, MobileFrame’s platform significantly streamlines mobile application development, deployment, and administration. MobileFrame eliminates custom programming through an intuitive, user-friendly point-and-click graphical user interface, enabling novice computer users to quickly create and deploy custom mobile applications tailored to their business.

MobileFrame’s award-winning mobility platform is an entirely self-contained mobility solution that provides full functionality out-of-the-box, with no custom programming, no third-party mobile gateways, synchronization engines or SDK’s required. MobileFrame’s software allows users to capture photographs, voice notes, documents, templates, logos, sketches, digital signatures, bar code scans, magnetic strip read outs, RFID tags, advanced algorithmic functions, and attach them directly into their mobile applications. Applications are stored in a library so administrators can quickly make changes whenever operational requirements change, enabling on-the-spot deployment of a wide variety of mobile applications.

For more information, customers may contact MobileFrame directly at 1-408-885-1200 or visit our website at http://www.mobileframe.com.

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Contact:
Thomas J. Laughlin
MobileFrame LLC
(408) 885-1200
tlaughlin@mobileframe.com

Dungan Engineering chooses to Automate their Construction Safety Inspections with MobileFrame

Danielle Mora — Wed, 13 Oct 2010 21:58:12 +0000

Dungan Engineering has chosen MobileFrame to automate their construction safety inspections. Prior to adopting MobileFrame’s platform, Dungan Engineering was manually entering their collected field data into their backend system. They realized that this was highly inefficient and costly. After evaluating other mobility solutions, Dungan Engineering quickly recognized that MobileFrame’s unique full-featured platform was best suited to helping them automate their field data. With MobileFrame, Dungan Engineering will be able to reduce paperwork at their home office as well as in the field.

Although application development tools are commonplace, those tools require costly, time-consuming development to create business applications. Moreover, such business solutions tend to be inflexible, requiring expensive custom programming whenever business processes change. As business processes evolve, MobileFrame’s software provides users with unparalleled flexibility to create new mobile applications of any degree of complexity, incorporating any mix of business processes, and to make changes to those applications on-the-fly. With its flexibility and ease of use, MobileFrame’s enterprise mobility software will allow Dungan Engineering to quickly deploy their mobile construction safety inspections and make changes as needed, without time-consuming and expensive development efforts.

“Previous solutions required custom coding with even the simplest of changes requiring significant cost and schedule. Dungan Engineering chose MobileFrame for its inherent flexibility to deploy many diverse mobile applications with complete ease and no programming.”

— Lonny Oswalt, MobileFrame CEO

About Dungan Engineering

Dungan Engineering, P.A. currently serves as County Engineer for six South Mississippi Counties, including Marion, Walthall, Lawrence, Lincoln, Jefferson Davis and Pearl River. They have also provided and continue to provide services for several local industries. In order to continue to grow, Dungan Engineering must maintain their efforts to provide quality services to their clients while constantly pursuing new technology. For more information visit: http://www.dunganeng.com

About MobileFrame

For more information, customers may contact MobileFrame directly at 1-408-885-1200 or visit our website at http://www.mobileframe.com.

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Contact:
Thomas J. Laughlin
MobileFrame LLC
(408) 885-1200
tlaughlin@mobileframe.com

Atlas Machine & Supply chooses MobileFrame to automate their work order process

Lonny Oswalt — Thu, 23 Sep 2010 17:47:58 +0000

Atlas Machine & Supply has chosen MobileFrame to automate their work order processes. Prior to adopting MobileFrame’s platform, Atlas Machine had 5 clerks just for manually entering their collected field data into their backend system in addition to their large mobile workforce. This was highly inefficient and costly, leading Atlas Machines to recognize the need for a robust mobility solution to make this process more efficient. After evaluating several mobility solutions, Atlas Machine & Supply recognized that MobileFrame’s unique full-featured platform was best suited to helping them automate their work orders and manage their field force. With MobileFrame, Atlas Machine & Supply will be able to utilize the latest mobility technologies to implement full-featured mobile work order applications that closely integrates with their existing Exact Job Boss backend system, and eliminates the need for manual data re-entry – guaranteeing them a huge ROI.

Although application development tools are commonplace, those tools require costly, time-consuming development to create business applications. Moreover, such business solutions tend to be inflexible, requiring expensive custom programming whenever business processes change. As business processes evolve, MobileFrame’s software provides users with unparalleled flexibility to create new mobile applications of any degree of complexity, incorporating any mix of business processes, and to make changes to those applications on-the-fly. With its flexibility and ease of use, MobileFrame’s enterprise mobility software will allow Atlas Machine & Supply to quickly deploy their mobile work order applications and make changes as needed, without time-consuming and expensive development efforts.

“Manual data entry (or re-entry) is not only error prone but extremely costly. By using MobileFrame’s mobility platform to automate their work order processes, Atlas will benefit by eliminating clerical errors, reducing costs, and improving efficiency. In addition, our platform includes a variety of administrative tools that help ensure the success of their mobility project, such as mobile device management, mobile worker tracking, automatic device updates, etc.”

— Lonny Oswalt, MobileFrame CEO

About Atlas Machine & Supply

Atlas Machine and Supply designs, repairs, and remanufactures complex equipment and components for industry and municipalities. Atlas also is a leading supplier of industrial air compressors, pumps, and related products and services. For more information visit: http://www.atlasmachine.com

About MobileFrame

For more information, customers may contact MobileFrame directly at 1-408-885-1200 or visit our website at http://www.mobileframe.com.

# # #

Contact:
Thomas J. Laughlin
MobileFrame LLC
(408) 885-1200
tlaughlin@mobileframe.com

Idaho National Laboratories selects MobileFrame for Work Order Management

Lonny Oswalt — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 18:04:34 +0000

Idaho National Labs has chosen MobileFrame to automate their work order management. Idaho National Labs previously adopted a competing mobility solution in 2003 but was unable to get the solution working properly, leading them to return to paper-based processes. After their previous experience, Idaho National Labs realized the need for a more robust mobility solution with a proven track record and had been looking for a good solution that would work as promised ever since. After seeing MobileFrame’s full-featured platform in action, Idaho National Labs was confident that it would meet their needs. With MobileFrame, Idaho National Laboratories will be able to utilize the latest mobility technologies to implement full-featured mobile work order applications that easily integrates with their existing Ventyx backend system.

Although application development tools are commonplace, those tools require costly, time-consuming development to create business applications. Moreover, such business solutions tend to be inflexible, requiring expensive custom programming whenever business processes change. As business processes evolve, MobileFrame’s software provides users with unparalleled flexibility to create new mobile applications of any degree of complexity, incorporating any mix of business processes, and to make changes to those applications on-the-fly. With its flexibility and ease of use, MobileFrame’s enterprise mobility software will allow Idaho National Labs to quickly deploy their mobile work order applications and make changes as needed, without time-consuming and expensive development efforts.

“We see this all too often – an organization adopts a point ‘mobility solution’ and it just doesn’t work. Often times these solutions are cumbersome, inflexible and just not properly architected to meet the unique challenges of mobility. These customers are extremely relieved upon adopting MobileFrame because our platform was built specifically for mobility and provides an integration wizard that makes integrating to their existing backend systems a breeze. This leads to a much higher success rate and greater ROI.”

— Lonny Oswalt, MobileFrame CEO

About Idaho National Laboratories

In operation since 1949, INL is a science-based, applied engineering national laboratory dedicated to supporting the U.S. Department of Energy’s missions in nuclear and energy research, science, and national defense. INL is operated for the Department of Energy (DOE) by Battelle Energy Alliance (BEA) and partners, each providing unique educational, management, research and scientific assets into a world-class national laboratory. Battelle Energy Alliance (BEA) is a limited liability company wholly owned by Battelle and created to transform INL into the preeminent, multi-program national laboratory within ten years. BEA embraces the vision set forth by DOE of a nuclear energy renaissance that will enhance the nation’s energy security and reshape the world’s energy economy. For more information visit: http://www.inl.gov

About MobileFrame

For more information, customers may contact MobileFrame directly at 1-408-885-1200 or visit our website at http://www.mobileframe.com.

# # #

Contact:
Thomas J. Laughlin
MobileFrame LLC
(408) 885-1200
tlaughlin@mobileframe.com

Dickinson Fleet Services purchases MobileFrame for vehicle maintenance and inspections

Lonny Oswalt — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 19:41:25 +0000

Dickinson Fleet Services has purchased MobileFrame to automate their vehicle maintenance and inspections. Our partner, GS Data, demonstrated the MobileFrame platform to Dickinson and will be writing their vehicle maintenance and inspections mobile applications. With MobileFrame, Dickinson Fleet Services will be able to utilize the latest mobility technologies to implement full-featured mobile applications for their vehicle maintenance and inspections.

Although application development tools are commonplace, those tools require costly, time-consuming development to create business applications. Moreover, such business solutions tend to be inflexible, requiring expensive custom programming whenever business processes change. As business processes evolve, MobileFrame’s software provides users with unparalleled flexibility to create new mobile applications of any degree of complexity, incorporating any mix of business processes, and to make changes to those applications on-the-fly. With its flexibility and ease of use, MobileFrame’s enterprise mobility software will allow Dickinson to quickly deploy their mobile applications and make changes as needed, without time-consuming and expensive development efforts.

“MobileFrame’s platform provides Dickinson Fleet Services with all the tools they need to make their mobile vehicle maintenance and inspections successful, from mobile device management to automatic software updates and worker tracking. And with GS Data writing their applications, which will run on Intermec’s CN50 devices, Dickinson is sure to see a large increase in productivity and efficiency.”

— Lonny Oswalt, MobileFrame CEO

About Dickinson Fleet Services

Dickinson Fleet Services is a family-owned truck service and maintenance business providing our customers with a one-stop service for all your truck repair needs. For more information visit: http://www.dickinsonfleet.com/

About MobileFrame

For more information, customers may contact MobileFrame directly at 1-408-885-1200 or visit our website at http://www.mobileframe.com.

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Contact:
Thomas J. Laughlin
MobileFrame LLC
(408) 885-1200
tlaughlin@mobileframe.com

Hunter Engineering chooses MobileFrame for field service automation

Lonny Oswalt — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 19:59:19 +0000

Hunter Engineering has purchased MobileFrame to automate their field service operations. Hunter Engineering designs manufactures and sells a wide range of passenger car and truck service equipment including wheel balancers, alignment racks and garage lifts. Although Hunter’s technicians are independent contractors, Hunter’s goal was to remove all paper-based processes involved in customer visits for installation of new equipment, warranty work and/or any additional type of servicing. With MobileFrame, Hunter Engineering will be able to utilize the latest mobility technologies to implement full-featured mobile applications that are closely integrated with each contractor’s instance of QuickBooks and also Hunter’s corporate office QuickBooks as well. This has allowed Hunter to begin offering a backup service to their contractors, thus uncovering a new revenue stream.

Hunter Engineering did a very thorough investigation of all available mobile technologies, including all the big names, ultimately selecting MobileFrame for its flexibility, sophistication and ease of use. With MobileFrame, Hunter Engineering will be able to utilize the latest mobility technologies to implement full-featured mobile field service applications that give them greater visibility into what is happening in their customer base.

Although application development tools are commonplace, those tools require costly, time-consuming development to create business applications. Moreover, such business solutions tend to be inflexible, requiring expensive custom programming whenever business processes change. As business processes evolve, MobileFrame’s software provides users with unparalleled flexibility to create new mobile applications of any degree of complexity, incorporating any mix of business processes, and to make changes to those applications on-the-fly. With its flexibility and ease of use, MobileFrame’s enterprise mobility software will allow Hunter Engineering to quickly deploy their mobile applications and make changes as needed, without time-consuming and expensive development efforts.

“There are a lot of mobility solutions to choose from, and Hunter Engineering carefully evaluated them all over the course of 15 months to ensure they chose the right solution. After performing rigorous due diligence, Hunter chose MobileFrame for its ease of use and flexibility.”

— Lonny Oswalt, MobileFrame CEO

About Hunter Engineering

Hunter is a primary supplier in major car and truck manufacturer dealership equipment programs and is the recipient of many OEM supplier awards. It has been chosen for use at OEM production, research, testing and training facilities including: Chrysler’s Chelsea Proving Grounds; Ford’s Experimental Vehicles Building; General Motors’ Milford Proving Grounds; and VW/Audi’s Auburn Hills headquarters. Hunter heavy-duty brake testing equipment is the choice of the U.S. Army Logistics Command. For more information visit: http://www.hunter.com/

About MobileFrame

For more information, customers may contact MobileFrame directly at 1-408-885-1200 or visit our website at http://www.mobileframe.com.

# # #

Contact:
Thomas J. Laughlin
MobileFrame LLC
(408) 885-1200
tlaughlin@mobileframe.com

The MobileFrame Application Challenge, Send us your FORMS!!!!

Nick Hession — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 03:44:07 +0000

Click here to take the MobileFrame Application Challenge, send us your paper forms!!!

Send us your paper forms, we will build a custom application and demo it to you live the very next day!

Chapman Metering purchases MobileFrame to automate Work Order Management

Lonny Oswalt — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 00:07:35 +0000

Chapman Metering, a utility contractor specializing in meter installations and testing services, has chosen MobileFrame to automate their Work Order Management. Chapman Metering was looking for an easy-to-use software solution that would allow them to customize their mobile work orders, and integrate to their existing Access-based backend system, without requiring custom programming. In addition, they needed an enterprise mobility solution which would allow them to embed photos and collect GPS location data.

Although application development tools are commonplace, those tools require costly, time-consuming development to create business applications. Integrating to such solutions is a nightmare. Moreover, such business solutions tend to be inflexible, requiring expensive custom programming whenever business processes change. MobileFrame’s software provides users with unparalleled flexibility to create new mobile applications of any degree of complexity, incorporating any mix of business processes, and to make changes to those applications on-the-fly as business processes evolve. With our built-in Integration Wizard, integrating to backend systems is a breeze while our flexibility and ease of use ensure that Chapman Metering will have their mobile work order solution deployed quickly and without costly development efforts.

“MobileFrame was a perfect fit for Chapman Metering. They needed a solution that would allow them to build a custom-tailored mobile work order solution without requiring a time-consuming and costly development cycle. With our ability to capture rich data such as photographs, our built-in GPS functionality, and our Integration Wizard, MobileFrame will allow Chapman Metering to quickly build the mobile applications they need and integrate them to their backend systems.”

— Patricia Oswalt, MobileFrame EVP of Sales

About Chapman Metering

Chapman Metering has over 500 clients in 17 states. We have been offering top quality metering services for over 40 years. We are actively installing AMR systems of all manufacturers and have people becoming well versed in the operation and maintenance of this equipment. We provide complete service inspection and wiring verification of metering packages as part of the testing process with our on-site testing services. We inform you of any unsafe conditions sighted, take and record voltage readings at each sight, and check for possible current diversion at each sight. We offer a maintenance program for all your metering and load management equipment and strive to work within your established plans to prevent confusion and duplication of efforts. For more information, visit http://chapmanmetering.com/

About MobileFrame

For more information, customers may contact MobileFrame directly at 1-408-885-1200 or visit our website at http://www.mobileframe.com.

# # #

Contact:
Thomas J. Laughlin
MobileFrame LLC
(408) 885-1200
tlaughlin@mobileframe.com

Mobile Work Order / Dispatch System – Created in 1.5 hours by Me!

Nick Hession — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 19:55:45 +0000

Here’s round 2 on creating a mobile application and this time instead of a real time meal order taking application, I’ve created a simple Work Order System that includes a Dispatch app and a handheld app. They were both built using MobileFrame and completed in under 2 hours.

Here are the 2 Parts:

Desktop based Work Order Dispatch Application
- Easily Enter
  - Customer Name
  - Address, City, State, Zip
  - Problem Description
  - Quoted Price
  - Technician Dispatched
  - Customer Number
- Instantly dispatch the Work Order to the mobile worker you specified
- Notify the mobile worker with an instant message that they have a new work order

Windows Mobile 6.1 Based Work Order Application
- Receives the dispatched work order
- Allows the Mobile Worker to Select the Job
- Automatically notifies the Dispatcher that the Job has been Accepted via Instant Messenger
- Provides the Mobile Worker the ability to Invoice the customer for parts used on the job (Including the ability to barcode scan the part)
- Enter resolution
- Take Photo of the issue
- Annotate the photo that was taken with damaged areas, etc
- Sketch Damage
- Capture a Voice Note
- Collect Payment
- Capture Customer Signature
- Instantly Create a PDF of the Invoice that was autopopulated with the data collected on the device, then emailed it to the client

In case you don’t believe me take a look at the video of the application below. Mobile Applications and Desktop applications couldn’t be any easier to develop, manage, and support in MobileFrame. If you are interested in learning more contact us today!