MobileFrame, creators of the industry’s most user friendly mobile application development platform, today announced that Mission Foods, one of the largest food manufacturers in the world,  has chosen to standardize on the MobileFrame platform to develop the apps used as part of their direct store delivery processes.

With over 4,500 drivers who visit at least 30,000 retail stores every day in the United States, Mexico, and Central America, Mission Foods sought to implement next-generation mobile application technology and streamline their Direct Store Delivery operations. Mission’s leadership team wanted to replace their aging Windows Mobile devices with modern devices and improve their mobile apps with enhancements that were long overdue.  It was critical for this new combination of software and hardware technology to be able to meet their demands today and into the future. Continue reading →

On April 3, 2010 the enterprise mobility landscape changed forever, Apple released the first generation iPad sparking a wave of innovation among computer manufactures and application developers that has continued at a torrid pace. According to Forrester Research analyst Frank Gillett, tablet sales are expected to increase from the 56 million units sold in 2011 to 375 million in 2016, with 750 million tablets in use by then. Forrester expects that one-third of these tablets will be purchased by businesses. Application developers have been aware of this trend and according to a study by VisionMobile roughly 50% of mobile developers are now targeting tablets (this number is even higher for iOS Developers), which is up from just over 1/3 for developers last year.

Well that’s great but how does it apply to DSD?

If you have an existing DSD Solution in place then you know the hard work that was involved in getting the application built to your specifications, integrated with your back-end systems, testing on the desired mobile computer, etc. Based on our experience many legacy DSD solutions take 18+ months to be fully deployed within an organization. Many companies are not eager to jump ship, only to repeat that painful process again.
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Gain Insight, Empower Customers, and Outperform your Competitors

Running a dynamic DSD field force is complex. Today’s DSD applications must allow companies to quickly react to marketplace changes, customer demands and new regulatory policies. With this fast pace of change, customers simply have to be nimble and they need the power to make changes to their DSD apps as soon as the market dictates it. The ability to make changes to apps with no custom coding and to deploy those changes to the field is how a well run DSD business should operate. Legacy apps require customers to go to the vendor to request changes, but this strategy does not allow for speed to market.

Another huge factor in a successful DSD operation is to give management instant access to data as soon as its collected in the field. Most companies have not yet implemented the technology to make data readily available to their management; these enterprises are operating with large blind spots, making it harder for management to take advantage of new opportunities in a fast-paced business climate. The solution to the problem is real-time web portals. Continue reading →

Increasing fuel costs, increased competitive pressure and smaller profit margins are forcing companies that deliver goods directly to customers to find innovative ways to gain efficiencies and accuracy.  Direct Store Delivery systems have increased efficiencies for direct delivery models everywhere by enabling a paperless system to assist with load processing and inventory tracking.  From retail sales reps, warehouse and management to pack-and-peddle operations, DSD applications have helped to reduce errors, decrease days’ sales outstanding and increase customer satisfaction.

Most companies in the industry have deployed a standalone DSD solution that has no way to talk to any other apps in the field, so companies today are looking for more.  A complete DSD Solution Suite allows for more than simply tracking your deliveries; it combines the power of various apps to manage the complexities of various and sometimes unexpected processes.   MobileFrame’s DSD Solution includes apps for Merchandising, Pre-Sales, Asset Tracking, Accident Reports and Field Service. The best news is that they are all tightly integrated together. Combining these processes into one suite of applications gives you the power to automate workflow from one app to another through the use of action based, real-time alerts.
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Direct Store Delivery (DSD) is a distribution method where producers deliver goods directly to the point of sale.  This delivery method gives producers the control over inventory, merchandising and promotions that is so valuable in various industries.  However, without an effective system to manage this process certain benefits are lost, which can cost you more in the long run.

The mobile apps used by the route delivery drivers are crucial to run an efficient field force. However, the current DSD apps in the marketplace don’t allow customers to modify their apps without paying the vendor exorbitant fees.  And, most of these apps lack important workflows for today’s environment. These solutions are typically hard coded, so process changes and route re-scheduling are costly and time consuming – if possible at all.  All of these shortfalls add up to lost time and frustrated customers – both of which cost you money.

MobileFrame’s Direct Store Delivery Suite is built on cutting edge technology, solving all the problems that customers are frustrated with.  Customers can make changes to their apps as the business dictates it, all without writing a single line of code and without paying the vendor any fees for the changes.  Real-time updates enable immediate changes to workflow, route scheduling and even third party applications.  Drivers can process deliveries and returns on remote devices, so invoices can be modified on the back end immediately. MobileFrame’s DSD Suite has applications that are tightly integrated to each other
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Over the past several months we have been working very closely with a large Consumer Packaged Goods Distribution company that has been in the process of evaluating different mobile software vendors to replace their legacy route accounting system.

They are interested in not only replacing their existing system but they also wanted to find a single platform to provide the ability to build, deploy, manage, and support all of their mobile application needs.
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Enhance your DSD operations with cutting edge technology

Is your field force using an inflexible, hard-coded mobile app for your DSD operations? How many times have you wanted to make changes to your current app but didn’t want to the pay the vendor an arm and a leg to do the work?

In today’s competitive business marketplace, Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) distribution companies need to do more than simply squeeze costs out of the business process. The technology must be able to be customized based on changes in the business processes. This responsiveness, real-time visibility and flexibility will empower your business to flourish in the current economic climate.
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Providing GPG Distribution companies the ability to manage their mobile destiny

MobileFrame, LLC  (www.mobileframe.com), the leading provider of configurable mobile applications has announced the release of the MobileFrame Direct Store Delivery Applications Suite.  This suite of mobile applications empowers companies that are involved in Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) distribution to completely eliminate paper processes, optimize delivery management, accurately track deliveries, shorten billing cycles, ensure delivery accuracy, eliminate transcription errors, and increase the productivity and efficiency of staff. These off-the-shelf applications, with fully integrated Instant Messaging and robust workflow between all applications, can be deployed immediately or can easily be configured to meet any organization-specific requirements.
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Rug Doctor has chosen MobileFrame to automate their DSD and Route Accounting.  Prior to adopting MobileFrame, Rug Doctor employed a hard-coded custom application running on DOS-based Symbol PDT 3100’s.  That application was developed in 2001 and Rug Doctor had trouble with it from the beginning.  Using MobileFrame, Rug Doctor plans to deploy a traditional DSD/Route Accounting application that allows their drivers to capture data about deliveries of product to stores, manage their supplies and machine inventories, and print out invoices at each stop.  After evaluating several mobile platforms, and considering offshore custom development, Rug Doctor chose MobileFrame for its flexibility, ease of use, and competitive price point.

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