Those of you in Small Businesses - how are you using Pocket PCs? What types of applications? Are you working mostly with commercially available apps off the web, or are you trying to do stuff yourself with a product like Visual CE from Syware? Have you found any "killer apps" that provide significant benefit?
Most of mobile business software articles and discussions deal with enterprise-class applications and very little regarding small business. I think that this is a very important discussion for the software industry to know what apps need to be developed, because unlike large companies that can finance the development of a custom system (and potentially even use it for commercial licensing) most small businesses simply cannot afford it. Please post your Pocket PC small business software "wishlists" and I will make sure that the development community sees these requests. I guarantee - if you can show that there is sufficient market demand for any application then it will be developed!
Nathan Clevenger
President and CEO
Clevrware, Inc.
"Bringing Ideas Into Reality"
http://www.clevrware.com
nathan@clevrware.com
Toll-free: 1-877-376-0834
Printer-friendly version
Primaz
[:p]
What would I like to see is a software that would enable small business companies an easy way to tailor the software to match a paper form that field techs us using a pocket pc, that would capture a customer signature, wirelessly (cell phone, etc.) synch with a standard SQL database. I would also like built in or an add on package to enable the dispatching of service calls using that same software (ability for a person at a desktop to enter the client site, one to two sentenance description of service with phone) to the tech and for the tech to confirm receipt of the call. I want this software to be company owned software NOT a per license fee structure where we are held hostage and not owning the software. I would gladly purchase upgrades etc. and support services but want to be able to be more self sufficient and decide what level I want. I hate ASP models!
Also an intranet software that would work with PDA's like the pocket pc along with standard PC's to be used for internal and external collaboration in a secure area.
nospam.spam
Don't know if you are still looking for a reply. But check out www.aventeon.com
We have been using their software for +- 8 months now and are busy deploying the second fases of our project. It doesn't match your requirment to actually own the software, but you can do your own application management and eventual changes on the applications.
Stuart
Joint_Sense
It would be nice if we can own Microsoft Office and don't have to pay for each copy we purchase. So, how is that going to work out for software companies? I guess one answer is to charge the customer a much higher custom job contract rate for unlimited use. A rough estimate comes to raising the price at least a thousand times just to cover the cost. I have to admit that owning a piece of software is an expensive exercise because of the high cost associated with developing the software.
Email: developer@jointsense.com.hk
Homepage:http://www.jointsense.com.hk/
Email: developer@jointsense.com.hk
Homepage: http://www.jointsense.com.hk/
GMT: +8
aaron
We've been looking at using IPAQ's with WI-FI to send assembly time data from our operators on the shop floor up to a main database, just looking at the different pocket pcs and software to help us develop this at the moment to see how viable this is.
nospam.spam
What kind of business r u in, automobile assembly line ?
Have you also considerd using bluetooth instead of wifi or are the distances to long?
What benefits would this bring you and for what purpose would u be uising the data?
Stuart
Roger Burton
My company will facilitate the coming revolution in air travel. One of the challenges will be to utilize portable internet connectivity to schedule flights.
Please read through our web site: www.Taxijet.com to see the vision.
We are looking for software support in this exciting venture.
Roger Burton
CEO - Taxijet
Primaz
Stuart,
What is the cost of the service one and the mobile business solution softwares? I just sent an e-mail question to them but want to know from you how it is going with that software? Do they sell the software? I hate softwares that one does not own as some companies want to lease it to you forever. The web site was nice but information a bit general; it appears that it might be what I am looking for?
MemphisIS
Well, to answer the first question, I use my PocketPC to aid in communication on the go. I like Visual CE since I can customize it to do exactly what I need it to do. I run service calls and the ability to have customer information in my hand at all times helps greatly. I understand that many small businesses don't have the budget to hire a database programmer but in many cases the ROI for a custom program of this sort can be quite high and in some cases the costs can be realized in a very short period of time. The key is to recognize a need and get with a good IS company that can help you research how to best use technology to increase your effeciency or realiability of information or whatever it is that you are trying to do better.
jerseyjeff
We've done barcode order entry apps for wholesale order entry at trade shows or sales reps mobile orders. Have also integrated and modified those apps to take advantage of the features of smartphones. Our Executive Info apps are saving a lot of guys a lot of trips to their office, and allowing users to have all the information they need to work with (from their office system) in their pocket... In really is nice when you can justify the cost of a client-server app in gas savings alone...
Our apps are designed in .NET CF and we have a large library to draw from. Can do custom projects, and yes, you can own the software...
I'm gonna start pulling my hair out because of these long developement times...
I'm gonna start pulling my hair out because of these long developement times...