Motorola Announces The New MC45 Mobile Computer
Motorola has announced the new MC45 mobile computer – its first WAN-based solution in a new category of mobile computers that address the needs of field-based mobile workers in cost-sensitive enterprises. The cost- and size-optimized MC45 is targeted at applications such as customer relationship management (CRM), sales order entry, inventory management, proof of delivery, direct store delivery (DSD) and route accounting, while expanding the range of solutions available for small- and medium-sized businesses and fast-growing emerging markets.
Designed to help value-conscious enterprises affordably automate business processes in field mobility applications, the MC45 is ideal for field service/sales opportunities as well as the transportation and logistics industry. The rugged and ergonomic MC45 offers wireless LAN (802.11 a/b/g) and WAN (3.5G HSDPA voice/data) connectivity along with a large outdoor viewable 3.2″ display, numeric keypad and a full-shift battery with power management capabilities.
How to Use Mobile Payment Collection Technology to Boost Profitability
Enterprise investments in mobile automation are enabling field sales and service professionals to complete their tasks faster than ever before. But are their organizations getting paid any faster? If not, they are missing out on some of the lowest-hanging fruit on the mobile automation benefits tree.
By equipping mobile workers to collect payment in the field, businesses can significantly and permanently improve their cash cycle time, reduce uncollectable invoices and even increase revenues by upselling and cross selling service plans, spare parts, accessories and additional products. These benefits are available to many types of businesses, including sales, service and delivery organizations.
Mobile payment collection represents low-hanging fruit because it often only requires a modest incremental investment in complementary components. If field sales and service staff already have mobile computers and wireless connectivity, the incremental investment needed to enable mobile payment collection can be recovered very quickly, often in months, and will provide a sustainable cash flow benefit. If mobile computers are not currently used, a payment collection application will shorten the time to return-on-investment (ROI) for a mobile automation initiative.
This white paper provides an introduction to how mobile payment collection systems work, explains what components are needed to enable mobile workers to process card and check payments in the field, and highlights the cash flow and other benefits that businesses of different sizes and in different industries can expect from enabling their mobile workers to collect payment at the time of service.
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Puritan Bakery Expedites Each Customer Delivery with Mobile Solution
Route Drivers, Accounting Team Complete Work Faster
Touting “the best buns in town,” Puritan Bakery has served Southern California since 1938. The continuously family-owned and -run company delivers fresh hamburger buns and breads daily to restaurants, fast food stands and coffee shops, including many of the area’s iconic establishments. Now serving more than 1,000 customers, Puritan attributes its growth and longevity to quality products and superb customer service.
Challenge
Due to the short shelf life of bakery products, Puritan bakes and delivers its breads each day based on customer demand. All customers must have their orders in by noon the day preceding delivery.
Although Puritan delivery drivers used mobile devices previously, they were not integrated with the main office. That meant order changes given to drivers in the field were not received until drivers returned from delivery routes.
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Leveraging Mobile Printers to Streamline Route Accounting and DSD Operations
Automating route activity provides benefits both in the field and in the office by reducing the labor and time needed to enter data and process paperwork. Mobile printing is an essential element for delivering and enhancing these benefits in route accounting and direct store delivery (DSD) operations. Supporting route activity with mobile printing lets drivers generate accurate, updated orders, invoices, delivery receipts, and other documentation to review with customers to ensure correctness and efficiency.
Mobile printing provides a series of quality improvements and efficiency benefits that department managers often overlook, but can have a significant impact on the bottom line. This white paper will:
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- Describe uses for mobile printing in route accounting and DSD applications
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- Provide return on investment (ROI) examples that show the financial benefits of mobile printing
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- Demonstrate how mobile printing processes can improve distribution, billing, and customer service operations
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- Detail how on-demand thermal printing can reduce expenses
- Provide an overview of mobile printer and wireless communications options for route accounting and DSD operations
The pages that follow show how route delivery and sales staff can take advantage of mobile printing to make more deliveries each day while improving the accuracy of each transaction.