2010 will be a key transition year at the start of the mobile decade — not only will we start moving toward more mainstream mobile services audiences but a strategic shift will also take place. Companies of all shapes and sizes as well as governments and local authorities will start integrating mobile into their overall approach, rather than simply launching a few mobile initiatives. Expect new application stores and mobile payment solutions, significant innovation in the mobile social and location spaces, and another round of interest in mobile TV for the FIFA World Cup. One big question will remain: Will fragmentation be reduced? Unfortunately, the answer is no: It is here to stay. That's why everyone needs a mobile strategy in 2010.

With temperatures of -15 hitting most of the UK last week it became a struggle to beat the freeze while local authorities battled to keep the roads and schools open.

Temperature’s plummeted and people across the UK battled treacherous condition’s igroup battled to keep working through the week. However, with remote access, SharePoint and mobile working allowed igroup’s Chester office to perform as normal as many employees struggled to get to work.   

Chris, head of operations managed to struggle into work all through last week while the rest of the team dared not to brave the weather. Below are the snowy scenes from our Chester office.

Although ice, freezing fog and up to 11 inches of snow hit the UK igroup’s staff could work and continue as normal from their homes. As many organisations were struggling to keep to productivity levels normal remote working is a way forward. By employing a remote and mobile working philosophy productivity continues no matter what the weather and ensures that your business doesn’t lose out. During the decade employers will become even more flexible to suit our changing weather conditions and daily lives.

Anytime, anywhere working with mobile solutions and SharePoint keep’s ‘business as normal’.

Best practice: Holistic approach

By 2010, 50% of enterprises will have migrated away from tactical mobile application silos (supporting a single application) to strategic platforms capable of supporting multiple applications, managing devices, and securing data and transport.

Gartner, 2007

•          Faster development – A platform approach gets applications into users hands faster, delivering value quicker

•          Shared costs – for mobile infrastructure, development components, and devices

•          Focus on users & processes – remove technology concerns from the hands of the business

Best practice: Measure, Measure, Measure

 Failure to measure benefits and impacts is one of the most commonly seen points of failure in mobile projects

•          The highest performing organisations are ones that focus on measuring their performance

•          Mobile solutions are complex – without the right measurement approach you won’t know what works and what doesn’t

–        Especially for pilots, set aside time to fully analyse results and outcomes

•          It’s easy to fall into a trap where you just become very good at measuring things and generating KPIs

–        Look for “leading indicators” to reduce measurement overhead

Best practice: Human factors & adoption

•          Technology is a tool, not an end in itself

•          Demystify the technology, but hide the complexity

•          The importance of training

•          Workers are influenced by their peers

•          Bad news travels fast

igroup had a successful had a successful exhibition at IT in housing 2009 at Olympia, London. IT in Housing Conference and Exhibition is the UK’s premier IT event in the social housing sector, which offered an unparalleled opportunity for igroup to get in front IT and ICT directors and managers from the housing sector to help increase their efficiency and maximise mobile IT investments through showcasing Dynamic Forms, which proved to be a huge success.

Visit igroup at the premier IT exhibition in social housing on the 17 – 18 November, Olympia, London.

IT in Housing Exhibition is the UK’s largest and most highly acclaimed housing technology exhibition.

The exhibition, which forms the focal point of the National Housing Federation’s IT in Housing Conference, is now in its 10 year, and offers delegates and visitors an excellent one-stop opportunity to explore the latest innovations, products and services from 80 leading ICT suppliers to the housing sector.

Visit igroup Ltd to experience demos of Dynamic Forms, and talk to our team to discuss your mobile IT needs.

Entry to the exhibition is free of charge.

Housing Associations belong in the community, not behind a desk. Many housing organisations are already reaping the rewards of today’s technologies. According to the Future Work Forum, one in three UK workers does at least part of their work each week away from their desk. Millions of working hours each day are spent working in the community, undertaking surveys, assessing houses fit for purpose.  With growing awareness of flexible and remote working, the challenge is to enable workers in the field, or at remote locations, to be as productive and efficient as they possibly can be in the housing sector.

One part of the solution is to deploy mobile technology to provide the housing sector workers with access to job-related information wherever they are based. The potential benefits of mobile working are positively compelling: the UK government estimates the public sector could save up to £336 million a year through mobile technology.  These savings would be generated through reduced office costs, efficiency savings, service improvement and improved quality of data.

Rob Bamforth, research analyst with Quocirca stated that “the ‘real’ work is outside the office” meaning that housing associations could benefit enormously from mobile working. “Providing access to IT on the move saves time, and therefore makes the individual more productive.”

For example, the London Borough of Sutton achieved 47% efficiency savings when it provided staff with tablet PCs to record the results of interviews. Computerising the process has reduced errors and also means the results can be processed more easily – a typical house survey can now be processes in less than one week, compared to five weeks previously.

In Sheffield, 84 local councillors have been provided with PDA’s allowing them to electronically record requests, complaints and repairs, which are automatically sent back to the council’s contact centre. This system saves each councillor around three hours per week in paperwork and administration, translating into a major financial saving for the council.

Achieving the benefits of mobile computing isn’t always straightforward. One of the biggest challenges with mobile computing deployment is a lack of knowledge and a lack of planning. Local authorities can access expert advice and support for mobile project from igroup ltd, which has successfully completed a number of mobile projects in the housing sector/ public sector.

A feature-packed high performance GPS handheld

CN50 Mobile ComputerThe Industry’s most advanced rugged mobile computer 

The CN50 is the ONLY wireless mobile computer that combines small and light-weight form factor with a rugged design to deliver that most advanced, high performance voice and data communication solution specifically designed for the HIGHLY mobile field worker.

The CN50 is the first device in the industry to offer a 3.75G wireless WAN Flexible Network™ Radio, the CN50 allows enterprises to finally standardize on a single hardware platform that can be configured for either CDMA or UMTS wireless networks. This gives enterprises the flexibility to choose the network that provides the best geographic coverage and the lowest cost

Intermac introduced the CN50 mobile computer as “a new class of device” and “game-changing product”, referring to the small, light and rugged computer’s support of 3.5 G and 3. 75G wireless wide area network HSUPA radio technology that can result in data upload speeds up to five times faster than any other mobile computer available.

The Intermec CN50 stresses secure standards, customer satisfaction, maximized ROI as well as total cost of ownership, all mandating a new generation of smaller, lighter mobile computers with advanced performance and features.

Intermec saythat the device is 25% smaller and lighter than similar mobile products, with dimensions of 6.05 x 2.9 x 1.1 inches and weighing about 11 ounces. That's very compact by rugged handheld standards without a doubt, and the CN50, on top of including more functions than a Swiss army knife, is amazingly tough. It can survive 5-foot drops, operate in a wide temperature range of 14 to 122 degrees Fahrenheit, and is sealed to IP54 specifications, which means its pretty much dustproof and can survive water spray from all directions. Further proof that this is a state-of-the-art device is the integrated 3.1-megapixel coloured camera with auto-focus, flash, an integrated digital compass for enhanced GPS functionality, and an accelerometer that handles display orientation and much more. For data capture, there is an integrated 1-megapixel area imager with laser framer and aiming that supports omnidirectional scanning and decodes of 1D, 2D, composite and postal codes as well as signature capture.

The CN50 also supports eMDI (Enhanced Mobile Document Imaging), an optional Intermec software application that lets mobile workers capture full page paper documents with the CN4's imager and convert them into electronic documents right at the point-of-transaction. These high-quality document images can then be transmitted to back office applications in real-time, potentially simplifying workflows, shorten billing cycles, and providing customer service and shipping operations ready access to documents for faster processing.

The CN50 is available with either a numeric or QWERTY with backlit keypad. Among other accessories are a vehicle holder, quad battery charger, four-bay multi-dock for charge only or charge and Ethernet, as well as various RAM mount options. Whereas mobile computers almost exclusively used Intel XScale processors in the past, there are now other options.

The CN50 uses a multi-core architecture with a 528MHz ARM11-based main processor and an ARM9-based radio processor, likely a Qualcomm combo. It runs Windows Mobile 6.1, has 128MB of RAM and 512MB of Flash ROM, a 3.5-inch 240 x 320 pixel transflective displays with LED backlight, but apparently no expansion slot(s). The device is powered by either a standard 3.7V, 1,950mAh battery or an extended battery that packs 3,900mAH, but does not add to the size of the device. In summary, the Intermec CN50 packs an awful lot of data capture, computing and communication functionality for mobile workers who rely on "hold & carry" customer interaction and appreciate a single device that combines all their needed tools into a single, rugged, compact package.

See http://www.ruggeddirect.co.uk/ on details of how to purchase and for more information.

sept 2009.pdf (806.10 kb)

igroup have launched their September 2009 newsletter which can be found on www.igroupltd.co.uk.

By reading igroup's monthly newsletter find out about what igroup are up to, what new prodcuts and services we offer and updates on igroup's staff and customers.

Each month you can read how igroup have helped their client's to run faster with increased efficiency and productivity whilst being more competitive and helping them to cut cost's. Find out where you can see igroup at trade show's and seminars, and if you can't make it, updates on how they went will be published in the newsletter and igroup will add pictures of its staff at events, seminars and with clients.

Mobile computing: powering public service

Today’s technologies support workers on-site through suites of products devoted to connectivity, security and productivity.

According to the Future Work Forum, one in three UK workers does at least part of their work each week away from the office. Millions of working hours each day are spent working in the community, travelling to meetings and remote offices, or working from home. It’s a scenario that’s especially familiar to anyone working in the public sector, says Nick Umney, a technical specialist working in Microsoft’s Public Sector team. “Today, very few people spend five days a week working at a desk in the office, particularly with the growing awareness of flexible and remote working,” he says. “The challenge is how we enable those workers in the field, or at remote locations, to be as productive and efficient as they possibly can.” 

 The ‘Real’ work is outside the office

One part of the solution is to deploy mobile technology to provide public sector workers with access to job-related information wherever they are based. The potential benefits of mobile working are certainly compelling: the UK government estimates the public sector could save up to £336 million a year through mobile working. These savings would be generated through reduced office costs, efficiency savings, service improvement and improved data quality. “I agree that the public sector could benefit enormously from mobile working because for many roles, the ‘real’ work is outside the office,” says Rob Bamforth, a research analyst with Quocirca. “Providing access to IT on the move saves time, and therefore makes the individual more productive.”For example, the London Borough of Sutton achieved 47% efficiency savings when it provided finance staff with tablet PCs to record the results of home-based interviews with individuals requesting financial support. Staff used specially designed forms on the tablet PCs to record vital details, and generated the required paperwork for an application on the spot. Computerising the process has reduced errors and also means the results can be processed more easily – a typical application can now be assessed in less than one week, compared to five weeks previously. In Sheffield, 84 local councillors have been provided with handheld computers that allow them to electronically record requests and complaints from citizens, which are automatically sent back to the council’s contact centre. The system saves each councillor around three hours per week in paperwork and administration, translating into a major financial saving for the council.  

See how Dynamic Forms can help your business and increase productivity in the field: www.dynamic-forms.net                  www.igroupltd.co.uk  

Logistics Link North now in its 6th year and back at the new £34million state of the art venue at Doncaster Racecourse, the show will bring together leading industry suppliers with key decision makers at the only Northern logistics event.

To register, simply visit - http://www.igroupltd.co.uk/igroup/Pages/Events.aspx or call 0845 838 2184

On Wednesday 28th October igroupltd are being joined by Microsoft and Accenture to conduct a FREE seminar centred around mobile computing, mobility, mobile field data collection and SharePoint.

BOOK YOUR FREE PLACE NOW. Either follow the link or email: seminars@igroupltd.co.uk, call: 0845 838 2184. Visit us at http://www.igroupltd.co.uk/ / www.dynamic-forms.net/Pages/Home.aspx

 Book before the 5th October and recieve a Free White Paper on Mobile Computing!

GUEST SPEAKERS Peter Daley, senior manager in Accenture’s Mobile Solutions practice, will be givign a talk on enterprise mobility, industry trends, mobile computing and where the market is going. Peter is responsible for Accenture’s European Field Force Transformation offering, using mobile technology and business change to drive increased effectiveness for distributed workforces. In addition, Jessica Meats Microsoft's Partner Technology Specialist in SharePoint and InfoPath, who focuses on business processes and forms.

If you see this post it means that BlogEngine.NET 1.5.0 is running and the hard part of creating your own blog is done. There is only a few things left to do.

Write Permissions

To be able to log in to the blog and writing posts, you need to enable write permissions on the App_Data folder. If you’re blog is hosted at a hosting provider, you can either log into your account’s admin page or call the support. You need write permissions on the App_Data folder because all posts, comments, and blog attachments are saved as XML files and placed in the App_Data folder. 

If you wish to use a database to to store your blog data, we still encourage you to enable this write access for an images you may wish to store for your blog posts.  If you are interested in using Microsoft SQL Server, MySQL, VistaDB, or other databases, please see the BlogEngine wiki to get started.

Security

When you've got write permissions to the App_Data folder, you need to change the username and password. Find the sign-in link located either at the bottom or top of the page depending on your current theme and click it. Now enter "admin" in both the username and password fields and click the button. You will now see an admin menu appear. It has a link to the "Users" admin page. From there you can change the username and password.  Passwords are hashed by default so if you lose your password, please see the BlogEngine wiki for information on recovery.

Configuration and Profile

Now that you have your blog secured, take a look through the settings and give your new blog a title.  BlogEngine.NET 1.4 is set up to take full advantage of of many semantic formats and technologies such as FOAF, SIOC and APML. It means that the content stored in your BlogEngine.NET installation will be fully portable and auto-discoverable.  Be sure to fill in your author profile to take better advantage of this.

Themes and Widgets

One last thing to consider is customizing the look of your blog.  We have a few themes available right out of the box including two fully setup to use our new widget framework.  The widget framework allows drop and drag placement on your side bar as well as editing and configuration right in the widget while you are logged in.  Be sure to check out our home page for more theme choices and downloadable widgets to add to your blog.

On the web

You can find BlogEngine.NET on the official website. Here you'll find tutorials, documentation, tips and tricks and much more. The ongoing development of BlogEngine.NET can be followed at CodePlex where the daily builds will be published for anyone to download.

Good luck and happy writing.

The BlogEngine.NET team

Tinytag data loggers are used to record data in the field for later analysis. The user then downloads the information captured by the tinytag data logger on to a device such as a laptop or PDA. The RS232 port is one of the standard ways of interfacing your device with the logger and transfering the information as well as updating the instructions held by the device.

There are several devices with an RS232 port as standard or an optional add on:

• Juniper systems Archer Field PC (RS232 Standard)
• Trimble TDS Recon (RS232 Standard)
• Intermec CN3 and CN3e (RS232 Adaptor)

The different units differ on price and communication options. The archer is available with bluetooth and the TDS recon with bluetooth and wifi. The CN3 and CN3e are available with Bluetooth, Wifi and GPRS. Further details of these units can be found on our website:

www.ruggeddirect.co.uk

If you need a personalised quote or some advice about mobile devices please email support@igroupltd.co.uk or call 0845 838 2184