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InfoTech: New handheld technology
1 Jul, 2008 By: Tyler Whitaker Landscape ManagementHave you ever won a big contract while in your car? Or solved a "deal killer" problem from the airport? Being able to communicate with your team anywhere is no longer a luxury, and staying up on the latest mobile tools can give you a strategic advantage over your competitors.
iPhone 3G
The big news in the mobile industry this month is the July 11 availability of Apple's new iPhone 3G cell phone. This phone combines several new features to rival the functionality of your laptop. The first and foremost is support for high-speed 3G data networks. With three to four times the download speed, your Web browsing and e-mail just became a whole lot faster.
Another big feature of the iPhone is the inclusion of GPS and a number of new location-based services. Need to find the closest hardware store? No problem.
For me, the best part about cell phone-based GPS is the ability to track employees out in the field.
Loopt.com has announced support for the iPhone. This free service allows you to share your location, status and photos with your fellow employees and be alerted if they are nearby. With Apple also introducing support for Microsoft Exchange, Word, Excel and PowerPoint, the company is making a strong case of business users to adopt the iPhone. And at a new price tag of $199, the iPhone is affordable for sales reps, field service teams, and remote or home office workers.
Qik.com
One of the most exciting technology developments in the cell phone market is the ability to stream video right from your phone. Qik.com is a service that enables you broadcast video from your cell phone directly to the Internet. The software downloads to your phone and configures it to send the video in real time to Qik.com for anyone to view. You can even embed those videos into your own Web site.
What I find most intriguing about Qik.com is its speed and ease of use. Imagine field service reps showing you the problems in real time with a streaming video. No longer do you need to send a supervisor out to determine the right solution. Anyone involved in a project can view the video in real time and chat online with other viewers.
Another use is to document worksite conditions and work completed. Shooting a quick and easy video, which is then automatically stored online, can save you time and headaches if legal or billing conflicts arise later in the project. These videos can also show potential clients your company's creative ideas, attention to detail and quality workmanship. Qik.com has also announced support for the iPhone.
As your business grows, consider using the latest and greatest mobile phone technology as a strategic competitive differentiator. Knowing where your employees are and what challenges they are facing in real time can mean the difference between good and excellent customer service.
— The author is a freelance technologist focusing in business automation. Contact him at 801/592-2810 or visit his blog at
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