Hey group,

I am working on a solution for repair trucks in the field. The problem is
that the repair guys are not very good at keeping track of the parts they
take off their truck to make the repair. My customer is mostly concerned
with accuracy. Real time information is not necessary.

I was thinking of some kind of intelligent data collection device with a
built in bar code scanner. The repair guy can scan the job#, then scan each
of the parts he uses. He could visit several jobs sites in one trip. When he
gets back to the shop, he drops the unit into a cradle to download the data
to the server. A program on the server then places the parts into the
appropriate job. This is only a thought. I'm sure there are other solutions
out there.

I know Nathan Rector has some stuff as does Luke Bucklin. I will be
contacting them.

Any suggestions on the type of equipment to use or any other related
information is welcomed.

We are in the D3/Linux environment.

Jeff

--
Jeffrey Kaufman
Key Data Systems Group
www.keydata.us
510-486-9015 office
510-486-9016 fax
559-432-3832 cell

There are a ton of ways to put together a solution for that. The question,
as always, is what the user really needs and how much they can spend. Expect
to spend between $500 and $1000 for a decent batch terminal. Since most of
the devices now run Windows CE.NET, developing the application is going to
require some VB code or the purchase of an OEM RAD tool. Handheld Products
is retiring their open DOS units soon, but Intermec has one or two Linux
units. Most manufacturers sell RAD tools for quickly building data
collection applications such as this. I, personally, use WaveLink's Pick API
which JMO now owns. That is an RF interface and doesn't help you much.
Intermec sells MCL data collection software for Linux, Windows CE, and
PocketPC. Pricing ranges from $1100 to $1700.

As far as design, I wouldn't trim the application to a simple parts
manager. The costs involved may not justify the whole solution. You could
offer a complete field service solution that will upload/download job
information via cell phone dial-up, provide on-site job receipt printing via
a bluetooth/cable/IR connected printer, track vehicle mileage/gas, track
trip expenses, and also correctly report time spent on the job. If all they
want is an inventory tracker, then I would look at the less expensive
computers.

Glen


"Jeffrey Kaufman" <jkaufman (AT) keydata (DOT) us> wrote

Depending on the connectivity available, you may find it just as easy
for the application to work "live" with the database (assuming you have
wireless internet connectivity), rather than having offline
verificatrion of product codes, job #'s etc

We used to do this years ago, using mobile phones & cellular modems, so
that service invoice was actually faxed & copy signed by client before
the service tech left the site.

This was part of a complete service system, with full service
histories, contract management & billing, queue management etc. If you
are chasing an opportunity in this area, we may be able to save you
some time ...

A live on-line connection is always my preference, however these repair
trucks sometimes drive into very remote places to do the repair. Hence, no
cell service. That is why I am considering a data collection device that can
be downloaded into the server when they return to the shop.


"Ross Ferris" <rossf (AT) stamina (DOT) com.au> wrote

One of our colleagues at the Spectrum show was telling us about satellite
based phone cards which cost a little more than GSM but provide much more
reliable connectivity.

"Jeffrey Kaufman" <jkaufman (AT) keydata (DOT) us> wrote

Andrew McAuley wrote:
I dunno. I would have more trouble with a service that cuts out when you
enter a building than I would with the usual mobile service problems. <g>

Luke

Have you check with Total Computing Solutions? Fred may have incorporated
something to handle what you need, although I've been out of touch for a
while. I did some RF and Densei terminal work for him in the past. If he
hasn't been to swamped with credit card work, he might could steer you in
the right direction.

Ed

"Jeffrey Kaufman" <jkaufman (AT) keydata (DOT) us> wrote

OK then, stand alone it is .... just a mater of deciding which/what
device to use .... and here the choices are wide open

A nice "cheat" we have done in the past is to actually just use Excel
as the data capture process - validate products against another sheet
that has product details listed (to minimize errors). prices will range
down from the likes of Symbol, through the likes of Intermec (not that
much cheaper!), through to Worthdata, Denso etc.

The other device you could consider is a PDA, or even one of the
PDA/phone devices running WinCE - whilst not as "roust" as the
made-for-purpose scanners, you can also buy a few of them for the same
cost (who? me? cheap?) - there are also 3rd party blue-tooth barcode
scanners (which were about the same price as the PDA last time I
looked!!)

"Jeffrey Kaufman" wrote
and yes, even run-over; I suggest you go with a low-tech substitute;
provide a sticky barcode label on all their inventory, and worksheets to slap
them on. Let the office staff scan those in the next day.

You'll need a bar-code printer that spits out sticky labels. Glue or staple those
wax paper-backed labels to all your inventory before it gets stocked on the
repair trucks.

You'll need a barcode scanner to copy the numbers off the sticky labels
of each worksheet, and to help crank out all those sticky labels.
(The inventory's manufacturer has probably already printed a barcode on
the box, you just need to scan it and print a matching sticky label, then
somehow affix that backing/label to the box.) Avoid the cheap scanner 'pens',
they are substantially harder to use and more prone to break than the 'gun' design.
Google for the generic term 'wedge' when researching this scanner on the web.

This way you're somewhat protected if any of the gear breaks, since you can defer
worksheet processing or type in the numbers manually while it's being
fixed/replaced. You've also got a paper trail to rescan in case you lose the server and
have to fall back on your last good backup. And expanding the repair staff doesn't
entail an emergency purchase of another scanner -- you don't really think they'll
still be making _your_ model of scanner years later, do you? <Insert evil cackle>
You're not paying an expensive annual service contract on a fleet of handhelds.
And scanner wedges are dirt cheap / readily available, in contrast to the
expensive and somewhat rare handheld scanner units.

Good suggestion, Frank.

"Frank Winans" <fwinans (AT) sbcglobal (DOT) net> wrote