Access & Visibility: Recent Episodes
ExtenData
From mobile computing, scanning, and printing hardware, to labeling, tracking, and networking. ExtenData’s reliable hardware, software, supplies, services, and support enable businesses to keep pace with customer needs at the front line of business. Our podcast will cover the latest trends, tools, and solutions avaiable for food service, manufacturing, distribution, ski & resort, cannabis, and supply chain businesses.
WITH EXTENDATA YOU CAN:* Eliminate Down-Time * Minimize Capital Investment * Lower Operating Cost
The food and beverage industry is facing unprecedented challenges in today’s market with supply chain disruptions, rising prices, and labor shortage concerns at every step. When margins are small and the competition is tough, visibility into and access to your warehouse and delivery operations data is imperative. ExtenData’s experience allows clients to utilize Honeywell’s mobile computers, scanners, and printing product lines and includes all hardware, accessories, software, and services. We can partner with you to shape the future of your business.
Honeywell’s handheld computers combine the advantages of consumer devices and high-end industrial mobile computers into a single rugged package.
MOBILE SOLUTIONS FOR MOBILE WORKERS CK65
The CK65 minimizes the total cost of ownership like no other product on the market by future-proofing your investment with support through Android R.
The CK65 mobile computer boosts supply chain productivity by accelerating and error-proofing work in distribution centers and manufacturing. With the longest supported lifecycle available, up to 28-hour battery life, and best-in-class ruggedness, and maximizes productive uptime.
CN80Whether you’re transitioning to touchscreen capabilities or you’re key-dependent due to the nature of your business, the Honeywell CN80 handheld computer can help you improve the speed and accuracy of operations while positioning you for the future. The CN80 has full-touch capabilities plus real keys for fast data entry at high transaction rates even in severe settings.
RUGGED SOLUTIONS FOR RUGGED ENVIRONMENTS Honeywell’s vehicle-mounted computers are built to meet the daily challenges and demanding work environments of warehouses and distribution centers.
THOR VM1AThe VM1A, built on the Android and Mobility Edge platform, is a rugged vehicle-mounted computer built tough to handle harsh warehouses, ports, and intermodal and manufacturing environments. The best option if you want to upgrade to a more visual modern interface.
THOR VM3The VM3 is designed for the toughest distribution center environments, manufacturing facilities, and freight operations. It’s the industry’s most capable full-size vehicle-mounted mobile computer. It can be deployed in multiple application environments–from dry goods to cold storage, indoor or outdoor, in-premise, or in intermodal facilities.
COLD STORAGE OPTIONS - IP RATING: IP66 - MIL-STD-810F VIBRATION & SAE-J1455 SHOCK RATED
CONSISTENT SOLUTIONS FOR CONSISTENT WORKFLOWSFrom desktop to industrial to mobile, Honeywell printers are the clear choice for any of your labeling needs. Get greater efficiency and lower costs with wired and wireless solutions for all high-demand printing needs.
INDUSTRIAL SOLUTIONS FOR INDUSTRIAL DEMANDS State-of-the-art, ultra-reliable industrial and wearable scanning systems are a necessity for today’s distribution centers and their mobile workforce. Which is the right scanner for you?
Today’s food and beverage industry challenges are complex, with supply chain issues, shortages in both materials and labor, and price increases everywhere you turn. Keeping up with emerging technology solutions can add even more trials for your business.
When you are invested in mobility solutions, you need a durable, stable, and secure platform to maximize and protect that investment. Mobility Edge™ allows you to stay ahead of the curve and ahead of the competition, with accelerated deployment, optimized business performance, extended device lifecycle and strengthened security.
Recent and upcoming enhancements include: * Standardized API/SDKs * Standardized Configuration * Software Management * Data & Insight Offerings * OS Guarantee * New Devices & Further OS Compatibility * Common Accessories
UNLEASH YOUR POWER AND POTENTIAL Operational Intelligence is a cloud-based software solution that allows one platform to monitor valuable IT assets. It gives you actionable insights through the real-time tracking and analytics of the IT devices powering the front or back house of your supply chain.
The food and beverage industry is facing unprecedented challenges in today’s market with supply chain disruptions, rising prices, and labor shortage concerns at every step. When margins are small and the competition is tough, visibility into and access to your warehouse and delivery operations data is imperative.
Operational Intelligence can help you manage the complete lifecycle, operational visibility, and performance information of assets, people, and tasks. With this centralized, cloud-based platform you can gain back lost worker productivity caused by device issues and improve workflow efficiencies.
Durable, all-purpose business tool offering ultra-reliable data access and communicationsThe CT30 XP combines the elegant design and usability of a high-end mobile phone without compromising the durability, manageability, or business functionality serious businesses depend on. Combined with powerful Honeywell software such as Operational Intelligence, Smart Talk unified communications and Smart Pay contactless payment, the CT30 XP is an ideal platform on which users in retail, healthcare, and delivery can build effective solutions.
Users will appreciate the design of the CT30 XP, which packs a vivid, 5.5-inch (14 cm), full-high-definition (FHD) screen into a slim, lightweight, yet durable package. Gentle curves meet the aesthetic demands of customer-facing, top-tier retail and hospitality environments while making the device easy to hold and hard to drop.
Thin and light, but still rugged. Great for sophisticated and demanding users of touchscreen devices.
All-purpose, universal business tool that does everything. Data look-up, communications, task management, customer engagement, efficient, frustration-free scanning
Purpose-built accessories suite. Universal Dock charger family, IH40 RFID, belt clip, hand strap
AT A GLANCE
DIMENSIONS54 mm x 76 mm x 12.6 mm (6.06 in x 2.99 in x 0.50 in)
OPERATING SYSTEMOperating System: Each Android version guaranteed from Android 11 to at least 13, committed support for Android 14 and Android 15, when supported by Qualcomm
WEIGHT215 grams (7.6 oz) with battery pack
Display Size13.97 cm (5.5 in)
ChargingQuick Charge 3.0 compliant; Less than 3 hours to be fully charged
Hours of Operation10+ hours (varies based on use case)
Operating Temperature : -10°C to 50°C (-4°F to 122°F)
Storage Temperature -30°C to 70°C (-22°F to 158°F)
Ski resorts, hospitality, and retail rely on rugged mobile devices to help them track access, inventory, and customersZebra took the world’s most revolutionary enterprise touch computer design and added the ultimate feature set that delivers it all. Maximum application performance. Maximum ease of use. Maximum data capture options. Maximum ease of migration to Android. Maximum security. Maximum manageability. Simply put, the Zebra TC8300 is the only mobile computer that literally does it all.
WITH Intelligent Imaging technology, you can…
Capture 1D/2D barcodes in virtually any condition. Dirty, scratched, poorly printed, low contrast, truncated, and more.
Get Longer WiFi range and speed. Get better performance from your Bluetooth printers, headsets and more, while using less power.
Capture barcodes nearer and farther away. Expanded working range and wide field of view to capture barcodes near and far - 3ft to 70ft
AT A GLANCE
DIMENSIONS9.17 in. L x 2.99 in. W x 2.52 in. D
233 mm L x 76 mm W x 64 mm D
CPUQualcomm SnapdragonTM 660 octa-core 2.2 GHz
WEIGHTBase: 17.2 oz./490 g
Package 1: 17.6 oz./500 g
DROP SPECIFICATIONSMultiple 8 ft./2.4 m drop to concrete at room temperature per MIL-STD 810G ; multiple 6 ft./1.8 m drop to concrete across full operating temperature range
OPERATING SYSTEMAndroid 11; upgradeable to Android 14
Operating Temperature -4° F to 122° F/-20° C to 50° C
Storage Temperature -40°F to 158°F/-40°C to 70°C
Maximum power for maximum application performance Get all the power you need to ensure superior performance on all your voice and data apps with the ultra-powerful 8-core processor, plus up to eight times the RAM and 32 times the Flash memory of the prior generation TC8000.
Bluetooth 5.0 — twice the speed, four times the range, less powerGet better performance from your Bluetooth printers, headsets and more, while using less power for longer battery cycle times.
Longer WiFi range and speed — with less power This device allows access points to communicate with multiple devices simultaneously via pinpoint beamforming, boosting WiFi network capacity, speed and range. And processing is shifted from the mobile device to the access point, extending battery cycle time.
AN EXTENDATA UPDATE ON THE RUGGED COMPUTING, PRINTING, AND LABELS SUPPLY CHAINGlobal customer demand is changing every five minutes. It’s hard to keep up. No one knows that better than those in the supply chain. Product shortages, warehouse capacity shortages, employee shortages, container shortages, and the inevitable price increases have us all wondering, “What’s going on?”
According to an article in the Wall Street Journal, the cost of transporting a container from China to the United States has increased more than 228% in the last year. Until container circulation improves, and demand is met faster, prices will likely keep rising. When will this all get better? No one knows.
“The American’s buying strength is so strong and epic, that we can’t absorb all this cargo into the domestic supply chain.”
— Port of LA Director Gene Seroka
The perfect storm The pandemic. Quarantines and social distancing have caused delays in raw material procurement and manufacturing. * Samsung was forced to stop production in two Texas chip factories earlier in the year. Those two facilities manufacture about 28% of Samsung’s total chip output. * The constant change in consumer demand. Supply chains are adjusting but not quickly enough. * Gridlock in the Suez. In March, Ever Given was stuck in the canal for 5 days causing a large disruption that we still haven’t recovered from. * The average transportation time has more than doubled, from an average of 14 days to our current 33 days. * Shipping container delays and shortages. With a new record in September; 70 + cargo ships are waiting to unload in California ports. This is partly due to the shortage of trucks and drivers. * Plastic shortages*. The Texas freeze last winter shut down many chemical plants. Plastic production took a large hit that we are still seeing the effects from.
WHAT DID EXTENDATA DO?Suppliers are forecasting the shortages to continue well into 2022. We had hoped that ExtenData’s long-standing relationships and increased communication with manufacturing and distribution suppliers would ease the disruption to our customers. However, no one in the industry can escape the impact shortages are having on the supply chain - not even ExtenData.
HOW CAN YOU NAVIGATE THE SUPPLY CHAIN BETTER?Plan ahead. We are encouraging customers with pending projects to start conversations as soon as possible. Up to six months before your project deadline. Yes, you read that correctly. Six months.
Get help from the experts. Solutions like IT and print managed services are helpful and cost savings strategies to help your day-to-day operations run smoothly. If you are spread thin because of supply chain mishaps or low on staff why not get help from the people that know your business needs best.
Thermal Managed Print Servies (T-MPS)
Along with printer device monitoring and management, T-MPS automatically replenishes thermal supplies so your labels are automatically ordered at the right time, sent to the right place, at the right price.
Despite durable label supply delays, you will always be a step ahead. Thermal Managed Print Services provides thermal label supply chain simplicity and reliability. Level up your game, and beat the supply chain nightmare.
Managed Services from DecisionPoint
Is your IT team tired? Overworked? As your business grows, so does your IT management burden. Keep your team where they are needed the most and we’ll handle the rest.
Ensuring your workforce’s technology functions anywhere is our business. We utilize our proven experience by driving preventative, intelligent automation, and evolved processes to remove, reduce, and rapidly resolve your workforce’s technology incidents. Let us help you drive a more engaged and productive workforce.
Remember we are part of your team, utilize us, we will happily see you through to the other side.
CONTACT AN EXPERT TODAY
Supply Chain Questions
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INVEST IN THE BEST: PREMIUM FEATURES, MAXIMUM PERFORMANCE, AND UNMATCHED SECURITYYou need a quality, long-lasting printer with top-of-the-line features to keep your business moving forward. Select Zebra’s ZD600 Series 4-inch premium desktop printers, built to perform flawlessly – day in and day out. Easy to operate, they include Zebra’s exclusive Print DNA software suite that makes them simple to set up, manage and secure – onsite or remotely. Pair it with ExtenData’s Thermal Managed Print Services (T-MPS) you have the perfect combo. Choose from direct thermal, thermal transfer, healthcare, and RFID models.
The headache of managing these devices and supplies has long been removed from IT’s list of responsibilities, and supplies buyers have enjoyed the elimination of repetitive ordering tasks. These same benefits can be applied to Zebra’s ZD600 series printers with ExtenData’s T-MPS.
ZD600 Specs
LEARN ABOUT T-MPS
FEATURES OF THE ZD600 SOPHISTICATED, YET SIMPLE
Simple to install, operate, manage, maintain and secure – both onsite or remotely. And, multiple models support nearly every use case, including Healthcare and RFID.
ENGINEERED TO EVOLVE
The more intuitive user interface, optional 4.3-inch full-color LCD touch display, field-upgradeable wireless kit, and media handling options.
UNMATCHED SECURITY
Shield yourself from dangerous and costly security attacks on your printers. Zebra’s printers feature PrintSecure, to protect your data, secure your printer endpoints and prevent downtime
ZD621 THERMAL TRANSFER AND DIREcT THERMAL TRANSFER PRINTERSThe ZD621 delivers outstanding print quality and forward adaptability. Available in thermal transfer and direct thermal models, it offers an optional full-color touch display. Increased remote management capabilities optimize your printers, track and automate supplies replenishment and ensure security.
AT A GLANCEPRINT WIDTH* 4.09 in./104 mm for 203 dpi * 4.27 in./108 mm for 300 dpi
Maximum PRINT SPEED* 8 in./203 mm per second (203 dpi) * 6 in./152 mm per second (300 dpi)
PRINT RESOLUTION* 203 dpi/8 dots per mm * 300 dpi/12 dots per mm (Option)
OPERATING SYSTEM* Link-OS operating system powers our Print DNA suite of software
SPONSORED BY
Zebra empowers those on the front line in retail, healthcare, transportation and logistics, manufacturing and other industries to achieve a performance edge - an edge that translates to delighted customers, good patient outcomes and superior business results.
T-MPS and Zebra Printer Link-OS can save labor, money, and headaches.ExtenData’s thermal supplies auto-replenishment program management software is designed to ensure the right supplies, at the right time, are delivered to the right printer with the promise of never running out of supplies.
VISIT OUR T-MPS HOMEPAGE
Simply give us a call, install our industry-tested application, and ta-da, you have a fleet of the smartest printers. Easy!
Got a Zebra Technology thermal printer? Zebra printers are perfect for the Thermal Managed Print Services program!
EXPLORE HOW T-MPS CAN IMPROVE YOUR ROLE AND THE DEPARTMENTS YOU WORK WITH
What IT Is Saying
- Poor label supplies are causing maintenance issues.
- We get the blame despite the lack of control over supplies and device usage.
What Operations Is Saying
- Poor label and label shortages cause unnecessary downtime.
- Our downtimes cause shipping and manufacturing delays which costs the company money.
What Purchasing Is Saying
- Fire drill/rush orders, rush charges, and expedited freight are a problem.
- Unpredictable supplies costs are a worry.
Is a Label Just a Label?
Ensuring that your labeling software can place serialization and traceability information on products should always be a focus. But did you know the importance of label quality?
Labels provide a digital voice to your assets. Investing in quality labels and materials ensures that every asset is scannable, every time, throughout the entirety of its life.
Asset communication is seamless. Compliance and brand consistency are ensured. Productivity and efficiency are up and your customers are happy. Avoid frequent printhead failure, increased IT calls, and costly downtimes. See the difference the right supplies can make for you.
Our Supplies Deliver Why Choose Zebra Labels?
- they only use pre-tested consistent materials
- they ensure minimal printhead wear and tear and
- they perform chemical adhesive, and environmental testing to withstand unique environments
- they never substitute materials to cut costs
- they follow an ISO-certified quality process with a stringent 23 point inspection
CONTACT SALES
T-MPS Onboarding
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Thank you! Kim Cooley, our Supplies Specialist, will respond to your password request by the next business day.
Powered by Zebra Link-OS: The Most Intelligent Printer Operating System T-MPS is designed to work with next-generation Zebra printers and the Zebra Link-OS operating system, which provides advanced connectivity, device management, and security tools that are unsurpassed in the thermal printing industry.
LIFT TICKETS ARE DEAD - SAY GOODBYE TO THOSE METAL TRIANGLES
In the last year, there has been a huge technology push in the ski and resort industry. Lift tickets with embedded RFID for contactless scanning continues to expand in use. Guests can skip lines, track statistics, and even link lift tickets to their credit cards.
The long-awaited potential of consistent, reliable RFID is not only possible, it’s now practical and within your reach. We know RFID. We can improve the speed, cost, and profitability of any RFID project regardless of the scale. Say goodbye to those metal triangles and hello to RFID.
NEED AN RFID UPGRADE?
Learn more
Ski resorts, hospitality, and retail rely on rugged mobile devices to help them track access, inventory, and customers. Simply put, the Zebra TC8300 is the only mobile computer that literally does it all.
Learn more
Elegant engineering of the Zebra ZC300 and ZC350 card printers eliminates virtually all pain points associated with card printing. The result is quick, push-button simplicity.
Learn more
The Zebra MC3330XR RFID reader brings comfort, speed, ease of use, and accuracy to your RFID applications. Superior RFID read performance and lightning-fast and accurate capture of the most challenging RFID tags.
WONDERING HOW YOU CAN BUDGET THESE UPGRADES? WE HAVE GREAT NEWS! HAAS. ExtenData’s HaaS changes the way you buy, manage, and service mobile computing and printing devices. Zero capital expense. You pay a monthly fee and your technology stays up to date.
Services Features Include
- Comprehensive Warranties
- Hot Spares Program
- Solutions Support
- Provisioning
- Mobile Device Management
HARDWARE AS A SERVICE
READ MORE ABOUT HAAS
RUGGED MOBILE COMPUTERS - RFID AND BARCODE SCANNERS - RFID AND BARCODE PRINTERS
SkiDUCK is 501c3 tax-exempt organization.
EXTENDATA IS PUTTING THEIR MONEY WHERE THEIR BEAK IS
VISIT THE EVENT PAGE TO LEARN MORE
Each season SkiDUCK provides hundreds of kids (ages 7-18) with nearly 2,000 FREE days of skiing and snowboarding; including free lift tickets, rentals, and lessons! Let’s help further their cause.
Want to donate to SkiDuck? We can help with that. Want to join our charity happy hour? We’d love to have you. Please keep in mind, limited spots are available.
DATE: Tuesday, June 8th, 2021
TIME: 4:15 PM - 5:15 PM MT
RSVP BY: 5/18/21
SPONSORED BY
Zebra empowers those on the front line in retail, healthcare, transportation and logistics, manufacturing and other industries to achieve a performance edge - an edge that translates to delighted customers, good patient outcomes and superior business results.
BEST-IN-CLASS RFID READ PERFORMANCE WITH A POWERFUL ANDROID PLATFORMIntroducing the next evolution in long-range RFID readers. The Zebra MC3390xR integrated long-range handheld UHF/RAIN RFID reader brings a new level of efficiency and accuracy. You get the same proven lightweight ergonomic design of the successful MC3300R family, now with Zebra’s latest, most powerful, and secure Android architecture. The ultra-powerful processor, integrated NFC reader, and 35% larger capacity battery boost task speed and ease of use. With Zebra’s signature rugged design, the MC3390xR is built for your toughest environments. And you can create intuitive Android applications that use the MC3390xR’s powerful computing platform, large touchscreen and physical keypad.
WITH Intelligent Imaging technology, you can…
Capture 1D/2D barcodes in virtually any condition. Dirty, scratched, poorly printed, low contrast, truncated and more.
Capture barcodes faster and more efficiently than ever. Give your workers unmatched scanning speed
Capture barcodes nearer and farther away. Expanded working range and wide field of view to capture barcodes near and far
AT A GLANCE
DIMENSIONS6.45 in. L x 3.78 in. W x 10.67 in. D
164 mm L x 96 mm W x 271 mm D
CPUQualcomm SnapdragonTM 660 octa-core 2.2 GHz
WEIGHTMC3390xR with SE4770: 26.2 oz./743 g
MC3390xR with SE4850: 27.1 oz./769 g
DROP SPECIFICATIONSMultiple 5 ft./1.5 m drops to concrete over the entire operating temperature range
OPERATING SYSTEMAndroid 10 with Zebra’s Restricted Mode for control over GMS and other services; will support future Android releases
Operating Temperature -4° F to 122° F/-20° C to 50° C
Storage Temperature -40°F to 158°F/-40°C to 70°C
FLEXIBLE DEVELOPMENT TOOLS FOR A LOW TCO
Simplify application development with a common platform. If you are using other Zebra handheld RFID readers across your resort, you can streamline application development with a single software development kit. There’s no need to learn a different app development framework or rewrite an application.
BEST-IN-CLASS RFID READ PERFORMANCE
The integrated long-range antenna can capture RFID tags more than 60 ft./18.2 m away — 200% farther than the next leading competitor. This reliable, long-range RFID performance enables more frequent and more accurate pass scans.
RUGGED DESIGN WITH LIGHTWEIGHT ERGONOMICS
The MC3330R is rugged and ready for all-day use with a 5 ft./1.5 m drop specification, IP54 sealing to protect against splashing liquid and dust, and Corning Gorilla Glass touch panel and window for scratch-resistance and shatter-proofing. It is also one of the lightest UHF RFID readers in its class; built for easy one-handed use.
OPEN YOUR EYES TO THE VISIBILITY T-MPS OFFERS TADA! WELCOME TO THE EXTENDATA ONBOARDING PORTAL.
Get complete visibility of your printer network with our free, easy to install software*. The #1 Remote Monitoring and Management Solution IN THE MARKET TODAY.
Paired with ExtenData’s Thermal Managed Print Services (T-MPS) and you have the perfect combo. The first service of its kind, T-MPS provides supply chain simplicity and reliability by monitoring and auto-replenishing label supplies.
GET YOUR USERNAME AND PASSWORD
T-MPS Onboarding
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Thank you! Kim Cooley, our Supplies Specialist, will respond to your password request by the next business day.
WHAT CAN T-MPS DO FOR YOU?SAVE MONEY - SAVE TIME - GET VISIBILITY
T-MPS has become a necessity for many of our customers. With supply delays becoming more and more prevalent all over the country, nobody wants to place that emergency order just to be told there will be weeks-long delays. Team up with ExtenData and stay ahead of your printer’s supplies needs while saving time, money, and a lot of frustration.
Get rid of:
- expensive and time-consuming manual meter readings.
- clerical errors from incorrect meter readings.
- on-location, physical inspections.
- costly reconciliation practices.
GET YOUR USERNAME AND PASSWORD
T-MPS Onboarding
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Thank you! Kim Cooley, our Supplies Specialist, will respond to your password request by the next business day.
CONTACT SALES
T-MPS Onboarding
Name
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Thank you! Kim Cooley, our Supplies Specialist, will respond to your password request by the next business day.
Powered by Zebra Link-OS: The Most Intelligent Printer Operating System T-MPS is designed to work with next-generation Zebra printers and the Zebra Link-OS operating system, which provides advanced connectivity, device management, and security tools that are unsurpassed in the thermal printing industry.
*Audit software, free for five months for 20 thermal printing devices. No cost after you upgrade to ExtenData’s Thermal Managed Print Services
Dear Global Customers and Valued Partners,
As global demand increases and COVID-19 related challenges continue to affect the distribution of printing and mobile computing equipment and supplies, the team at ExtenData wants you to know how we are addressing these challenges for our customers and partners.
- Coordinating with our customers and suppliers, we are forecasting demand as far into the future as is possible. We encourage all customers to evaluate their future projects and needs given the supply chain challenges faced globally.
- We are increasing communication frequency with our suppliers to accelerate delivery plans for both raw materials and finished goods. We hope that ExtenData’s long-standing relationships and increased communication with manufacturing and distribution suppliers will help to ease any potential impact on our valued customers.
- Our account representatives and customer service teams have begun encouraging customers with pending projects to start conversations as soon as possible. To proactively support the acceleration of project timelines, we have increased the availability of engineers and project specialists in implementation and support areas.
The team at ExtenData is dedicated to providing high value and service to our customers. In light of the global supply chain issues, we see it as our responsibility to assist our customers and act as advocates on your behalf to overcome these challenges.
Please reach out to your sales team or project managers with any questions or concerns you may have. Our experienced and reliable team is standing by.
Sincerely,
IRVINE, Calif., February 22, 2021 – DecisionPoint Systems, Inc. (OTCQX: DPSI), a leading provider and integrator of enterprise-grade wireline, mobility, and wireless application solutions, is pleased to announce that it will begin trading today on the OTCQX Best Market, a significant upgrade from its former quotation on the Pink Market. The OTCQX Best Market is the highest market tier of OTC Markets, on which 11,000 U.S. and global securities trade.
“We’re excited to trade on the OTCQX Best Market. This is a noteworthy step for DPSI and represents another milestone in our company’s evolution and the value growth it’s driving. On behalf of all our associates nationwide, we’ll work hard and are optimistic we will deliver increased enterprise value to our existing and future shareholders”, said Steven Smith, CEO DecisionPoint Systems Inc. “Moving to the OTCQX Best Market is further validation of our achievements, even as we continue to rapidly execute on our expansion plans in our markets, current and planned.”
About DecisionPoint Systems, Inc.
DecisionPoint Systems, Inc. is a provider and integrator of enterprise-grade mobile wireless and wireline systems for business organizations. The company designs, sells, deploys, and supports mobile and wireline computing systems that enable employees of its customers to access their data networks from virtually anywhere. (i.e. the retail selling floor, supply chain, warehouse and distribution centers, nurse’s workstations, or from a vehicle on the road via enterprise-grade handheld computers, smartphones, tablets, and printers). The company also integrates and deploys other forms of data capture equipment including bar code scanners and radio frequency identification (RFID) readers.
To learn more about DecisionPoint, visit www.decisionpoint.com. U.S. investors can find current financial disclosure and Real-Time Level 2 quotes for the company on www.otcmarkets.com.
Media Contact:
Carol Arakaki, (714) 822-8226, ir@decisionpt.com
TIME IS UP. YOU’RE LATE!Microsoft no longer supports your resort’s Windows Mobile/CE operating system.Operating systems can shape a business and its technology decisions and when you lose support for that it causes dramatic consequences; the lack of security patches, no support or resolution for code issues, and not to mention the ballooning repair replacement costs.
If your resort is still using the MC9190, MC9090, or MC75?As of 2020, Microsoft will no longer provide…* security patches, * support or resolution for code issues, * or new features.
What does that mean for you and your resort?
UPDATE YOUR DEVICES
OS Migration Ski 2021
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Thank you!
You are wasting money and gambling with your resort’s security. If you're running a Windows Mobile or Windows CE device you are open to very real security risks. Don’t gamble and risk losing hundreds of thousands of dollars. Keep your resort protected. See into your future. Migrate devices and save.
SMART INFECTION PREVENTION IN THE NEW NORMAL FOR BUSINESSWashing your hands and wearing a mask is not enough to stop the spread of covid-19. SEAL SHIELD HAS MADE IT EASY FOR YOU TO CLEAN AND DISINFECT YOUR HIGH-TOUCH EQUIPMENT
CONTACT SALES
Seal Shield Info Request
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Trust In A Quality Experience Begins with Cleanliness
A successful resort begins with a clean environment. In hospitality and travel environments, employees and guests become vulnerable to contracting an illness due to inadequate disinfection of high-touch surfaces. Seal Shield washable, waterproof keyboards and mice, medical-grade screen protectors, and the simple-to-use ElectroClave 360-degree UV-C disinfection system reduces the risk of cross-contamination with shared and high-contact equipment. Take the next step towards optimal infection prevention with Seal Shield infection control technologies.
CENTENNIAL, CO—December 16, 2020 — Food Logistics, the only publication exclusively dedicated to covering the movement of product through the global food supply chain, has named ExtenData to its 2020 FL100+ Top Software and Technology Providers list.
The annual FL100+ Top Software and Technology Providers honors leading software and technology providers that ensure a safe, efficient, and reliable global food and beverage supply chain.
“2020 has been an amazing year filled with many changes. One thing that remains the same is our continued recognition from Food Logistics and it’s FL100 Top Provider list. We are honored to be acknowledged for the 10th year in a row! We are proud that our efforts are providing value and safety to our customers and the supply chains we service. With ever-changing requirements in traceability, we are happy to say MobileConductor is a delivery management solution that will be with you every step of the way” said Steve Sager, President of ExtenData.
View 2020 FL100+ List on the Digital Edition of Food Logistics Magazine
“From fleet management to warehouse management to simply just track and trace along the cold food chain, these software and technology providers have definitely stepped it up to ensure cold food and beverage products continue moving along the line without incident,” says Maina Mayer, editor-in-chief of Food Logistics and Supply & Demand Chain Executive. “This pandemic has thrown the food industry a curveball, but many of these providers fast-tracked the development and deployment of their solutions to ensure food safety, traceability, visibility, and quality assurance. So, to these winners and others in the industry working to make a difference, thank you!”
Companies on this year’s 2020 FL100+ Top Software and Technology Providers list will be profiled in the November/December 2020 issue of Food Logistics, as well as online at www.foodlogistics.com.
READ FULL LIST
About Food Logistics
Food Logistics is published by AC Business Media, a business-to-business media company that provides targeted content and comprehensive, integrated advertising and promotion opportunities for some of the world’s most recognized B2B brands. Its diverse portfolio serves the construction, logistics, supply chain, and other industries with print, digital, and custom products, events, and social media.
Media Contact
Contact Georgia brown at Extendata
FL100 2020
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Thank you!
As 2020 comes to a close, ExtenData’s team would like to express gratitude for our customers, our employees' health, and the bright future ahead.
ExtenData will emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic stronger than ever before. Some might ask why. The best single explanation we can attribute our success to is our customers. We are proud to serve the most resourceful, gritty, and flexible customers in the world. Many of our customers have made significant sacrifices, tough decisions, and managed fear with grace. We are amazed and grateful. We know we are not out of the woods, but I think we can all see the light beyond the obstacles ahead because of you.
Keeping people safe is imperative. Businesses have quickly adapted to working at safe distances, and we recognize the effort and risks that go into such a transition. This is why we have spent the past eight months re-engineering, re-packaging, and re-thinking every solution we provide to be delivered in a way that reduces effort and enhances our collective ability to support our customers remotely. You have our commitment that we will continue investing in our resources with the outcome of protecting yours.
We believe the future is bright because of the businesses that are the backbone of our economy and our country. We are deeply moved by the courage and leadership on display every day at each of our customers. This cannot be done alone, and we want you to know you have our full support backed by the Experience, Access, and Character of the team at ExtenData.
We are grateful for our partnership in your success.
Happy Holidays!
Steve Sager, CEO.
Blog Post Worker as a Service - Eliminate DC Downtimes, December 10, 2020
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Worker as a Service - Contact Us
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Is Equipment Downtime Affecting Warehouse and Distribution Center Operations?
3PLs involve many services, such as pick and pack, e-commerce fulfillment, shipping centers, processing, labeling and ticketing, warehousing, kitting, quality control, and inventory management. Downtime of devices such as scanners and printers can bring the supply chain to a halt. Printers and scanners tell you where things are, where they’ve been, and where they’re going. Those three details are critical to keep your operations running smoothly. When these devices go down, organizations are beholden to their IT team.
Our innovative solutions allow for faster, smarter, and more effective work to be done throughout the supply chain and specifically within the DC. We help solve business problems and drive breakthrough results through data insights and connected technology.
Tracking things for people who care by extending operational efficiency with visibility and tracking solutions. Our custom solutions utilize Honeywell’s mobile computers, scanners, and printing product lines. Our Managed Service solution includes all hardware, accessories, software and service and simplifies the way you acquire and manage the life cycle of critical assets.
Worker as a Service (WaaS) - Managed Services for DC Scanning and Printing DevicesIf you need a little help or a lot, ExtenData’s got the level of service you need. Each solution is tailored to our customer’s needs. Start solving your distribution center IT challenges today!
Get a WaaS Quote
Worker as a Service - Contact Us
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Sponsored byReal solutions for real transportation and logistics problems.
As ExtenData moves into a new era, we know our customers and partners will have questions. Hopefully, the information below answers yours. Do you have a more specific question? Feel free to contact your account manager directly or send us a message.
What can we expect during the transition period? How will you communicate with my company?
We have already begun outreach to customers to discuss the acquisition and the integration process. We are committed to communicate and update customers as integration plans evolve.
Who will be my point of contact going forward that will manage my account?
For the immediate term, there will be no change to the account management and customer support structure.
Who do I call if I have a business issue or an escalation?
Please contact your account manager and/or customer support contact.
If I am now a customer of both companies, what changes will I see?
We will be reaching out to all customers, including joint customers of both companies.
How will the two companies manage my business now that you are no longer separate companies i.e. contract (license, support, maintenance), billing, support, services etc.?
Both ExtenData and DecisionPoint will continue to support their existing customers and follow through on all prior commitments. Customers can continue to work through their respective ExtenData and DecisionPoint representatives for all business needs. As the transition plan is finalized, both companies will keep each customer and partner apprised of changes. The goal is to ensure a seamless transition with customers alerted at each step along the process.
What level of support can I expect going forward?
The goal and focus will be to provide every customer with the same level of high quality support all DecisionPoint and ExtenData customers receive currently.
What is the support process and how do I log an issue? (Self-service web tool), phone, email etc.)
For the immediate term, customers should continue to interact with ExtenData in the same manner they were accustomed to prior to this announcement. All contacts information, email addresses and phone numbers will remain unchanged until further advised.
Where will my monthly maintenance invoices, services invoices, and purchase invoices come from going forward, where do I remit payments?
In the immediate term, invoices will continue to come from ExtenData and customers should remit payments to the address stated on those invoices. As the transition plan is executed, we will communicate any change in the process of invoicing and payments remittance.
How many customers will be transitioned to the new company? All customers will transition.
How have customers reacted to this news? The few we’ve spoken to have positively embraced the combination of ExtenData and DecisionPoint. We are in the process of informing customers more broadly. The hope is that every customer from both companies will see the same value in this combination that we do.
Does this acquisition present any partner or supplier conflicts we should consider?
No. In fact, our strategic OEM partners positively embrace this combination and see nothing but upside. We’ve worked hard to build a strong partner and supplier ecosystem, and are confident to be able to establish the same level of relationships as ExtenData did prior to this announcement.
The acquisition expands solutions and industry expertise in manufacturing, transportation and logistics, and hospitality.
IRVINE, Calif., December 8, 2020 -- DecisionPoint™ Systems, Inc. announced today the acquisition of ExtenData Solutions, LLC, a privately held company with corporate headquarters in Centennial, CO. DecisionPoint acquired ExtenData to better serve its customers, deepen its expertise in manufacturing, transportation and logistics, and hospitality, and provide a stronger regional presence across the Rocky Mountain and Southwest regions of the United States.
Founded nearly 20 years ago, ExtenData is an acknowledged industry-leading provider of enterprise mobility solutions, tracking things for people who care by extending operational efficiency. ExtenData's solutions are designed and implemented by a skilled team utilizing decades of experience along with software, mobile computers, RFID and barcode scanning, wireless networks, printing with thermal label auto-supplies replenishment, and supporting professional services.
"We are pleased to add ExtenData's customers, employees, and expertise to our existing portfolio and offerings," said Steve Smith, Chief Executive Officer, DecisionPoint Systems. "The addition of ExtenData's service and support experience further demonstrates our commitment to strengthening our expertise across different verticals, expanding our professional services team, and developing our presence in the Rocky Mountain and Southwest. ExtenData has a strong DNA in T&L, warehouse, and distribution, supporting nearly 400 customers, which has earned them industry-wide 'trusted advisor' status."
In 2019, ExtenData generated approximately $13 million in net sales according to its audited financial statements, further solidifying its strength in the industry. The acquisition will add additional expertise to DecisionPoint's mobile and wireless offerings to include ExtenData's MobileConductor delivery management software platform. This broader service offering opens the door to SaaS-based subscription revenue opportunities for DecisionPoint in the future.
"Over the past 20 years, the passion we've had for our customers has driven our growth," said Steve Sager, founder and CEO of ExtenData. "There is a rapidly growing need for what we do, and coming together with DecisionPoint, sharing a common vision, will allow us to expand our presence and make an immediate impact with our clients."
ExtenData will continue to operate under that name as a wholly-owned subsidiary of DecisionPoint Systems, Inc.
"This acquisition further solidifies DecisionPoint's commitment to innovating, growing, and looking for opportunities that create value and make a difference for our customer' partners and employees," added Smith. "DecisionPoint is committed to providing customers with the best solutions on the market that will create easy, end-to-end support for their entire global operations. Our goal is to continue bringing together the best people, applying the best processes, and combining the best products and services, so we continue to be a relevant and valued partner for our customers, while preparing them to meet the demands of tomorrow's tech-driven world."
Media Contact
Carol Arakaki
(714) 822-8226
carakaki@decisionpt.com
About DecisionPoint Systems
DecisionPoint is a leading provider and integrator of enterprise mobility and wireless applications solutions that delivers improved productivity and operational advantages to its clients by helping them move their business decision points closer to their customers. We do this by making enterprise software applications accessible to the front-line worker anytime, anywhere. DecisionPoint utilizes all the latest wireless, mobility, and RFID technologies. DecisionPoint is headquartered in Irvine, California. For more information about DecisionPoint Systems, Inc., visit www.decisionpt.com.
About ExtenData
ExtenData tracks things for people who care by extending operational efficiency with visibility and tracking solutions. ExtenData's reliable hardware, software, supplies, services, and support enable businesses to keep pace with customer needs at the front line of business. Not to mention, ExtenData's peace-of-mind services and support provide predictable outcomes that give operations teams improved visibility for better decision making and minimizes the resource impact on IT. What does this all mean? At ExtenData, we provide customers with timely and easy access to our experienced and reliable support, development, and solution engineering teams. You will always talk to an experienced professional at ExtenData.
Zebra Ultra-Rugged ScannersReady your supply chain to meet a surge of high-velocity and high-volume demands. With Zebra, you can stay a step ahead thanks to innovative hardware and intelligent software that expands your scanning capabilities. The Zebra DS3600 and LI3600 are the rugged solution in your rugged environment.
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Get a Quote - Zebra DCS
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Start with Yesterday’s EssentialsSpeed & Reliability: Capture even the most challenging barcodes the first time.
Accuracy: Select and scan a single barcode among many with precision accuracy using picklist mode.
Customizable Settings: Get fast and easy setup with intuitive, free management tools like 123Scan.
Wider Working Range: Up-level your agility with scanning ranges of up to 70ft.*
Devices Prepared for Today’s New RealityProtect Workers: Built to hold up against constant sanitization
Fall-Day Devices: Avoid sharing devices with cordless designs & batteries that last all shift long
Manage Devices Remotely: Configure devices spread across sites from one central location
Ultra Rugged Design: Get unstoppable performance with a dust, water and drop-resistant design
Cut Costs: Lower expenses with longer-lasting batteries and endless device durability
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Get a Quote - Zebra DCS
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Look to Zebra for Future ResiliencyWhen tomorrow brings change, Zebra brings new capabilities for your existing scanners. Be on the lookout for a new upcoming intelligent parsing solution.
ZEBRA DS3600
ZEBRA LI3600
Invest in scanners that keep giving. Upgrade to Zebra today. Ask us how to get $25 cash back through the GO Zebra Trade-in Program.
Gratitude for the Good in 2020Despite the challenges we face as a nation, ExtenData and our team strive to find gratitude and joy. Please join us by taking a few minutes this holiday season to reflect on the good things - big and small - that occurred in 2020.
The team at ExtenData is grateful for you! Have a safe and happy holiday.
Your friends at ExtenData
“When a person doesn’t have gratitude, something is missing in his or her humanity. A person can almost be defined by his or her attitude toward gratitude.”
— Elie Wiesel, Holocaust Survivor and Nobel Peace Prize Winner, 1928-2016.
Holiday ScheduleIn observance of Thanksgiving, all ExtenData locations will be closed on Thursday, November 26th and Friday, November 27th. Limited staff will be available to monitor critical service issues. All departments will resume regular business hours on the following Monday, November 30th.
Additional Holiday Closures
- Thursday, December 24, 2020
- Friday, December 25th, 2020
- Friday, January 1, 2021
MOTIONWORKS - KEEP YOUR EMPLOYEES AND GUESTS SAFE, PREVENT SHUTDOWNS AND SUPPORT COMPLIANCE WITH CHANGING REGULATIONS
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CHOOSE THE SMART, SAFE SOLUTION A big concern for the ski industry this year is contact tracing. Guests are coming from all over the world and the process of determining who came in contact with a positive case will become increasingly difficult.
With Zebra MotionWorks Proximity you can manage contact tracing and help your resort reduce the risk of exposure. MotionWorks alerts and reminds employees to maintain social distancing proactively, while also creating a record of proximity events for reporting purposes. The dashboard helps you identify patterns where social distancing is not being maintained and ensure a safe working environment for all. Your constant companion, it’s made to perform in your environments and workflows. It installs remotely in a matter of days — with zero new infrastructure. Bring business back to the slopes!
SPONSORED BYZebra empowers those on the front line in retail, healthcare, transportation and logistics, manufacturing and other industries to achieve a performance edge - an edge that translates to delighted customers, good patient outcomes and superior business results.
AFFORDABLE ALL-IN-ONE MULTIMEDIA MICRO KIOSK FOR RETAIL, HOSPITALITY, AND MORETAKE SELF-SERVICE TO A NEW LEVEL WITH RICH AND INTUITIVE INTERACTIVE OPTIONS.
Each guest has a different idea on what safety means to them. Right now guests and travelers want to choose how to get the service they need — from a person or a self-service kiosk. And with over 90 percent reporting the use of self-service kiosks, providing self-service devices is crucial to meeting those service expectations — and the success of your organization. With the MK3100 Micro Kiosk, you’ll have all the features you need to deliver an impressive safe self-service experience.
This powerful device supports simple applications such as price and inventory checks to highly intuitive and elegantly designed multimedia applications such as how-to or product informational videos and product catalogs, allowing guests and travelers to breeze through lines with a simple no-touch swipe.
Hospitality Applications:
- Workforce management
- Employee scheduling/training
- Guest experience
- Electronic concierge Guest assistance
- Mobile check-in/check-out
FEATURES OF THE MK3100BEST-IN-CLASS PROCESSING POWER
A 1GHz processor, 1GB RAM/8GB Flash and up to 32GB of additional memory via the MicroSD card slot provides ample power for the most complex multimedia applications—and is also the most powerful platform in its class.
MK3100 Specs
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CAPTURE ANY BARCODE
Scan 1D and 2D bar codes printed on paper labels, plastic loyalty or gift cards or displayed on the screen of a mobile phone.
ADD WHATEVER YOU NEED—FROM MEMORY TO PERIPHERALS
Three user-accessible USB ports plus Bluetooth allow users to customize the MK3100 to meet their business needs. Add memory for demanding applications, or a wireless (or wired) printers. Or add a magnetic stripe reader to allow self-checkout or a keyboard to simplify data entry.
AT A GLANCE PERFORMANCE CHARACTERISTICSCPU
- TI OMAP4 1GHz processor
OPERATING SYSTEM
- Windows Embedded Compact 7
BROWSER
- Internet Explorer 7.0
- RhoElements
MEMORY
- 1 GB RAM/8 GB Flash
ADDITIONAL MEMORY
- Up to 32 GB flash via accessible microSD slot
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICSDIMENSIONS
- 8.87 in. H x 8.87 in. L x 2.17 in. W
- 22.5 cm H x 22.5 cm L x 5.5 cm W
DISPLAY
- 8 in./20.32 cm diagonal WVGA LCD
- 800 x 480 pixels; resistive touch screen
WEIGHT
- 1.9 lbs./0.86 kg
COMMUNICATIONS INTERFACE
- 1 Mini USB 2.0 host/client
- 2 Mini USB 2.0 host
- Ethernet RJ-45
SPONSORED BY
Zebra empowers those on the front line in retail, healthcare, transportation and logistics, manufacturing and other industries to achieve a performance edge - an edge that translates to delighted customers, good patient outcomes and superior business results.
ExtenData launches ground-breaking Thermal Managed Print Services to simplify shipping and product label supplies replenishment.
DENVER, CO, JULY 14, 2020―ExtenData, a supply chain visibility, and tracking solution provider, announces the launch of the ground-breaking thermal label supplies auto-replenishment program -- Thermal Managed Print Services (T-MPS). Developed with thermal printing industry leaders, warehouses, manufacturing plants, and distribution companies using thermal printers for shipping and product labels can streamline operations. The right supplies at the right time, place, and price.
Get more details
For decades, office environments have enjoyed the simplicity of managed print services (MPS) for laser printers. The MPS provider takes care of the printer, toner, and paper. The headache of managing these devices and supplies has long been removed from IT’s list of responsibilities, and supplies buyers have enjoyed the elimination of repetitive ordering tasks. Now, these same benefits can be applied to a business’s fleet of direct thermal and thermal transfer printers with ExtenData’s T-MPS.
“Our customers face continuous margin pressure and increasing operational complexity. To keep pace with customer demand, the need to innovate and streamline operations is greater than ever. We know that our T-MPS solution will provide businesses efficiency and peace of mind.” said Steve Sager, President and CEO of ExtenData.
T-MPS creates operations efficiency by eliminating downtimes caused by label supply errors, reduces headaches and labor associated with the management and maintenance of thermal label printers and supplies, and lowers a business’s expenses. With predictive modeling, quarterly usage reporting, and analysis ExtenData’s T-MPS team tracks your supplies so you don’t have to.
“At ExtenData we pride ourselves on the service we provide our customers. Introducing this new solution is exciting because we know our customers will love it. Who doesn’t love a solution that makes their life easier? These types of small improvements make all the difference in our lives and businesses.” remarked Georgia Brown, Director of Marketing for ExtenData.
In Episode 6, Steve and Georgia discuss ExtenData’s NEW service Thermal Managed Print Services (T-MPS). We’ll discuss why we created T-MPS, how it works, and why we are excited to provide this cost and labor-saving service to our thermal supplies customers.
PROBLEM:
Bonsai Cultivation cannabis grow house needed help with their packaging and label compliance solutions. Every quarter the state of Colorado modifies the rules and guidelines to have a compliant labels. Unfortunately, when these rules change every quarter, it is difficult to “Bulk Purchase” packaging labels and yield the bulk discount.
SOLUTION:
Extendata worked with Bonsai to come up with a solution to ensure that they could still yield the benefits of a bulk purchase. We provided a solution that gave them software that allowed Bonsai to have a custom label that could still be modified in some areas for description and other required data.
RESULTS:
This solution gave them the flexibility to modify their custom labels that already had their designed artwork preprinted on. They could then print these on demand and be confident that the label would not be out of compliance.
Complete Solution
- Industrial Printer
- Custom labels
- Ribbon
- Bartender software
Learn more
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Cannabis Label Information Request
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CUSTOMER: Bonsai Cultivation
WEBSITE: http://www.bonsaicultivation.com/
INDUSTRY: Cannabis
LOCATION: Denver, CO
CUSTOMER SINCE: 2018
Bonsai Cultivation was a state-of-the-art, recreational cannabis cultivation and wholesale company based in Denver, Colorado. The management team boasts over 25 years of combined experience in Colorado’s cannabis market place, and has won dozens of industry awards including multiple High Times Cannabis Cups and THC Championships. They are passionate about producing the highest quality cannabis for the most discerning dispensaries and customers.
Try ExtenData’s Thermal Managed Print Services and Receive a ZT200!On June 1st, ExtenData announced our latest service for our thermal printing customers called, Thermal Managed Print Services (T-MPS). The service of its kind, T-MPS provides simplicity and reliability by monitoring and auto-replenishing thermal label and card supplies. T-MPS creates operations efficiency by eliminating label supply errors, reduces headaches and labor associated with the management and maintenance of thermal label printers and supplies, and lowers expenses through the thermal label supply price lock. With quarterly usage reporting and analysis our T-MPS team tracks your supplies so you don’t have to.
How do you get your free ZT200? Easy. Sign up for a one year T-MPS subscription and the printer is all yours.
A total value of $1432 MSRP!
about T-mps
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T-MPS Free ZT200 Cannabis Offer
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ABOUT ZT200
Sponsored byZebra empowers those on the front line in retail, healthcare, transportation and logistics, manufacturing and other industries to achieve a performance edge - an edge that translates to delighted customers, good patient outcomes and superior business results.
In the cannabis industry, packaging has emerged as both a safety issue and one of the few ways a brand can build trust and distinguish themselves from their competitors. Seeking to expand their customer base, cannabis companies are looking for high-end labels and packaging that catches the consumer’s attention in the dispensary.
WITH SAFETY IN MINDFlexible packaging bags and pouches provide oxygen and moisture protection for your edibles and flower. With compliance and safety in mind, childproof closures are featured on edibles and flower pouches. Shrink sleeves offer a canvas for colorful 360°graphics. Add micro-perforations to a full-body shrink sleeve to provide a safety seal. Tear at the perforation to expose the jar or bottle lid for opening, but keep the body wrap intact with information and branding. Safety seal labels provide tamper evidence. Print your seal with your prime label. We can print multiple labels on one roll and laser cut the shapes to your specifications. Just provide a die line on your artwork layer.
CONTACT OUR SUPPLIES TEAM
Cannabis Labels
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Leveraging RFID Technology
RFID labels and tags enable the cannabis industry to save time and money, both in accuracy tracking throughout the supply chain and in supporting timely business decisions. By leveraging collected data, cannabis growers and manufacturers can maintain regulatory compliance, reduce labor costs, improve inventory accuracy, and improve customer service. We offer stock and custom RFID label solutions.
Labels, Shrink Sleeves & Flexible Packaging* Topicals: Labels and shrink sleeves for CBD and THC lotions, muscle gels and shampoos. * Edibles: Labels and flexible packaging for chocolates, gummies, cookies, brownies and suckers. * Drinks: Labels and shrink sleeves for CBD and THC coffees, energy drinks, soda, water, and beer. * Flower: Labels and flexible packaging for marijuana flower. * Tincture: Labels and shrink sleeves for CBD and THC extracted oils. * Pre-roll tubes: Shrink sleeves for THC pre-rolled joints and blunts. * Vapors: Labels and shrink sleeves for CBD and THC vapors used for anxiety, energy, relaxation, eating disorder and inflammation such as arthritis.
Get your order in today! As COVID-19 continues to affect the global supply chain we can help you be prepared in advance of increased lead times. Our Supplies Specialist, Kim Cooley, is ready to discuss your needs and help you get in front of this potential business impact.
Kim Cooley
Supplies Specialist
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Cannabis Labels
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Thermal Managed Print Service provides supply chain simplicity and reliability with thermal label supplies auto-replenishment.
For decades, office environments have enjoyed the simplicity of managed print services (MPS) for laser printers. The MPS provider takes care of the printer, toner, and paper. The headache of managing these devices and supplies has been removed from IT’s list of responsibilities, and supplies buyers have enjoyed the elimination of repetitive ordering tasks. Now, these same benefits can be applied to a business’s fleet of direct thermal and thermal transfer printers with ExtenData’s T-MPS.
“Our customers face continuous margin pressure and increasing operational complexity. To keep pace with customer demand, the need to innovate and streamline operations is greater than ever. We know that our T-MPS solution will provide businesses efficiency and peace of mind.” said Steve Sager, President, and CEO of ExtenData.
T-MPS creates operations efficiency by eliminating downtimes caused by label supply errors, reduces headaches and labor associated with the management and maintenance of thermal label printers and supplies, and lowers a business’s expenses. With predictive modeling, quarterly usage reporting, and analysis, ExtenData’s T-MPS team tracks your supplies, so you don’t have to.
“At ExtenData, we pride ourselves on the service we provide our customers. Introducing this new solution is exciting because our customers will love it. Who doesn’t love a solution that makes their life easier? These types of small improvements make all the difference in our lives and businesses.” remarked Georgia Brown, Director of Marketing for ExtenData.
Learn more
CONTACT SALES
Contact Sales - Thermal Managed Print Services
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To learn more, please visit our T-MPS page.
DOES YOUR WIRELESS COVERAGE MAKE YOU FEEL LIKE YOU ARE AT THE BACK OF THE PACK?The EtherHaul-1200 series delivers carrier-grade ultra high capacity wireless point-to-point Ethernet. With up to 1000Mbps full-duplex over the uncongested 71-76/81-86GHz spectrum, the EH-1200 provides resorts around the world with an affordable, advanced wireless solution that is easy to install and simple to maintain.
The EtherHaul-1200 will increase resort efficiency and improve the guest experience. Guests will love the improved access and the speed at which they can get through those lines. Your operations team will love the enhanced connectivity. From snowmaking control to ease of communication, point-to-point can help with it all.
LEAD THE PACK - SIKLU RESORT WIFI
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ABOUT SIKLUIt is a Gigabit world and customers are demanding gigabit everywhere. mmWave systems have been identified as the ideal technology to meet this challenge. Siklu Communications with a decade of innovation, the industry’s broadest product portfolio, and extensive SaaS support continues to lead the way to Gigabit nirvana today and tomorrow.
KEEP GUEST SERVICES RUNNING SMOOTHLY WITH RFID AND BARCODE CARD PRINTING TECHNOLOGYGet elegant engineering for game changing simplicity. The ZC350 series makes set-up easier, right out of the box. The ingenious card feeder self-adjusts to card thickness. The new print driver offers a graphical user interface that brings a new level of ease to managing the printing process and the look and feel of printed cards. The ribbon is drop in for fool-proof changes—and with smart chips, users are sure to always change ribbons before they are spent, avoiding needless printer downtime. It is easy, intuitive and fast!
ZC350 Specs
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FEATURES OF THE ZC350 INTUITIVE INTERFACE
LCD screen displays icons, animations, and text-based messages.
FASTER
The ZC350 has the fastest print speeds in this class so you can print one card or thousands seamlessly.
PLUG-AND-PLAY
Just plug the ZC350 in and start recieving the benefits the day your printer arrives.
GROUNDBREAKING GRAPHICAL USER INTERFACE
The intuitive interface in the newly-designed driver makes it easier than ever to print cards. A visual display makes printing simple monochrome and complex color cards equally easy, allowing you to instantly see how changing settings impacts card design — eliminating the time and cost to repeatedly print test cards.
MEETS YOUR NEED FOR SPEED
Whether you need to print one card, hundreds of cards, or thousands of cards, with some of the fastest print speeds in this class, you can count on the ZC350 to get the job done quickly.
HIGHLY GRAPHICAL LED/LCD INTERFACE
The ZC350 offers highly-intuitive well-tested icons, animations, and text-based messages in your own language, allowing any user to easily understand what the printer needs and how to perform virtually any function — including how to clear a printer jam, fix a ribbon, load a ribbon or cards and more.
REVOLUTIONARY NEW HOPPER DESIGN
The completely re-designed hopper makes loading and unloading cards simple. With the saloon-style output doors, there’s nothing to open — just grab the cards you need. And the input and output hoppers have the same capacity, reducing the need to refill and empty the hoppers.
PAINLESS PLUG-AND-PLAY SET-UP
The ZC350 is designed to work right out of the box. There’s no time-consuming complicated set-up — just plug it in and start reaping the benefits the day your printer arrives.
AT A GLANCE
DIMENSIONS* Single-Sided 10.2 in. H x 6.2 in. W x 15.1 in. D 258 mm H x 157 mm W x 383 mm D * Dual Sided 10.2 in. H x 6.2 in. W x 18.4 in. D 258 mm H x 157 mm W x 468 mm D
PRINT SPEED* Single-sided: Color - 200 cph Mono – 900 cph * Dual-sided: Color – 140 cph Mono – 450 cph
WEIGHT* Single-Sided 8.8 lbs (4.0kg) * Dual Sided 9.7 lbs (4.4 kg)
COMMUNICATIONS INTERFACE* Standard – USB 2.0; Built-in 10/100 * Ethernet * Optional - 802.11ac
SPONSORED BY
Zebra empowers those on the front line in retail, healthcare, transportation and logistics, manufacturing and other industries to achieve a performance edge - an edge that translates to delighted customers, good patient outcomes and superior business results.
Try ExtenData’s Thermal Managed Print Services and Receive Two ZD620’s!On June 1st, ExtenData announced our latest service for our thermal printing customers called, Thermal Managed Print Services (T-MPS). The service of its kind, T-MPS provides simplicity and reliability by monitoring and auto-replenishing thermal label and card supplies. T-MPS creates operations efficiency by eliminating label supply errors, reduces headaches and labor associated with the management and maintenance of thermal label printers and supplies, and lowers expenses through the thermal label supply price lock. With quarterly usage reporting and analysis our T-MPS team tracks your supplies so you don’t have to.
How do you get your two free ZD620's? Easy. Sign up for a one year T-MPS subscription and the printer's are all yours.
A total value of $1850 MSRP!
about T-mps
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T-MPS Free ZT411 Offer
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ABOUT ZD620
Sponsored byZebra empowers those on the front line in retail, healthcare, transportation and logistics, manufacturing and other industries to achieve a performance edge - an edge that translates to delighted customers, good patient outcomes and superior business results.
Better Operational Visibility and ProductivityEfficient operations demand better visibility into inventory and processes and mobile technology to optimize workflows on the go. Zebra’s rugged industrial tablets deliver it all with next-generation Android touch mobile computing, faster processing power, longer battery life, and advanced data capture. You get all the power and functionality you need to run resource-intensive business apps, communicate across your enterprise, capture barcodes on the go, and access real-time inventory and analytics.
A configurable solution to match every worker, process, and environment.
DOWNLOAD DATA SHEET
Download Zebra Tablet Data Sheet
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Download >>> Zebra Technologies Rugged Tablets
Don’t hesitate to contact one of our friendly sales team members. They can answer ALL of your questions. Go ahead, try to stump them. 🧐 😎
CONTACT SALES
L10 Series Tablets The L10 Series is a rugged and extremely powerful 10.1-inch tablet PC platform with military-grade durability, tougher enterprise security, and unrivaled computing performance.
XPAD L10
Hard-handle tablet with built-in barcode reader and trigger
XSLATE L10
Slate-style design with blazing fast speeds and optional
4G LTE XBOOK L10
2-in-1 rugged tablet with companion keyboard for laptop/desktop configuration
Upgrade Your Operations with the World’s Most Rugged and Versatile Tablets
Scan the list below for the most common devices in each category and download the disinfection information. We are updating the list with new devices every day as we are able to collect them. If you need information on a specific device, please send us a message.
MOBILE COMPUTERS, TABLETS, & SCANNERS Zebra Technologies
TC5x - Healthcare
All Healthcare Scanners
DS2208
DS457
DS8178
TC70X - 75X
Symbol DS81XX
ET5X
MC3200
MC33XX
MC55X
MC92NO
MC93XX
Honeywell
Captuvo SL22
Dolphin CK65
Dolphin CN80
Dolphin CT50
Dolphin CT60
Intermec CK75
Intermec CK3
Thor VM3
Hyperion 1300G
Voyager 1400 Series
Xenon 1900 Series
Granit 1910, 1911, 1980, 1981 & 1920
Intermec SG20
Vuquest
Misc.
Advantech DLT83
CODE Corp CR1000
CODE Corp CR1500
CODE Corp CR 2600
CODE Corp CR 6000
Datalimited GBT4500
Datalimited Heron HD3130
Datalogic ADC, Falcon X3
Datalogic DS4800
Datalogic Gryphon GBT4130
Datalogic PowerScan PBT9300
Datalogic Skorpio X4
Olympus DS9500
SAMSUNG Galaxy Tab Active 2
SOCKET CX3360
Veriphone MX915
PRINTERS Zebra Technologies
All Healthcare Printers
GX420
ZD510
ZD620 & ZD420
ZQ610 & ZQ620
Honeywell/Datamax-O’Neil
Honeywell Datamax H-4606
Honeywell RP2 & 4
Intermec PM23 & PM43
Honeywell PB22 & PB32
Honeywell PD43
Epson
Epson DFX-9000
Epson LQ 590&2090
Epson TM-C3500 Series
Epson TM-L90
Epson TM-T88
Epson TM-U220
Misc. Printers
Boca Lemur
Brother Mobile PT-P950
Printronix T6204
SATO CL4
SATO CL408
STAR TSP 800
ExtenData is teaming up with Sugar House to distribute face masks and shields to healthcare and food distribution staff on the front lines.
DO YOU KNOW SOMEONE IN NEED?Do you know of a healthcare or food distribution business that needs shields or masks for its staff? Email Georgia Brown, Director of Marketing, at marketing@extendata.com to nominate a deserving party.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO JOIN OUR EFFORT?If you’d like to join us to supply face shields and masks, we are accepting donations or partnerships to expand our reach. Email Georgia Brown, Director of Marketing, at marketing@extendata.com to discuss how we might collaborate.
WHY ARE WE DOING THIS?Supporting our customers, staff, partners, and community is a core value that compels us to help where we can. Using our connections throughout the global supply chain to connect supply with demand is a logical route and right in our wheelhouse. In good times we make visibility and tracking solutions through hardware and software technology. Right now, we are using those same skills, connections, and knowledge to support the people on the front line doing the hard work and putting themselves at risk.
Valued Customers and Partners,
We would like to update you regarding ExtenData’s operations and the impacts of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) on our supply chain.
Manufacturers and distribution partners have kept us apprised of their supply chain impacts. While the serious nature of the situation requires close monitoring, we do not see indications of a significant disruption to the hardware products and services required for our tracking and visibility solutions.
Here is a quick rundown of communications from some of our manufacturing partners.Initially, Zebra Technologies’ China-based facilities were impacted by COVID-19 after the Chinese New Year. However, a cross-functional incident response team has activated a mitigation plan “to ensure a smooth supply chain.” There may be a slight delay on some products.
With operations in China, Honeywell has experienced minor delays in production. Despite the volatility, the manufacturer has a production plan that will deliver all open orders and currently forecasted demand by the end of March, resuming to normal times within the next two to four weeks.
Datalogic’s main manufacturing facilities are in Vietnam, Hungary, and Slovakia. At present, there have been no closures or suspensions of production, ensuring customers continuity in the delivery of products and supplies.
Getting ahead of the outbreak, Printronix was able to take early measures of prevention in their Malaysian factory and offices. Materials from Chinese suppliers were secured before the Chinese New Year and the severe outbreak of the COVID-19. As a result, Printronix has inventory in Southern California to fulfill current customer demand.
How is ExtenData impacted, and what measures are we taking?Currently, operations at ExtenData have not been impacted. Our global distribution partners continue to provide us bi-weekly updates on relevant orders and lead times. We have canceled international travel and are encouraging staff to heed the advice of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
Our team is well-equipped to work and conduct business remotely. Because of this, our day-to-day sales processes and our ability to provide support to our customers should not be impacted.
If you have questions or concerns regarding your hardware order or active implementation projects, please contact your Account Manager. They can provide updates on your specific project from our manufacturing partners.
Our number one commitment is the continued health and safety of our teams, customers, and partners. Please let us know how we can support you.
Sincerely,
Steve SagerPresident and CEO
ExtenData Solutions
MobileConductor Delivery Management, ExtenData’s Hardware-as-a-Service, and Zebra Technologies Scanning and Printing Combine for Major Operations Efficiency Gains
READ THE CHRISTMAS CASE STUDY
THE NORTH POLE — December 10, 2019 — North Pole Manufacturing and Distribution (NPMD) announced today they have selected ExtenData’s tracking and visibility solutions to improve manufacturing, warehousing, and delivery operations. As the world’s most prolific toy manufacturer delivering directly to the consumer, the job of managing manufacturing, fulfillment, and on-time delivery has reached epic levels of complexity. In a whole-company solution, CEO, Santa Claus, selected ExtenData’s Hardware-as-a-Service solution to implement, maintain, and manage Zebra Technologies scanners, printers, and supplies for tracking toys from the production floor to the sleigh dock. In addition, Claus selected ExtenData’s MobileConductor Delivery Management system to help manage the most complex delivery route on earth.
“Toy quality and delivery accuracy have become a growing challenge for our operations. We simply do not have the elf workforce to manage scanning hardware and correct our sleigh loading and delivery issues. ExtenData’s services and solutions are the right choice for us to grow and adapt to the increasing complexity of global toy distribution.” said Claus.
“We are humbled and honored the North Pole selected our team to deliver tracking solutions that will help Mr. Claus deliver a very Merry Christmas. It’s what we do. We track things for people who care.” said Steve Sager, President and CEO ExtenData.
About North Pole Manufacturing and Distribution (NPMD)
North Pole Manufacturing and Distribution (NPMD) has been tirelessly manufacturing and distributing toys and presents for over 1,748 years. The facility is a sprawling complex located at the North Pole. In addition to housing the factory and distribution center, the complex houses the residence of Santa Claus, his wife, the reindeer, and all the adorable hard-working elves.
About ExtenData
Tracking things for people who care. We extend operational efficiency with visibility and tracking solutions. ExtenData’s team possesses the knowledge and skills to design, build, and implement solutions for the toughest tracking and visibility challenges that transform your customer’s experience. - Tracking things for people who care.
READ THE CHRISTMAS CASE STUDY
In Episode 4 Greg Timmons and Georgia discuss ExtenData’s membership to the Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame and the new technology solutions we are rolling out to the ski industry.
In Episode 3, Georgia and Steve discuss our NEW Managed Print Services BETA project. The first ten customers who qualify are eligible to receive a YetoTundra Haul, two 16 oz. Ramblers, and a case of beer!
ExtenData is looking for a handful of customers to help us test out our newest software. This software monitors your printers for issues, keeps track of your label print count, sends us a message when it is time for you to reorder, and then your labels are automatically shipped to you. How cool is that!
August 23, 2019
Dear U.S. ExtenData Customers,
In early August 2019, the United States Government announced it would impose a 10% tariff on an additional $300 billion of goods manufactured in China when imported and sold in the United States. When this tariff goes into effect, it will increase the price of select mobile computing devices, scanning, printing, and wireless technology.
As a valued customer, we want you to know what ExtenData is doing to anticipate the impact of these new tariffs.
- We are working closely with our supply chain to mitigate, and in some cases, avoid the impact of tariffs as a result of our forecasting and inventory availability.
- Our account teams are communicating with customers to create awareness on the price changes. We know how important it is for you to provide the highest levels of customer service and operational control while meeting expectations for profitability.
- We are committed to finding ways to offset tariff increases by providing access to our engineering teams. They can assist in finding new opportunities for savings and efficiency.
We understand the importance of your profitability and the capital needed to fuel your growth. Please contact your account representative to assess your projects and purchasing plans.
Sincerely,
Steven L. Sager
President & CEO | ExtenData
Centennial, CO 80112
www.extendata.com | www.mobileconductor.com
Did you see the news? ExtenData just released the first true Hardware as a Service solution for the supply chain!
BEST-IN-CLASS RFID READ PERFORMANCE WITH A POWERFUL ANDROID PLATFORMThe MC3330R RFID handheld reader brings a new level of comfort, speed, ease of use and accuracy to your RFID applications. Superior RFID read performance and receiver sensitivity enable lightning fast and accurate capture of even the most challenging RFID tags. With Zebra’s signature rugged design, the MC3330R is built for maximum uptime, yet is lightweight with the right ergonomics for all-day comfort. And the large touchscreen, physical keypad and Android OS deliver an intuitive and flexible platform for your RFID application needs today and tomorrow.
Innovative Features of the MC3300 Series
Unparalleled performance on virtually every barcode in any conditionOnly the MC3300 Series combines the power of an 800 MHz microprocessor, a high-resolution megapixel sensor and Zebra's exclusive PRZM technology. With this unique combination of hardware and advanced algorithms, the MC3300 Series instantly captures the most problematic barcodes—including dense, poorly-printed, crinkled, faded, distorted, dirty or damaged as well as electronic barcodes on dimly-lit displays.
Superior scan rangeA scanning range of up to 24 in./61 cm, a high resolution imaging sensor and a bright "aiming spot" improve checkout speed. Now, cashiers in busy checkout environments can easily scan items in a customer's shopping cart—without leaving the register.
Power to scan continuously for 24 hoursNo matter how busy a store is, with Zebra's exclusive PowerPrecision+ smart battery in the cordless MC3300, workers will always have the power they need for the busiest shift. Scanning devices are always available—no need for charging during the business day.
Support for the barcode of the future: Digimarc®*The MC3300 Series supports Digimarc digital watermark technology, which enables a barcode to be printed repeatedly over all surfaces of a product like wallpaper—yet remain completely invisible to the naked eye. Cashiers no longer need to locate and position a barcode in the imager's field of view, enabling faster checkout and easier self-checkout.
- Available April 2017
Capture multiple barcodes with one press of the scan triggerMulti-code Data Formatting (MDF) provides the ability to capture multiple barcodes and transmit only those required in the precise order the application requires
At a Glance
DIMENSIONS6.45 in. L x 2.95 in. W x 8.31 in. D
164 mm L x 75 mm W x 211 mm D
CPUQualcomm 8056 1.8 GHz hexa-core 64-bit with power optimization
DATA CAPTURERFID, 2D imager
WEIGHT23.4 oz./665 g (with handstrap)
BATTERYPowerPrecision+ Li-Ion 5200 mAh with fast charging support
DROP SPECIFICATIONSMultiple 5 ft./1.5 m drops to concrete over the entire operating temperature range
OPERATING SYSTEMAndroid 7.0 (Nougat)
GMS - Global
AOSP - Select Regions including China and Israel
FLEXIBLE DEVELOPMENT TOOLS FOR A LOW TCO
Streamline full-fleet rollouts with our EMDK and RFID SDK – the MC3330R shares the same RFID Software Development Kit as other Zebra handheld RFID readers. Our EMDK simplifies enterprise application design for faster, more cost-effective development cycles, while our RFID SDK allows you to use RFID apps you’ve developed for other Zebra RFID handhelds on the MC3330R.
BEST-IN-CLASS RFID READ PERFORMANCE
You get unparalleled RFID performance with the MC3330R. Workers can accurately and rapidly capture RFID tags in half the time as the next leading competitor – while Zebra’s high-performance ASIC radio technology delivers a read rate that is more than 25% faster and 40% more accurate than other devices in this class*.
RUGGED DESIGN WITH LIGHTWEIGHT ERGONOMICS
The MC3330R is rugged and ready for all-day use with a 5 ft./1.5 m drop specification, IP54 sealing to protect against splashing liquid and dust, and Corning Gorilla Glass touch panel and imager window for maximum scratch-resistance and shatter-proofing. The MC3330R is also one of the lightest UHF RFID readers in its class and is built for easy one-handed use, whether workers are right- or left-handed.
More Resources DOWNLOADS
MC3330R Specification Sheet
MC3330R Application Brief
RFID At-A-Glance Brochure
MC3330R Accessories Guide
HOW-TO-VIDEOS, MANUALS, AND DRIVERS
MC3330R Support
EXTEND THE FUNCTIONALITY OF YOUR RFID DEVICE
MC3330R Accessories Guide
A blessing in disguise for Operations and IT Departments
4G networks have been in use for nearly a decade which means 3G’s time is up. In 2019, major network carriers like Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile will begin shutting down their support for 3G and 2G networks and devices. Your devices will begin losing coverage soon.
- Verizon - December 31, 2019
*Excluding select enterprise customers - T-Mobile - Late 2020
- AT&T - Early 2022
Update 6/12/2019: Rugged mobile computer users are beginning to report spotty coverage on 3G networks.
Compounding the issue is the pending Microsoft Mobile/CE operating system end of support date, which will leave devices using these systems without security patches. Devices using 3G networks and Windows Mobile OS are effectively bricks weighing down your ability to keep up with the pace of business.
Listen to Part 1 and Part 2 of our Microsoft OS Migration podcasts where we discuss the reasons why it’s more costly to wait and dispell concerns around Android security.
How is this a blessing in disguise?Believe it or not, this is an opportunity to advance your scanning and tracking technology while avoiding capital expenses. ExtenData has an easy migration strategy for your business -- hardware as a service for rugged mobile computers.
ExtenData is the only company providing the first true hardware subscription service for Zebra Technologies users. We are changing the way you buy, manage, and service mobile computing and printing devices. You can minimize the impact of growing technology needs on your IT resources, and avoid the cost and hassle of the next network or operating system sunset.
Your business will be forced to upgrade effected rugged mobile computing devices within the next year or so -- a little longer if you are lucky. This is not a choice, it’s inevitable.
Talk to Us
Benefits of Migrating to 4G LTE* Greater network coverage * 10x faster data streaming * Shorter latency times * Simultaneous voice and data * Crisper and clearer voice quality on VoLTE * Continuation of service via SIM card
Benefits of Hardware as a Service* No capital expense * Goodbye Obsolescence * Built-In Scalability * Reduce Downtime * Expert Troubleshooting & Maintenance * An Easy Win
Benefits of Migrating to Zebra Android Devices* Sleek, rugged devices built for enterprise use * The latest productivity-boosting capabilities * Modern touch screens with user-friendly interfaces * Rapid-fire processors and intelligent scanners * Powerful enterprise security with Zebra device management * Over-the-air updates and security upgrades * Easy app redevelopment and migration from Windows * Familiar Android OS with shorter training requirements * Choice of touch computers, smartphones, or tablets
In Part 2 of this OS migration discussion, Georgia and Tim continue to discuss a common concern we hear regarding the lack of internal IT resources, and overcoming outdated concerns regarding Android security issues and compatibility with legacy Windows business critical applications.
ExtenData expands access to handheld rugged mobile computing and printing hardware with their newly released product Hardware as a Service. Centennial, CO, April 30, 2019 – ExtenData Solutions, LLC., a privately held Supply Chain software solutions provider, today announced its release of the first Hardware as a Service (HaaS) offering for the supply chain.
As a trusted operational technology solution provider, ExtenData is changing the way Operations and IT professionals meet the increasingly complex demands on IT infrastructure. Provided as a service-based (pay for what you use) solution with no capital expense needed, HaaS includes repair or replacement of broken hardware and timely upgrades to state-of-the-art mobile computing and printing technology. With their expert level troubleshooting and support, ExtenData provides managed device services that keep businesses up to speed with changing requirements, reduces downtimes due to device failure and maintenance, and ensures maximum uptime for operational reliability.
“We are extremely excited to deliver Hardware as a Service for the demands of operations and IT. This is the first true subscription-based offering of its kind backed by the experience, reliability, and accessibility of our company,” said Steve Sager, President, and CEO of ExtenData Solutions, LLC.
HaaS features include comprehensive warranties, hot spares program, solutions support, provisioning, mobile device management, supplies management, and technology obsolescence protection.
“We know that this service will expand the ability of smaller businesses to access and use leading-edge tracking and visibility technology while enabling larger manufacturing and distribution players to meet their growth and profitability goals,” said Sager.
Read more about Haas
About ExtenData Solutions, LLC.: Founded in 2002, ExtenData’s reliable hardware, software, supplies, services, and support enable businesses to keep pace with customer needs at the front line of business.
Media Contact:
Georgia Brown
303-799-6949 x210
ExtenData Solutions, LLC.
7399 South Tucson Way, Suite B-1Centennial, CO 80112
In this brief 5-min podcast, Georgia speaks with Tim Martin, a veteran within the mobile computing space who has helped customers like Backcountry.com, Merit Medical, and Intermountain Healthcare navigate the Microsoft Windows Mobile/CE operating system migration.
On August 1, 2018 an industry-wide series of price increases on materials for labels and ribbons will begin. These increases announced by raw materials suppliers to the market could be as high as 10%. Here are the reasons why and what it means for you.
DENVER, CO August 8, 2017 – By a vote at its Annual Members Meeting, The Tortilla Industry Association (TIA) has appointed John McCabe to join the Board of Directors, for a 2-year term. He joins the Board from ExtenData, a privately held Supply Chain software solutions development provider.
Supply & Demand Chain Executive, the executive's user manual for successful supply and demand chain transformation, has selected the partnership between Craftsy and ExtenData as a recipient of an SDCE 100 Award for 2017, an annual list of 100 great supply chain projects.
DENVER, CO, April 10, 2017―ExenData announced Taco Loco Products has selected the MobileConductor™ Delivery Management solution for their delivery operations in Anchorage, AK. Taco Loco will deploy the direct store delivery and comprehensive proof of delivery functionality to streamline their route sales, order fulfillment, and improve customer satisfaction.
“This is a natural progression for our organization. We believe that MobileConductor will help us automate current processes, eliminate product shrink and improve order accuracy,” said Anabel Galindo, Taco Loco’s General Manager. “Our objective is to deliver efficiencies to our supply chain operations and allow our drivers to focus on the customers.”
ExtenData’s message on change strategy for proof of delivery implementations
As a solution provider for clean invoicing and proof of delivery, ExtenData’s aspiration is to ensure the business goals and objectives of our customer’s organization are achieved. In doing so, we must stand out as the best choice for client project success. Ironically, being the best is not always about our technology. Leading our clients through change is just as important.
On February 27, 2017, Supply & Demand Chain Executive officially announced in an online exclusive the 2017 Pros to Know. ExtenData's MobileConductor™ team was recognized for helping their supply chain clients prepare to meet the significant challenges in the year ahead.
LEADING PROVIDER OF BULK AND PRE-PACKAGED SPICES AND CHILIES WILL DEPLOY MOBILECONDUCTOR™ TO MANAGE DIRECT STORE DELIVERY, ROUTE SALES, AND CLEAN INVOICING
CENTENNIAL, CO, JANUARY 18, 2017 ― Today ExtenData announced Don Juan Chilies has selected the MobileConductor™ Delivery Management solution for their operations in Colorado Springs, CO. Don Juan Chilies will deploy the direct store delivery (DSD) and comprehensive proof of delivery (POD) functionality to streamline their route sales, order fulfillment, and improve customer satisfaction.
The initial requirements for electronic signature capture, assured delivery, and clean invoicing are part of the implementation and project vision. “We are very pleased with the opportunity to work with the team at Don Juan. This partnership further expands our 15-year tenure providing technology solutions to the wholesale Mexican food products market,” noted John McCabe, Director of Business Development at ExtenData.
CENTENNIAL, CO—December 19, 2016 — Food Logistics, the only publication exclusively dedicated to covering the movement of product through the global food supply chain, has named ExtenData to its 2016 FL100+ Top Software and Technology Providers list.
"Safety, traceability, and profitability are imperatives for food logistics companies. We are once again honored to be recognized as an industry innovator, helping our customers achieve these objectives. Our team is passionate about evolving our suite of mobile software and business intelligence for the next generation of delivery management solutions," said Steve Sager, President and CEO of ExtenData.
View 2016 FL100+ List on the Digitial Edition of Food Logistics Magazine
The FL100+ Top Software and Technology Providers list serves as a resource guide of software and technology providers whose products and services are critical for companies in the global food and beverage supply chain.
Vehicle inspections are a critical component of every delivery driver’s day, and on-going day-to-day fleet maintenance. Without accurate and consistent inspection reporting valuable fleet maintenance information is lost or never utilized.
PAPER-BASED DVIR
Most fleets currently use a paper-based process for inspection reporting. The driver walks around the vehicle and/or trailer with a clipboard and a form checking off each area of the form and recording issues as they see them. One copy is kept with the driver and another is filed in the back office.
You might be thinking, "What does a technology company know about social media engagement and referral marketing?" The answer is, just enough to help our customers. You see, the key to engagement and referral marketing is not with the social media tactics you employ or the advertising money you spend. It is your ability to utilize the naturally occuring behaviors on-mountain, every day.
Beginner conversion and retention is a topic all ski area marketers ponder and fret about. Lying awake at night, you put different tactics and campaign slogans together in infinite ways trying to uncover the secret combination that will bring new skiers and riders back again, and again. You’ve poured over marketing best practices and attended webinars on new strategies. However, the big numbers of net new guests elude you. What can you differently?
Tortillas are a growth food item. According to the Tortilla Industry Association, which ExtenData is a proud member of, tortillas are more popular today in the U.S. than all other ethnic breads, such as bagels, English muffins and pita bread. In addition, data from IRI, Chicago reveals that consumers spent $2.33 billion on hard/soft tortillas/taco kits and $105.19 million on refrigerated tortillas during the 52 weeks ending April 17, 2016. However, some segments of tortillas are seeing a decline and margins are shrinking.
So how does a tortilla manufacturer and distributor capitalize on the industry's growth and/or increase margins to improve the bottom line? ExtenData believes that the opportunity lies within technology and efficiency improvements within delivery operations. Specifically, understanding the issues around your current order and invoicing process during delivery.
Through a series of posts in 2016, we will review the mobile computing devices that have been certified for use with MobileConductor™ Delivery Management System. Choosing a mobile computing device can be a challenge and we understand that. To help aid your decision making process, we’ll look at each device in three areas and give our grade (A, B, or C). These areas are durability, user interface, and ergonomics. The grades that we provide for each device are all evaluated with our typical MobileConductor™ end-user in mind: the delivery driver.
JANAM XT1 RUGGED MINI-TABLET
With an increasing need for access to information “anywhere, anytime”, tablet adoption in the enterprise continues to rise. As organizations look to transform business processes and increase worker productivity, the need for a purpose-built, flexible and rugged tablet is greater than ever.
Woonsocket, RI, July 25, 2016 — Output Management Group (OMG), a provider of best-of-breed software applications and mobile technologies that empower supply chain operations, has partnered with ExtenData, an award winning and certified enterprise mobility software developer and provider. Launched in 2006, MobileConductor™, ExtenData’s proof of delivery and direct store delivery application improves customer productivity and profitability by tracking inventory, assets, people, and transactions at critical points in the supply chain.
MobileConductor™ is a delivery and distribution application that lives on a driver’s handheld mobile computer. Using this computer, rather than paper based transactions, the driver helps improve visibility into delivery operations and inventory, significantly reduces delivery shrink, and generates cost saving efficiencies from delivery operations to back-office data-entry administration.
Over the years, ExtenData has developed a specialty within the food service business around tortilla distribution. Because of this specialty, we’ve identified one factor that keeps tortilla manufacturers/distributors from growing their business and generating revenue margin gains through efficiency improvements - paper-based orders, invoices, and inventory.
Truck InventoryUsing paper-based processes during your deliveries creates inefficiency and waste. Starting with the beginning of the day, using paper manifests and manual inventory checks allow human error and diligence to determine the accuracy of your visibility into a truck’s inventory. Here are two different scenarios to help illustrate the challenge and potential solution.
Paper-based: Your driver arrives on time to work, and picks up a worksheet for his morning inventory review. He swiftly scans the back of his truck from outside, making quick counts, and scribbling them on the worksheet. He tosses the yellow copy of the worksheet in the appropriate basket for a back-office person to manually enter while he is driving his route. However, his handwriting is poor and the back-office person has trouble understanding what he wrote down. She will have to wait for the driver to return at the end of the day to complete the data entry. Once the driver returns the back-office person can correctly enter the count from the morning. Unknown to both of them, the count of 8" corn tortillas was incorrect. The driver mistook a box of 8" wheat tortillas for corn, and sold that box to a customer as corn tortillas. Now there is an inventory discrepancy, a customer order issue, and plenty of wasted time (time=money) to correct the issue. It may never get corrected as far as the data is concerned.
Read more about this challenge in our article about delivery shrink and the effects on customer retention.
Electronic Inventory: Picking up his mobile computing device at the beginning of the day, your driver climbs into the back of his truck to confirm his carry over inventory and confirms load requests for the day. This process generates his truck inventory for back-office use. Using the built-in scanner on the device and an electronic direct store delivery application such as MobileConductor™, the driver can ensure complete accuracy by scanning UPCs on the side of each case. The application automatically generates his inventory count, correctly correlates the inventory with his truck, and when completed, the inventory is automatically and electronically sent to the back office staff for review. In the back-office, what took her hours prior to electronic direct store delivery, now take minutes. She is able to review and approve the data for input into the company’s ERP (QuickBooks, MS Great Plains, etc.), which is also an automatic process enabled by an existing integration. This process has allowed your company to improve inventory accuracy, generate up-to-date visibility on-to the trucks, and created efficiencies for the back-office staff.
Customer Orders and InvoicesDrivers using paper-based order forms, can further complicate an inaccurate truck inventory, damage customer relationships, and generate more back-office data entry errors.
Paper-based: The driver arrives at the customer’s location, backs his truck up, and goes inside to check the tortilla endcap. Using a form, the driver marks what the customer needs grabs the expired items and goes back to his truck. He pulls the order, placing it on the endcap, gives the customer a copy of the order, collects payment, and heads out to his next delivery. A little over an hour later, the customer calls your customer service team and complains that he did not get what was needed. Without the order form in front of them, customer service can only take note of the problem and ensure the customer that the correct items will be delivered tomorrow. When the driver returns at the end of the day, he turns in his order forms to be manually entered into the system. Your back-office people now have the challenge of figuring out the truth of the situation between an inaccurate start-of-day inventory form, an inaccurate customer order form, and the customer request to receive the correct products. What a nightmare!
Electronic Customer Orders and Invoices: Arriving at the customer site, the driver grabs his mobile computing device as he hops out of the truck. Checking the endcap tortilla display, he enters the order into his direct store delivery application. Immediately, he is able to tell the customer that he does not have the corn tortilla count to fulfill the customer’s needs, because his truck inventory is clean and available on the application for instant verification. However, he offers to deliver the remaining items tomorrow and makes a future order right on the spot. After completing the order form, the driver returns to his truck to scan each box for delivery confirmation. He places the order on the endcap, prints a receipt which doubles as an invoice, collects payment (COD), and also emails the same document to the customer instantaneously. At the same time, the back-office people receive the invoice and the truck inventory is updated to reflect the order. A little over an hour later, the customer calls to say that he’d like to add to his order for tomorrow. It is very easy for the customer to do business with your driver and your business. He wishes more of his vendors were so organized and efficient.
End of Day ReconciliationAfter a long day, people are prone to mistakes and that is completely understandable. The driver has been on the road in the heat, and the back-office person has been looking at a computer monitor all day. Both are tired and ready to go home. Add in the errors generated throughout the day (start-of-day inventory, customer orders) and you’ve got a recipe for more errors and confusion.
Paper-based: The driver pulls into the distribution center and picks up the end-of-day forms. He swiftly scans the back of his truck from outside, making quick counts, and scribbling them on the worksheet. Next, he counts his cash/checks and records. He tosses a copy of the invoices, orders, inventory count, and COD settlement in the appropriate basket for a back-office person to manually enter. When the back-office person enters the data, it shows that the driver has more boxes of wheat wraps than he did in the morning. He is also short $200 in cash and over $125 in checks. After an hour of trying to sort it all out, the back-office manager approves a "loss" and the discrepancy is noted as delivery shrink. The Transportation Manger is made aware but without a clear picture, no one knows if the driver made a mistake, the back-office person entered something incorrectly, or there is outright theft happening during the day’s deliveries. Your team, not wanting to point fingers or accuse someone without reason, shrugs their shoulders and the whole thing effects your company’s bottom line.
Electronic Reconciliation: The driver pulls into the distribution center after a long day. He scans the boxes and products that remain in his truck with the built-in scanner, counts his cash/checks, enters totals into the application, and prints copies of the reports. Finally, the driver syncs the handheld device with the server, turns in the cash, checks, and reports to the clerk, and places the device in the charging cradle. All information is electronically updated into the back-office system due to his direct store delivery application. The back-office person, after a couple minutes, is already preparing the drivers restock list for the morning. As the driver passes the Transportation Manager’s office, he is stopped and congratulated for making his customers happy. The Transportation Manager tells the driver about the customer that called in to increase their order for tomorrow, and to complimented the driver and the business for the excellent level of service. Without the headache of so much hand writing and data entry errors, your employees are less stressed and when challenges do arise, they are more capable of handling them swiftly and as a team.
Using electronic direct store delivery rather than paper-based processes will transform your delivery operations. Improve your inventory visibility, customer service and retention, data entry labor costs, and much more by dumping paper-based delivery.Learn how you can improve your tortilla delivery operations by contacting ExtenData today.
Customer Needs and Delivery Shrink Impacts
Shrink is on everyone’s mind. It’s on your customer’s mind too. However, they only see the negative impacts on service quality. Tackling this organizational challenge can seem too complicated to address, but with a delivery management system containing a proof of delivery (POD) application, correcting delivery shrink will improve customer satisfaction and increase customer retention.
The margins are thin. With the foodservice businesses seeing both a consolidation of the broadliners and food distributors, and the entrance of new tech entrepreneurs into the foodservice space, customer retention is imperative. While price point is the most obvious area to compete for business, often overlooked is delivery shrink and the desire of food distributor customers to receive consistent and on-time deliveries, accurate orders, and relative ease of doing business. Don’t cut into your margins through a price war with your competitor. Focus on improving delivery operations to improve customer retention.
Let’s back up a little. Where does shrink fit into this? While shrink occurring throughout an operation will affect the customer at some point and in some way, delivery shrink and its causes are directly tied to customer satisfaction and expectations. The graphic included above illustrates a customer’s needs and the areas that delivery shrink effects each need negatively.
Order Accuracy * Theft & Damage - Besides inaccurate order pulls at the warehouse, theft and damage mean the customer does not get what they wanted upon delivery. This costs them time and money to return damaged product and/or get the correct product in house. The hassle creates a negative perception about your businesses effectiveness and attention to detail.
Price
“40% of total shrink is caused during delivery. What if you could nearly eliminate that waste, improve customer retention, and become a top competitor in your market?”
- Theft & Damage - Theft and damage during delivery impact your bottom line and profitability. It costs you time and money to retrieve the damaged product, fill a replacement order, and send it back out. This in turn effects your ability to stay competitive with product pricing.
- Customer Credits - Without a POD application used by your distribution center and delivery staff, disputes on invoices are hard to prove in your favor. The courtesy credits you give your customers, to keep them happy, affects the profitability of your operation and decreases your margins. These credits only provide a small impact on the perception of the customer. Why not use a POD technology to eliminate disputes and create a perfectly clean invoice upon delivery?
- Missed Deliveries - Without a delivery management system guiding your drivers through their daily route, you will eat the cost of returning to that customer when a window is missed. Again, this affects your over-head expenses and profitability.
On-time Delivery Missed Deliveries -* Customers need their delivery on-time, every time. If you are delivering to a restaurant, delivering during peak hours (such as lunch time) will cause a disruption to their business and they will turn you away.
Ease of Doing BusinessAll four delivery shrink components effect the customer's perception around the ease of doing business with you. Imagine how you would feel if every time you ordered from Amazon Prime the delivery was in the middle of the night, you got the wrong product, and you found a better price a day later? You would be irritated. That's how your customer feels when their delivery from you goes wrong.
Delivery Management and Proof of DeliveryUsing a delivery management system containing a proof of delivery application, such as MobileConductor™, allows food distributors to nearly eliminate delivery shrink. Orders are filled correctly and validated at the warehouse, drivers are guided through their routes to ensure on-time delivery, and invoices are updated at the customer's site to correctly itemize what was delivered, what was damaged, and what was missing.
Learn more about how ExtenData can reduce your total shrink by 40%.
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As a trusted supplier to the ski and resort industry, ExtenData follows the news and developments of the industry a little different than most. Our focus is to find areas of harmony between our technology and expertise, and the needs of ski areas to remain profitable. In the most recent issue of the NSAA Journal, we found the NSAA Beginner Conversion Study provided an interesting alignment between our WiFi solutions and guest engagement.
The study found that 54% of respondents indicated that wanting to join family/friends was their main motivation. In addition, 33% indicated family/friends convinced them them to give it a try. Why does that matter? Because potentially 87% of those surveyed where influenced by friends and family. Now imagine, what if those same friends and family doing the influencing where enabled by on-mountain WiFi and ski area social media initiatives to promote the ski area? This could potentially increase promotional reach for a ski area exponentially with a small up front investment in network infrastructure and engagement tactics.
With a little knowledge and the right technology, your resort can see the significant ROI that ski areas with fancy custom apps and large promotional budgets achieve.
We've put together a quick, information packed webinar for our ski and resort customers. Join ExtenData on June 29 to learn how on-mountain WiFi and social media engagement tactics can increase your conversion and retention rates.
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As ExtenData continues to grow and succeed in the market place, we are proud to announce new members to our team. Please join the leadership of ExtenData to welcome our new staff members.
Jason (JT) Turner, Director of Product Development & Services
With over 17 years of years of experience working as a leader in the development, support, release and sales of enterprise software solutions, JT is a valuable addition to the team. He replaces Fernanda Jacques with her full support and endorsement. View JT's LinkedIn profile.
Darryl Fuller, Senior Account Manager
Since joining ExtenData in January, Darryl has hit the ground running. He comes to ExtenData with a background in business development and account management, with over fifteen years experience selling technology services and enterprise solutions. View Darryl's LinkedIn profile.
Meredith Benns, Salt Lake City Office Administrator
Joining our Salt Lake City team, Meredith brings to ExtenData over five years of office administration and customer service experience in both B2B and B2C environments. She is also a recent transplant from Los Angeles to Salt Lake City.
Through a series of posts in 2016, we will review the mobile computing devices that have been certified for use with MobileConductor™ Delivery Management System. Choosing a mobile computing device can be a challenge and we understand that. To help aid your decision making process, we’ll look at each device in three areas and give our grade (A, B, or C). These areas are durability, user interface, and ergonomics. The grades that we provide for each device are all evaluated with our typical MobileConductor™ end-user in mind: the delivery driver.
Zebra TC55 Touch Computer
The pocket-sized, all-touch TC55 Touch Computer capitalizes on the latest technological advancements, aesthetic appeal and usability of popular personal devices. Unlike its consumer-grade counterparts, the TC55 has integrated data capture capabilities, is built to withstand the wear and tear of industrial environments, and comes pre-installed with Extensions (Mx) from Zebra. Mx allows you to add the features you need to Android to meet stringent enterprise requirements — from security and manageability to high-performance data capture.
With premium display technology and the brightest screen in its class, the TC55 is easy to see in any lighting — even in bright sunlight. And when it comes to entering data, the screen can be wet or dry, and workers can use a stylus or fingertip — even with heavy work gloves.
The Zebra TC55 barely misses an A, and lands on a B from ExtenData. “The TC55 has been a great entry level device for our customers, combining a solid Android platform in a semi-rugged package” said Darrell Wilson, ExtenData’s Sr. Solutions Architect and Product Manager for MobileConductor™. Other devices on the market have better specs, however this device has proven reliable for many MobileConductor™ customers. ExtenData's team would not hesitate to recommend this device.
DURABILITYCriteria Graded:
- Drop spec
- Temperature limits
- Case construction
- Screen material
Summary: The TC55 has a 4 ft./1.2 m drop tolerance to plywood per MIL-STD 810G. With a protective boot the tolerance increases to 5 ft./1.5m to concrete at room temperature. Includes, IP67 per applicable standards for moisture and particle intrusion and the screen is constructed with Corning Gorilla Glass 2.
USER INTERFACECriteria Graded:
- Version of OS
- WWAN/WLAN
- GPS
- Memory
- Processor
- Screen size
Summary: This device will supports Android 4.1.2; Android 4.4mobil.3* with Mobility Extensions (Mx). Connectivity is LTE, WWAN, and WLAN enabled with GPS supported. Standard memory is 1 GB RAM and 8 GB Flash MLC, with a 1.5 GHz dual core processor. The device display in 4.3" Blanview® LCD display with low power consumption and exceptionally bright image.
ERGONOMICSCriteria Graded:
- Device size
- Device weight
- Button locations
Summary: The Zebra TC55 weighs 220 grams with the standard battery, and the dimensions come in at 137mmx69mmx15.9mm. ExtenData does see an issue with the placement of the scanning button. With the button on the left side of the device, scanning while holding the device in the right hand is a challenge.
For over 15 years, ExtenData has been exhibiting at the NSAA National Convention and Tradeshow. Our mobile computing, scanning, and wireless solutions have helped ski resorts across the country create efficiency and recapture lost revenue.
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For the second consecutive year, ExtenData's CEO, Steve Sager, has been recognized by Food Logistics Magazine as a Rock Star of the Supply Chain. Sager is recognized for his hard work, vision, and leadership shaping the global food supply chain.
With more than 20 years of experience in the mobile computing and mobile printing industries, Sager guides the development of ExtenData’s software MobileConductor™. He provides vision and leadership for the food supply chain through face-to-face interaction with food distributors and suppliers as well as strategic partnerships with other industry solution providers. Sager enables his team to develop leading-edge technology and empowers his customers to improve delivery or distribution operations with One Device in the Cab – the newest evolution of MobileConductor™.
Congratulations Steve!
“...fantastic webinar!”
“...it wasn’t a commercial or sales pitch, they showed their expertise through the topic discussion...”
In 2014, ExtenData hosted a two-part webinar series on this subject. The webinar was so popular that we've spruced it up, polished our rough edges, and will be bringing it back to you.
So what's this webinar all about? Join ExtenData to discuss the top 10 metrics for a successful distribution operation. During this webinar you’ll hear from industry expert, Darrell Wilson, about the metrics you should be tracking and benchmark ranges that will help your organization achieve higher levels of efficiency and profitability. Based off of industry reports and real world experience, the presenter will cover metrics from delivery accuracy and asset tracking, to fleet efficiency, and temperature monitoring. The webinar will provide actionable lessons for any distribution operation.
Webinar Topics
- Delivery window accuracy
- Measuring growth or stagnation with pieces per stop
- Route performance and optimization
- Continuous temperature monitoring
- The Value of O/S/D
- Unattended deliveries
- Tracking non-product assets
- And much more
Learn More & Register
On February 17, 2016, Supply & Demand Chain Executive officially announced in an online exclusive the 2016 Pro to Know. ExtenData's MobileConductor™ team was recognized for helping their supply chain clients prepare to meet the significant challenges in the year ahead.
This is the second year in a row for the MobileConductor™ team.“Supply & Demand Chain Executive congratulates the 2016 Supply & Demand Chain Executive Pros to Know recipients. The Pros to Know is a listing of exceptional corporate executives at manufacturing and non-manufacturing enterprises who are leading initiatives to help prepare their companies' supply chains for the significant challenges in the year ahead,” says Ronnie Garrett, editor of Supply & Demand Chain Executive. “We commend recipients for their achievements. Their accomplishments offer a roadmap for other leaders looking to leverage the supply chain for competitive advantage. Their efforts in developing the tools, processes and a knowledge base for supply chain transformation, as well as in promoting new approaches to supply chain enablement, earned these individuals a rightful place in this year's Pros to Know listing.”
We are honored by this recognition and proud that our efforts are providing value to our customers and the supply chains we service. With our product MobileConductor™ Delivery Management System, ExtenData will follow the vision of One Device in the Cab. This vision is the next step in innovation for in-cab technology. No longer will drivers have to contend with multiple devices, screens, and applications. MobileConductor™ has evolved to provide fleets and distribution operations with a single driver interface that increases safety and efficiency.
Congratulations to:* Steve Sager, CEO * Fernanda Jacques, Dir., PMO & Product Dev. * Darrell Wilson, Sr. Solutions Architect & Product Manager * Bob Specchio, Dir., Solutions Consulting * Georgia Brown, Dir., Marketing
About Supply & Demand Chain Executive
Supply & Demand Chain Executive is the executive's user manual for successful supply and demand chain transformation, utilizing hard-hitting analysis, viewpoints and unbiased case studies to steer executives and supply management professionals through the complicated, yet critical, world of supply and demand chain enablement to gain competitive advantage. Visit us on the web at www.SDCExec.com.
Click image to download full case study.
After a referral from existing MobileConductor™ customer Roberts Oxygen, General Air approached ExtenData to improve their delivery operations. General Air was using a combination of electronic and paper based processes. Handheld scanners where used to track cylinder inventory as well as delivery and returns. However, drivers also used printed truck manifests and delivery tickets. Their daily delivery process was difficult and had many points for potential failure.
ExtenData’s MobileConductor™ solution for General Air has three guiding objectives.
- Eliminate paper delivery ticket process
- Track cylinders delivered and returned
- Capture electronic proof of delivery
Beginning in General Air’s ERP, GADS, customer orders are organized into tickets for the driver. Using Staylinked, the order is picked and then confirmed by the route manager. Once confirmed, the ticket is passed over to MobileConductor™. The driver then begins his start of day process using the MobileConductor™ DVIR.
Throughout the day MobileConductor™ allows the driver to update truck inventory, confirm delivery of products, track cylinders, and update GADS with up-to-the-minute information. In addition, through MobileConductor™ each driver has access to 175,000 customer records, 85,000 product items, and the cylinder data base containing over 385,000 unique cylinder barcode data.
At the end of each day, drivers perform an end of day inventory scan of everything on the truck. MobileConductor™ completes an extensive reconciliation process from the handheld to notify the driver of any errors with the inventory. When the inventory is ‘clean’ it is completed and pushed thought the MobileConductor™ server, then on to GADS. Once received, GADS finalizes the processing of tickets for each customer.
With ExtenData’s MobileConductor™ Proof of Delivery and asset tracking, General Air will achieve their goals to implement a proof of delivery solution, eliminate driver and back office non-value administrative paperwork, increase accuracy within the delivery process, provide a competitive advantage through improved customer service, and lower costs per delivery route while optimizing driver workflow and validation of product delivery.
Send us an email learn more about MobileConductor™ proof of delivery and asset tracking.
Through a series of posts in 2016, we will review the mobile computing devices that have been certified for use with MobileConductor™ Delivery Management System. Choosing a mobile computing device can be a challenge and we understand that. To help aid your decision making process, we’ll look at each device in three areas and give our grade (A, B, or C). These areas are durability, user interface, and ergonomics. The grades that we provide for each device are all evaluated with our typical MobileConductor™ end-user in mind: the delivery driver.
Honeywell Dolphin CT50
For enterprises that require anywhere, anytime real-time connectivity to business-critical applications and data capture capabilities to maximize efficiency and serve customers more effectively, the Dolphin CT50 is Honeywell’s most advanced enterprise-ready 4G/LTE mobile computer. With support for either Windows® or Android™ operating systems, the CT50 targets highly mobile frontline employees in scan-intensive workflows such as on-demand delivery, field service, and customer engagement who require a truly mobile office with the modern conveniences of an all-touch smartphone and the highest degree of future-proofing to speed business agility and lower total cost of ownership.
Overall, ExtenData gives the Honeywell Dolphin CT50 a solid A grade. When asked to comment on the device, Darrell Wilson, MobileConductor™ Product Manager and device tester said, “The CT50 is next to perfect. The size and performance is great for our end users and it runs MobileConductor very well.”
DurabilityCriteria Graded:
- Drop spec
- Temperature limits
- Case construction
- Screen material
Summary: The CT50 has a drop tolerance and temperature ranges listed as 5ft to unyielding steel plate over concrete at -10 to +50°C, and 4ft to unyielding steel plate over concrete down to -20°C. In addition, independently certified to meet IP67 standards for moisture and particle intrusion. The screen is a rugged multi-touch capacitive touch panel, optically bonded for extra durability.
User InterfaceCriteria Graded:
- Version of OS
- WWAN/WLAN
- GPS
- Memory
- Processor
- Screen size
Summary: This device will support either Windows Embedded 8.1 or Android 4.4.4. Connectivity is 4G, WWAN, and WLAN enabled with GPS supported. Standard memory is 2 GB RAM and 16GB Flash, with a 2.26 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 quad-core processor. The device display in 4.7" High Definition (1280x720) bright color LCD with back light, outdoor viewable, optically bonded to touch panel.
ErgonomicsCriteria Graded:
- Device size
- Device weight
- Button locations
Summary: The Dolphin CT50 weighs 342 grams with the battery back, and the dimensions come in at 160mmx82.5mmx19mm. The external buttons have not created operating challenges in ExtenData’s tests.
Vehicle inspections are a critical component of every driver’s day, and on-going day-to-day fleet maintenance. Without accurate and consistent inspection reporting valuable fleet maintenance information is lost or never utilized.
Paper-based DVIR
Most fleets currently use a paper-based process for inspection reporting. The driver walks around the vehicle and/or trailer with a clipboard and a form checking off each area of the form and recording issues as they see them. One copy is kept with the driver and another is filed in the back office.
This process has been in place for many years. Drivers and transportation managers are accustom to this process. However, the data collected is rarely utilized to improve the maintenance of a fleet and proliferates a lack of accountability with drivers.
The Problem* Limited visibility into the condition of the fleet * Lack of accountability for drivers * A paper-based process is cumbersome and wasteful * Increased risk of regulatory violation
First Generation Electronic DVIRWith the advancement of in-cab technology, software providers have created the first generation of electronic DVIR. Unfortunately, these applications typically do nothing to enhance the paper-based process they are designed to replace. Often the same problems indicated for the paper-based process still exist with these first generation electronic DVIRs.
With vehicle inspection reporting playing a front line role in the care and management of a fleet, why does it continue to receive minimal development and innovation?
MobileConductor™’s DVIR
Diverging from industry norms, the DVIR feature within MobileConductor™ takes the vehicle inspection process and reporting to a higher level with greater driver accountability and enhanced inspection data capture. Below is a list of the MobileConductor™ DVIR feature components. We believe this is why our solution stands above the crowd.
- Customized inspection lists based on vehicle type
- Questions grouped logically and optimized to simplify the reporting process
- Multiple data-entry format options for enhanced data collection (check box, dropdowns, text input, validation/scanning input)
- Accurate and thorough completion ensured through the use of a mobile handheld devices and optional validation barcodes placed around the vehicle
- Photo capture available for any field or documentation need
- Date and time stamp on every inspection field
- Manager sign-off functionality for critical inspection needs
- Vehicle disablement feature
- Driver signature capture for accountability
- Reports stored on MobileConductor™ server
- Immediate access for DOT inspections, printing, or emailing
- Immediate issue alerts to management and maintenance staff
- Specific portal view for maintenance to manage equipment and inspections, view inspection data, and reporting
- Safety feature requires maintenance staff to confirm the repair and make the vehicle active
For more information on MobileConductor™ or to speak with a knowledgeable distribution and delivery resource, please call or email us. We love talking about this kind of stuff. It’s what we do.
Visit booth 2624!
MODEX is a big deal. It’s a huge show with over 800 exhibitors and ExtenData is bringing MobileConductor™ Delivery Management System to the show floor for the first time.
Why should you care? We believe that our One Device in the Cab solution enabled by the MobileConductor™ Delivery Management System is an innovative solution for the supply chain. Currently, most warehouse and distribution centers with their own fleets for distribution and delivery are overwhelmed by the new eLog and HOS regulations coming down the pipe. Companies are rushing to fulfill these requirements without looking at in-cab technology from a long-term holistic point of view.
There will always be new regulations and technology changes. Many industries have already nailed down the best way to tackle these changes, get ahead of the curve, and make financially smart decisions. However, we believe that companies involved with distribution and delivery could do better. For that reason, we created an in-depth whitepaper to help you sort through the mess of in-cab technology. Check it out, it’s FREE. Making Sense of the In-cab Technology Landscape
Would you like more information? Attend MODEX2016 and visit ExtenData in booth 2624.
Congratulations to Joshua Ford! He won our photo caption contest and claimed the full prize by using "delivery management system" in the entry.
Stay tuned to ExtenData's blog in 2016. We'll have more great supply chain content and fun games to keep you entertained and educated.
Centennial, CO — December 17, 2015 — Food Logistics, the only publication dedicated exclusively to the global food and beverage supply chain, this week announced the twelfth annual FL100+ list, which appears in the November/December 2015 issue. For the fith year running, ExtenData's MobileConductor™ was added to this list.
View FL100+ List
Learn More About MobileConductor
"We are honored to be recognized for our delivery management solutions and thought leadership. MobileConductor offers tremendous business value for transportation and distribution companies as they navigate the intersection of productivity, DOT compliance, and food safety." - Steve Sager, President and CEO.
For more than a decade, the editors of Food Logistics have profiled software and technology providers that hold influential roles in the global food and beverage supply chain. Their products benefit the industry in multiple ways, from reducing food waste and extending shelf life, to facilitating safe and sanitary transportation of product while assuring regulatory compliance.
“Developments in the software and technology sector are generating new opportunities for growers, food manufacturers, grocery retailers and the many logistics providers that support them,” notes Lara L. Sowinski, editor-in-chief at Food Logistics. “Moreover, cloud-based solutions and mobile connectivity are helping create tools that are more flexible, affordable and responsive, making software and technology even more valuable to those in the global food supply chain.”
SponsorsThank you to our valued sponsors who enable ExtenData and MobileConductor™ to achieve great heights and expand the use of mobile technology in the food and beverage supply chain.
Everyone needs a little fun in their life. It is even better when that fun is associated with work and happens during business hours. Like a fun meeting or a company lunch, our photo caption contest is designed to provide a little diversion from your day-to-day.
SUBMISSION DEADLINE: OCT. 31, 2015
How does it work?Using the photo to the right, create a caption that will inspire laughter. Then submit your entry via email or post in the comments below with your email address. Remember, this is for work so keep it clean.
What's in it for me?If your entry is selected you'll get $25 worth of Starbucks gift cards! In $5 increments, you could give them out as gifts to family, friends, or coworkers.
Bonus!If your entry is selected and you use one or more of the following terms, we'll up the prize to $50! That's enough to keep some for yourself and give out a few as gifts.
Terms for Bonus:
- Proof of delivery
- Direct store delivery
- Driver safety
- Delivery management system
Rules
The winner will be selected by ExtenData's staff and judged based on level of humor and relevance to the delivery and distribution industries. Entries with profanity or vulgar content will be immediately excluded. The winner will be notified by email and the winning entry will be turned into a meme to be used by ExtenData in a future blog post and social media posts including Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Google+, and others. By submitting an entry you agree to allow full use of the caption to ExtenData.
For the first time, ExtenData will be attending the American Trucking Associations Management Conference and Exhibition. Our message and solutions are new to this audience and we are excited to show ATA members how our solution, the MobileConductor™ Delivery Management System, can be used to reduce in-cab technology costs by as much as 37%, and improve driver productivity and efficiency through industry tested work flows.
With increasing regulations and confusing supply chain technology we know our solution is needed. The challenge, for us, is getting our message to the right people. Thus, we are attending this ATA annual conference. During the event you can find us in booth 1248. Our team (CEO, Steve Sager; MobileConductor™ Senior Solution Architect and Product Manager, Darrell Wilson; and Georgia Brown, Director of Marketing) will be scheduling meetings, networking, and manning our booth. If you happen to be attending, please drop by and say hello, or send us an email to schedule an appointment.
As a team, we are excited to be attending this event and look forward to the connections and relationships that we’ll create.
With definitions and diagrams to explain the in-cab technology and supply chain market, what good does it do if you don’t know which companies offer which products? ExtenData has just released a whitepaper titled, Making Sense of the In-cab Technology Landscape. This whitepaper contains the information that we have discussed in Part 1 and Part 2 of this blog series. However, one important piece is included; the Supply Chain Software Cheat Sheet.
This cheat sheet was collected and vetted by the team at ExtenData. While there are many software products and companies not included, we believe that this represents the majority of players in the field. Each product is categorized by the known inherent functions. Integrations with partner applications or white labeled products are not included in the chart.
Download the Making Sense of the In-cab Technology Landscape whitepaper to learn about the companies and products available to fleets.
Download Whitepaper
In part one of this post (Making sense of the in-cab and fleet technology web (Part 1)) we outlined common definitions for our industry. To build on that, we’ve created an industry software application universe to help provide context for their connectivity and relation to each other, as well as area of use.
In the diagram above, you see four layers of software applications. The very center (green), is representative of applications that are at the heart of your business. Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software is central to any organization. Next, is the Warehouse Management System (WMS) in purple. Often connected to the ERP, this system lives in the warehouse and is an extension of central business operations. Available to connect and overlap with both of these (ERP and WMS), is a Transportation Management System (TMS). A TMS is a subset of supply chain management and will define the most efficient transport schemes according to given parameters. A TMS is generally used when 3PLs are utilized.
For organizations managing their own fleets, the next level of applications comes into play. A fleet management system (in light blue) can provide several functions. Vehicle maintenance tracking, telematics tracking and diagnostics, driver speed monitoring, fuel management, and more. However, these systems often do not connect with the ERP or WMS. The business intelligence data provided must be manually correlated to data from back office systems (some highly customized integrations are available). Floating between the ERP, WMS, and fleet management solutions is a route optimization application. This application designs delivery and distribution routes for optimal efficiency and gas usage.
Finally, we get to the in-cab applications (in orange). These are the application used in the cab of a truck by a driver. More often than not, these applications are completely disconnected from the back office business intelligence. Forms, invoices, and other transactional documentation is provided to the driver in paper form. How antiquated! There are many applications here to discuss and review, however let’s skip to the point.
Without a Delivery Management System (DMS), like MobileConductor™, each of these applications lives on a different device and your drivers are switching back and forth creating confusion and wasted time. With a DMS, drivers have one device in the cab with a predictable and repeatable efficient workflow. Think of a DMS as a conductor, each application is called into play when needed. No searching for the app and logging into to each when needed. With the right configuration, each application is called up quickly and easily and then pushed into the background allowing the driver to move forward with the next task. But that’s not all! A DMS has the ability to connect your in-cab apps with the back office systems, bringing delivery and distribution data back through each system, completing the business intelligence loop.
Learn more about the MobileConductor™ Delivery Management System during our Resistance is Futile – Assimilating delivery operations into the business intelligence loop webinar.
In addition, stay tuned for our Making Sense of the In-cab Technology Landscape Whitepaper; where the information in Part 1 and Part 2 of this blog post are reviewed and expanded on. It will even have a software company and product cheat sheet where you can quickly identify the different players in the supply chain technology universe.
RESISTANCE IS FUTILE - ASSIMILATING DELIVERY OPERATIONS INTO THE BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE LOOPAn ExtenData Webinar - August 25, 2015, 11-11:30 AM, MDT
Delivery Management Systems (DMS) are the newest evolution of in-cab technology. Organizing and simplifying in-cab technology and applications, it makes sense of all the functions required of drivers. At the same time, a DMS connects your delivery and distribution operations into the business intelligence loop for end-to-end visibility.
Join ExtenData’s team for a quick 30 minute webinar to learn about the MobileConductor™ Delivery Management System (DMS), a new innovation for delivery and distribution operations.
The technology available to fleets is vast and confusing. With so many messages saying seemingly the same thing, one would think that comparing and contrasting technology would be easy. Unfortunately, the competitive nature of technology companies, the speed at which technology is developed, and confusing information prevents fleet managers and owners from having a clear picture of the landscape. All too often the lack of clarity causes paralysis for the fleet. Rather than moving forward on unclear ground, a fleet is stuck using old technology and processes.
For years, ExtenData has been aware of this confusion and we’ve attempted to provide clarity to our prospects and customers. Our in-house experience and unique position within the marketplace has allowed us to partner with multiple compatible technologies, learn from implementations of 3rd party applications, and develop our own solutions with first hand, practical knowledge.
So where does one begin when confusion is apparent? Common definitions. Our subsequent webinar, Resistance is Futile – Assimilating delivery operations into the business intelligence loop, and Part 2 of this post will build on these definitions to provide consistent context.
In-cab Technology: This refers to the software programs/applications, computing hardware such as GPS devices, mobile handheld computers, and communication devices used by the driver during his day-to-day operations.
One Device in the Cab: The concept, keyed by ExtenData, indicates a simplification of in-cab hardware devices. Currently, truck cabs are crammed with up to 6 or 7 devices providing information to the driver and requiring regular interaction.
Business Intelligence Loop: Business intelligence (BI) provides business users with information that helps make informed, and hopefully better, business decisions. The “loop” element refers to a complete, or closed, process where information from all aspects of the business are collected and returned to a collaborative application for analysis. It is ExtenData’s assertion that the majority of organizations with fleets do not have a completed BI loop because of the limitations inherent in enterprise resource planning (ERP) or warehouse management systems (WMS).
Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP): Enterprise resource planning (ERP) is business management software—typically a suite of integrated applications—that a company can use to collect, store, manage, and interpret data from many business activities. The currently available ERPs do not have applications designed to collect data produced from delivery and distribution operations.
Warehouse Management System (WMS): A warehouse management system (WMS) is a software application that supports the day-to-day operations in a warehouse. WMS programs enable centralized management of tasks such as tracking inventory levels and stock locations. WMSs do not contain the capability to collect data produced from delivery and distribution operations.
Delivery Management System: ExtenData’s MobileConductor™ platform is a Delivery Management System (DMS). A DMS serves the same function that an EPR or WMS does, but for the distribution and delivery operations of an organization. Organizing many different sources of information, applications for the driver’s day-to-day tasks, and providing a workflow designed for efficient operations; a DMS completes the business intelligence loop for organizations with fleets performing delivery and distribution. A DMS such as MobileConductor™, funnels delivery and distribution information back to an ERP or WMS for analysis and incorporation into inventory data and business intelligence.
Stay tuned for Part 2 of this blog series and register for the August 25th webinar, Resistance is Futile – Assimilating delivery operations into the business intelligence loop, to learn about the benefits of a DMS and for a marketplace roadmap for fleets.
Resistance is Futile - Assimilating delivery operations into the business intelligence loopAn ExtenData Webinar - August 25, 2015, 11-11:30 AM, MDT
Delivery Management Systems (DMS) are the newest evolution of in-cab technology. Organizing and simplifying in-cab technology and applications, it makes sense of all the functions required of drivers. At the same time, a DMS connects your delivery and distribution operations into the business intelligence loop for end-to-end visibility.
Join ExtenData’s team for a quick 30 minute webinar to learn about the MobileConductor™ Delivery Management System (DMS), a new innovation for delivery and distribution operations.
In our last post, Five Reasons Why Managed Services are Right for Your Business, we explored the different benefits that managed services provide organizations of all sizes. This week, we'll dive into reason #3 and explore exactly what that means.
3 Reduce spending on IT infrastructureSpending less on existing infrastructure and reducing the cost of upgrades is one of the most compelling reasons to utilize managed services. Managing networks and hardware internally requires experienced staff (and the costs associated with an employee), monitoring tools, and vendor relationships. Using a managed services provider can reduce business expense by several thousands of dollars.
Many small organizations cannot afford internal IT staffing. The infographic here illustrates the basic cost analysis every organization should be looking to when considering IT staffing versus hiring a managed service provider, such as ExtenData.
Consider the total cost to hire and maintain a new employee. Using iCalculator.info and Payscale.com, we arrived at a mid-point estimate of $128,000 for an IT Manager in the US. This figure includes salary, bonuses, healthcare, and other benefits; as well as physical costs of having another body in your work place.
A managed services provider utilizes the economy of scale and years of experience to provide the same functions and support with a much lower price tag. On the right side, you can see how Managed IT services, providing the exact same functions as a full-time employee, will cost an organization 82% less in a one-year period.
This kind of cost analysis is not limited to small organizations. Many of ExtenData’s managed services customers are large organizations trying to achieve IT support for multiple manufacturing facilities without hiring a dedicated IT manager for each plant. Other large customers are simply trying to keep implementation costs low for new projects without over-taxing their existing IT staff.
Please contact ExtenData for more information on our Managed IT Services for mobility and WiFi solutions.
CIOs are constantly facing an uphill battle. Technology is increasingly imperative to operations and day-to-day business. However, the speeds at which technology evolves and the process required to on-board new technology rarely create a simple workflow. Many times IT teams are implementing new technology knowing that in only a few short months it will be replaced. So where can a CIO turn when funds and talent are in short supply? Managed services providers.
What is a managed services provider? A managed services provider like ExtenData, allows business to delegate specific IT operations to them. The provider is then responsible for monitoring, managing, and resolving issues for your IT systems and functions. This can include software updates and installs, hardware replacement, new network installations, and network troubleshooting. So what are the reasons for utilizing a managed service provider?
- Manage multi-vendor, multi-technology environments
Your business technology does not come from one source, and that’s a good thing. Your organization buys the best technology to suit your needs. However, when it comes time for ongoing management of these vendors and technology it can become a full-time job. Most likely, your business cannot justify the expense of a full-time or even a part-time position dedicated to handling equipment returns/exchanges, loading software, pairing printers, and providing tech support for your mobile workforce. On top of that, you have your phone systems, internet and WiFi network, office computers and printers, and many other technology needs.
Relying on a managed services firm to handle these items can free up your existing IT team to work on business critical initiatives. If no internal IT team exists, you can improve your business technology without the hefty expense of hiring new staff. In addition, the right managed services provider, such as ExtenData, will have existing relationships with vendors to help facilitate smooth processes.
2. Staying on top of technology trends and deploying new networks
Businesses grow and technology changes. Unless your core business involves staying on top of technology and implementation, you probably don’t have time to focus on such things. With a managed services firm handling your IT infrastructure, you can be sure that your technology is up-to-date. Upgrades and deploying new networks are handled by professionals who understand the technology intimately.
3. Reduce spending on IT infrastructure
Spending less on existing infrastructure and reducing the cost of upgrades is one of the most compelling reasons to utilize managed services. Managing networks and hardware internally requires experienced staff (and the costs associated with an employee), monitoring tools, and vendor relationships. Using a managed services provider can reduce business expense by several thousands of dollars.
4. Maintain business agility
Strategic business priorities can change swiftly. With an internal IT team managing technology and implementations, this can slow down the ability for a business to change speed and direction. Aside from the usual change resistance, it can take time to wind down one initiative and launch another. With the use of managed services, a business can engage a firm in a new initiative without hindering one that internal resources are already working on. In addition, managed services can be increased in times of need and reduced when demand is lower.
5. Insulate your business from risk
Using technology has inherent risk. With a car, we mitigate that risk with road side assistance and insurance policies. Think of managed services as your road side assistance and insurance for technology. Costs can soar if hardware fails, networks are down, and business operations come to a halt. With experts managing and installing these systems your chances of all out failure decrease exponentially, and with Hot Spare pools available, new devices can be up and running swiftly.
Does your organization need help with IT infrastructure and networks? Send our team an email and check out ExtenData’s TotalCare services. We have an experienced and certified team at your disposal.
Mark Seybold as 'Surfer Dude' at the ExtenData 2014 Halloween party.
At ExtenData, we take great pride in our software platform MobileConductor™ and our TotalCare services. We spend considerable time watching the market, tweaking our software, improving our service offering, visiting with our customers about their future needs, and meeting with industry experts to understand trends. But at the end of the day, our customers are the most important part of our work. Without our customers and their success stories, our work has little meaning. Thus, when we have a story to share, we do.
On June 4, 2015, our TotalCare customer DiCarlo Food Service, on Long Island, called into our Help Desk. Mark Seybold, an ExtenData Technical Support Specialist, answered the call straight away. The customer asked Mark to help him find his mobile device. It seems the device had been lost on one of the routes and they had been unable to find it so far. That’s when Mark jumped into action.
Using SOTI, Mark located the device and retrieved its GPS coordinates. From there, he plugged the coordinates into Google Maps and was able to see the park and front yard of the home where the device was located. Guiding the customer over the phone, Mark was able to describe the park, physical characteristics of the house, and provide the address. When the customer arrived at the home, Mark could hear him ask the resident if he had seen their device. Sure enough, they had!
This story was immediately shared around our office. It is a great example of our team and their passion for a job well done. Many companies will tout their “top of the line” customer service, but at ExtenData we revel in providing it day in and day out.
On June 16, 2015, ExtenData hosted a webinar around driver safety and the benefits provided by business intelligence tools. At face value you wouldn’t assume that these two topics go together, or that business intelligence tools could provide safety improvements. However, after several years in the field helping our customers, we’ve seen the connection.
As regulations are increased/improved, and the economic climate forces companies to demand efficiency, more business related tasks have been placed on drivers. Evidence of these tasks is seen inside the cab in the form of technology. Some cabs can have up to six separate devices all serving different purposes. (GPS, dispatching, on-board computing, elog, etc.) These devices are a hazard.
Going to the data there are striking correlations between GDP growth and large truck fatalities or injuries. Notice the similar curves on the three graphs below and the strikingly familiar bounce back point in 2009.
So what happened around 2009 that caused an uptick in fatalities and injuries? While we have not done a comprehensive analysis to explore all the possible reasons for this correlation, a few conclusions can be reasonably assumed.
- The economy began to rebound and trucking needs increased. More trucks on the road would mean an increase in fatalities and injuries.
- An improved economy allowed for investments in fleet technology and in-cab automation. Thus, the six devices in the cab.
- Smartphones and texting became widely accepted across all age ranges in the United States. A simple chart illustrating usage was not available for this post, however check out this Pew Research graph for a comprehensive view of technology adoption trends.
The data and our collected anecdotal information allow us to infer that perhaps technology in the cab has become a distraction and a safety concern. So where does that leave an in-cab business intelligence software firm like ExtenData? We listen. We process. We evolve.
Source: Data gathered from Motor Carrier Safety Progress Report provided by the FMCSA (2004-2014) Note: FMCSA indicated on their 2011 report that data sources changes and caused a slight variance.
Source: Data gathered from Motor Carrier Safety Progress Report provided by the FMCSA (2004-2014) Note: FMCSA indicated on their 2011 report that data sources changes and caused a slight variance.
Source: The World Bank
Watch the Top 5 ways business intelligence tools improve driver safety webinar, to hear more safety statistics from American Trucking Associations' Abigail Potter, Safety Research Analyst. In addition, learn how ExtenData has adapted existing business intelligence tools to provide safety in the cab and business intelligence tools in the office.
In part 1 of this topic, I introduced the idea that buying a single elog application to solve the regulatory requirements for electronic logging devices (ELD) was not the best way to structure technology in the cab. Buying a single application for a single need only solves issues in the short term. Distribution operations should be looking to delivery management systems (DMS) for complete simplification and solution strategies.
Right now there are many choices for elog applications. Many are cheap and will get your ELD requirement checked off the list of to-dos. However, have you considered the long term implications of selecting the wrong technology for your business? As this rule evolves over time and technology changes, many of these applications will not keep pace. Even now many of these elog solutions do not integrate with back office systems and require drivers to log into them separately from the other applications they are using in the cab. The fact is that the majority of the elog market place is commodity applications. They want to sell licenses fast and move on to the next customer.
Since the rule is not final until September 2015 (if timeline predictions hold) and a compliance deadline of September 2017, there is still time to strategize on your in-cab technology. It is ExtenData’s position that starting with a DMS with industry tested driver workflows is the smart and strategic approach. Just like any other technology for a business, multiple factors need to be addressed. Will this software grow with my business? Will these applications play well with others already in place? Will the application provide efficiency and lower costs? A DMS like MobileConductor will meet your needs.
One device in the cab should be the goal of every fleet. Why continue to clutter up the cab with additional devices and applications? With a delivery management system, all applications can be condensed into one mobile computing device. The DMS acts as an umbrella platform that manages the interaction with each driver application in a predetermined workflow. This is why it is important to select an elog application that provides integration to other applications. Elog applications that provide integration will not only work hand in hand with a DMS, but integration capabilities provide valuable insight into the applications roadmap for the future and the software developers expectations for potential in-cab needs and future regulatory requirements.
ExtenData has witnessed companies selecting applications based on near term needs and without vision for future developments many times. Unfortunately, a poor choice of this type can cost an organization much more than the original low cost investment they were hoping to achieve. A poor choice can cost double, if not triple the original planned cost.
(1st round selection time & labor + software purchase + driver training + backend/office training) + (2nd round selection time & labor + software purchase + driver training + backend/office training) = Total Cost of Meeting the ELD Mandate
Of course there are many other elements of the cost of purchase for a new software. This is only a simple example to illustrate the doubling effects when the wrong choice is made first.
So what are the take-aways? Don’t rush to purchase an ELD solution when there is plenty of time to outline a strategic approach to software and solutions in the cab. Speak with an experienced solution provider such as ExtenData to help outline your path forward. Most importantly, look beyond the here and now to the future of your business and the needs of your fleet.
Let’s get straight to the point. Don’t rush out and buy an electronic logging device (ELD) for the 2017 Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administrations MAP-21 requirement. Focusing on this requirement alone leaves your fleet vulnerable to future regulations, lacks business intelligence data, and does nothing to lower in-cab costs.
If I was a fleet manager looking to get more bang for my buck, improve my fleet, and provide valuable business intelligence data to my supervisors; I’d be looking at delivery management systems. These systems connect to your back office ERP or WMS and complete the business awareness loop. From front to back, your company can see into the entire supply chain. No longer does business intelligence stop as soon as your drivers pull off property.
At this point you may be saying, “That’s great, but that does nothing for the ELD requirement I’ve got breathing down my neck.” And you would be right, sort of. Delivery management systems act as the hub for in-cab data and applications. Today, most fleets have disparate applications and devices their drivers are required to interact within the cab. Previously, I’ve discussed how this causes huge safety issues and ghastly price tags for in-cab technology. These business justifications alone should move fleets towards delivery management systems that allow for one device in the cab. However, with the regulatory climate heating up, you need to be prepared for the challenges ahead. Buying a single application for a single regulation does not help prepare you for the future, for the unexpected.
Delivery management systems like MobileConductor™ are your in-cab savior and umbrella platform for all other applications in the cab. Using a workflow manager, applications such as hours of service (HOS), GPS, telematics, and electronic driver logs (elogs) are logged into automatically and synced with the mobile dashboard. As these applications are needed during the driver’s day, each is brought forward for the driver to utilize and pushed to the background when done. This workflow system maximizes the drivers time, reduces time spent interacting with the device, and makes the driver more efficient. In addition, delivery management systems like MobileConductor™ also contain proof of delivery, direct store delivery, messaging, and driver vehicle inspection reports (DVIR).
In part two, I’ll cover why
- fleets need an elog application that integrates with a delivery management system,
- the potential costs of buying the wrong elog system now,
- and how your business can benefit from looking further down the regulatory road.
The American driver shortage is estimated at 35,000 to 40,000. 1 Industry associations attribute this to many factors including the aging population of professional drivers. It is estimated the average age of truck drivers is 49, compared to the overall national average of 42. 1 As the driver population ages, trucking and distribution companies are looking toward millennials (Gen Y’ers) as the solution to this crisis. However, the personality and work relationship with this age group is often seen as less than desirable. Their high expectations of employers, soaring digital proficiency, preference to work in teams, and 24/7 view of the world are interpreted by Gen X or Baby Boomer managers as entitled, distracted, dependent, and demanding.2
An informed and forward thinking fleet or distribution manager will see through this generational bias for what it is, fear and aversion to change. The need to attract more drivers and to accommodate the needs of the new workforce will make many uncomfortable. Couple that with increasing demands on the driver including DOT regulations, and it’s no wonder people are scratching their heads. It is estimated that, by 2025, 75 percent of the U.S. workforce will be millennials 3, and in 2017 the DOT elogs requirements will be in full effect 1. A solution is needed quickly.
In-cab technology is the key to bridging the driver shortage gap and engaging millennials into this work force. Furthermore, the attitudes and proclivities of millennials should be seen as an advantage to overcome the challenges facing the industry. There are four main components for this solution.
- Millennials have high expectations for their employers and this includes technology.4 These workers have grown up with the fast pace technology industry and the readily available information on the internet. Look toward distribution management platforms such as MobileConductor TM to bring your in-cab technology up to speed with their expectations, and enable millennial drivers to receive the 24/7 type communication and accessibility with their managers and supporting staff. You will find that this type of tool not only attracts millennial drivers but improves efficiency in your distribution operations and driver on-ramp period.
- Use mobile technology on operating systems that they already understand. As of November of 2014, it was reported that the Android operating system holds 83.6 percent of the global smartphone market.5 It is a safe bet that any millennial driver you hire will have experience with an Android device. Thus, when making technology decisions for devices and solutions in the cab, Android must be top of your list.
- Consolidate devices in the cab to improve driver experience. One device in the cab is all that your drivers need and there is advanced technology to support it. The modern truck cab has several devices beeping and flashing at them. It’s a wonder that “old” drivers haven’t complained about the distraction created. Now imagine how a millennial would feel hopping into a cab with screens and technology that they have never seen, or haven’t seen the likes of since their dad drug out his CB radio and monochrome monitor for his IBM XT. I can tell you it’s a jarring experience and one that will affect their decision to continue with a driving career. Ninety two percent of millennials believe that business success should be measured by more than profit.3 Would you stick around for a company that seems to have technology and business decisions straight out of the 80’s?
- Reduce in-cab costs to offer higher pay, flexible schedules, or added benefits. In addition to creating a better in-cab experience for drivers, reducing the number of devices can lower your in-cab costs. Figures generated for our MobileConductorTM platform, which enables One Device In the Cab, estimates as much as a 37 percent decrease per route. That is a huge savings! Fleet managers and distribution operations can utilize that money to improve their chances of attracting a millennial driver. But be aware, money doesn’t motivate all millennials. Sixty four percent of millennials would rather make $40,000 per year at a job they love than $100,000 per year at a job they think is boring.3 This is a chance for your team to be creative. How can your company make this job more interesting and attractive to millennials? With a 37 percent savings per route, I’m sure you could come up with plenty of ideas.
Resources
ATA Chief Economist Discusses the Driver Shortage
The Six Living Generations In America
14 (REAL) Facts About Millennials
Culture Through the Ages Part 1
Android hits 83.6 percent marketshare while iOS, Windows and BlackBerry slide
Beginning in early 2008, the US and global economy felt the sting of the "Great Recession". It became imperative for organizations to create improved efficiency and reduce waste to avoid layoffs and office closures. With the worst of the recession behind us, these imperatives still exist. Unfortunately, the areas within the food and beverage industry that need efficiency and waste reduction have existing for a long time.
Many of these issues have been around for decades and are centered on the paper based systems for product tracking, tracing, inventory accountability, delivery and accounting. Understandably, these processes in the beginning could only be handled using pen and paper because of the lack of technology. Farmers manually counted the volume of their products going to market. Food distributors accounted for product in their warehouses through manual inspection and counting. Invoices were manually updated by finance departments based on the quick scribbles of the foodservice delivery drivers.
The resulting errors from manual paper and pen based processes are significant. Without accurate inventory control, theft or product being misplaced creates lost revenue. Hand written corrections or additions to driver invoices incur significant backend labor to update accounting and inventory systems. In addition, inaccurate invoices are sent to customers resulting in invoice disputes or worse, non-payable invoices.
Through the use of electronic proof of delivery (POD) technology, food and beverage distributors can create significant gains in productivity and waste reduction. Inventory is accurately tracked throughout the entire supply chain. Product is scanned on and off trucks allowing companies to know exactly where product is located. Route drivers gain productivity through efficient truck loading, driving routes, and improved workflow. Additionally, POD enables significantly reduced driver training or ramp up period through process driven work flows. Finally, savings can be seen in back office labor. The manual data entry of the day’s route business is replaced by a system that automatically updates the inventory and accounting systems.
Would you like to read more? Read the full whitepaper, Top 5 Challenges Facing the Food and Beverage Industry, September 2013.
On February 24, 2015, Supply & Demand Chain Executive officially announced in an online exclusive the 2015 Pros to Know. ExtenData's MobileConductor™ team was recognized for helping their supply chain clients prepare to meet the significant challenges in the year ahead. The list was selected from over 300 nominations.
“The Pros to Know Awards recognize supply chain executives, and manufacturing and non-manufacturing enterprises that are leading initiatives to help prepare their companies’ supply chains for the significant challenges of today’s business climate. This year’s list includes the 2015 Provider Pros to Know—individuals from software firms and service providers, consultancies or academia, who have helped their supply chain clients or the supply chain community at large prepare to meet these challenges—and Practitioner Pros, who do the same within their own companies.”
We are honored by this recognition and proud that our efforts are providing value to our customers and the supply chains we service. With our product MobileConductor™, ExtenData will follow the vision of One Device in the Cab. This vision is the next step in innovation for in-cab technology. No longer will drivers have to contend with multiple devices, screens, and applications. MobileConductor™ has evolved to provide fleets and distribution operations with a single driver interface that increases safety and efficiency.
About Supply & Demand Chain Executive
Supply & Demand Chain Executive is the executive's user manual for successful supply and demand chain transformation, utilizing hard-hitting analysis, viewpoints and unbiased case studies to steer executives and supply management professionals through the complicated, yet critical, world of supply and demand chain enablement to gain competitive advantage. Visit us on the web at www.SDCExec.com.
Driver safety is a hot topic and for good reason. Due to their massive sizes and heavy weights, trucks can cause serious damage and death, should they be involved in an accident. In 2012, there were 3,921 people killed and 104,000 people injured in crashes involving large trucks (gross vehicle weight rating greater than 10,000 pounds). In the United States, 333,000 large trucks were involved in traffic crashes during 2012.(1)These statistics alone are reason enough to evaluate driver distractions and safety.
Using the MobileConductor™ One Device in the Cab solution eliminates driver distraction by reducing the number of devices that will beep, buzz and talk to the driver. It is human habit to want to interact with the devices, but when you reduce the distractions you reduce the urge to interact with them. In addition, MobileConductor™ can be configured to lock down when the truck is in motion. Using the existing GPS and settings within the system, the application can limit the other applications available for use after the truck reaches a certain speed. Audible turn by turn navigation and messaging further reduces the need for the driver to divert his attention from the road.
Would you like to read more? Read the full whitepaper, One Device in the Cab, December 2014.
References
1. 2012 LARGE TRUCKS Traffic Safety Fact Sheet, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 2012
We add new team members like any other company and don’t say a thing to our external audiences, so why now? Zack Mitchell is a key team member to our TotalCare services. Along with Erich Langan and Mark Seybold, these three lead the power packed and high quality services that enable your business with operations and support solutions. We believe that Mr. Mitchell is a valuable asset for you and our team. So why not sing his praises?
Beginning in 1991 as a Heavy Equipment Operator with the US Army, Mr. Mitchell has developed his skills and knack for technology and service. With specialties in security, troubleshooting, networking, wireless networking and much more he adds experience and expertise to our TotalCare team. We were lucky enough to steal him away from Solitude Ski Corporation in November 2014. Sorry Solitude, no hard feelings we hope.
Along with six other glowing reviews on his LinkedIn profile, Fernanda Jacques, Director of Product Development and Professional Services had this to say about Mr. Mitchell. “Zack has been a wonderful addition to the team. His previous familiarity with ExtenData’s people, solutions and technologies, in addition to his eagerness and professional drive has resulted in immediate success. We look forward to leveraging his wireless and networking experience to continue to deliver quality Professional Services.”
With only a couple months under his belt at ExtenData Mr. Mitchell says, “ExtenData has proven time and again that it provides great products and services. I am honored to be a part of the team that is delivering those products and services.”
ExtenData has been a technology partner for Vail Resorts for years. It was with great pleasure when we found out that Zebra Technologies featured our customer and solution in one of their blog posts and success stories. The following is republished content from Zebra Technologies.
“RFIDea” Spotlight: Vail Resorts
We announced the kick-off of the “RFIDea” Spotlight series in June, and are excited to feature Vail Resorts, Inc. in our second post as an example of an organization that uses RFID to transform the way it does business.
Vail Resorts, Inc, through its subsidiaries, is the leading mountain resort operator in the United States. For properties in the Vail Resorts family, the accolades never cease! In fact, all five Vail Resorts ski destinations rank in SKI Magazine’s top 20 resorts in North America. Skiers concur, with 10.2 percent of all skier visits – 6.2 million – taking place at the company’s resorts.
In 2008-2009, Vail saw an opportunity to improve guests’ experiences as they prepare to board ski lifts. Instead of replacing aging handheld barcode scanners, Vail looked into new technologies for scanning guests’ season passes. In past ski seasons, guests needed to physically present their season passes for bar code scanning which oftentimes required them to unzip their jackets and fumble for their season pass.
Based on the maturity of the alternatives and Vail’s specific needs, the evaluation team selected ultra high frequency (UHF) RFID tagging with handheld scanners/computers. The resulting solution is unlike any currently available in the ski industry today:
- UHF cards instead of HF tags – UHF offers greater flexibility due to longer read ranges. The company can inexpensively add and move read points and gather group data without guest interaction.
- Handheld scanners instead of gates – Using handheld scanners significantly reduces costs and impact to the mountain, as well as enhances the guest experience.
- Passive detection in specialty areas - Passive scanning via an overhead antenna for on-mountain lifts allows resorts to read RFID-enabled passes as guests board lifts without any proactive guest interaction.
The result? Read the success story on Zebra.com.
ExtenData Solution Summary* 571 Zebra P330i Card Printers * 380+ Motorola MC9190Z Mobile Computers * Aruba WiFi devices
Early in 2014 ExtenData announced the launch of MobileConductor™ Proof of Delivery on the Android OS. We knew that the rising cost of business, regulatory demands, and rapid adoption of Android throughout the globe meant MobileConductor™ needed to evolve. Our announcement of this evolution received enormous attention and our team was surprised by the immediate reaction from customers and the industry.
On top of that, MobileConductor™ evolved from an award winning proof of delivery application to an advanced platform; aggregating all of the applications drivers need in the cab. Thus, One Device in the Cab was born. Now drivers can use MobileConductor™ for proof of delivery, direct store delivery, electronic manifests, driver logs, daily vehicle inspection reports, integrated vehicle telematics, route scheduling, turn-by-turn navigation, and messaging. This new capability for MobileConductor™ means decreased hardware and data plan costs and simplification of DOT regulatory compliance for delivery and distribution companies.
WAIT! Why am I talking about proof of delivery? Proof of delivery was our litmus test. If the industry accepted proof of delivery on Android, then MobileConductor™ Direct Store Delivery (DSD) was close behind.
Android for direct store delivery is a compelling story. Not only does this allow direct store delivery operations to run on more cost effective devices, but now the BYOD (bring your own device) dream is coming true. In fact, your organization could completely eliminate the costly expense of building and maintaining a pool of mobile computers. Now, your field sales team could download the MobileConductor™ DSD application to their personal Android device and report directly to your backend systems. The BYOD model could save thousands of dollars of expenses for your operations through the elimination of data plans alone.
DSD for Android addresses the millennial challenge many companies are facing as well. The driver workforce is changing. The old driver and field sales person is being replaced by a generation dependent on technology and increased communication. With an Android platform you can satisfy their needs and slow employee churn. In addition, your end-user adoption of business critical applications will dramatically increase for your existing work force. The easy to use interface and work flow based functionality will improve efficiency for every driver or field sales person.
Learn more about MobileConductor™ Direct Store Delivery for Android OS by registering for our informational webinar on January 27, 2015.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DENVER, CO, December 22, 2014 – Early in 2014 ExtenData announced a new version of MobileConductor™ Proof of Delivery. Now MobileConductor™ Direct Store Delivery is available on the Android OS. In conjunction with the Android OS, MobileConductor™ can now act as the single in-cab interface for drivers.
On January 27, 2015, ExtenData will host an informational webinar to explain the new features and benefits of MobileConductor™ Direct Store Delivery. Visit info.extendata.com/Android to learn more about this new solution and register for the webinar.
MobileConductor™ will still provide the award winning functionality many organizations with distribution operations have come to value. MobileConductor™ - Android OS will improve ease of use and increase application performance.
Further improving the efficiency of drivers and reducing in-cab costs, MobileConductor™ is a cohesive and easy to use mobile app that supports several critical in-cab functions. Imagine one device for a driver that provides proof of delivery, direct store delivery, electronic manifests, driver logs, daily vehicle inspection reports, integrated vehicle telematics, route scheduling, turn-by-turn navigation, and messaging. This new capability for MobileConductor™ means decreased hardware and data plan costs and simplification of regulatory compliance associated with the Department of Transportation and Food Safety Modernization Act.
About ExtenData
ExtenData® improves productivity and profitability by tracking inventory, assets, people, and transactions at critical points in the supply chain. Our expertise covers manufacturing, wholesale distribution, transportation logistics, and end user/customer delivery. ExtenData® has over 12 years of hardware, software, integration and managed service experience. When one selects ExtenData®, one is selecting a leading technology and distribution partner.
MobileConductor™ is ExtenData’s flagship software platform and the foundation for industry leading mobile solutions in proof of delivery and direct store delivery. Learn more at www.mobileconductor.com
Media Contact
Georgia Brown
Director of Marketing
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Centennial, CO — December 16th, 2014 — Food Logistics, the only publication dedicated exclusively to the global food and beverage supply chain, this week announced the eleventh annual FL100+ list, which appears in the November/December 2014 issue. For the fourth year running, ExtenData's MobileConductor™ was added to this list.
View FL100+ List
"We are proud of our team's accomplishments. Without the hard work and dedication of the staff at ExtenData, MobileConductor™ would not be the leading edge technology it is today." - Steve Sager, President and CEO.
For more than a decade, the editors of Food Logistics have profiled software and technology providers that hold influential roles in the global food and beverage supply chain. Their products benefit the industry in multiple ways, from reducing food waste and extending shelf life, to facilitating safe and sanitary transportation of product while assuring regulatory compliance.
“The impact of software and technology on the global food supply chain is truly profound,” emphasizes Lara L. Sowinski, Editor-in-Chief at Food Logistics. “Software solution providers, equipment manufacturers and numerous technology innovations are supporting growth in our industry while concurrently lowering operating costs, improving productivity and enhancing visibility from farm to fork.”
Over the last year or so net neutrality has been a topic of conversation on the news, in congress, and for talking heads. Many of us had never heard the term before, and suddenly we are thrust into a debate that we have little knowledge about. However, that assumption would be incorrect. We experience and benefit from net neutrality every day. As individuals, our ability to visit websites and download or view content is consistent. All websites are served equally. We get the same speed and reliability from one website to another. As companies, the SaaS products (CRM, ERP, route optimization, temperature monitoring, etc.) we use to run our organizations from day-to-day are served with the speed we need. Your email is delivered at the same speed that your report from JD Edwards (ERP) can download. You depend on net neutrality every day in your personal and professional life.
How did we get here? Other writers have done a better job of breaking it down. (CNET- Net neutrality debate Part I: How we got here) So I’ll be brief. Internet service providers (ISPs) like AT&T, Comcast and Verizon want to create a “fast lane”. This means they will charge different users, different fees, for different speeds. Pay to play. ISPs and wireless operators want to make content providers and consumers pay for different levels of access. The internet would no longer be the great equalizer of our age. A startup company in a garage would not be able to compete with the large content provider. Many believe innovation would stagnate.
It may seem so far away and irrelevant if your day-to-day job is distributing food. However, the innovation in distribution efficiency, food traceability, order accuracy, and much more is dependent on an open internet. The SaaS tools so many distribution and food service companies are investing in are web based tools that rely on the local broadband and wireless networks. Those broadband and wireless networks are operated and controlled by ISPs. Let’s say your route optimization software provider cannot afford or doesn’t want to pay the higher rates demanded by their ISP. What happens then? Most likely, the software provider will pass the additional cost on to you, the end user, the business operator. How much could it increase? If it is left to the ISPs they will most likely utilize the profit model we already experience; yearly incremental increases in cost without additional value. Now imagine if that happened across ALL of your SaaS products.
- Email hosting
- Content management
- Customer relationship management
- Enterprise resource planning/financial tracking
- Warehouse management systems
- Route optimization
- GPS
- Proof of delivery
- Direct store delivery
- Hours of service
- Temperature monitoring
- Time tracking
- Wireless internet data plans
- Hardline internet data plans
You can see that this short list encompasses every aspect of a foodservice and distribution organization. Increased cost passed down by SaaS providers could be painful to your bottom line.
At ExtenData, we believe net neutrality is important for innovation, industry, and end users. The internet is responsible for creating the world we currently live and work in and will continue to shape our country and culture. Keep it an open, equal playing field.
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Every year ExtenData attends the annual IFDA Distribution Solution Conference, and this year was by far the best. We have been communicating our message about MobileConductor™ and measurable performance improvements through proof of delivery or direct store delivery every year and this year the attendees sought us out. Why? It seems that foodservice and food distributor companies are finally ready to take on this important and often underrated technology. The conversations we had during the event were more productive and intelligent. They tied directly back to business imperatives, customer satisfaction, and innovation. To us this indicates a shift in interest and motivation. Some spoke of clean invoicing needs, others about track and trace requirements. In addition, we heard our prediction from the blog post “Food Safety Modernization Act or Your Customers – Who will demand track and trace first” coming true. Foodservice customers are demanding track and trace today.
The excitement for us didn't stop there. During the event our main message revolved around One Device in the Cab. A new evolution of MobileConductor™, this solution offers food distributors the answer to their concerns about increasing cost and devices in the cab. The message resonated with conference attendees and our team was excited to share this message.
The coming year holds many opportunities for ExtenData and MobileConductor™!
In 2011, we were all focused on the newly passed Food Safety Modernization Act. This sweeping reform has mandated implementation of new rules and regulations that will require food and beverage producers, processors, and distributors to track several data points and create new processes. Companies that fit within this description will need significant staffing and technology to meet the new requirements set by the Secretary of Health and Food and Drug Administration.
Fast forward to today, August 2014. The implementation of the new rules and regulations has been slow and lacks teeth. While no one doubts the eventuality of the Act's implications, many are waiting for enforcement and penalties to become clearer. However, an unpredicted element has appeared that will force food and beverage producers, processors, and distributors to make necessary product and food tracing improvements before the government gets their act together (pun intended).
Customers.
Through ExtenData's interactions with industry leading food distributors we have learned of a trend occurring among the customers and household brands they service. These customers are demanding food traceability today. What? Yes, the industry is driving improvements in food safety and traceability. Why? Because their reputation, profitability, and future success depends on the ability to react swiftly and confidently to outbreaks of foodborne illness.
To me, this makes perfect sense and it should motivate food and beverage producers, processors, and distributors to invest in technology and solutions now. Waiting for the government could mean lost customers, lost revenue and a difficult task kicked down the road for a future headache.
Thankfully, the technology to meet customer demands is already available. These technologies include enterprise resource planning (ERP), warehouse management systems (WMS), and electronic proof of delivery (ePoD). Each of these tools provides a certain solution to the food and beverage supply chain. Food and beverage companies who act now can become compliant before requirements are mandated and customers lost. Addressing this requirement quickly will allow an organization to plan for and select technologies that suit the needs of the organization best.
Around the executive conference room table, “Lifetime value of the customer” is often discussed. Measuring this value is quantified through important metrics like acquisition of new customers, retention, churn, and the sale of new software to existing customers. But, what if you are the customer, the end user of the software, the actual consumer of information derived from the very same applications? How do you measure the lifetime value of your investment and more importantly that you are making the right choice in software vendor? Sure, there are things like total cost of ownership and ROI, but here is what we think are the criteria for a truly productive software vendor/customer relationship over an extended period of time:
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Readiness – A clear vision for the implementation of technology and how these investments tie directly back to the goals and objectives of the business. This also means executive level sponsorship, an endorsement of the project initiative. Goals and objectives will change and it’s important that your software vendor has a track record of helping their customers capitalize on business challenges.
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Stability – Is your software provider stable and focused? This can be assessed by their customers, industry affiliations, and product roadmap. The software provider should be known as not only the subject matter expert in technology but the industry at large, a trusted source of information.
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Thought leadership – It is rare to implement every software feature in an initial implementation. Periodic communications on the use of new software features is imperative. Make sure this is done on a semi-annual basis.
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Support – The vendor/customer relationship is truly defined around the handling of the unexpected. Performing under stress or in a crisis is a must and it is very difficult to judge until the first critical circumstance. References help but a preventative and preemptive plan is best. Ask about the things that can be done to prevent a crisis. There better be some good answers.
These four criteria are straightforward, however, the measurement evolves over time. Remember, it’s about the customers and their business first and foremost!
Are you delivering products? Or are you servicing the products that have been delivered?
If you answered “yes”, you are the revenue generators and perhaps the most valued assets for your business. Your customers and your company depend on you to get product from point A to point B in the most efficient manner. Complete service on the first visit in the shortest period of time. This equates to customer loyalty, increased revenues, AND profitability. Go! Go! All Stars! Winning Team!
Not so fast and not so easy. Be aware of the forces that want you to spending time on tasks that will slow you down and cause you to sit on the sidelines instead of creating revenue for the business. These forces are called regulation, forecasting, and business intelligence. All are demanding the timely and accurate capture of information about the competition, inspections, logs, audits, reconciliations, and an endless assortment of reports. It is no longer good enough to deliver your products and services. You are expected to fill out the paperwork, record the exceptions, update the estimates, and (oh, by the way) make sure your customers love you. To top it off, no matter what the circumstances, don’t slow down.
This is what it’s like to walk in the shoes of many mobile workers. We wonder why there is a shortage of good, safe, mobile workers. We wonder about the next generation of 20 and 30 something’s that will replace the latest generation of “All Stars”.
Mobile applications and platforms are the solution. It is amazing that certain industries are slow to realize that the key to merging the demands of new regulations and reporting with a younger workforce is technology.
What is holding you back? Take our brief survey and let us know. The more we can do to solve your problems, the more successful you will be and THAT is what makes ExtenData tick.
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Industry and market response to our recent Android and MobileConductor™ announcement has been overwhelming. If you are a transportation company, now is the time to make decisions about truck and driver automation that tackles, head-on, compliance, delivery management, and fleet management. There is a very clear road ahead for simplifying the use of multi-vendor technologies in the cab of the truck and MobileConductor™ is making it happen.
Running a mobile supply chain solution company requires continually watching for changes and opportunities. So far this year, during meetings with customers and prospects, two statements have been etched in my mind.
- A new crop of young, talented kids can develop and distribute software for little to no cost. In addition, the costs for devices and their carrier networks continue to decrease, rapidly.
- The only way a technology initiative will succeed is by executive level endorsement and support.
Statement number one was made by the chief executive officer (CEO) of a one hundred million dollar company. As a business owner, he is egger and can see how mobile applications will transform his business. He is equally excited that the cost and resources to make this transformation a reality is simple, inexpensive.
Statement number two was made by the leaders of information systems in a billion dollar organization. This team is responsible for the successful planning, implementation, adoption, and support of all mobile applications for the enterprise. They are immersed in supporting legacy solutions, standards that have been around as long as the most tenured employee, and handling the exponential growth of requests for new applications.
The irony of these two conflicting “realities” is obvious only to the outside observer.
The CEO has an expectation that their mobile network carrier will give him his devices for free, and a teenager can build him the mobile applications he needs.
For the same application, the IT folks will require integration to their ERP, WMS, transportation management, and data warehouse system. They are looking for a mobile software framework that can change with their business needs. IT has determined there are no off-the-shelf software packages for the needs of the business. The expected cost? IT estimates $300,000 in internal resources, $150,000 in software and professional services, and an implementation time frame of 12 to 18 months. Total cost of one million dollars.
The irony of these two conflicting “realities” can be perceived as a challenge that lacks value to overcome. However, if you are in the game of providing solutions for the mobile supply chain, the opportunity has never been greater. Bridging the gap between the C-Level leaders and information technology groups is an opportunity for mobility ISVs to generate clear and tangible value for the customer. How the bridge is built will determine the level of success for an ISV. This requires attention to a critical third player, the mobile user. After all, what is a mobile supply chain solution if it doesn’t help the mobile user become more efficient and successful? What is a solution if it doesn’t overcome a challenge? What is a unique opportunity if it is apparent to all involved?
I've been leading companies that provide information systems solutions since 1986. My experiences during this time have shaped the “who”, “what”, and “why” of ExtenData. I and a group of talented industry players realized the need to establish ExtenData and did so in 2002. Soon after ExtenData opened its doors, we identified a need within the mobile supply chain space. Thus, MobileConductor was born in 2007. Fast forward to today. The collective knowledge housed within the walls of ExtenData is great. Our team members possess over 100 years of industry know-how and expertise. They say you should write what you know, so I‘ll draw upon these experiences and knowledge to deliver relevant and insightful information for the mobility and supply chain space. Over the life time of this blog I intend to cover the following topics.
- The business drivers/opportunity for mobile supply chain applications
- Properly Organizing for success when introducing these applications into the enterprise
- Assessing risk for implementation and acceptance
- Mobile User Centric vs. Enterprise Systems centric when planning
- What should Project Symphony mean to you
- Steve’s take on consumer vs. rugged mobile computing. Who cares!