After a customer asked this question I thought I would do a quick video that shows one of the built in features of Windows 7 for improving handwriting recognition.

If you like it, please give it a nice rating on YouTube.

S--- Happens Insurance

Let's face it, when it comes to portable electronic equipment, things happen. Bad things. Things that make people who love technology very sad!

Here are some examples:

• As you mix sugar into your large coffee, your elbow impacts the cup and causes it to spill into your laptop
• Some knucklehead isn't paying attention and trips over your power cord causing it to crash to the floor
• You remember to get your luggage, but forget your tablet computer in a taxi

How do I know about these things? You guessed it - they have all happened to me over the years. So what to do? Prayer? Call on St. Anthony (patron saint of list items)? Go back to paper and pen?

One of the best and, surprisingly, least expensive solutions is to purchase insurance. Many manufacturers sell this at the time of purchase but my research shows this to be the most expensive option. Next is a company liek Safeware that offers accidental damage, theft and other protection on any kind of mobile device. This is a good option but, depending on your circumstances, might not be the cheapest.

Your first phone call should be to your existing insurance company. If you are a homeowner, you probably already have protection on computer equipment that stays in your home. I called State Farm, my insurer, and we're protected up to $5,000. But not if the tablet computer is taken out of the house (like to work, on vacation, etc.). I had ready about Personal Articles protection and so I asked Melanie, my rep, some questions. For just $2.20 per $100 of value, I would have no deductible and get the following coverage:
Fire
Theft
Lightning
Mysterious disappearance (yes, that is what they call it)
Freak accidents (again, their terminology)

So, for just $44/year for a computer valued at $2,000 I would be covered. That is well worth it IMHO. If you have had experiences getting insurance or filing a claim for a broken/missing/damaged, let me hear about it. The good, the bad and the ugly.

Whole Child Pediatrics begins using Motion C5 Tablet PCs!

At Whole Child Pediatrics P.S.C. each clinician needed the ability to seamlessly connect with the EMR system throughout the office and utilize its full functionality while continuing to provide quality patient care in an efficient manner.

Whole Child Pediatrics first attempted to use desktop PC's but quickly discovered this was not the seamless connectivity they were looking for. After a search through several solutions, the rugged, hospital grade tablet PC was just what the doctor ordered.

The Motion Computing C5 Mobile Clinical Assistant offered an easy to navigate solution which was quickly given to each clinician on the staff.

To read the rest of Whole Child Pediatrics story check out this link!

The PANTS Show

Last week I visited a partner of ours, Advanced Grower Solutions, at the PANTS Show. No, it's not a tradeshow for what it sounds like. Instead, the PANTS show is the Penn Atlantic Nursery Trade Show. It was a really nice venue because everyone was exhibiting perennials, annuals, trees, bushes and knick-knacks for your garden and landscape.

For Tablet PC Users, Advanced Grower Solutions (AGS) owner Rick Goff, was showing off his back office nursery software that includes a powerful module for inventory management. If you are a nursery owner, being able to provide up-to-date inventory to your customers is key to selling flowers and trees for the best price at the peak of value. With paper and pen this process used to take 2-3 days. With a Motion F5v Tablet PC, inventory takers can walk through greenhouses and outdoors in the rain, pointing and clicking and writing comments, and complete the job in one day.

A PDA is too small and a laptop can't be used like a pad of paper. Once again, the tablet PC is the best tool for people who really need to do their job while walking around.

Motion F5v Tablet PC: Turn auto rotate on and off

I have to face facts: I'll never know everything about Tablet PCs. Things change to fast and there is too much information about each one. Luckily, I have customers who ask great questions or tell me things I need to know. Here is one such item.

If you have a Motion F5v or C5v Tablet PC, you can choose an option to allow the display to rotate depending on which way you turn the device.

In the Taskbar (those icons in the lower, right hand corner of your display), you will see a letter M with a black swoosh on the top and a blue one on the bottom. If you don't see it, click the upward arrow on the taskbar. When you tap on this you'll see a menu. Choose Options and then click Automatic Display Rotation if it isn't already checked. Now you can turn your Motion F5v 90 degrees and the screen will automatically turn.

Sweet!

Fujitsu Inventory Clearance Sale!

July 28-29 Fujitsu is offering $500 off on select systems including the LIFEBOOK T5010 Tablet PC and the LIFEBOOK T2020 Tablet PC.

LIFEBOOK T5010 Tablet PC

The comfort and ease of a traditional notbook combined with the versatility of a tablet, the LIFEBOOK T5010 Tablet PC features a brilliant 13.3-inch widescreen display, built in modular bay, and integrated wireless access.

Purchase any of the three T5010 Tablet PCs and recieve:
FREE Convertible Bump Case ($99 value)
FREE Shipping
$500 of select T5010 Tablet PCs ( use coupon code FASALE500 at cheout to redeem discount)

LIFEBOOK T2020 Tablet PC

Wighing a mere 3.5 pounds yet boasting a 12.1-inch display, the ultra-thin, ultra-light Fujitsu LIFEBOOK T2020 Tablet PC is an ideal notebook and tablet PC for those on the go. It quickly converts from notebook to tablet by simply twisting the display, and delivers all-day computing with its high-capacity battery.

Purchase the T2020 Tablet PC and receive the following special offers:
FREE External USB DVD/CD-RW combo drive ($149 value)
FREE Shipping
$500 off, use coupon code FASALE500 at checkout to redeem discount

Check it out at http://www.shopfujitsu.com/ or ask about it at http://www.alltp.com/!

Motion Offereing Enhanced Tablet Functionality with ritePen 4.0

Motion Computing®, a leading provider of integrated mobile computing solutions, announced today that it will resell ritePen® 4.0, the latest tablet input solution from Ritescript®, a division of Evernote® Corporation. The new version of our full-screen handwriting recognition, markup and desktop control software blends pen and multi-touch functionality: it allows finger writing on multi-touch screens and employs multi-touch gestures to control ritePen UI and ink editing on Windows 7.

A three-min. walkthrough video can be seen here!

This release also enhances ink commands, markup, integration with Evernote, adds new customizable toolbar system and support for any languages in the Windows Recognition Pack.

The ritePen 4.0 can also be found on http://www.ritescript.com/ or ask about it on http://www.alltp.com/!

Motion Offers Discounts for Attending Webinar!

Motion Computing has recently announced they will be giving a discount on two of their products for attending their upcoming webinars! The first of which is about hybrid mobile computing for improved clinical workflow. This webinar will be focused on the Motion Clinical Workstation. The second webinar will look at taking PDF punchlists mobile with Tablet PC's. This webinar will be focused on using the PDF editor BlueBeam PDF Revu. By attending the first webinar you will be eligable to receive $1000 off the purchase of your first Motion Clinical Workstation. The second webinar will allow you to be eligable to receive $500 off the purchase of Motion's new J3500 tablet.

Sign up here!

Hybrid Mobile Computing for Improved Clinical Workflow

In this Motion-hosted webinar attendees will learn how to enable clinicians to benefit from a highly optimized workflow in support of the way they work. Combining the Motion C5 MCA with the Motion Clinical Workstation (MCW) offers a flexible solution for improving clinical productivity, optimizing EMR utilization and enhancing clinician satisfaction by personalizing solutions for individual workflows.

Date and Time: Thursday, July 29 at 11:00am CST

Take PDF Punchlists Mobile with Tablet PC's

Join this webinar for a case study presentation that will help you transform the way you manage closeout. Hear from an architect who completed the punch process for the $500-million, 582-room Terranea Resort in Rancho Palos Verdes, CA. Learn how she simultaneously created PDF punchlists and redlined drawings of punch items on the fly using PDF editor Bluebeam PDF Revu on a Motion Tablet PC. Once you see her demonstration of the process, you will not only understand how the team achieved an incredible 90% completion rate upon first back check, you also will gain real-world tips for replicating this workflow. Also, learn more about Bluebeam PDF Revu and Motion Tablet PCs for taking technology to the jobsite for significantly improved jobsite performance.

Date and Time: Wednesday, August 11, 2010 at 1:00pm CST

Sign up here!

Sumner County EMS works with tablets from Tablet PC Experts to improve billing

Sumner County EMS takes its role as the sole provider of emergency services for Sumner County’s 150,000 residents very seriously. With the need to improve both billing and patient data collection processes, Sumner County upgraded its software and in doing so needed a new hardware solution to fully realize their ambitions.

To see Sumner County EMS's full story go to the ALLTP website, or check it out on the home page of http://www.emsresponder.com/ under the title Tenn. Agency Improves Annual Billing by $2 Million!

Magnetic Stripe Reader for Motion F5v and C5v

The nice folks at Man & Machine are sending me a demo unit of their Magnetic Stripe Reader for the Motion C5, F5, C5v or F5v Tablet PCs. I'm aware that these are in use at Verizon stores nationwide. Verizon purchased 5,000 Motion tablets with the MSR attachment for providing Point of Sale service to customers that walk into stores. This is a nice service because if you just need an accessory or some information, you don't want to have to wait in line for a half hour at the cash register. The sales associate can just write your info on the tablet, swipe your credit card, email a receipt and you can be on your way. Much simpler!

These MSRs can also be used in other retail settings but also would be perfect for taking orders at tradeshows. Also, they would be great for plumbers, electricians, etc. who want to collect money right at the customer's house instead of billing them later. There is nothing more satisfying than getting paid right away for your hard work!

One Day - Three Ways to use a Tablet PC

I spent a day in NYC last week at three different companies looking at Tablet PCs. Riding the train on the way home, I thought a lot about how so many different industries can take advantage of pen computing. It ended up being a Motion F5v kind of day with all three customers choosing this tablet.

Prospect #1 - Dermatology practice

A dermatology practice on the Upper East Side is moving to an Electronic Medical Record (EMR) which is specifically designed for a tablet PC. They need a unit that is small, lightweight and will look good in their office - after all they are offering aesthetic procedures. The Motion F5v has everything they want, 10" display makes the unit large enough to see their application but keeps the weight down to a comfortable 3.3 pounds. More importantly, the doctor and staff loved the slick, black color. Since they are in the business of beauty, a sterile, white medical tablet holds no appeal. With the hot swappable battery, the doctor can work all day without having to wait for the tablet to recharge. Last, it is disinfectable which is becoming increasingly important for stopping cross infection in hospitals and medical offices.

Prospect #2 - Hospital Life Safety Inspection

TSIG Consulting is dedicated to providing expert consultation to hospitals by using Computer Aided Facilities Management (CAFM) so their customers can meet Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) requirements. Initially TSIG was going to test the Motion J3400 or J3500 but when they saw the F5v they were smitten. The light weight, rugged design, tough Gorilla Glass and built in handle caused an immediate attraction, but the optional built in barcode reader and camera sealed the deal. Being able to scan barcodes on hospital owned equipment is a major improvement over the handheld PDAs with attached barcode readers they are using now. With the increased screen size, field engineers can look at AutoCAD drawings and mark them up. Now, they write on paper and have to enter information when they get back to the hotel. With the tablets, they can complete their work right at the customer site for increased accuracy and timeliness.

Prospect #3 - Sirina Fire Protection

This longtime customer has been using Getac rugged convertible tablets for several years. To allow their technicians to program the alarm panels at customers' sites, they needed a 9-pin serial port built into the tablet. Now, new alarm panels are coming with the more commonly available USB connection. Since the Motion F5v has a USB 2.0 port built into the unit, Sirina technicians can use a lighter weight but still ruggedized tablet PC for making customer visits. The F5v is almost $2,000 less than the Getac V100 and has better features. Sirina is starting to store past maintenance information in the panel on an RFID tag and the F5v with optional RFID reader can pull up that information. Other Tablet PCs need a card plugged into a slot on the computer to do that.

Three customers, three industries

Even though all three of these clients are in different industries, the common thread is a need for a tough, lightweight device with built in features that lets them do their work better and faster. I'll update you on even more clients using this kind of Tablet PC in the future.

Motion Releases New J3500

Allegiance Technology is thrilled to announce the release of Motion Computing's new J3500 Tablet PC. More powerful and rugged then its predecessor, the J3400, this new tablet computer will prove to be a great mobile solution for any company.

After a successful run with the J3400, Motion Computing decided it needed to up the ante with its new model. Increasing the size of the J3500's hard drive and adding the new Intel Core i5 or i7 vPro processors are sure to add a significant improvement to its performance. "… a 39% improvement on performance" according to Mike Stinson, Vice President of Marketing for Motion Computing. Motion not only increased the size of its hard drive, but also doubled the size of its optional SSD from a 64GB to a 128 GB SSD for extreme shock and vibration protection.

If the vast improvement in performance wasn't enough, Motion went ahead and upgraded the J3500's camera to 3.0 mega pixels with an increased focus rate for seamless, in-the-field documentation.

The J3500 also improved its rugged durability by offering a Gorilla Glass View Anywhere display which provides 4x the breakage resistance. Boasting an IP-52 rating and an MIL-810g drop test standard proves the J3500 will be able to handle any in-field bumps and bruises that may come along. The ratings also mean the J3500 can handle the elements whether it's a rainy day or a dusty job site, check it out by taking advantage of Allegience' demo program or looking at the videos below!!

Motion Environmental Testing-Dust
Motion Environmental Testing-Water
Motion Environmental Testing- Drop Test
Gorilla Glass Stress Tests

Available with dual touch technology, the J3500 allows mobile workers to take advantage of the natural gesture navigation features built in Windows® 7 and other software applications. Optimized for digitizer pen and touch input, users can navigate both touch-enabled software applications or legacy programs with smaller targets that require the accuracy of pen input.This display also comes with palm rejection so your hand won't get in the way while using the tablets pen.

Finally, Motion has upgraded its mobile broadband to the new Gobi 2000 which makes the J3500 a perfect fit for business on the move. David Altounian, President and CEO of Motion Computing, boasts, "It is a mobile computing device with the capabilities our customers are demanding - a powerful processor with a compact rugged design that supports users who must be productive whether in the field or in the office."

MOTION RELEASES UPDATED VERSIONS OF C5 AND F5 TABLET PCs

Motion Computing® recently announced the industry’s first slate tablet PCs with Intel® Core™ vPro™ processors. These processors offer new levels of performance, security, and manageability. Motion’s F5v and C5v will meet the needs of mobile workforces across industries such as healthcare, construction, and field service. The tablet PCs are fully rugged yet lightweight, making them the ideal solution for workers who compute while walking or standing.

From its inception, Motion has delivered tablet PC solutions that address the needs of a highly mobile workforce,” said Mike Stinson, Vice President of Marketing, Motion Computing. “Today we extend that leadership with the introduction of the industry’s most advanced purpose-built slate tablet PCs that offer mobility, power and durability.”

Powerful Performance

The rugged F5v Tablet PC and C5v MCA now feature the powerful Intel® Core™ i7 or Core™ i5 vPro™ technology giving the tablets a significant boost in performance and battery life. Incorporating the Intel Core vPro technology will also allow enhanced remote management, increased security, and improved multitasking with smart technology.

The new and improved F5v and C5v also include up to 160GB HDD and 4GB of ram for maximum performance, extra-durable Corning Gorilla glass for all those bumps and bruises, a 3.0 megapixel camera, and Gobi 2000 for 3G mobile broadband support.

Enterprise-Ready, Highly Powerful, Durable and Mobile Tablet PCs

Tested to withstand even the harshest working environments, the C5v and F5v Tablet PCs were drop tested on 26 sides and fully sealed against dust and moisture. These tablet PCs are designed to withstand bumps, drops, rain, or any other conditions that may present themselves in the field. Additionally, the table PC’s can Utilize either the Windows® 7 or Windows XP operating system. The C5v and F5v fit seamlessly into any environment enabling mobile workers to manage the same applications available to office-based employees.

If you would like to demo either the F5v or C5v check out our demo link at http://www.alltp.com/content.aspx/c/motion_demo.

Lake Oswego Fire Department Chooses Motion F5 Rugged Tablet PCs

Motion F5s are improving inspection and incident documentation through real time electronic documentation and records access in the field

AUSTIN, Texas– April 27, 2010 – Motion Computing^®, a leading provider of integrated mobile computing solutions, announced today that the Lake Oswego, Oregon Fire Department has selected the Motion^® F5 Rugged Tablet PC to improve fire code inspection processes and aid in incident documentation.

When firefighters at Lake Oswego Fire Department endeavored to conduct fire inspections they chose the F5 Tablet PCs to achieve an entirely paperless and electronic process. The team felt that by providing the ability to access and input data electronically, fire inspections would be more accurate and the inspectors more efficient and productive. Lake Oswego Fire Department started with the purchase of FIREHOUSE Software^® Mobile Inspection Software, and realized after the deployment that they would need a hardware solution that was rugged enough for harsh conditions and powerful enough to run the solution, as well as additional applications.

“We really needed hardware and software built around our processes and designed to work in our environment,” said Gert Zoutendijk, Deputy Fire Marshal, Lake Oswego Fire Department. “The software solution running on the F5s is easy to use, and the rugged design makes me feel confident that they will be able to withstand the often harsh conditions encountered by our firefighters.”

The fire department’s manual, paper-based method was time consuming and manually intensive, requiring double documentation which often resulted in inaccurate or missing information. After choosing the inspection software, Zoutendijk worked with John Hill of Allegiance Tablet PC Experts, a Motion reseller and expert in tablet PC deployments, who introduced the Motion F5 Rugged Tablet PC.

“Prior to learning about the F5s, we had been using other rugged computers, but they were too heavy, too expensive and too cumbersome to carry around the inspection site,” added Zoutendijk. “The F5 is ergonomic and thin with a convenient integrated handle, and since it’s all enclosed and rugged it protects the system against dust, moisture and other elements.”

Another feature which drew Zoutendijk towards adoption was the F5’s integrated technologies, including the digital camera which is great for documenting inspections. “Sometimes we encounter unusual situations or conditions and the ability to document and attach pictures directly into our records is an excellent benefit,” said Zoutendijk. “The F5 is also configurable with a wide array of accessories such as carrying cases, shoulder straps and mounts that really support the firefighters’ mobility.”

With the adoption of the Motion F5s, the Lake Oswego Fire Department looks forward to rolling out full implementation in the near future. Additionally, Zoutendijk also plans on utilizing the F5 for EMS charting. “When people’s lives are at stake, we need reliable technology solutions that help us improve care, and the F5s are ideal for this application,” added Zoutendijk.

About Lake Oswego Fire Department

The Lake Oswego Fire Department provides emergency response to more than 50,000 citizens within the City of Lake Oswego and three adjoining contract districts. Emergency services include fire suppression, emergency medical response, water & dive rescue, technical rescue operations, hazardous materials incidents, and disaster response. With four all-career stations strategically located throughout its district, the Lake Oswego Fire Department is prepared to provide rapid emergency service to citizens in need 24 hours a day. For more information visit www.lofire.org.

About Motion Computing

Motion Computing is a leading provider of integrated mobile computing solutions, combining world-class products with services customized for the unique needs of target vertical markets. The company’s enhanced line of rugged tablet PCs, mobile point of care solutions and accessories are designed to increase mobile productivity while providing portability, security, power and versatility.

Motion Computing and Motion are registered trademarks of Motion Computing, Inc, in the United States and other countries. All other trademarks and copyrights are the property of their respective owners.

About Allegiance Tablet PC Experts

Allegiance Tablet PC Experts provides mobile computing solutions based on the Tablet PC platform. A Motion Computing Select partner, Allegiance provides pre-sales consulting and post-sale support for all Motion Computing tablets. To learn more about our experience with Fire Departments and EMS providers, visit our website at www.alltp.com or go directly to our Public Safety Solutions page at http://www.alltp.com/public-safety-mobile-computing-solutions/.

Dan Povenmire, Exec. Producer of Phineas and Ferb and his Tablet PC

When Inspiration Strikes

Dan Povenmire, executive producer of Disney's popular animated show Phineas and Ferb, finds that creative inspiration can strike him at any time - day or night. Recently, after waking from sleep with a great new idea for the show, Povenmire spent hours drawing and developing his idea. The same inspiration can strike on a plane, in the car or anywhere and when it does he likes to get his idea drawn out as quickly as possible. When ideas hit, Povenmire doesn’t reach for a pad of paper, he grabs his Motion Computing Tablet PC.

The Need for Something New

Long before heading the production of an award-winning animated television series Dan Povenmire cut his teeth with some of the most well known animation projects of the last two decades. From Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Nickelodeon's Rocko's Modern Life to a short stint with The Simpsons, Povenmire has participated in almost every aspect of creating animation and knows the tools of his trade.

His current project, Phineas and Ferb, began back in 2007 and appears on the Disney Channel in multiple countries. Each episode, up to 40 a season, is composed of up to three smaller mini-episodes, each with its own unique storyline. The demanding schedule can put tremendous pressure on anyone involved in the creative process and deadlines are often tight. Therefore, any device or tool that can make things faster, easier or more efficient is greatly appreciated. According to Povenmire his Motion Tablet accomplishes all three.

The Perfect on-the-go Animation Tool

Whether Povenmire is rewriting scripts or creating new storyboards, the task is easily completed on the go. The lightweight design of the Motion Tablet enables him to carry it wherever he goes. During a recent flight to Taiwan he composed 250 pages of storyboards, something he couldn’t have done before on paper due to the weight and bulk. Also, the tablet PCs portability and easy input with a stylus make drawing and creating in tight spaces easy. “It’s the perfect size for drawing storyboards and animating,” says Povenmire, describing the size and ergonomics of his Motion Tablet.

Povenmire has his tablet equipped with TVPaint Animation software, a raster-based animation suite developed by TVPaint Developpement out of France. The software allows him to easily sketch and animate on his tablet using a familiar feature set that closely resembles traditional animation tools. The software also fully utilizes the Wacom input of his Motion Tablet giving him complete control over how his strokes appear. The variable stroke created by the pressure from the artist’s stylus creates an ink-and-paper aesthetic and provides the visual feedback that artists demand. Additionally like many artists who have sketched for years on paper, Povenmire occasionally suffers from tendinitis in his drawing hand. The smooth screen of the Motion Tablet, according to him, “gives a paper feel without causing any discomfort, even after hours of drawing.”

“It’s only recently that I stopped trying to wipe off the eraser dust,” referring to the bits of eraser that stayed on the page when he had to make changes. Now, with the tablet PC, he says “I can just hit the undo button.”

X200/X201 Ultrabase has a built-in battery charger

Something else I should know if I am really a Tablet Expert

Well, they say you should learn something new every day. Today I learned that the Lenovo X200 and X201 Ultrabase have a battery charger built right into them! That is good because we are seeing them used a lot more in doctor's offices where they need to use them 10-12 hours straight.

Check out the picture.

Lenovo ThinkPad X201 Tablet PC announced

Lenovo announces the X201 Convertible Tablet PC

Building on the success of its earlier convertible Tablet PC models (the X41, X60 and X200), Lenovo today announced the release of the ThinkPad X201 Tablet.

First, let me highlight some of the major changes:

• Addition of a touchpad in addition to the “eraser head”. Let’s face it – people love or hate the little keyboard nub and others feel the same way about a touchpad. Now you have both!
• Introduction of the Intel Core i-Series processor with Turbo Boost and Hyper-Threading
• Up to 500Gb, 7200rpm hard drive or 128Gb SSD
• More rugged and designed to pass 8 MilSpec tests

There will be two choices for the Core i7 processor – the 2.13GHz Intel Core i7-640LM and the 2.0GHz Intel Core i7-620LM. For the Operating System you can choose Windows 7 (Ultimate, Professional or Home Premium) or Windows XP Professional. While you can put up to 8Gb RAM in the unit, Windows 32-bit only supports 3Gb and Windows 64-bit will use 4Gb so I guess that is pertinent only to a non-Windows OS.

The Lenovo X201 Tablet PC will weigh a little more than its predecessor. The model with a 4-cell battery weighs 3.57 pounds and the 8-cell version weighs 3.95 pounds (previously 3.88). For the display, the choices of LED WXGA, Multitouch LED WXGA and SuperBright Outdoor LED WXGA are available in a 12.1” panel.

So far, we only have information about one TopSeller bundle available and the specs aren’t complete but I’m personally excited because this one has the SuperBright display, a feature we haven’t seen in any of these well-priced bundles.

The bundle is as follows:

Lenovo X201T

• Core i7-640LM 2.13GHz processor
• 4Gb RAM
• 320Gb hard drive (unknown if it is the 5400rpm or 7200rpm)
• Bluetooth
• Fingerprint reader
• Camera
• Windows 7 32-bit
• All for $1,899

These TopSeller bundles usually come with a 3 year parts and labor warranty. I’ll let you know more as it comes available.

Update: We now have TopSeller bundles available for pre-order. Visit our Tablet PC Store for more information.

Briggs Corp. release OASISync Tablet PC forms

Briggs Corp. provide forms, and charting systems for more than 50,000 customers in the senior care, home care, acute care and other markets. In business for over 60 years, Briggs is moving their paper-based forms into the digital age with the announcement of OASISync. OASISync is a Tablet PC based solution for home care technicians to streamline the OASIS data entry process.

OASISync allows home care providers to be more productive while still remaining compliant to government regulations. By entering data more accurately at the point of service, home care providers can help improve patient outcomes while realizing faster reimbursements.

To learn more about the solution and arrange a free online demonstration, call Hal Shifman at 1-877-772-5587 x1.

Firehouse Software meets the Motion Computing F5 Tablet PC

In November of last year I was invited to FHETS which is the Firehouse Software Education and Training Seminar. Since it was in Orlando and I have been a paramedic and firefighter for a while I couldn't resist. I brought a variety of Motion Computing Tablet PCs for the attendees to use while they learned more about Firehouse Software.

Out of all the tablet PCs that were available, the Motion F5 received the most attention from the fire marshal, fire inspectors and chief officers in attendance. All of them had experience with Panasonic Toughbooks. They were impressed by the perfect balance of ruggedness, light weight and price that the Motion F5 offers. I spent a lot of the day banging the F5 on the table and showing how they could use the pen to click through all the Firehouse forms.

With the price of a Panasonic Toughbook starting at around $3,500, the firefighters were impressed that the Motion F5 with indoor/outdoor display, 3 year Field Ready warranty and Sprint or Verizon broadband built-in costs just over $3,000.

Since the show we have loaned our Motion F5 a dozen times to different departments through our Motion Tablet PC demo program. Through the demo program, your fire department can borrow the Motion F5 preloaded with Firehouse Mobile for 5 days for just the cost of shipping. You also get the desktop and vehicle docking station so you can see how those accessories fit into your environment. If you have questions, call John Hill at 215-441-5580 x101.

Best Tablet PC for a doctor

The conversation starts with the same question: Which Tablet PC do you recommend for me and my medical practice?

The first question I ask is about which software you will be using. For most physicians, the answer is that it will be used just for their EMR software. If the tablet pc will be used for other functions like email, Microsoft Office or general use then additional considerations come into play. Right now, let's just talk about using the tablet with an EMR.

If your EMR software runs wirelessly from a local server or is web-based then it won't require a lot of horsepower to run the application. Don't be obsessed with Gigahertz or hard disk size like you would be with a machine you used for general purposes. Instead, choose it by the requirements given by your software provider and how you need to interact with it. What I mean by "interact with" is this - if your software is mostly point and click with drop down menus and check boxes but little narrative, a slate tablet PC is your best choice for comfort due to thinness and light weight. If your software requires a lot of power and there is a significant amount of typing required then a convertible tablet PC is probably right for you.

OK, let's talk first about slate tablet PCs.

If you are choosing a slate, there are several choices on the market. Without talking about specific brands, your first choice is a 10.4" or 12.1" display. A tablet pc with the smaller display is going to be lighter and easier to carry but if your EMR software doesn't look good on a screen that size then you need to choose a larger size. The majority of our customers choose a tablet with a 12" display for one main reason - it is larger and easier to read. If you could get through medical school in 4 years and be a 23 year old doctor then small print wouldn't matter, but it is likely that you will be more comfortable with a larger display.

Now let's talk about convertible tablets.

While you can can buy a convertible with a larger display than 12" I would discourage it because the overall weight will make it uncomfortable to carry. Remember that you can't switch hands when writing so you will be carrying the tablet in the same arm all day. This factor comes into play when deciding whether to get a convertible with a built-in DVD. Unless you have the need to look at DVDs for scans or some other reason, don't buy a unit with one built-in because it adds unnecessary weight and bulk.

Here are some other random considerations for purchasing a tablet pc:

1. Choose the largest capacity battery available.

2. Capacitive or multitouch isn't important with any EMR software I'm aware of. Choose it for your home computer, not for your work tablet.

3. A standard display is fine and the cost of an outdoor display isn't necessary.

4. Don't get a case - it just gets in the way.

There are more choices but this will get you through the basics. If you want to talk about your specific situation or get my recommendations for specific brands and models, email me at john@alltp.com or call 215-441-5580 x101.

Magnetic Stripe Reader for Motion F5/C5 Tablet PCs

Motion Launches Magnetic Stripe Reader for the C5 and F5 Rugged Tablet PCs

EasyConnect magnetic stripe reader provides a convenient solution for point-of-sale transactions

AUSTIN, TX– Jan. 26, 2010 – Motion Computing®, a leading provider of integrated mobile computing solutions, announced today new peripherals designed specifically for the C5 mobile clinical assistant (MCA) and rugged F5 Tablet PC. The new EasyConnect magnetic stripe reader (MSR) provides a convenient and highly mobile point-of-sale (POS) solution, while a new case provides even more options to easily use the Motion^® Tablets while on-the-go.

EasyConnect MSR for Retail POS

The new EasyConnect MSR snaps into the docking connector offering the mobility and productivity of a hand-held POS device, with the flexibility of a powerful PC. Now, as sales representatives use the tablet PCs to help customers identify solutions and place orders, they can also conduct secure credit card transactions in real time, without the need to manage multiple devices. With the mobile broadband and wireless capabilities of the C5 and F5, secure transactions can happen whether retail employees are moving about a store or providing services and solutions in the field.

“Motion continually works with customers to identify solutions that make using tablet PCs at the point of service simple, yet extremely productive,” said Mike Stinson, vice president of marketing, Motion. “The EasyConnect MSR is a direct result of large retail organizations requesting integrated credit card processing capabilities that enhance customer satisfaction, improve the sales process and speed up billing cycle times.”

Do you have more questions about the Motion F5 Rugged Tablet PC or the EasyConnect Magentic Stripe Reader? Call Allegiance Tablet PC Experts, a top Motion Computing partner, at 877-772-5587 and ask to speak to John or Hal or visit our website at http://www.alltp.com/.

Real men use Tablet PCs

Happy New Year!

While others celebrate the virtual arrival of the non-existent Apple tablet, I'm celebrating REAL MEN WHO USE REAL TABLET PCs.


William Pierce, an installer with a satellite TV company, uses a Tablet PC (a REAL one) to complete his paperwork faster right at the customer installation site. If he didn't have a tablet, he'd have to write everything down on paper and then go out to his work van and reenter it onto his company-issued laptop computer.

Luckily, William is a REAL MAN.