GPS and "dead reckoning"

We are frequently asked how well the Motion Computing tablets' GPS performs when mounted in apparatus or when leaving the station.  The concern is that it will take too much time for the GPS to acquire a signal from the satellites before allowing the driver/officer to map a route to the emergency.

With almost all modern GPS antennas this is not an issue.  Sometimes referred to as "dead reckoning" but in the industry it's called an "almanac" or internal memory to record the recent satellites used by the GPS.  For example, the almanac can predict satellite positions up to 3 days in advance.  This results in signal acquisition in less than 15 seconds and usually within just a few seconds.

The bottom line: use a modern GPS receiver connected via USB to your Motion Computing vehicle dock and you'll be in great shape to respond quickly.

At Allegiance Technology, we don't sell the GPS receivers but one of our partners recommends the USGlobalSat BU-353-S4 which can be found on the web for under $65.  It mounts with a magent.  You can find more information on exact specs at the USGlobalSat website.

Pennsburg Borough Emergency Management gets their Motion Computing R12 Tablet!

Post by Pennsburg Borough Emergency Management.

Keep your New Year resolution to make more money by eliminating paperwork problems

Welcome to 2015!  I'm sure you have made some New Year resolutions for your business.  If one of them is to reduce expenses by eliminating redundant paperwork, Toolbox Forms can help.  Our electronic form software allows your field workers to capture information for Inspections, Work Orders and Service Reports onto a tablet.  That information is sent directly to the office where it is quickly imported into your database or accounting software.  We turn those reports and work orders into PDF documents that can be emailed to customers right away.

But...MY GUYS HATE COMPUTERS!

We hear that a lot.  Our custom electronic forms look EXACTLY like your existing paper forms.  This means that your techs don't have to learn something new.  And because our forms software allows them to use a digital pen, your guys will feel comfortable with it right away.

Here is an example of what a form looks like in Toolbox Forms:

It looks almost identical to their original form!  This digital form is better because the techs can use dropdown menus to select most of their choices.  This means less time for them to fill out paperwork (they like that), legible and easier to read text on the inspection form (your office people will like that), and immediate transfer of completed paperwork to the office for invoicing the customer (your bottom line will like that).

So if you're tired of spending money on processing paperwork for inspections and work orders instead of making money by billing customers more quickly, give us a call at 215-441-5580 x1 and we'll be glad to show you how it works.

Have a great New Year!