HOT NEW Tablet PC: Lenovo X230T

Lenovo recently announced the latest generation of their convertible Tablet PC, the Lenovo X230T.  Featuring a faster Intel Core i7 processor (running at a zippy 2.9GHz), optional outdoor viewable display with Gorilla Glass, Dolby speakers and a 720p webcam and much more.

You can see more information and all the features here.

Tablet PC Case Study: Blasting Solutions realizes 75% time savings over paper forms

We recently completed a case study with our client Blasting Solutions, Inc.  They use controlled detonation of explosives to deslag large boilers.  Before they implemented our solution, they spent several days assembling all the paperwork for their Job Book.  Now, the entire process just takes a few hours.  You can read the full case study here.

Capture video using the Motion CL900

You can use the documentation (rear facing) camera of the Motion Computing CL900 to capture video. This can be useful for field service people to document problems or completed installations. Inspectors can use it to show issues and provide additional documentation for an inspection form.

I downloaded free software from NCH Software which let me setup this functionality in just minutes. You can get the software here: http://www.nchsoftware.com/capture/index.html

When you first start the software, it will use the webcam by default but you can go into the Options and under Webcam/Capture Device, choose USB 3M DocCam. That's it and you can start capturing video. I found that using .wmv where it shows 'Record Web Camera as:' gave me the best quality video playback.

If you have other questions about using the CL900 cameras, you can check out this article in the Motion Computing Knowledge Base.

Enjoy!

Hazardous Materials Inspection form using Active Ink electronic forms software

Allegiance Technology creates solutions that enable organization to save time and money using electronic forms and tablet computers.

We recently created this Hazardous Materials Inspection Form using Active Ink software. If you want this form or another type of form, please contact us at 215-441-5580 or visit us at www.alltp.com.

Getting pictures into your slate Tablet PC without a tether

This product suggestion comes from one of our customers that uses tablets to document building conditions while rappelling from ropes. Because their work requires a higher level of photo detail than can be found in a Tablet PC, they need to use a 12MP digital camera. When you are hanging 15 stories about the street, tethering your camera or transferring an SD card isn't really a practical solution.

What they did is find a product called the Eye-Fi (www.eye.fi) which allows them to wirelessly transfer photos from their digital camera directly to their tablet PC so they can mark them up.

If you try this solution, let us know how it works for you.

Motion CL900 BIOS and driver updates

Motion Computing has released a few updates for the CL900 Tablet PC. These include a BIOS updated (dated 7/18/11), an Intel Graphics driver update which promises faster Adobe Flash Player results and an update to the Gobi WWAN.

You can find all the information on the Motion Computing CL900 support area of their website.

If you want to watch a video about the CL900 and see all the available configurations, visit our Tablet Store.

Enable Motion F5 and F5v camera to take pictures while in portrait mode

Recently, a customer asked how they could take pictures while in portrait mode. By default, the Motion C5, F5, C5v and F5v don't automatically rotate the camera when the display is rotated. Interestingly, this is easy to do but comes disabled by default.

Here is what you do:

Go to Start-->All Programs-->Intel (folder)-->MCA Platform Drive (folder)-->MCA Configuration Editor

Then, on the left side menu, click on Camera Plug-in.

Now, on the right, look for Enable Portrait Mode and set this to True instead of False.

BAM! Done!

Many thanks to Nathan Kuykendall of Motion Computing for providing the answer.

Motion J3500 Tablet PC now available with Core i3 processor

Motion Computing recently announced that their popular J3500 Tablet PC is now available with a Core i3 processor. Many businesses that want to use tablets don't need the power and associated expense of a high end unit. For EMR, filling out forms and email/web use, a Core i3 processor is enough power to do all their work.

Starting at just $1,799, you can purchase a semi-rugged, full function Tablet PC. The base unit include the Indoor Dual Touch display, 2Gb RAM, a 30Gb SSD, wireless, the Mobile Keyboard and a one year field-ready warranty. This is a very sweet deal for a doctor's office or service business that wants to deploy tablets while managing the cost of the initial investment.

To see all the different Core i3 models available, visit our Tablet Store.

Motion Computing adds Core i3 processor choice to C5v and F5v tablets

Motion Computing quietly added an option to downgrade the Motion C5v or F5v to a Core i3 processor. Combined with a tiny 30Gb SSD, this lowers the starting price of a C5v to just $1,899 and the F5v to $2,148. Besides the color, the difference between the C5v and the F5v is a one year warranty versus a three year warranty which accounts for the difference in the starting price.

IS A TABLET PC WITH CORE i3 PROCESSOR FOR YOU?

If you have a "heavy" application that requires a lot of resources, this is not a good choice. Especially because Motion Computing is only offering very limited configurations, so you can't get the barcode reader, camera or larger hard drives.

However, if you are running a web based or "cloud" application that doesn't need much processor, memory or hard drive, these units provide all the benefits of a rugged, disinfectable, lightweight Tablet PC.

Delivery on configurations with the Core i3 processor are on a 6 week lead time right now. If you want to learn more, call us at 215-441-5580 x1.

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.