Mobile Point-of-Service Devices Enable On-the-Spot Customer Service and Improve Accuracy of Data Entry

SAN JOSE, Calif. (Business Wire EON/PRWEB ) November 26, 2007 -- DT Research™, Inc., an industry leader in the development of information appliances for vertical markets, today announced the availability of three new hardware applications for the WebDT Mobile Tablet line. The WebDT 310 and 360 are the first Mobile Tablets that can be ordered with an integrated barcode scanner, Magnetic Stripe Reader (MSR) and/or camera. With the integration of new hardware applications, businesses in many vertical markets can significantly improve customer service and data accuracy by automatically capturing information from a barcode, magnetic stripe or camera and then seamlessly save the data or photo into commercial applications.

Companies in markets such as retail, hospitality, healthcare, manufacturing and insurance are looking to mobile devices to provide on-the-spot service to customers

Today businesses need the ability to quickly collect accurate information from customers, guests, patients, products and employees while at any location. Until now, users have had to use separate mobile devices or attach additional hardware to tablets. These methods are inconvenient, costly and do not offer automatic synchronization with software applications on the tablet.

WebDT mobile tablets are available with any combination of the three new hardware applications. The integration of these new applications provides a seamless data capture experience for users. Unlike add-on hardware devices, data is automatically captured and then saved directly into the commercial application on the tablet, without requiring additional steps. This saves users time and minimizes errors that are typically introduced during the data entry processes. Pre-integration of hardware applications also eliminates the need to test for compatibility and reduces the likelihood that separate hardware will be lost or stolen.

WebDT Mobile Tablets are lightweight and slim, yet durable enough to withstand commercial use. The devices are available in 8.4-inch (WebDT 360) and 10.4-inch (WebDT 310) touch screen displays which feature flash-based storage and extendable, hot-swappable batteries. Each unit has a customizable operating system that supports the Microsoft Windows® XP Embedded, CE .NET and Windows® Tablet PC operating systems. Therefore, companies that have existing commercial applications that run on these operating systems do not need to spend the time or money to have their applications re-engineered to run on WebDT Mobile Tablets. In addition, DT Research offers enterprise-class device management software for the WebDT tablets, which provides the convenience of comprehensive remote device administration.

The three new integrated hardware options deliver a point-of-service mobile device that improves customer service, increases the accuracy of data entry and speeds access to information from any location. For a demo of a WebDT Mobile Tablet with these new hardware applications, go to http://www.dtresearch.com/product/mobiletablet_video.htm.

Magnetic Stripe Reader (MSR) – The MSR can be used to capture data from driver’s licenses, credit cards, loyalty cards or any card with a magnetic stripe for automatic capture of personal or financial information. It features an ultra-compact design with a low profile read head that does not interfere with the operation of the mobile tablet.

Barcode Scanner – A 1D or 2D integrated barcode scanner allows quick and accurate capture of information from a variety of items such as retail products, patient records and shipping/receiving labels – empowering users to capture and manage data more efficiently. The 1D barcode scanner can process up to 500 scans per second and works in any lighting condition. The 2D barcode scanner is a high performance 2D imager engine and reads both 1D and 2D barcodes.

Camera – The integrated 2 Mega-pixel camera allows users to take on-the-spot photos and easily add these to existing software applications.

Industry Applications

Retail – Retail applications for the WebDT mobile tablets include online grocery fulfillment orders, on-the-spot customer service and product comparisons. With a barcode scanner, retailers can more effectively fulfill online orders by scanning the barcode typically included in each order to identify the customer’s delivery and order details. The barcode scanner can also be used to scan each product to make sure it is the right item ordered. In retail locations, the tablets can serve as a point-of-service “queue busting” tool by completing payment away from the cashier using the barcode scanner to identify each item and the MSR for credit card payment processing.

Hospitality – Mobile tablets can improve the efficiency of hotel, restaurant and casino operations. For instance, the centralized hotel system can alert cleaning personnel through a mobile tablet that rooms are ready for cleaning. When cleaning is completed, the cleaning staff can update the hotel system and the room can be immediately available for check-in by a new guest. Similarly, a mobile tablet with a MSR can be used as a tool to facilitate at-table payments at restaurants to turn around tables more quickly. Payment can be completed securely in the presence of the customer by swiping the customer’s credit card into the MSR.

Manufacturing/Logistics – Companies can streamline manufacturing and logistics processes by automating the capture of information. The barcode scanner provides more accurate inventory management by allowing employees to scan data directly into existing commercial applications. When the scanner is triggered, the information is auto-filled into the appropriate field as if it has been typed from a keyboard. This process saves time and provides error-free entry of data. The same method can be used for shelf management, airport baggage control and assembly line quality control.

Healthcare – Using a WebDT mobile tablet, healthcare professionals, whether on the road or in a hospital, can quickly access patient records to reference potentially life-saving information. Doctors and medical agents can scan or swipe a patient’s driver’s license or healthcare insurance card to gain immediate access to patient records, past treatments and other critical data. The integrated camera can also facilitate on-the-spot photo capture of physical injuries and medical conditions that need to be visually documented. The photo is automatically inserted into the patient’s medical record for future reference.

Insurance – Work processes can be streamlined for field agents in the auto or property insurance industries. The MSR and barcode can accurately capture insurance data by either swiping a customer’s ID into the card reader or using the scanner to access their property insurance records. The camera can also enhance field appraisals for auto and home damage assessments by on-the-spot capture of proof-of-ownership. Agents can insert information collected during interviews directly into the device, allowing instant information transfers and reducing the need for paper-based processing. Using the WebDT mobile tablet with the integrated camera an auto or property assessment process can be reduced to minutes, versus days.

Availability

WebDT 310 and WebDT 360 Mobile Tablets are available immediately directly from DT Research and through approved resellers and OEM partners.

About DT Research

DT Research™ develops and manufactures web-enabled information appliances for vertical applications. The WebDT family of products is based on thin computing platforms for secure, reliable, and cost-effective computing. These systems emphasize mobility, wireless connectivity and touch displays. WebDT products include digital signage systems, wireless tablets, compact modular appliances, and display-integrated information systems. Powered by Windows® CE and Windows XP Embedded operating systems, WebDT devices offer durability and ease in integration, leading to solutions that can be remotely managed with the user-friendly WebDT Device Manager software. For more information, visit www.dtresearch.com.

DT Research and WebDT are trademarks of DT Research, Inc. All other brands and product names may be trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their respective owners.

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