Building upon industry standards, the new release of the mobile forms based and hand writing recognition platform focuses on the Mi-Forms Enterprise Server, workflow enhancements, and support for Windows Mobile 5
Research Triangle Park, NC. Mi-Co announced the availability of Version 6 of Mi-Forms Software, the enterprise mobile data capture software system. The release provides major enhancements for large enterprises deploying form based data capture solutions with new server capabilities and the support of new platforms, including Pocket PC devices running Windows Mobile 5.
“Mi-Forms Software is far from static,” stated Greg Clary, Mi-Co CEO, “and we have a commitment to our customers to add major features and enhancements to the system at least once a year. Version 6 of Mi-Forms fulfills that commitment by providing enterprise flexibility on the deployment of mobile data capture solutions. This flexibility is built with an eye toward enterprise standards such as XML, a .NET based architecture, web services based communications, and integration with enterprise products such as IBM Workplace Forms.”
The flexibility provided by Mi-Forms Version 6 can be found in each of the key processes in forms based data collection: Forms Design, Data Capture, Data Validation and Information Communication.
“Our large customers such as the USDA and Sutter Health make it clear that Mi-Forms must not only meet their short term needs in the mobile data capture arena but provide a flexible platform to meet unexpected and future needs,” stated Chris DiPierro, Director of Software Development, “and Version 6 is that flexible product offering.”
Forms Design : Organizations developing forms with the Mi-Forms Designer will find a number of improvements to increase flexibility and ease of use for staff developing forms. For example, Visual Studio 2005, while not required, is integrated with Mi-Forms Designer. Within Version 6, the new data palette concept allows designers to create forms by starting with existing data sources like an IBM Workplace Forms document, ODBC schema or XML schema, by bringing a representation of the data source directly into the Mi-Forms System.
Data Capture : While there are a number of Data Capture improvements in Version 6, the most visible is the support of Pocket PC running Windows Mobile 5. Mi-Co continues to lead the industry in providing device independence and the Pocket PCs running WM5 join the previously supported devices that include the TabletPC, the Logitech io2 Digital Pen and BlueTooth Digital Pens. End users will also find enhancements associated with specific data capture activities. For example, a new narrative entry control and API allows users to more easily enter and have the system recognize comments and other narrative fields.
Data Validation : In the area of data validation and data quality, organizations have greater flexibility in determining the optimum method for checking for data input errors, errors in logic or errors identified through comparisons with previous data capture tasks. Business rules can now be run completely at the client level, completely at the server level or in any combination desired by the organization.
Information Communication : Organizations will have maximum flexibility in communicating data to other systems with the rich set of data exports provided in the Mi-Forms System (XML, CSV, ODBC, Microsoft Jet, PDF, BMP and other image formats as well as InkML—the industry standard ink format). Enhancements in Version 6 include the ability to write script driven datapaths on the Mi-Forms Server to access any proprietary database or any VB.NET supported file format. Data-driven workflows are now supported by Mi-Forms Client and Mi-Forms Server.
For a more detailed list of Mi-Forms Version 6 enhancements please go to www.mi-corporation.com (Source: Press Release)
Posted Friday, December 15, 2006 by ChrisD Rating: 2.90Comments (0)
At a mostly disappointing Samsung press event today, I got to play with their weird, wild, wonderful SPH-P9000 folding laptop. (To some extent, the whole product seems like a joke on Microsoft's codename for their Ultra Mobile PC project, which was 'Origami.')Announced last month at a WiMax show in Korea, it's definitely unique: it unfolds from something the shape and size of a paperback book into a bonafide Windows XP PC, complete with 1 Ghz Transmeta Efficeon processor, ATI Mobility Radeon graphics, 1.3 megapixel camera, Bluetooth and of course WiMax. The spec sheet said it has a 30GB hard dirve, but Windows XP reported only 24.4 GB and, oddly, 224 MB of RAM. The 5-inch, 854x580 display (according to Engadget) acts as a scrolling window on an 800x600 or 1024x768 desktop, which is a bit disconcerting. More details, and unfolding shots, after the jump. (Source: GearLog)
Posted Friday, December 15, 2006 by ChrisD Rating: 3.03Comments (1)
FINAL WORDS While the R2H is an impressive device with a great list of accessories, its weight (even with the 2 cell battery), permanent fan, tendency to heap up and generally inconvenient text entry modes (other than the USB keyboard), makes it a bit of an "odd animal" and the addition of a GPS module doesn't do a lot for it as the software offering is weak. Instead of adding a GPS module, a GSM/CDMA/UMTS module would have made it a more useful device overall, especially since the old PCMCIA slot. (Source: GPSPassion)
Posted Friday, December 15, 2006 by ChrisD Rating: 3.11Comments (0)
Yes you read it right. We feel it’s not going to be easy and you might be in great deal of issues. But one of our reader Igor sent us this email.
UPDATE: Check out the Video of Mac OS X running on the Asus R2H
Today I had too much free time on my hands and didn’t know what to do with it so I picked up my Asus R2H and installed Mac OS X 10.4.7 on it (yes you read it right). After some try-and-errors I finally managed to install it. Errors during installation were caused by my bad installation DVD. After replacing it the installation went very smooth. The installation process took about 45 minutes. The installation is not designed for 800 x 480 resolution, so you cannot se back and next buttons.
OS boot takes about 1min and 10 sec. UI is pretty slow, but it is not that annoying. This is most annoying Screen calibration is off, Most of the devices don’t work except Bluetooth and LAN. Will try to find as many drivers I can. (Source: OnlyUMPC)
In a completely quiet room, I noticed the machine was a bit noisy and distracting at times. When rotating the screen, the picture automatically changes orientation making it easy to hold as a notebook, but you can view the screen in landscape or portrait mode if you wish. An onscreen keyboard also helps typing a quick URL or email if you don't feel like rotating the screen back around. Reviewers of the P1610 often complain about heating problems, but I think it stayed pretty cool when I used it for prolonged periods. Overall, I think most applications performed as expected.
Despite the minor complaints, I really liked this PC tablet, and if the price was right, I would go out and get one tomorrow. Unfortunately, I just can't justify paying even $1,600 (30GB model) for a second laptop. (Source: Gina Hughes, Yahoo Tech)
Posted Thursday, December 14, 2006 by ChrisD Rating: 2.79Comments (0)
Dennis Rice and I had the great pleasure to sit down recently and talk to Tablet PC developer Ed Holloway for an interview. In case you haven’t been paying attention, Ed Holloway is quite active on a number of fronts when it comes to developing ink applications. As the co-founder and CTO for Field2Base he is instrumental in the development of that forms application as well as the new Forms2Base application that was recently released.
Ed is also the man behind the Ink Blog Plug-in for Windows Live Writer and the new Ink Search Tool (which just went into Beta 2.) Take a few minutes and check out our interview with Ed about Field2Base and his other inking exploits. (Source: Warner Crock, GottaBeMobile)
At Villanova, first-year students are given laptops _ and replacements after their sophomore year. Nursing students get personal digital assistants, and engineers get tablet PCs. Over the Internet, students can register for classes, download lectures, take exams and get grades. Tech-support calls are guaranteed a response within 24 hours. (Source: Justin Pope, Lompoc Record)
Posted Thursday, December 14, 2006 by ChrisD Rating: 2.94Comments (0)
What is some experimentation with technology and learning that you find promising? We've got a program we have been doing in some universities, where we developed software so that the lecture can be done with a tablet PC. The lecturer can be putting up notes, writing them while talking and showing them up in the screen. Not only can the students see what he is doing, they can be following it on their own. And they could be making their own annotations. They can be asking questions, which can get fed to a TA (teaching assistant). (Source: Rick Rashid, ZDNet Blogs)
Posted Wednesday, December 13, 2006 by ChrisD Rating: 3.03Comments (0)
Clarkson places their focus on the student experience by providing them with online academic services and instruction, one-card access to vending, laundry, dorms and other services, wireless access to applications and information from 90% of the campus and access to entertainment including a server for legal games, music and videos. In the classroom, tablet PCs are being used to replace the traditional white board and PowerPoint presentations. Faculty are using software to enable anonymous peer review, giving students immediate feedback on their writing, while learning to use their critical thinking skills in evaluating the written work of others. Faculty are also using videoconferencing to bring experts into their classrooms from across the country and the globe. (Source: NewsWatch50)
Posted Wednesday, December 13, 2006 by ChrisD Rating: 3.03Comments (1)
Mi-Co announced the availability of Mi-Co’s Mi-Forms Home Health Solution with the launch of Version 6 of Mi-Forms Software for enterprise mobile data capture software system. The new release of the Mi-Forms Home Health Solution provides software that will bring increased efficiency and data quality to those organizations tasked with providing healthcare services for patients in the home.
“At Wilson County, we have been working with Mi-Co for over three years,” stated Debra Harris, Director of Home Health, “and this release of the Mi-Forms Home Health Solution provides a way that our nurses can capture data using handwriting and simultaneously use the power of the computer to check for errors while they are in the patient’s home. This software combination of handwriting recognition and business rules on the Tablet PC greatly reduces our error rate when we are completing OASIS forms and other required paperwork.”
The Mi-Forms Home Health Solution is a software and services offering from Mi-Co and selected Mi-Co partners that contains the following major components:
--A set of home healthcare assessment forms that may be customized for the agency --OASIS validation rules built directly into the assessment forms to capture errors at the point of data collection --Evaluation forms for various disciplines, such as skilled nursing, physical therapy, speech therapy and occupational therapy --Mobile Visit Management System to allow clinicians to view patient data including demographics, medications, and past visits while in a patient’s home --Data integration capabilities to automatically generate files for communicating with other systems (such as HAVEN and billing systems)
“Mi-Co’s Mi-Forms Home Health Solution has been built for maximum flexibility for healthcare nurses and clinicians using an environment comprised of industry standards,” stated Adam Duggan, Chief Architect of Mi-Forms Home Health. “The application requirements have been driven by the nurses’ needs while the use of standards minimizes the support needed from information technology personnel. This combination of developing from both the end user’s and the technologist’s perspectives provides both a cost effective solution as well as a user friendly one.”
In building the Mi-Forms Home Health Solution, Mi-Co staff have worked closely with current healthcare customers of the Mi-Forms System. Approximately 40 percent of
Mi-Co customers, including the Wilson County Home Health Agency, are in the healthcare industry.
Joel Farmer, Director of Support & Training at Mi-Co, who has been working with the Wilson County Home Health Implementation since 2004 stated, “The opportunity to work closely with both the nursing staffs as well as our customers’ technical personnel has allowed Mi-Co to focus our technology on the specific issues surrounding capturing and using data in the home health arena. With the Mi-Forms Home Health Solution, Mi-Co has integrated that experience directly into the software.”
For a more detailed list of Mi-Forms Version 6 and Mi-Forms Home Health Solution capabilities please go to www.mi-corporation.com (Source: Press Release)
Posted Wednesday, December 13, 2006 by ChrisD Rating: 3.08Comments (0)
We have searched high and low to find some useful gift ideas that will satisfy any Tablet enthusiast. To make shopping easy for your loved ones send them a link to our gift guide. If you are feeling even more selfish, use our gift picks to burn that extra holiday cash on yourself! (Source: Barry J. Doyle, TabletPCReview.com)
Posted Tuesday, December 12, 2006 by ChrisD Rating: 3.06Comments (0)
Leading Trade Publications Describe PowerCAD 'Turn-On-and-Go' Mobility Solutions as Truly Remarkable
CALGARY, ALBERTA--(CCNMatthews - Dec. 12, 2006) - GiveMePower Corporation (OTCBB:GMPW), today launched two new ultra-mobile computing solutions for building surveying and inspection, construction area estimating and reporting, and facilities asset and information management - featuring hardware from mobility market leaders Dell and Tablet Kiosk.
Centered around GiveMePower's critically-acclaimed PowerCAD® SiteMasterTM as-built floor planning, design and facilities information management software, two different Turn-On-and-Go solutions are now available for purchase, featuring either Dell's AximTM X51v handheld PC or Tablet Kiosk's eoTM Ultra Mobile PC as the mobile / handheld computing device, and Leica Geosystem's DISTOTM A6 Bluetooth® wireless laser to measure and instantly create AutoCAD®-compatible drawings with "point, shoot, done" simplicity and speed.
"Our customers told us they wanted turn-key mobile systems that had everything they needed to be instantly productive," said Cliff Carr, vice president of North American Sales for GiveMePower. "Our new Turn-On-and-Go solutions deliver in ultra-lightweight configurations that fit any user's preference, and that maximize operator speed and safety using the best mobile equipment money can buy."
PowerCAD SiteMaster is a revolutionary mobile, wireless and collaborative office solution which is proven to double the productivity and halve the costs for anyone who owns, operates, manages, measures, designs, constructs, inspects or sells/leases buildings - and needs precise up-to-date floor plan drawings and associated construction, area estimation and facilities management reports.
Receiving rave reviews from users and leading trade publications including Cadalyst and Constructech magazines, PowerCAD SiteMaster Turn-On-and-Go kits allow businesses to confidently deploy standardized solutions from market-leading providers. Kits include all the software and hardware needed in a custom, high impact carry case built to house and protect everything in even the most demanding jobsite conditions.
Summarizing PowerCAD SiteMaster Turn-On-and-Go systems in a recent issue, Cadalyst magazine reviewer Ron LaFon stated, "This software is truly remarkable, both in its capabilities and its ability to perform so much on such a small device. Users can perform a wealth of work accurately and in short order, saving time, energy and costly reworking."
Improving field-to-finish production of AutoCAD®-compatible "as-built" floor plans, Excel®-compatible area and asset reports, and detailed building assessment and inspection drawings by up to 1,000% on jobs for McDonald's, Cartier, Deutsche Telecom and the US Navy, PowerCAD SiteMaster is part of GiveMePower's unique family of CAD AnywhereTM 2D and 3D design, viewing and mobile/wireless collaboration solutions - each designed to save time and money in the office and in the field.
Other users benefiting from GiveMePower technologies include: AT&T, General Dynamics, Maytag, Payless ShoeSource, Penn State University, the United States Postal Service and other branches of the U.S. Military.
Availability
Special introductory pricing is available now for PowerCAD SiteMaster Turn-On-and-Go Dell and Tablet Kiosk Ultra-Mobile computing kits and accessory packs. Interested parties are asked to contact their authorized GiveMePower Premier Solutions Provider, to call 1-888-977-6937 or to visit GiveMePower's website at www.givemepower.com. (Source: Press Release)
But what really caught my attention was the personal involvement of an executive from one specific company, HP’s Jim Vanides, who I think is the closest thing any of the tablet PC makers have as an tablet computing evangelist to the academic computing communities. Although Microsoft – which had a strong presence at this conference is doing a very good job when it comes to promoting pen-based computing in academia, particularly in conjunction with Vista, which is expected to become widely available in the coming weeks.
I didn’t get a chance to introduce myself to Jim Vanides, he was busy talking to attendees about pen-based computing and new applications and I didn’t want to interrupt. After the event, however, I discovered his blog at www.hp.com/blogs/highered. It’s become one of two HP management blogs that I now have on my “must read” list and his online posts about computing in higher education could be an example of what and how to blog for academic audiences now considering pen-based computing deployment or adoption.
My takeaway from the conference is: if a hardware or software supplier wants to succeed early in the pen-based computing market, they’re doing to need to evangelize, hardware, applications and adoption. And right now, despite some very good systems coming on the market and the immediate release of Vista, the only companies actively evangelizing this class of hardware is a very short list: HP, Gateway and Microsoft.
9 out of 10. I would give it a 10 if it was cheaper. It's true that you can get it for 1649 dollars but it will be lacking of HDD space, RAM and you wont be able to use all the features included in XP Tablet PC Edition (keep in mind that this device is Vista Capable and Vista includes by default these features).
You can customize your Fujitsu P1610 at alltp.com and I want to thank this company for sending me this unit for this review.
You can check the rest of the 52 pictures and screen shots that I took for this review here. (Source: CTitanic, Ultra Mobile PC Tips)
Posted Monday, December 11, 2006 by ChrisD Rating: 3.11Comments (0)
Marc Orchant and James Kendrick sit down (finally) for show #33 and talk about the new Fujitsu P1610 mini-Tablet PC with the 8.9" touchscreen that incorporates near perfect palm rejection technology. Marc is heading to Finland- will he use the Tablet PC backlight as a flashlight for his upcoming visit? The discussion quickly switches over to all the Tablet PC owners who are trying to install Vista RTM on their precious, and the dynamic duo touches on whether they will be installing Vista on their production devices any time soon. Office 2007 file compatibility issues are in the news and Chuck Frey has a new mind-mapping book that Marc likes plus there's an interview with Eric Mack discussing mind-mapping on a Tablet PC. If you listen closely you'll get a tip for using MindManager on a touch-screen Tablet PCs that lets you ink away in that fine program. It's a good show and Marc and James think you'll like it. (Source: jk On The Run)
If you want flexibility and portability then the P1610 from Fujitsu Siemens is perfect for you, as long as you don't have thick fingers. For all its minor imperfections, we really love this little thing. It's well suited for someone who spends significant time in one spot, but travels enough that portability is also important. If you were considering a UMPC or similar device then this tablet should also enter your list of potentials. As long as your specification requirements are massive this will handle everything you need to do. If it is too small for you or your need something with a little more power behind it the P1610 has a bigger brother, the T4215.
It isn't perfect, but we certainly enjoyed using it. We could listen to music over Bluetooth while writing up this review and it didn't break any shoulders carrying it around. We could watch movies on it, surf the Interweb, take written and audio notes with it at press functions, making it a great all-round gadget. Of course a lot of our enjoyment stems from the fact that it suits our lifestyle, which it won't for everyone. The price tag of around Ł1300 may put some people off, but there is a premium to be paid for this kind of portability. µ (Source: Ian Williams, The Inquierer)
The gang starts off MobileTechRoundup show #80 on a football tangent, but then gets back on track by discussing two freeware of the show titles you may want to try. We talk a bit about Windows Mobile Crossbow and then how a Dell Axim with Crossbow is still a possibility in 2007. James received a very nice case to review and Kevin has a new slate Tablet PC from Fujitsu in his hands.
If you enjoy listening to the MobileTechRoundup podcast, please vote for us at Podcast Alley. Also, please let me know if you have anything you would like us to cover and discuss on the show and I'll try to work it into a future podcast. (Source: blogs.zdnet.com )
Mobile PC Users Are Different from Desktop Users in How They Shop and Use Their PCs
Most mobile PCs, although portable, are used in only two locations, and are used very differently than desktop PCs, according to the 2006 Mobile PC Profile Report from MetaFacts, Inc. Most employer-owned mobile PCs stay in the workplace, although when mobilized, are often used in hotels, home offices and client locations. Home-owned mobile PCs spend more time outside the home than work mobile PCs do outside the workplace. Besides various rooms of the home, such as adult bedrooms, living rooms and home offices, home-owned mobile PCs are used twice as often as work mobile PCs in a school, at the library, in a cybercafé, or at a restaurant.
“Notebook and tablet PCs are bought for the promise of portability and freedom, yet only get used in a couple types of locations,” said Dan Ness, Principal Analyst at MetaFacts. “Even though Mobile PCs are more powerful and lighter than ever, Americans seek the convenience of always on and always connected. Also, someone you see using a notebook in public is probably using their home, not work, PC.”
Mobile PCs also have some surprisingly different uses than desktops. Mobile PCs are used three times more often than desktops for online betting, and two times more often to create presentations, write blogs, access community/social networking groups like Friendster or LinkedIn, and watch DVDs. Work mobile PCs are more likely to be used for CAD/CAM design. Report results also indicate that mobile PCs are used more by the 18-34 group than among the 55+ group.
“Mobile PC users are highly sought by both online and brick-and-mortar retailers, because they’re more active buyers than desktop users,” said Dan Ness, Principal Analyst at MetaFacts. “Also, mobile PC users shop at different locations. They’re twice as often as desktop PC users to have recently shopped or purchased in person at an Apple or Sony store, and online from BJ's, CompUSA, Fry's Electronics, Apple, Staples, Radio Shack, Office Depot, Borders, Dell, or Costco.”
Other findings in the Mobile PC Profile Report involve consumer electronics use. “Mobile PC users enjoy their nomadic lifestyle, being twice as likely as desktop PC users to be using a handheld GPS, Apple iPod, other portable MP3 player or digital camcorder,” said Ness.
In addition to the Mobile PC Profile Report, MetaFacts has recently produced the Workplace PC Brand Profile Report, which focuses on PCs used in the workplace, and the Home PC Brand Profile Report, which profiles home PC use. These reports are part of a series of summary reports on specific topics based on the results of the MetaFacts 2006 Technology User Profile (TUP) study, which reveal the changing patterns of technology adoption and use in American households and businesses. Companies can also subscribe to the TUP Full Edition to receive complete survey results. Those new to the information provided in TUP can sign up at www.metafacts.com for complimentary TUPdates, which give insights on topics and findings in the full Technology User Profile. Finally, companies who need to delve further into findings can engage MetaFacts for a TUP Custom Re-Contact Study that further probes TUP respondents on issues relative to their specific industry, markets, and products. (Source: Press Release)
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