Technology Enhancements Support the Widest Range of Field Data Collection Methods in the Industry
CASIO Soft, Inc., today announced it has added real-time wireless connectivity, and integrated Interactive Voice Response (IVR) using Microsoft's Web Telephony Engine to CSI MobileLink v2.5, the newest release of its enterprise software solution for field force management, remote data collection, and web-based reporting.
MobileLink v2.5 is an easy-to-use mobile enterprise solution that is scalable to thousands of users. It integrates low-cost Windows CE devices, thin-client alternatives such as WAP-protocol smart phones and RIM Blackberry pagers, and IVR with web browser-based reporting, and SQL databases. MobileLink v2.5 gives companies control over call schedules, surveys, and on-the-job performances. It enables field personnel to conduct customized electronic surveys and inventories quickly, and to deliver aggregated in-store information to business managers in real-time.
The integration of wireless connectivity and support of the WAP protocol in the newest MobileLink release will provide users with real-time wireless connection support, and greatly expand the range of field devices that can be used to support data entry. MobileLink v2.5 can now support: Windows CE/Win 95/98/2000 (dial-up/Internet connection or HTML real-time wireless); Web Data Entry (Internet connection); IVR (telephone data entry); SmartPhones (WAP, real-time wireless data entry); and RIM/Blackberry Pagers, and Palm OS Wireless (WAP, real-time wireless data entry).
"Wireless support enables CASIO Soft to push into many new application areas and extend our MobileLink solution to additional field devices such as state-of-the-art Smart Phones or wireless Palm OS devices. It also provides a great advantage for our customers because we now have a proven, comprehensive field force administration system that allows field surveys to be deployed to the widest possible range of field devices. MobileLink v2.5 provides a single administration system for all of these kinds of field users and allows the aggregated data collected by any of these means to be reported through a consolidated web reporting system," said Daryl Scott, President and CEO of CASIO Soft.
Another important addition to MobileLink v2.5 is integrated Interactive Voice Response (IVR) using Microsoft's new Web Telephony Engine (WTE) for the Windows 2000 Server. MobileLink IVR and Microsoft WTE support allows users to simply phone in their survey results from a touch-tone telephone, using the phone's numeric keypad to answer questions pre-recorded by the administrator. CASIO Soft's support of the new MS web telephony technology enables remote data entry by telephone into MobileLink's backend SQL database and web reporting system, which provides another means to easily collect and transmit data from the field, and interact with the host server.
Key features of MobileLink v2.5 include:
-- Real-Time wireless connection support for WAP devices, smart phones RIM/Blackberry pagers, wireless Palm OS devices, thin-client HTML support
-- Reliable, low-cost, Windows CE/95/98/2000 handheld computers for data collection and transmission
-- Interactive Voice Response using Microsoft WTE technology for remote data entry by telephone
-- Easy-to-use desktop PC questionnaire creation
-- Centralized call scheduling and distribution
-- Supports Microsoft SQL Server database for data storage
-- Scalability to support thousands of users
-- Web-based reports that show in-store information immediately after calls results are transmitted. Also, web-based call editing and data entry.
-- Electronic signature capture, bar code scanner support, including, Multiple Scan Quantity Incrementing (MSQI).
-- A digital imaging feature that allows field personnel to capture, preview and save pictures on Pocket PCs or laptops before transmitting them to a server.
MobileLink is sold directly by CASIO Soft as well as through authorized Value Added Resellers. Pricing is based on the size and type of installation. CASIO Soft offers a complete range of services, which includes configuration and installation; integration with existing systems; hardware and network consulting; setup and bench testing prior to customer delivery of entire working system; on-site product training for MobileLink administrators, desktop users, and those who will be instructing the field personnel. MobileLink is presently being used by numerous major corporations to gather data in the field, including Anheuser-Busch, Procter & Gamble, SmithKline Beecham, CASIO, and Energizer. It is also used by leading marketing services and merchandizing firms, such as Field Marketing Inc. and MarketStar Corporation.
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