In the latest version of its Glass wearable technology, Google is aiming squarely at the enterprise market, say reports from the US.
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Aug 05, 2015 • News • wearables • Enterprise Mobility • Google • Google Glass • Google Glass 2 • Technology
In the latest version of its Glass wearable technology, Google is aiming squarely at the enterprise market, say reports from the US.
Reports in the US Wall Street Journal that Google has developed a new version of its Google Glass wearable technology has got the newswires humming, not least because it is said to be firmly targeted at the enterprise sector not the consumer market as was the case with the now discontinued first version.
Google is reported to be distributing Glass 2 to software partners to enable them to develop programs that will use Glass 2 for enterprise tasks in sectors that include manufacturing, health and energy,
The Glass 2 design is said to include a longer, thinner cubeless prism to improve the display and a different frame that opens up the possibility of the technology being used with regular spectacles. The WSJ says the latest version has a faster Intel processor and boasts improved battery life and better wireless internet connectivity.
By focusing on enterprise private workplaces rather than consumers, Google seems to be attempting to allay fears, widely aired in the US, over privacy, stemming from the fact that the public would not know whether they were being filmed. Other concerns include the potential cyber threat to enterprise.
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[quote float="left"]Whether Google Glass 2 does become a valuable enterprise tool might depend on finding the right context.
Whether Google Glass 2 does become a valuable enterprise tool remains to be seen. Reaction to the Google Glass technology has been mixed and might depend on finding the right context. Airline Virgin Atlantic, for example, has trialled it for Upper Class passengers and has reported positive response from both passengers and staff. We discussed the benefits smart glasses might have in the field service sector in Part 2 of our recent series The 2020 Field Engineers Toolkit.
What is true, however, is that technology that was once way out there in the realms of science fiction is now becoming a reality. It's easy to forget that smartphones and tablets began as consumer devices but were quickly harnessed for enterprise, or that security concerns over earlier versions of Google's Android OS meant it was once deemed "unfit-for-enterprise".
Google and its developers have worked to address those fears, so there's no reason to doubt they will do the same for solutions that use Glass 2 for data capture.
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Aug 04, 2015 • Hardware • News • Bullitt Mobile • Caterpillar Inc • Rugged smartphone
The new Cat S40 rugged smartphone is designed to address the unreliability of consumer devices in outdoor environments.
The new Cat S40 rugged smartphone is designed to address the unreliability of consumer devices in outdoor environments.
Smartphones may be a popular low-cost choice for many companies migrating from paper to digital to manage their mobile workers, but they can prove unreliable in service - life can be tough for a smartphone in an outdoor environment. The Cat S40 rugged smartphone from Caterpillar Inc. has been designed to address these problems by combing superior rugged and smartphone performance while retaining the looks of a stylish handset.
The S40 will compete in a fast-growing sector: the rugged smartphone market grew to 10m units in 2014, according to UK company Bullitt Mobile, which has held the global licence to design, manufacture and distribute rugged phones and accessories for Caterpillar Inc. under the Cat phones brand since 2012.
Too many people are being let down and left out-of-pocket by damaged smartphones due to them being used in work environments they were not built for.
The S40 is typical smartphone size at 145mm x 74mm x 12.5mm and weighs 185g - small and slim enough to slip into a pocket. The 470mm qHD IPS display is readable in direct sunlight and the Corning Gorilla Glass 4 screen ensures it is resistant to scratches, knocks and drops.
Of particular interest to service organisations whose employees are working in outdoor environments will be the S40's innovative "wet finger tracking" technology. This optimises the capacitive touchscreen to respond effectively to input made even when the user’s fingers are wet: water (or, indeed, gloves), explains Bullit, creates a barrier that hampers the phones normal ability to understand and react to the input.
The S40 also sports the latest Android 5.1 Lollipop operating system, teamed with a Qualcomm MSM8909 1.1Ghz Quadcore processor. There is 16GB ROM Flash memory and 1GB RAM, with extended storage via a 64GB Micro SD.
The 3000 MAh non-removable battery is said to be good for 18 hours talk-time, 39 days in stand-by. There is an 8 megapixel autofocus front camera and a 2 megapixel rear camera, with video capture capability. The communications options include 2,3 and 4G.
"Too many people are being let down and left out-of-pocket by damaged smartphones due to them being used in work environments they were not built for,” says Oliver Schulte, CEO of Bullitt Mobile. “We recognised the need to use our expertise to launch a stylish, rugged smartphone that offers protection alongside style and performance. With the refined rugged design of the S40 we’re offering a device that looks great, runs the latest version of Android and offers the levels of protection our customers need."
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Jul 30, 2015 • Fleet Technology • News • fleet technology • telematics • TomTom Telematics
Improving its engineers' driving skills with TomTom Telematics Optidrive 360 has helped ventilation product manufacturer EnviroVent cut its annual fuel bill by £36,000.
Improving its engineers' driving skills with TomTom Telematics Optidrive 360 has helped ventilation product manufacturer EnviroVent cut its annual fuel bill by £36,000.
Ventilation product manufacturer EnviroVent has cut fuel consumption by 10 per cent using TomTom Telematics Optidrive 360 technology to improve driver behaviour, making annual fuel savings of £36,000.
The company is using TomTom's OptiDrive 360 to establish a performance improvement initiative across its nationwide fleet of 45 vans.
“Empowering our drivers with advice and feedback on how to drive more safely and fuel-efficiently led to immediate fuel saving and by introducing a programme to incentivise further improvements we expect to realise even greater benefits over the coming months,” said Jane McLean, Fleet Manager, EnviroVent.
“Our van drivers receive monthly performance reports and have already become quite competitive. We now plan to award prizes to the best performing regional teams to cut fuel consumption further, reduce vehicle maintenance costs and improve our carbon footprint, in line with our commitment to sustainability.”
OptiDrive 360 scores drivers based on a range of key performance indicators including speeding, driving events, idling and gear shifting and constant speed. All performance data is made available to managers and drivers in Webfleet, the fleet management software from TomTom Telematics, with direct feedback and driving advice offered to drivers via their in-vehicle driver terminals.
EnviroVent is also using Webfleet to improve customer response times by allocating jobs to its engineers and installers and routing them to customers more quickly and efficiently.
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Jul 29, 2015 • Hardware • News • Panasonic Toughbook • Panasonic Toughpad • Rugged devices
Got a Toughbook or Toughpad? Panasonic wants to hear from all those people who use these devices for very difficult tasks - jobs that would make the average worker's knees tremble.
Got a Toughbook or Toughpad? Panasonic wants to hear from all those people who use these devices for very difficult tasks - jobs that would make the average worker's knees tremble.
In celebration of tough job heroes and recognition that while the Toughbook and Toughpad rugged devices are tough, their users are often even tougher, Panasonic is running a Toughest Job competition. The jobs show rugged devices in action in the UK's National Health Service, by Royal Air Force helicopter crews and by crane inspectors for Zurich Insurance.
To enter, you view three videos showing the devices in action and cast their vote as to watch three videos and cast your vote as to which of the three jobs is toughest: you click on "tough as Old Boots" if you agree the job is tough or on "My Nana's Tougher" is you think there are tougher jobs out there. The winner receives a rugged Panasonic Toughpad FZ-M1.
You don't think those jobs are as tough as yours? Panasonic wants to hear from you, too. In a second competition those people view the videos and think their job is tougher can upload a photo or video of themselves or their colleagues in action and enter a prize draw to win a Panasonic rugged Lumix camera as well.
The competition runs until 31 August 2015.
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Jul 27, 2015 • News • automotive technology • research • driverless cars • Technology • UK Government projects
The UK Government has launched a £20 million competitive fund for collaborative research and development into driverless vehicles, along with a code of practice for testing the technologies.
The UK Government has launched a £20 million competitive fund for collaborative research and development into driverless vehicles, along with a code of practice for testing the technologies.
The Government says the measures will put the UK at the forefront of the intelligent mobility market, expected to be worth £900 billion by 2025. It aims to make the UK the best place for testing driverless technology and is inviting bidders to put forward proposals in areas such as safety, reliability, how vehicles can communicate with each other and the environment around them and how driverless vehicles can help give an ageing population greater independence.
The Government aims to make the UK the best place for testing driverless technology.
A new joint policy unit, the Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (C-CAV) has been established to co-ordinate work by the Department for Transport (DfT) and Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) and formulate future government policy on driverless cars and connected technology.
Business Secretary Sajid Javid said: "To boost productivity Britain will need to capitalise on new technologies like driverless vehicles, securing high skilled jobs for those who want to work hard and get on, and contributing to a more prosperous future for the whole of the country. Our world beating automotive industry, strengths in innovation and light touch regulatory approach to testing driverless technology combine to make the UK market competitive and an attractive destination for investors."
Transport Minister Andrew Jones said: Driverless cars will bring great benefits to our society and economy and I want the UK to lead the way in developing this exciting technology. Our code of practice clearly shows that the UK is in the best position when it comes to testing driverless cars and embracing the motoring of the future. We now look forward to working with industry to make this a reality." A decade ago Britain’s car industry was in decline, but it is now the most productive amongst the major European producers," commented Jones. "New technology can help it improve its productivity and competitiveness in the future."
A code of practice was published to accompany the announcement to provide the industry with the framework they need to safely trial cars in real-life scenarios, and to create more sophisticated versions of the models that already exist. C-CAV is currently working on a range of new technological developments, including plans to test new roadside communication technology to improve traffic flow and safety through ‘connected corridors’. This would pilot technology that will provide drivers with useful journey and safety information.
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Jul 24, 2015 • Fleet Technology • News • O2 • OBD-II • telematics • vehicle leasing • vehicle tracking
UK telecoms company O2 is expanding its Fleet Telematics portfolio with the addition of fleet management and vehicle tracking from Canadian company Geotab.
UK telecoms company O2 is expanding its Fleet Telematics portfolio with the addition of fleet management and vehicle tracking from Canadian company Geotab.
O2 Track and Go and O2 Smart Tracking uses Geotab’s GO7 telematics data capture device and the MyGeotab platform. The device can be quickly and easily installed into the on-board OBD-II diagnostics port in vans and cars, either overtly or covertly. It simply plugs in: there is no need for any wiring, so it can be easily removed when a vehicle is de-fleeted and instantly becomes ready to install in a new vehicle. The devices have been deployed in more than 450,000 vehicles, says Geotab.
The Geotab OBD-II device simply plugs in: there is no need for any wiring.
The technology will serve verticals such as car rental, leasing, courier, beverages and utility fleets to improve their on-road productivity, on-road safety, and ecological efficiency, in addition to optimizing fleet performance to reduce fuel costs, says O2. Fleet managers will gain more intelligence across multiple vehicles giving them the data and insights needed to make more informed business decisions in real-time. Furthermore, drivers will have more insight over their individual vehicles.
“Telematics is now a must-have for all organisations looking for the most accurate data about their business vehicles. O2 Track and Go and O2 Smart Tracking can help fleet decision makers achieve significant operating efficiencies,” said David Taylor, managing director of Machine to Machine for O2 in the UK. “Through our partnership with Geotab we’re looking forward to expanding our existing relationships with fleets, leasing and rental companies to embrace fleet management.”
“Fleet, rental and leasing companies need reliable and secure fleet management solutions that are easy to install, manage and switch out as the fleet is changing rapidly,” said CEO Neil Cawse, Geotab. “We are excited and honoured to be selected to support O2’s telematics offering in the UK and look forward to help serve O2’s fleet customers with our end-to-end fleet management solution,” Cawse continued.
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Jul 20, 2015 • Hardware • News • motion computing • Xplore Technologies • hardware • rugged tablet • ultra-rugged tablet pcs
Xplore Technologies Corporation, the rugged tablet computer manufacturer, has expanded its presence in the UK with the acquisition of Motion Computing Inc. and its subsidiaries. The acquisition broadens Xplore's product portfolio to encompass rugged...
Xplore Technologies Corporation, the rugged tablet computer manufacturer, has expanded its presence in the UK with the acquisition of Motion Computing Inc. and its subsidiaries. The acquisition broadens Xplore's product portfolio to encompass rugged as well as ultra-rugged tablet computers.
By bringing together two industry leaders, organisations in the United Kingdom now have access to the most robust product portfolio of rugged tablets in the industry that are purpose-built for the unique workflow demands of critical industries. Both Xpore and Motion by Xplore products will continue to be available through local channel partners in UK
The collective companies will provide a one-stop shop for rugged tablets.
The portfolio of Xplore and Motion by Xplore tablet computers use powerful and modern processors and components and are tested more vigorously for shock, thermal, vibration, impact, ingress and emissions than any other in the industry. In May, Xplore won the prestigious Mobile Platform Partner of the Year award at the 2015 Intel Solutions Summit in North America.
Xplore’s products enable the extension of traditional computing systems to a range of field and on-site personnel, regardless of location or environment, providing an ecosystem that turns the tablet PC into a solution for their specific workflow.The company’s industrial grade rugged tablets meet the demands of customers in the energy, healthcare, utilities, manufacturing and distribution, public safety, field services, transportation, and military sectors.
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Jul 17, 2015 • News • Qoton Solutions • cloud • SaaS • servicepower • Software and Apps • software and apps
ServicePower and Qton Solutions have formed a strategic partnership to provide optimised workforce management solution for the metering industry which will expedite services and reduce costs.
ServicePower and Qton Solutions have formed a strategic partnership to provide optimised workforce management solution for the metering industry which will expedite services and reduce costs.
ServicePower Technologies Plc market leader in field service management technology, today announced that it has signed a strategic partnership with Qton Solutions, the field service management software specialist in the UK metering industry.
Qton’s platform, hosted and managed in the cloud, provides drag-and-drop scheduling of jobs, mobile dispatch with real-time status updates, and fully customisable industry compliant workflows which facilitate on-site data capture. By including ServicePower’s ServiceScheduling incorporating the latest optimisation algorithms, Qton’s work order management and mobile dispatch technology now includes intelligent, intra-day, schedule optimisation. Work orders will be created in Qton, optimised, and continuously re-optimised in ServiceScheduling, and dispatched to the metering field technicians.
Integration of the ServiceScheduling optimisation technologies enables us to offer true route optimisation in addition to the drag-and-drop scheduling our platform was designed to support.
Marne Martin, CEO, ServicePower, stated “This is yet another partnership for ServicePower which broadens its reach into new verticals. ServiceScheduling will provide the advanced optimisation technology which Qton’s utility customers require to ensure the lowest cost maintenance schedules and highest levels of customer service, through offering real time, accurate appointments to the industry. The partnership gives customers a choice and also offers the product as a service which broadens our larger cloud-based offering. By working with Qton, ServicePower is able to grow its utilities customer base in the UK. This partnership further demonstrates our commitment to ServicePower’s partner ecosystem. We will achieve growth through integrating our technology with innovative partners whom extend our functional, geographical and execution reach, in addition to generating our own organic sales.”
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Jul 16, 2015 • Fleet Technology • News • SaaS • software and apps • telematics • TomTom Telematics • TU-Automotive
TomTom Telematics has been awarded the Best Commercial Vehicle Systems Integrator for 2015 by TU-Automotive.
TomTom Telematics has been awarded the Best Commercial Vehicle Systems Integrator for 2015 by TU-Automotive.
The award recognises the impact of TomTom’s cloud-based SaaS platform, WEBFLEET, and was announced at the TU-Automotive Awards Ceremony in Novi, Michigan. According to the judges, TomTom Telematics was selected because of “their progressive attitude, multi-faceted solution and ability to innovate”.
TomTom Telematics has cultivated a growing eco-system of more than 300 software and hardware partners unique in the fleet management industry, with all applications published in its App Centre.
The WEBFLEET.connect API allows third party software partners access to all field data generated by drivers and vehicles, in the same way they have access to all processed and aggregated data provided by WEBFLEET.
TomTom Telematics open platform approach is integral to the company's strategy.
“As the connected car space continues to grow and gain momentum, staying ahead of the curve and continually innovating is no mean feat,” said Krystyna Grant, director, TU-Automotive.
TomTom Telematics open platform approach is integral to the company's strategy and has resulted in the creation of an end-to-end fleet management system, which allows seamless data flow between drivers, vehicle and office. New applications have been produced to help customers digitise business processes and benefit from even greater efficiencies.
“It is extremely gratifying to have TU-Automotive validate our approach, especially as we continue to invest in our APIs, SDKs and partner ecosystem,” said Thomas Schmidt, managing director, TomTom Telematics.
“We are committed to delivering value to our fleet customers across industries. The best way to do that is to make integration with industry-specific solutions easy and efficient. Through our partner ecosystem, App Center and WEBFLEET platform, we are able to deliver value and improve the bottom line for more than 35,000 organisations worldwide.”
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