Enterprise Software links field service elements.
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Press Release Summary:
FieldCentrix Enterprise v3.5 provides identical smart mobile client applications functionality across all platforms. Service technicians using PDAs running Pocket PC have access to same mobile application as technicians using handheld PCs, laptops, or desktop computers. FX Mobile architecture allows information to be recorded on mobile device at time of service, and automatically sent to server as soon as wireless connection is re-established, without manual intervention.
Original Press Release:
Version 3.5 of FieldCentrix Enterprise Software Offers Same Smart Mobile Client Application Functionality Across All Platforms
Irvine, Calif. - March 18, 2003 - FieldCentrix® Inc. today announced version 3.5 of its FieldCentrix Enterprise software suite. With this release, FieldCentrix has ported its full FX Mobile® application to the Microsoft Pocket PC platform, and becomes the first and only field service vendor to provide identical smart mobile client software functionality across all supported hardware and wireless platforms. The product is being introduced tonight in New Orleans at a joint Microsoft and FieldCentrix executive briefing held during CTIA, the largest wireless show in the world. With version 3.5, service technicians using PDAs running Pocket PC have access to the same feature- and data-rich mobile application as technicians using handheld PCs, laptops, or desktop computers. "Selecting the appropriate field service solution used to require making a tradeoff between rich functionality and smaller device form factors. Companies seeking a PDA solution often found their only options were thin-client applications that lacked robust equipment and parts detail due to device limitations," said Mike Roppolo, senior vice president of sales and marketing for FieldCentrix. "We listened to our customers and the market, and with the release of version 3.5, we have solved this problem. Companies no longer have to sacrifice functionality for form factor - they can get FieldCentrix's unparalleled smart mobile client functionality, regardless of the device." FieldCentrix's FX Mobile smart mobile client architecture addresses the reality of technicians not always being in wireless data coverage. It allows information to be recorded on the mobile device at the time of service, and automatically sent to the server as soon as the wireless connection is re-established - without manual intervention. This provides for uninterrupted technician productivity and customer service. Version 3.5's ability to offer a variety of alternative device types, platforms, and communications also allows FieldCentrix to better serve the needs of enterprise-class customers. "Wirelessly-enabling a large mobile workforce, that has thousands of technicians with different roles and communications needs, provides a challenge. To be cost effective, it is crucial for a solution vendor to provide options," said Roppolo. "With FieldCentrix 3.5, customers can mix and match devices to best fit their mobile workforce needs for maximum scalability, efficiency, and reduced acquisition and support costs." Version 3.5 also contains a number of key process enhancements designed specifically to address the performance and analytics needed at the enterprise level. FX Interchange(tm) has been improved, reducing the time required to integrate FieldCentrix software to existing business systems. Additionally, more than 50 new report configurations have been added to the FX Service Center® service management module, giving customers quicker and easier access to the data they need, right out of the box, with minimal customization. "The upgrade to FieldCentrix Enterprise 3.5 was trouble free, with minimal interruptions to our daily operations. We are very pleased with the product and its additional capabilities," said Chris Sentner, vice president of Boiler Sales/General Manager of Southern California and Nevada Operations at R.F. MacDonald Co., a respected provider of industrial and commercial boiler and pump sales and service and version 3.5 beta customer for FieldCentrix. "With this new version, we still get the same software benefits plus new capabilities that were included in the 3.5 upgrade - faster communication with our field techs, quicker responses to customer inquiries, and instant access to customer history information while at the job site. In addition to the software upgrades, the Pocket PC devices are more cost effective and provide enhanced capabilities to our field technicians." "Based on feedback from customers and the analysts, we feel our decision to port full functionality on the Pocket PC platform was the right strategy," stated Roppolo. "With its multiple form factors, potential processing power and memory, and support by Microsoft, we feel Pocket PC will be the long-term winner in the enterprise and vertical markets." Added Jack Gold, vice president of META Group, "We are seeing an increased focus from enterprises on deploying handheld devices, especially for field force automation. Pocket PC is capturing the major share of new deployments. We believe greater than 50 percent of enterprises will have deployed applications to mobile platforms within the next three to four years." General availability of FieldCentrix Enterprise version 3.5 is scheduled for April 2003. About FieldCentrix
FieldCentrix pioneered mobile field service automation in 1998 and now offers the most advanced service management software for the field service industry. Our award-winning FieldCentrix Enterprise solution streamlines and automates costly and time-consuming service processes and seamlessly links all field service elements - including technicians, customers, parts suppliers, and the office - to provide unparalleled operational efficiencies and customer satisfaction. FieldCentrix targets service organizations that dispatch personnel and parts for equipment installation, repair, and maintenance in the building trades (HVACR), medical equipment, real estate services, telecommunications, and high technology sectors. The company is headquartered in Irvine, Calif. and has offices nationwide and in Canada.
