Community Blog

transport logistic vom 04. - 07. Juni 2013 in München - die ersten Bilder ...

Tom Wolters — Wed, 05 Jun 2013 16:33:18 GMT

Über 2.000 Aussteller aus 64 Ländern haben sich zur 14. transport logistic, Internationale Fachmesse für Logistik, Mobilität, IT und Supply Chain Management, angemeldet. Über 110 Aussteller mehr als zur Vorveranstaltung. Auch bei der Ausstellungsfläche gab es einen Zuwachs mit einer zusätzlichen neunten Halle. Zusammen mit dem Freigelände zeigen somit auf 110.000 Quadratmetern Unternehmen ihre Produkte und Dienstleistungen entlang der gesamten Wertschöpfungskette. Die transport logistic findet noch bis zum 7. Juni 2013 in München statt.

Hier die ersten Bilder vom Motorola/Psion Stand in Halle B2/618:

Psion – jetzt Teil von Motorola auf der transport logistic vom 04. - 07. Juni 2013 in München

Tom Wolters — Tue, 28 May 2013 12:17:49 GMT

Psion – jetzt Teil von Motorola auf der transport logistic vom 04. - 07. Juni 2013 in München

Besuchen Sie uns in Halle B2 Stand 618

Höhere Produktivität, Rentabilität und Betriebseffizienz im Fracht- und Speditionsbetrieb

Wenn Sie – zu Land, zu Wasser oder in der Luft – Fracht bewegen, sind Sie auf Kommunikation in Echtzeit angewiesen.

Machen Sie sich die Logistiklösungen von Psion jetzt Teil von Motorola zu Nutze.

Pünktliche Lieferung, Transparenz und Tracking in Echtzeit, bargeldlose Bezahlung - erfüllen Sie die Erwartungen Ihrer Kunden

Post-, Express- und Paketdienste stehen heutzutage einer Reihe von Herausforderungen gegenüber. Die mobilen Kommunikationslösungen von Motorola unterstützen Mitarbeiter in den Branchen Post, Transport und Logistik mit:

- umfangreichen Diensten bis zur Haustür des Kunden

- effizienter Verarbeitung von Aufträgen unterwegs, sowie

- Optimierung der Lager- und Versandprozesse.

Psion – jetzt Teil von Motorola lädt Sie herzlich auf die transport logistic 2013 in München ein. Die internationalen Fachmesse für Logistik, Mobilität, IT und Supply Chain Management.

Auf unserem Stand 618 in Halle B2 sehen Sie Lösungen in den Bereichen:

• AutoId/RFID Lösungen

• Lager und Distributions Lösungen

• Lösungen zu Kurier- und Zustellservice

• u.v.m.

Psion ist jetzt Teil von Motorola und beide präsentieren in Deutschland kombinierte Lösungen mit den neuesten Innovationen für Transport und Logistik.

Bitte informieren Sie uns unter kontak@psion.com, wann Sie uns besuchen möchten.

Sehr gerne schicken wir Ihnen mit der Terminbestätigung auch Gastkarten zu.

Ihr Psion Team

On using a Screwdriver as a Can-Opener.

Sean M. Kennedy — Thu, 23 May 2013 18:56:00 GMT

As a developer I have the enlightened position that pretty much I can do anything in Code.

But!

Is it a good idea to use a Screwdriver as a Can-Opener? I mean, you can do it, but is this right?

I recently have dealt with some situations similar to this.

Example 1) Using Serial as a backup to a web-interface application to extract data from a system where the web-service resides.

Example 2) Using RAS to get a TCP/IP Network Adaptor to allow a client software to communicate to an internet server -- rather than using a Serial Modem to connect via dial-up.

Example 3) Using NarrowBand for a purpose it really was not suited for. GUI Web Data, rather than Text-Based Green Screen Data.

I am going to re-cap in reverse order. There is significance in why I am doing it since I will refer to other companies technology where it was a good idea and why this example might not be.

Example 3) I posted an alternative response to provide a different perspective as well as a different solution proposal (and possible test to see if it feasible) for something that really is "do-able" but may not be the right solution.

The Posting is found here: "Code Sample for PtXRemoteSock.dll on NarrowBand {NB} Terminal"

I provided the alternative by explaining what NarrowBand does well, as well as asking the question : Do you need to not have Green Screens? Why not connect to the web-interface via a Green Screen that can do it.

Its more to prevent a re-invention of a wheel and an F1 race car, when all you really need to do is hook up an existing Spare tire to a nicely used Taxi. (You may guess, but I suggest sticking to using the green screens - and let the web-developers customize what they are good at -- the web-page that the green-screens connect to. Repainting the Taxi; so to speak. [Lipstick on a Pig comes to mind too, but I like pigs as just farm animals, and thats just nasty.]

Where this conversation is relevant : Remarkably the Opera Web Browser running on some Nokia Phones that are subscribed to carriers use just this method to provide web-pages, without overloading / burdening the Cellular network.

The Opera Server does the connection and rendering, the Phones act a display / input device to the Opera Client on the phone. (Pre-BB10 Blackberries do this too for BB Email and BBM -- saving money, and bandwidth, and CPU power.)

Example 2) This was something I encountered with EP10, the EP10 provides a Bluetooth interface to the Cellular Modem, as a Dial-up Modem adaptor. (Your PC can connect via BT to this modem and use it as a Dial-Up to get to the internet)

But a customer/partner encountered an issue where a peripheral device wanted a full fledged RAS terminal-server service to connect-to in order to get a Network Adaptor, and then connect to the internet to communicate data. -- Whats the matter with Direct Dial-up? Why the complexity? Why the extra points of fail? If a peripheral expects that kind of service, is that something a Mobile Device like an EP10 expected to provide this service? -- I would say; no.

I would look at alternatives that uses WiFi, or Bluetooth connectivity that has reasonable connectability expectations. Or better yet Direct Serial Data connectivity to a Data Capture app that resides on the EP10 with it's existing connection to the Internet.

Example 1) Web-Server connection for an app to extract data, when connected in Primary mode using TCP/IP. Backup mode should pull data via Serial-Link.

Detail on this topic is limited, but I had to point out to a developer that the app they created that uses TCP/IP to connect to a web-service, cannot use the same method and app to connect on a Serial-Link Backup. (If the Wifi is down, the Serial-Link direct to the system running the web-service is the backup.)

I recommended using a recognized protocol: DEX/UCS, this defines a method of extracting data (Audit data -- like from a vending machine) using a DEX serial adaptor cable, and defined protocol.

It is a Backup Method after all, use a Backup Method application that talks DEX == simple. (DEX Serial Cables work fine on EP10, I know; I made one myself to confirm correct operation on a DEX solution that had issues in programming / hardware.)

I believe in Following "ASAP" rules rather than "KISS" (*), more because if a good bit of thought goes into a solution, a great deal of appreciation comes out of a prospect that finds you got them a solution that provided the return on Investment.

-sean

(*) A.S.A.P -- Nasa-speak for "As-Simple-As-Possible" a good theory, that tends to get results when you follow it. ALTERNATIVELY: K.I.S.S -- a condescending phrase to "Keep-It-Simple-Stupid" something that can only be said where "stupidity" really occurs.

Effizienz und Zuverlässigkeit – auch bei -30 °C - Der mobile Handheld-Computer Omnii XT15F

Tom Wolters — Wed, 22 May 2013 14:54:00 GMT

Tiefkühlumgebungen sind äußerst anspruchsvoll. Die dort eingesetzte Technik muss auf extreme Bedingungen ausgelegt sein. Der mobile Handheld-Computer Omnii XT15F und seine an Fahrzeugen montierbare Entsprechung VH10f sind auf den Einsatz bei Temperaturen bis zu -30 °C ausgelegt. Diese robusten Geräte bieten maximale Zuverlässigkeit und Leistung und tragen so zur Steigerung der Effizienz in Tiefkühlhäusern bei. Sie verfügen über mehrere Sensoren, intelligente Heizeinrichtungen und frostbeständige Tastaturen, die Kondensatbildung in und auf dem Gerät verhindern, und zeichnen sich durch eine lange Akkulebensdauer und eine schnelle Aktualisierung des Displays aus.

Erfahren Sie mehr über den Omnii XT15F

Erfahren Sie mehr über den VH10

Its here - the Omnii XT15f. The best freezer handheld in the industry, by far!

Mike Petersen — Wed, 15 May 2013 12:27:00 GMT

We are proud to announce that another new product has launched under the joint Motorola Psion organization: The freezer rated Omnii XT15f handheld mobile computer! This product is the next evolution in the highly adaptive Omnii™ platform, and has been enhanced to withstand the most demanding cold chain environments.

We have built the XT15f based on the feedback of hundreds of partners and cold chain workers. This enabled us to design the all new XT15f with features tailored specifically for operation in the harshest of freezer conditions, enabling the XT15f to perform above any other product in this market. For instance, the Omnii XT15f is offered in both condensation-resistant (Chiller) and condensation-free (Arctic) models. Both models come equipped with patent pending frost-free scanning technology which automatically defogs the scan window ensuring barcode scanning accuracy while moving in and out of cold condensing environments. Both models also incorporate specialized keyboards designed to resist freezing keys and overcome ice build-up.

The extreme duty Omnii XT15f Arctic variant also features an all-new freezer battery and an optically bonded display heater. The new freezer battery delivers 2 times better performance than a traditional battery at -30 degrees Celsius, and real-world customer in field trials have reported up to 8 hours of battery life in the most extreme cold chain environments. The industry leading optically bonded display heater eliminates internal display fogging caused by extreme temperature fluctuations.

Check out www.psion.com or www.motorolasolutions.com/xt15f for the full details. And if you are a partner, materials can also be located at https://psion.partnermarketing.com/.

The Psion-Motorola marriage continues to pay dividends for partners and customers everyday. We are very excited to bring this latest product to you as a proof point of the hard work, ingenuity, and solid engineering from this broad team of very talented people.

-Mike

Motorola Solutions stellt seine Produkte und Lösungen vom 24. und 25. April 2013 auf der 27. AFCEA Fachausstellung in der Stadthalle Bonn-Bad Godesberg aus

Tom Wolters — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 07:59:09 GMT

"IT-Services - Enabler in multinationalen Koalitionen" ist das Thema der 27. AFCEA Fachausstellung am 24. und 25. April in der Stadthalle Bonn-Bad Godesberg.

In diesem Jahr werden wieder mehr als 100 Firmen (aktueller Stand; 110) mit ihren Ständen auf der auf 1800 qm erweiterte Ausstellungsfläche (2010: 1700 qm) vertreten sein, vom kleinen Betrieb bis zur Vertretung eines Großkonzerns, von der IT-Beratungsfirma bis zum Anbieter von Ausbildung, von Hardwarelieferanten für die „Schlammzone“ bis zum Lieferanten sehr spezieller Softwareanwendungen für Informations- und Materialmanagement und IT-Sicherheit. Die Ausstellerfirmen bieten dort innovative technische Lösungen und Konzepte für den Einsatz in der Bundeswehr und für Behörden und Organisationen für Sicherheitsaufgaben (BOS) an.

Die AFCEA Fachausstellung bietet also mehr als die Präsentation von Rechnern und Funkgeräten. Neben dem Kernbereich der Informationstechnik und Kommunikationstechnik sind auch Lösungen für spezielle Anwendungsfelder vertreten: für administrative und logistische Lösungen im Umfeld von SASPF, komplexe Grafikanwendungen, für die Speicherung und das Management von Informationen, robuste Hardware- lösungen für Rechner und Displays und nicht zuletzt Lösungen für die IT-Sicherheit, um nur einige zu nennen.

Unser Partner Integer Solutions zeigt seine Lösungen auf der AFCEA:

http://www.integer-solutions.com/

Motorola im Messemagazin

Announcing the VH10 and VH10f vehicle computers!

Mike Petersen — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 03:13:00 GMT

It’s with great pride that we recently announced two more products under the joint Motorola Psion organization: the VH10 and VH10f vehicle computers. These products ran through almost a flawless development process over the last two and a half years, which is a testament to the outstanding engineering inside both Psion and Motorola Solutions. The exceptional design also leads to higher product quality, industry unique features, and relentless focus on the specialized needs of operators.

We have built the VH10 based on the feedback of hundreds of partners and operators, many of whom are active here in IngenuityWorking.com. This enabled us to improve the all-new VH10 beyond any other product in this market. For instance, the VH10 comes equipped with field replaceable keyboards and touch screen modules allowing customers to quickly make replacements on site maximizing uptime and minimizing total cost of ownership. With its built in and familiar PC-style keyboard layout with 12 specially sized function keys, the VH10 simplifies key entry keeping workers more productive throughout the work day. The VH10 is built with a tough, ultra bright touchscreen display for indoor and outdoor viewing which is essential when working in bright sunlight.

The freezer variant, VH10f, is also available for immediate ordering and shipment. This unique product can withstand the utmost extremes when it comes to cold temperatures, ice and condensation. The design incorporates touchscreen and board heaters, smart temperature sensors that can automatically control the heaters and heating speed, and an elastomeric keyboard that works despite icing.

Check out www.psion.com/vh10 or www.motorolasolutions.com/vh10 for the full details. And if you are a partner, materials can also be located at https://psion.partnermarketing.com/.

The benefits of the Psion / Motorola marriage are paying great dividends to our customers and partners through better products and a more complete product portfolio, and the VH10 and VH10f are proof points of this. Thanks, as always, for your ongoing business.

-Mike

Mobile Devices SDK 6.0 is now available for the VH10

Steven Cox — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 20:50:00 GMT

Here is the link to MDSDK 6.0.

This SDK is necessary for WLAN (802.11) development on the new VH10.

If you are not using the WLANEx namespace for WLAN development, then you may use older versions of the MDSDK on the VH10 provided that they are MDSDK version 5.0 and later.

MDSDK 6.0 can also be used for software development on the Omnii and EP10.

Rückblick zum DVVK in München

Tom Wolters — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 10:57:06 GMT

Das Jahrestreffen der Vertriebs- und Verkaufsleiter im deutschsprachigen Raum seit 36 Jahren. Der branchenübergreifende, zweitägige Kongress mit Fachausstellung und Abendveranstaltung fand in München statt

Gut organisierter Kongress, mit auf die Teilnehmer zugeschnittenen relevanten Vorträge mit Fokus auf Führung im Vertrieb. Anwesend waren überwiegend Entscheider und Führungskräfte aus den verschiedensten Branchen.

Hier einige Eindrücke vom Kongress:

Weitere Infos unter: http://www.dvvk.de/ausstellung.html

Rückblick: RhoMobile Workshop bei GS1 in Köln

Tom Wolters — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 09:14:46 GMT

Diese Woche fand der Rhomobile Developer Workshop bei GS1 in Köln statt unterstützt wurden wir hier von den Sponsoren Ingram Micro und ScanSource.

Die folgenden Themen wurden besprochen:
• Überblick über die Rhomobile Suite
• Mit RhoStudio Cross-Platform-Anwendungen erstellen
• Bereitstellung von Web-Apps
• Verwenden von Device-Capabilities in der RhoElements Anwendung
• Daten-Synchronisation mit RhoConnect

Sollten Sie Fragen zu Rhomobile oder zum Workshop haben, sprechen Sie uns an.

Hier nun einige Eindrücke vom Workshop und den Pausen:

Walter Knoll Boosts Accuracy for Product Shipment, Returns

Tom Wolters — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 12:20:40 GMT

The German furniture company is using a UHF passive RFID system to track when its products are manufactured, stored at its warehouse, shipped or returned, increasing the accuracy and efficiency of its supply chain.

By Claire Swedberg - RFID Journal

Complete article:

http://www.rfidjournal.com/articles/view?10575

POLL time: Open TekTerm and SSL

Steven Cox — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 15:24:09 GMT

We're doing another poll: This time its concerning Open TekTerm and SSL: http://community.psion.com/discussions/f/160/t/13166.aspx

If you're an Open TekTerm user, please take a second and express your opinion on the matter.

A Combined Company on SITL 2013 Trade Show - France

Jose Perez — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 12:22:00 GMT

For the first time in France, we exhibited our combined range of mobile communication solutions for the transport and logistics sector at SITL 2013 in Paris - March 26 to 28

Warehouse management solutions:

MC9190-G mobile computer and MC9190-Z handheld RFID reader. WT41N0 wearable terminal, VC70N0 lift truck-mounted mobile computer, Omnii XT15 mobile handheld computer, WORKABOUT PRO 3, WORKABOUT PRO Speech and NEO Speech, EP10 PDA and the new EP10 HF RFID. Vehicle Terminals: 8515, 8525 (available with Narrowband),8530 (available with Narrowband) and 8590 vehicle mount computers

Proof of delivery solutions:

MC67 mobile computer, MC45 mobile computer, EP10 PDA

Empowering IT:

highly scalable WLAN solutions such as the new AP 6562 dual radio 802.11n access point, RhoMobile Suite, Managed Services.

PARTNERS AND CUSTOMERS

Motorola Solutions has exhibited its next generation logistics solutions together with its partners Rayonnance Technologies and Solutys.

We have invited EDF to hold a conference to present AMELIE, the project that has transformed the Supply Chain of spares parts for nuclear facilities in France. It involves professionalizing a “spares” branch, centralizing stocks at a new platform and re-engineering the entire logistics process in an SAP environment. The Psion WORKABOUT PRO 3 rugged PDA has contributed to the success of this project through the implementation and configuration of 220 units interfaced to SAP.

Video of the EDF solution (in French):

(Please visit the site to view this video)

We also hold a conference with our partner Frequentiel who presented 2 solutions based on the RFID technology, one for RENAULT, the second deployed for CERP, one of the main pharmaceutical distributors in France.

Video of the CERP solution: (in French):

(Please visit the site to view this video)

PHOTO GALLERY:

RFID, Voice Solutions pods...

Rayonnance Pod

Solutys Pod

Wireless Solutions

Conferences with EDF, FREQUENTIEL...

One of our Partners' stand on the Show

END OF THE BLOG : WARM THANKS TO THE COMBINED TEAMS!

Windows Embedded 8 and Visual Studio 201X (Pro)

Sean M. Kennedy — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 14:15:49 GMT

I admit it, I still have a Blackberry Smart Phone.

I still run WIndows XP.

I still am developing on Visual Studio 2008.

Some of this is by Choice. (I like my BB Flip-Phone - 9760 Style)

Some of this is due to Existing Support requirements (WinXP -- Help Desk Software.) And assistance for "common platforms" Visual Studio 2008 -- For Windows CE, Windows Mobile 6.1, and Windows Embedded Handheld 6.5.3.

Moving forward:

I use Windows 7 and don't mind it. -- I do however have personal opinion issues with Windows Vista. (And I won't share them here) And Windows XP is like that Old Car that just keeps running and running, but is quite dated, and showing some wrinkles; but you keep putting in more gas and oil, and changing the Windshield Wipers.

Windows 8, I like. On Tablets, and other touch-screen computers. I liked playing Mahjongg with my son at the Microsoft Store here: (http://yorkdale.com/stores/microsoft/) on Windows RT. From Microsoft: http://content.microsoftstore.com/store/detail/Toronto-ON

I asked about Kinect for Windows -- and they did not have any (humbug) only Kinect for xBox (I already got one, but it is "technically unsupported for commercial SDK)..

Then I found out What the Kinect SDK and Win8 SDK require for development.

Visual Studio 2012 Professional for Windows 8:

*** Snip *** (Copied from Microsoft.com here: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/hardware/default)

Download kits and tools for Windows 8 development

Developer kits are available for building Windows 8 drivers and solutions. Get Visual Studio Professional 2012, Windows Driver Kit 8, Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit, and the latest version of the Windows Hardware Certification Kit. All work together to help you develop, test, certify, and maintain quality hardware and drivers for Windows.

*** endit ***

And for Kinect: http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/kinectforwindows/develop/overview.aspx

*** Snip ***

System Requirements

Hardware:

32 bit (x86) or 64 bit (x64) processor
Dual-core 2.66-GHz or faster processor
Dedicated USB 2.0 bus
2 GB RAM
A Kinect for Windows sensor, which includes special USB/power cabling

Software:

Microsoft Visual Studio 2010 Express or other Visual Studio 2010 edition
.NET Framework 4.0

For C++ Skeletal Viewer Samples:

Microsoft DirectX SDK - June 2010
Runtime for Microsoft DirectX 9

*** endit ***

So my choice needs to be Visual Studio 2012 Professional. But there's the rub. -- I cannot use Windows XP. (Sean checks his wallet) -- More Gas, More Oil, Wipers, and a License for a Virtual Machine hypervisor to allow WIN7 and WINXP to co-exist on a good workstation.

So I guess my development with Kinect for Windows will need to be put off for a while. But with RhoMobile: Building apps that run the gamut of Operating Systems platforms is an alternative.

<sigh>

-sean

Psion, Part of MSI Showcases latest products at IMHX 2013

Hannah Moule — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 09:55:37 GMT

Birmingham National Exhibition Centre - 19th - 22nd March 2013

Psion, now part of Motorola Solutions exhibited its current products and solutions alongside its Platinum partner, CSI. IMHX is the UK's leading show for the intra logistics marketplace and featured stands from a diverse range of major supply chain and infrastructure partners. On display at the Motorola stand were rugged, tablet and handheld mobile computing devices and infrastructure systems designed to meet the needs of today's sophisticated and highly complex supply chains.

Psion last attended the event three years ago and there have been many new developments since then – not least the advent of practical enterprise tablet solutions, such as Motorola's ET1. You can view the stand as well as contributions from Hannah Moule and Stephen Northcott from Motorola Solutions and Dominique Walker from CSI.

The event proved highly successful and is expected to generate a number of valuable business opportunities. You can watch a short video from our stand made this week, here: http://youtu.be/rSGLMjLN9tA

Below you can view some snapshots from the stand