06/21/04 - Revision 1

DataSplice Mobile Integration Suite vs. Mobile Point Solution (MPS) Software Products

A Comprehensive Comparison of Critical System Capabilities

The success of your business relies on the timeliness and efficiency of remote data management capabilities. There are several features and scenarios to carefully consider when assessing a mobile solution, to ensure it maximizes your remote data management needs. Ease of data access, application flexibility and offline functionality are just some of the features that clearly determine the cost-effectiveness of a mobile solution.

This document is intended to provide the “mobile software decision team” with key information to effectively compare a Mobile Point Solution (MPS) software (a product designed specifically around a Facilities Management Master Application), to an open mobile application suite such as DataSplice. Each software application product takes a vastly different approach to how data is accessed, managed and updated, as well how overall functionality impacts labor hours and maintenance costs.

For the purpose of this document, we have researched and compared the most popular Mobile Point Solution (MPS) software products to the DataSplice Mobile Integration Suite. It describes the basic functions and characteristics found in several standard Mobile Point Solution (MPS) software products, and compares key features to DataSplice products to generate awareness of key differences in critical software capabilities.

Comparing Product Features

The following points distinguish key differences about each application’s level of functionality. This paper paints a clear picture for potential users, in order to assist them with choosing the best application for their business needs.

Configurable Behavior: MPS products are hard-coded to provide a specific behavior for each application accessed. This limits application functionality, and forces the user to work within the boundaries of pre-set rules. Conversely, DataSplice is a mobile application “tool kit” that can be configured to access all MPS software seamlessly, and works within workflow boundaries established by the Administrator.

As a fixed point solution, MPS does not offer any level of flexibility in task behavior. Users are forced to do what they can within the handheld application, and complete the remainder of the work process manually.

DataSplice, however, is dynamic. It allows Administrators to tailor an application to accommodate current workflow. Users continue work as usual, rather than changing how they perform tasks to conform to application behavior. The software can configure critical data and value lists to minimize text input on the handheld.

DataSplice also accommodates the workflow requirements for a particular user or group via login. Each user receives only the information necessary to complete a work task. This minimizes the information being transferred to handheld devices, which improves system performance and helps to maintain data integrity.

Mobile Functionality: MPS usually only works with data already downloaded to the mobile device prior to leaving a docking station. Users cannot successfully perform work “on-the-fly.” In contrast, DataSplice provides a wide range of remote data tasks that users can accomplish during regular work rounds-- many of which are not even included as part of the standard MPS package.

With MPS, work orders placed in the field cannot be completed until uploaded to MPS, approved, and then downloaded back to the handheld. DataSplice, however, enables users to issue a work order immediately and access any other necessary key applications--saving considerable time and ensuring data accuracy.

DataSplice also allows users to create labor entries against work orders that have not been downloaded to the handheld, and apply labor hours to a variety of client accounts under one login. This reduces the amount of data that technicians need to input on the handheld or after they return to the office. In comparison, MPS requires a user to login into each account separately in order to record labor hours appropriately.

An MPS solution is ineffective in this scenario because new work orders cannot be downloaded to storeroom handhelds, and no parts issued can be matched to the corresponding order. This extra work adds considerable labor hours to a company’s bottom line. DataSplice, however, was able to provide a simple solution that enabled users to work more productively with their existing Inventory practices and maintain a consistent workflow.

Single Client Interface: MPS requires users to launch each application separately, and each application has a different interface. On the other hand, DataSplice enables users to access multiple data centers simultaneously, and displays data in each application using a single streamlined interface. This simplifies tasks for the user, and promotes work efficiency.

With DataSplice, users can easily check inventory and create a work order without launching a separate application. This feature is ideal for users who need to work with numerous data systems simultaneously in order to complete a single task. In contrast, MPS forces users to enter the same data multiple times, and works against any specific workflow protocol.

DataSplice also helps to preserve data integrity through login prompts for mobile users. A single Datasplice server provides information to multiple mobile applications according to a password, restricting views only to information critical to job performance. This requires less time for data entry, and eliminates the need to train users how to use several mobile interface packages.

Modular Application Design: DataSplice has a modular design that enables it to support a variety of platforms and devices that accommodate workflow. This attribute makes it an extremely useful tool for working with dynamic enterprise data. MPS products, on the other hand, can only serve the single task it is designed to complete. It cannot be modified in any way or used in conjunction with different applications.

The flexibility offered by a modular design enables DataSplice to work with industry standard technologies such as ODBC, .NET, XML, etc. This makes it easy to integrate with various data sources and combine with existing third party APIs, ensuring data is working according to business logic inherent in a program. However, MPS product forces users to duplicate or change business logic within an application, which sets critical data at high risk of corruption. MPS is also limited to working within in one application—it cannot work within many applications simultaneously.

Most importantly, a modular design allows DataSplice clients to utilize powerful plug-in capabilities that can add configurable behavior to an application without modifying its core attributes. MPS technology cannot match this dynamic accommodation.

Platform and Device Independence: DataSplice can run on all modern versions of Windows operating systems, and supports all desktop and handheld vendors. It provides you with a wide range of choices to select a device based on key capabilities, including memory size and speed or additional hardware costs such as barcode scanners.

Calling on its modular design, DataSplice can integrate with any available hardware easily. DataSplice works with a variety of barcode scanning devices, and users can print bar code labels directly from the handheld to the network or off of belt printers. MPS does not offer barcode or label printing from any handheld.

DataSplice also automatically adjusts the screen size to accommodate any handheld. However, MPS must be customized for each screen size based on the type of handheld used. Most importantly, DataSplice accommodates SD and CF storage cards to help user prevent loss of functionality or data due to sudden power loss.

Online and Offline Functionality: DataSplice works efficiently in both an online (wireless) mode and offline batch mode, and provides users with a great deal of flexibility in order to accommodate work flow. MPS only works offline, drastically limiting data access and data functions for remote users.

Due to the fact DataSplice operates in a wireless environment, data transactions occur in real time and enable a fine degree of control over data. Any offline data can be quickly configured and customized for particular groups and logins. This step ensures users have the data necessary to complete key tasks, but eliminates the need to transfer unnecessary data and risk corruption.

However, because MPS only operates offline, there is slow data synchronization between each transaction. This can very easily overwhelm a server during a specialized task such as Inventory Orders. Any batch data available through MPS is also relatively fixed, and difficult to configure when required.

Software Provisioning: DataSplice has an integrated program called Windmill that automatically updates information for all handhelds on the network via the Internet. MPS requires an administrator to update all handhelds manually, which consumes considerable time and labor hours.

DataSplice offers an online service for registered users, and provides notifications of critical updates to keep handhelds functioning at top performance. Users simply visit the DataSplice website, provide a login and the update is completed automatically.

The DataSplice Windmill program can also repair a variety of problems that often go wrong with handhelds due to general wear and tear in the field, including dead batteries and device re-configuration. All of these features reduce customer frustration, limit technical support and keep important handheld devices intact.

Database Administration: DataSplice does not use any “triggers” to modify the existing client database in order to work with necessary data appropriately. However, MPS must add tables and triggers to a client database in order for it to function at all, which can easily jeopardize client data integrity.

DataSplice technology does not compromise the integrity of a database, and works the same as a Facilities Management Master Application by accessing the provided API directly. This non-invasive approach allows DataSplice technology to operate seamlessly under the same set of business rules, and easily works with any customizations currently residing in the program.

In contrast, MPS often accesses information through “back-doors” in a database, which are not consistent with each transaction. This puts data at a great risk, and requires a lot of extra labor steps to get results similar to DataSplice.

Server Administration: MPS requires a minimum of two weeks for proper installation, in comparison to DataSplice which can be installed in a matter of hours or days. That is up to 10 times faster!

DataSplice also offers clients the opportunity to install the mobile technology themselves, using a virtual training program and guided telephone assistance. There are no advanced programming skills required to change data elements, and clients can create conditional actions to invoke a specific action in response to various events, such as sending exception reports to supervisors. DataSplice also runs actions concurrently with programs on a client server, and does not require a dedicated server to work properly.

MPS does not offer similar client benefits, and must send out a staff member to complete installation on-site. They also require a dedicated server and, in some cases, separate servers for different actions.

Access to Enterprise Systems: DataSplice is designed to work seamlessly with other enterprise systems, offering a unified interface for all data. MPS is compatible with the Facilities Management Master Application products only, and requires a custom program to perform the same action—if it can be completed at all.

DataSplice’s dynamic nature is perfectly suited for businesses dealing with changes in internal and field data. It offers clients the flexibility they need to locate data in critical systems, and can be configured to access data in any ODBC compliant database. Most importantly, DataSplice will continue to add value as a company grows and changes, and easily accommodate for changes in work processes or data systems.

In contrast, MPS is challenged to accommodate client data needs between enterprise systems, and often requires users to do as much as they can on the handheld, but then complete the remainder of a transaction on paper to be entered manually. This creates three extra steps for staff and increases overall labor costs.

Conclusion

Looking at these two products side by side, it is clear that DataSplice is a more flexible, cost-effective option for businesses that require dependable remote data management. DataSplice shaves countless labor hours, money and considerable time off of overall system maintenance, and does not compromise the data of any client system. DataSplice is also worthwhile long-term investment. It can easily be adapted to accommodate new applications, equipment or work processes, and serve as reliable tool for your growing business.