Jan/Feb 2004

In-store merchandising specialist John Mills Limited (JML) has become one of the first companies to use Application Engine from Trakware, the company which specialises in providing intranet-based data capture solutions using HTML and XML software development tools. JML is trialling 71 Symbol colour-screen PPT8800 handheld terminals with the Trakware application to replace a paper-based data collection system.

JML specialises supplying videotape demonstrations of products to boost sales, and the actual product being promoted. Its agents visit each store daily, collecting data on both the volume of product sold and the number of times the videotape has been played.

The Trakware application guides the representatives through their in-store activities, and the data can now be downloaded directly from the Symbol terminals (also supplied by Trakware) to head office via the Internet. It is then manipulated by a Web-enabled report and database management tool.

Trakware produces software development tools for a wide variety of data capture, data manipulation and management reporting applications.