May/June 2004

Mobile computing is becoming an essential weapon in the armoury of the tyre fitter - and that includes printing hard-copy documentation as well as calling up information. One of the latest companies in the market to introduce a mobile computing package is First Tyre Plus of Cheadle, Cheshire, which is rolling out a comprehensive solution to its franchisees.

The main components of the system are Palm's the new Treo 600 combined PDA and GSM mobile phone; the Sales Manager Suite software from Demopad Software; and the MPrint mobile printer from Brother.

When the tyre fitter is on site with a customer, the handheld computer can provide information online about the range of tyres available for the job. The fitter can then enter the customer's details, set up an account and place an order.

Once the work is done and the transaction completed, the PDA creates an invoice, which is then printed instantly via the Mprint unit. The order can then be remotely synchronised with First Tyre Plus's head office system, which keeps track of purchases and stock changes. Demopad's software also publishes the data to a Web site, so franchisees can view all orders processed.

 

According to Andy Casey of Demopad Software, the small size was a decisive factor in the choice of the MPrint printer. The unit measures just 10cm by 15.8cm by 1.75cm deep, and weighs 300g - a similar size to the average PDA.