Tracking Relief

Using handhelds to track medical supplies.

We are in the final phases of completing an asset inventory system for a medical supply recovery organization, MedWish International. They are responsible for the recovery, recycling and redistribution of donated medical supplies, equipment and furnishings to developing countries worldwide in an effort to save lives and save the environment. DXY had been retained to help create a system that addressed their very unique needs.

Using our dxServer and handheld computers, we leveraged our asset management software to allow MedWish to track and manage these assets, from donor to shipping container. For each piece of donated equipment, we use barcodes and a history-based logging system to categorize each item; inspect its condition, dimensions and weight; take a picture; store and tag it for redistribution. The system creates an “audit trail” to aid staff in the preparation of relief shipments to developing countries.

MedWish is on track to double their shipments this year, our system will help them continue the expansion, saving more lives while keeping equipment from landfills.

Taking It With You

Netbooks and the mobile worker.

Back during the “.com” boom, the idea was put forth that consumers would prefer to buy an inexpensive computer that would ideally be suited to access the Internet. The problem was that the hardware was still expensive and connectivity was limited. Today, the situation is quite different.

Notebook computer technology is cheap. HP, Dell and others are about to release a slew of new, very-low-cost mini notebooks. AT&T, Verizon and other carriers now have widely-available high-speed wireless data networks. Combined with WiFi and the combination is perfectly suited for low-cost, network-ready mini notebooks: netbooks.

These netbooks are not full-featured laptops. They have limitations. However if you need to check email, use Web sites and interact with co-workers, these systems may be a great choice for your business.

News from the Industry

Recent stories relating to mobile technology.

Firefox Mobile hits Windows Mobile 6

Mozilla’s Firefox Web browser is being ported to Windows Mobile 6. The first step in the process is the “alpha” phase of development. The alpha version of FFM has been tested on the HTC Touch Pro and looks promising.

T-Mobile to offer unlimited Mobile-to-Mobile

For plans above $49 per month, T-Mobile will offer subscribers unlimited Mobile-to-Mobile minutes.

Verizon Wireless keeps moving on LTE

LTE (“Long Term Evolution”) is the “4G” network standard that will be rolling out around the Globe in the next few years. Recently, Verizon announce a program to disseminate information on the standard to help development on this new protocol.

T-Mobile pressing into embedded market

The fourth-largest US carrier announce plans to provide embedded cellular SIM technology to promote the use of cellular data networks among “smart devices.”