IN THIS ISSUE:

• Mobile Appraising Technology Comes of Age

• Motion Computing Tablet - It's What You've Been Waiting For

• New Wireless Camera is Breakthrough Technology

• Remember to Earn Double AA Miles at the Online Store During August

• We Have More "Show Me How" Movies

Mobile Appraising Technology Comes of Age

We have long been focused on figuring out how to make appraisers more productive.  You have told us that ClickFORMS accomplishes a lot toward that goal.  But we know that the software is only one piece of the equation, and there have always been other tools available that add to your total productivity.  Technology has always boosted productivity, but taking advantage of that technology usually meant more time in the office.

Mobile Appraising Technology is changing all of that by making it easier for you to get your work done in the field.  Some of the biggest advances have been made in the areas of computers and cameras.

Almost two years ago, we brought you the tablet PC and optimized ClickFORMS to run on it efficiently and take advantage of its unique characteristics, like writing and voice recognition.  Back then, tablet PCs were not nearly as powerful as they are today, but you told us that ClickFORMS ran very fast on it anyway.

Tablets have come a long way since then.  They are faster and lighter and more functional than before.  Microsoft has helped with a special tablet version of Windows XP that makes it easy to get work done with just a pen and your voice by building handwriting and speech recognition right into the operating system.  Plus, computer manufacturers are getting much better at packaging all of this technology to make you lives easier.  If you have never considered a tablet before, or just haven't taken the plunge yet, now may be the time.  See the next article for details on what we think may be the best mobile appraising tablet available today.

Cameras have also simplified our lives by going digital (no more glue sticks).  But most appraisers still bring the camera back to the office, plug it into the computer, download the photos, move them to a different directory, then open ClickFORMS and browse to the photo directory to insert the photo.  Again, we are tied to the office and relying on physical connections between devices to get the job done.

Now wireless cameras are becoming more available, and one in particular has been designed to communicate directly with ClickFORMS so you no longer have to hunt for the USB cable or fish for photos on your hard drive.  Inserting a picture into your appraisal report is now as simple as shooting the picture.  See below for more details on this new technology.

Motion Computing Tablet - It's What You've Been Waiting For

We do the research so we can recommend the best solution for your business.  We are now selling the Motion Computing M1400 Tablet PC because this company has done an excellent job of creating a solution that can make your life a lot easier.  If you are thinking of a tablet PC as a computer that is small enough to carry around, you are missing the point.  It is actually a highly functional clipboard that allows you to completely eliminate re-entry of data into your applications and databases.  Of course it is a complete computer inside, but you can now interact with it in a much more natural way: with a pen and your voice.

Finally, being mobile no longer means compromise.  Now it can actually mean being more functional and more productive.

The M1400 is a slate-style tablet, which means there is no permanently attached keyboard, allowing for minimum weight and maximum display area (12.1" diagonal).  As with most tablets, the M1400 runs Windows XP for Tablets and will run all of the applications you currently run on your desktop or laptop computer.

Now for the unique features that appraisers will appreciate:

• Display - Unique View Anywhere Display is available so you can see the screen clearly outside, even on the brightest days.  While there are a few options out there for outdoor displays, Motion Computing has perfected this technology, by not only creating a display with excellent clarity and contrast, but it is the only display we have ever seen that can be viewed at ANY ANGLE with NO COLOR OR BRIGHTNESS DEGRADATION, even perpendicular from the side, top or bottom.  If you can see the front of the tablet, the display is clear and accurate.
• Pen Feel - Motion Computing created a display surface that very closely matches the feel of pen on paper so that writing is comfortable.  A perfectly smooth surface makes it difficult to write clearly, and can slow you down.
• Thumbprint Security - There are many security measures available for mobile computers today, but none are more secure than Motion's built-in thumbprint scanner.  If you want to make sure that only authorized people can access your computer, there are no better options today.
• Hardtop Keyboard Cover - An optional snap-on cover has a keyboard and display stand built right in.  For those times when you need a keyboard in the field, simply pop the cover off, flip the stand up, and drop the tablet on.  Now use it like a regular laptop, but remove the keyboard when you're back on the move.
• Neoprene Slip Cover - Worried about dropping your new toy?  How about when it starts raining?  This cover has a clear plastic face, allowing you to interact with the tablet as if it was not even there, and a nifty cross mesh strap on the back for your hand so that it is comfortable to hold for long periods of time and far more difficult to drop.
• Flexible Docking Station - Want to use this as your primary system?  No problem.  There is a docking station that sits on your desk, already connected to all of your office peripherals (external monitor, keyboard, optical drive, printers, network, power, etc.) when you return from the field.  Just drop the tablet into the stand and you won't know it's not a desktop system.  If you prefer to work with a vertical screen (portrait mode) like you probably do in the field, simply rotate the frame on the stand, and the Windows desktop automatically rotates for you.

If you think this solution might be for you, call your Account Manager and we'll be happy to answer all of your questions.

New Wireless Camera is Breakthrough Technology

Bradford Technologies has partnered with Ricoh to eliminate the multi-step process of transferring photos from the camera to the appraisal report.  Now, as soon as you take a picture, you can press a button, and almost immediately, the photo appears in the correct location in your appraisal report.  No wires, no waiting.

The first part of this solution is the camera itself, which has a slot for a wireless Compact Flash card.  Special software in the camera allows it to use the wireless card to talk to your wireless-enabled computer (many newer laptops and most tablet PCs are available with wireless, or a card can be purchased to add wireless).  The distance between devices will depend on the technology used, but 100 feet or more is typical of today's technology.  The distance may be less through obstacles.

The second part of the solution is ClickFORMS itself.  We have created a special feature to work with this camera so that you don't have to do anything but take the picture and hit send from the camera.  When a photo cell is selected in your report, that is exactly where the picture goes.  Just think; no more wondering what that picture was when you get back to the office and finally get the camera plugged into the computer.  No more hunting around to find the photo to insert.

This solution works great with a tablet PC because both are easy to bring on site with you, and ClickFORMS is designed specifically to simplify data entry in the field.  The camera becomes just another input device.  Set the tablet in the kitchen or in your car and walk around the house taking pictures and sending them back to the tablet.  You can wirelessly transfer one picture at a time, or a whole batch at once.

Feel free to call your Account Manager with questions about functionality and availability.

Remember to Earn Double AA Miles at the Online Store During August

With the grand opening of our new online store, we are offering double AAdvantage airline miles to AAdvantage members during August.  This is a special Bonus during the month of August - Double AA Miles with every purchase.

So if your ClickFORMS Software Maintenance is up for renewal or you need to purchase additional flood maps, August is the time to do it. Remember that you must have an AAdvantage number before making your online purchase to get the credit.  Miles cannot be applied to prior purchases. After August, you can continue to earn one mile per dollar spent at the online store.

We Have More "Show Me How" Movies

We continue to add more Show Me How movies. We now have 40 Show Me How's. Each one is quick and easy to download and gets right to the point. No marketing or fluff - just 100% educational information.

You can find these videos on our website at http://www.bradfordsoftware.com

Please check them out and let us know what you think. If you would like to make sure we have a video on a certain topic or area of ClickFORMS, please let us know. Thanks to all who sent in feedback on the videos. We welcome all feedback. Please email your suggestions and comments to suggestions@bradfordsoftware.com.
Thanks.  

Have a good weekend everyone. Drive safely while you're out inspecting. Don't forget to tell your friends about ClickFORMS. 

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