Text messaging slashes paperwork

It may no longer be the most exciting technology in the mobile world but text messaging, with a bit of clever back-end integration, is cutting swathes through paperwork and saving businesses money.

Auckland wireless software developer Econz is gaining momentum with E-Services, an automated dispatching system, which is proving useful for companies managing large mobile workforces.

Job requests are fed into E-Services online, with the requests queued in the customer database before being allocated to the appropriate mobile worker via text message. With a smartphone or handheld computer, the worker can log details of the job, noting part orders and billing information. This is then sent back to the database.

E-Service operates over the two main handheld computer standards Pocket PC, Palm, with Tablet XP, .Net and client devices, ranging from handhelds to tablets and Smartphones supported.

Most of E-Service's implementations were made over Telecom's CDMA mobile data network using Mobile Jetstream, but it does support Vodafone's GPRS network.

In February E-Services was picked up by Asset Management Network, which needed to manage jobs for 90 independent glazing companies around the country.

Using Econz's application, AMN could send a glazier a text message with the details of the next job. The glazier returns a message with details of the job's completion, which are updated on a database.

E-Service integrates into a wide range of back office database systems, including usual suspects, Oracle and Microsoft Access.

Ubix and GreenAcres were also using E-Services, with seven companies in roll-out phase. AMN is looking to take its text messaging service into the building and plumbing trades as well.

How to enter

Mobile application developers are invited to enter the Frontier transtasman competition being run by the Herald with Ericsson.

The competition seeks to find the best mobile applications from New Zealand and Australia.

There are prizes for winners - and the chance to pitch applications to potential investors.

See Ericsson for details.