Contact us today to learn more — complete the form at right to get started.
Microsoft has announced that as of Dec. 10, 2019, Windows 10 Mobile users will no longer receive receive product or security updates and other support. Along with other guidance found in Microsoft’s FAQ (read it here) is a specific recommendation that Windows 10 Mobile users move to devices running Android or iOS:
Microsoft: “With the Windows 10 Mobile OS end of support, we recommend that customers move to a supported Android or iOS device. Microsoft’s mission statement to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more, compels us to support our Mobile apps on those platforms and devices.”
As discussed in our previous post “Windows-to-Android mobile device migration – are you onboard?“, the momentum towards Android for users of rugged mobile devices is real and accelerating. For those ready to migrate, a whole world of compelling new Android devices is waiting. CSSI Technologies is capable of supporting you throughout your migration, including if necessary the update of your custom Windows Mobile applications.
Software is increasingly the differentiator for most businesses. Data is power in the fast-moving marketplace, so the right applications can give you a competitive edge. CSSI Technologies offers an experienced team of full-stack developers adept in a range of programming languages and tools and particularly experienced with software used in operating environments (warehouse, distribution, delivery).
Some of the many skill-sets we offer are:
| Languages | C#, JavaScript, SQL, CSS, HTML, Python, Powershell, VB.NET, Java, VBA, Perl, TCL |
| Development Frameworks: | ASP.Net, .NET Core, JQuery, Boostrap, Xamarin Android |
| Handheld Computer Specific: | Android SDK’s, Enterprise Browsers, and Javascript Libraries (Zebra, Honeywell, & Panasonic), Ivanti Wavelink & Speakeasy |
| MS Dynamics: | MS Dynamics GP eConnect |
We can work with you in 3 ways:
- Custom Application Design — The CSSI team will scope out and run your project from start to finish. We’ll work with you to assess your business needs, design a project plan, and execute the plan on schedule.
- Fractional Programmer — Maybe you have a need for staff augmentation. You need resources but can’t add a full-time hire. We can provide an experienced professional to augment your team for a pre-determined (but flexible) number of hours. You get budget flexibility and immediate impact.
- Ad Hoc Programming — Have occasional needs, but no need for a longer engagement? Give us a call and let’s see how we can help.
For further information on our programming capabilities check out the link below:
CSSI Custom Programming Services
Want to discuss a project? Contact us to get started today.
CSSI will be participating in and sponsoring 2 separate Manufacturing Day events held by NEPIRC (Northeast Pennsylvania Industrial Resource Center). Come out for a great day of learning and networking with the manufacturing community. Click on the desired event for more information:
Tuesday October 2 – Hazleton Manufacturing Day
Thursday October 4 – Scranton Manufacturing Day
CSSI is seeking SALES REPRESENTATIVES with experience in barcoding / RFID / rugged mobile computers for east coast and mid-west territories. The sales role will facilitate the sale of equipment and services for barcode scanning, mobile computing, label printing, and print media.
You have a successful track record in technology sales. You thrive in a challenging, yet high-earning, uncapped commissioned role. You are passionate about auto ID technologies (barcoding, RFID) and mobile computing, and you are comfortable selling to middle market customers in industries such as manufacturing, distribution, warehousing, food processing and agriculture. You enjoy working independently and thrive on prospecting and visiting customers within your assigned territory. You are the face of the company in your assigned territory but play well with the company team which enables your success.
If the above statements are true for you, then you will love working with CSSI Technologies. We are experts in the sale and integration of auto ID technologies (barcoding and RFID). We guide our customers in the selection and deployment of hardware and software to improve productivity and profitability. We add a special layer of value through our custom software development team, which enables us to create highly effective custom-fit solutions.
We are seeking a Territory Account Managers who will develop sales within an assigned territory on the east coast or in the mid-west. In this role, you will work remotely from your home office, and will maximize time at customer sites in the territory.
Responsibilities
- Meet or exceed territory profitability targets
- Prospect for new customers and close business through face-to-face meetings and telephone sales.
- Cultivate lasting, consultative relationships with customers by delivering solutions and implementations which exceed expectations.
- Collaborate with the CSSI team, and with OEM and ISV reps, to win business and achieve great customer outcomes.
Requirements
- Demonstrated success in technology sales, outside sales, and territory development
- Require a minimum 3 years experience in the auto ID industry selling barcoding / RFID / rugged mobile computers
- Excellent skills in prospecting, communicating, negotiating and follow-up
- Willingness to stay abreast of technology developments in the auto ID industry
- Understanding of product positioning and ability to position solutions versus competitors
- Familiarity with the manufacturing and warehousing environments
- Ability to travel daily within the assigned territory
Benefits
CSSI offers uncapped earnings comprised of a base salary and sales incentive, comprehensive health insurance, and a 401k retirement plan with company matching options. Our employees can take part in our wellness program and take advantage of our flextime policy.
To apply: Please email your resume and cover letter to resumes@cssi.com and list Territory Account Manager in the subject line.
Let’s talk about Wearables and Voice Technologies – is is time to try these on in your business?
In the ongoing search for productivity gains via technology, manufacturing and warehousing leaders have moved from paper to scanners to powerful rugged mobile computers. Now the next phase is well underway…. the adoption of wearable technology and voice-direction as improved methods by which to interact with the computer.
‘Wearables’ is a broad category which, in the warehouse environment, includes devices such as finger- or hand-worn scanners.‘Voice’ tools enable audio interaction with the computer, either one-way (providing audio user instructions) or two-way (the user can also speak back to the computer).
According to Zebra’s 2018 Manufacturing Vision Study, between 2018 and 2022 the use of wearables will increase by 38% (from 40-55% of plant floors). Voice tool usage will increase by 13% (from 45-51% of plant floors).
Information source: Zebra Technologies
The Need for Speed (and Accuracy)
What’s behind this increasing use of these technologies? The need for ever-increasing levels of speed and accuracy – shipping more orders per shift, with lower error rates.
The chart below lays out the primary factors driving wearable usage, as presented by VDC Research. The top factor driving wearable initiatives is increasing employee productivity by keeping users hands-free (59.6%).
Information source: VDC Research
Correspondingly, the impact of voice tools can be dramatic. As seen in the chart below, VDC Research reports that 87% of companies adopting voice report at least an 87% improvement in picking accuracy, while 89% report at least a 10% increase in worker productivity. Those are exceptional gains for any business!
Information source: VDC Research
The impact of wearable and voice technologies will generally be higher in high-pick-frequency environments. (The seconds saved per transaction will add up faster when there are more transactions.) These technologies aren’t right for every situation, but can be massively impactful in extremely active environments. Also worth noting: if pick error rates are high, voice can be an ideal tool for mitigating expensive errors.
How To Get There – CSSI Can Help
How do you assess whether wearable and voice tools are right for you? We recommend that you start with a conversation with CSSI Technologies. Our experienced team can explore your processes and help to determine the likely impact of these products.
To learn more, contact us, or be kept up to date by joining our email list.
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Please join CSSI’s Dynamics GP team for a free webinar on Thursday Nov. 8 at 11:00am EST. This is a special online version of our popular User Group (GPUG) events, and will cover the timely topic: ‘How to prep for your year-end close in GP’. Good preparation now will help you to have a smooth and seamless transition to 2019!
Attendance is limited, so please register now to reserve your spot at this free event.
CSSI Technologies is a certified Microsoft Dynamics GP partner with over 25 years of experience supporting Great Plains ERP users throughout the US Mid-Atlantic and Northeast. CSSI works with GP users in a broad range of industries, such as manufacturing, distribution, warehousing, construction, hospitality, healthcare and education. CSSI’s team of experienced GP and accounting professionals is complemented by teams dedicated to custom software development as well as auto ID (barcoding and RFID) and mobile computing technologies.
The Windows-to-Android mobile device migration is ongoing and picking up steam- Are you there?
Here are CSSI, we’ve been spreading the news for some time: Microsoft’s Windows , once dominant in the world of rugged computing devices , is on the way out. Microsoft is getting out of the Windows business, and will stop providing updates as of Jan. 20, 2019 . For users, this means an increased exposure to bugs and security vulnerabilities… and most enterprises don’t care to fly without a net .
With that in mind, it’s not surprising to learn that market share is rapidly rising as users adapt. However, there are substantial numbers of users still running Windows OS. Consider this from VDC Research:
| Rugged OS Share – 2017 Shipments | ||
| Legacy Windows | Android | |
| Overall | 62.1% | 32.4% |
| Warehouse/DC | 77.2% | 18.8% |
Based on this data, Android had risen to about one-third share of the market in 2017. But in the critical warehouse space, it wasn’t yet at 20%. So what critical barriers to adopting Android do operations/ & IT teams face? According to VDC Research, the top 3 reasons cited for not migrating to Android are:
- Budgets (35.6%)
- Cost and time to recode legacy applications (34.6%)
- Migrating legacy applications (28.8%)
Handhelds such as the new Honeywell CN80 Android include new features will enhance your users’ productivity
Good news: CSSI can help you with all 3 barriers!
- Budgets: We can ease the cost of migrating your devices by pairing you up with attractive buy-back programs available from our manufacturer partners. Also, we can pair you up with financial partners for attractive leasing programs which let you avoid a huge upfront cash outlay.
- Recoding legacy applications: CSSI’s fully-staffed programming team has a high level of expertise in developing for Android, and can greatly accelerate your recoding of legacy apps.
- Migrating legacy applications: Similar to #2, CSSI’s team of programmers can act as a force multiplier to aid your internal team in the migration of legacy apps. Our prior experience will accelerate the and reduce your overall cost. Using tools such as (MDM), CSSI can assist you with managing and controlling your fleet throughout their lifecycle. Do you have a in place? CSSI can work with your team to ease the .
It’s also worth noting that the current generation of rugged computers running Android are by definition ‘state of the art’. This means that there are enhanced feature sets and capabilities which will improve your staff’s overall productivity – in fact, this gets us to where we all want to be – upgrading to Android because we want the positive ROI, not because we have to.
Contact us or give us a call today (570-524-4424) to discuss your project.
Sign up to get updates from CSSI on developments in barcoding and mobile computing:
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Panasonic has just launched its latest Toughbook product, the Toughbook FZ-L1…
The FZ-L1 is a slim and sleek Android 7″ tablet. It is targeted at enterprise workers in retail stores, warehouses field service, transportation and delivery. The FZ-L1 boasts a quad-core processor and an optional straight-shooting barcode reader. The tablet’s users will appreciate its great battery life, and glove and rain touch enabled 7″ screen. True to the expectations which come with the Toughbook brand, the tablet will stand up to the demands of the job — it offers a 5 foot drop rating and IP65 and IP67 certification.
To highlight just a few of the FZ-L1 specs:
- Android™ 8.1 (Oreo)
- Qualcomm® MSM8909 1.1GHz Quad-Core
- 7″ high definition 1280 x 720
- 2 GB RAM and 16 GB flash storage
- Optional integrated straight-shooting 1D/2D barcode reader configurable for landscape or
portrait modes - Optional multi-carrier 4G LTE data support
- Designed to meet MIL-STD 810G
- IP65 and IP67 sealed all-weather design
- User-replaceable battery with warm-swap
function - Approx. 12 hours based on standard
enterprise user profile
Download the spec sheet here: Panasonic FZ-L1 Spec Sheet
Ready for a demo? CSSI Technologies is an Authorized Panasonic Reseller. Contact us to learn more about the Toughbook FZ-L1.
CSSI Technologies is pleased to announce that it has been accepted as an Authorized Reseller of Panasonic’s rugged handheld computers. This product line encompasses the handhelds offered under Panasonic’s highly regarded Toughbook brand. The line encompasses handhelds and tablets purpose-built for demanding work environments such as retail, manufacturing, warehousing, distribution, transportation and logistics.
The addition of the Panasonic Toughbook brand to CSSI’s portfolio of offerings further extends our commitment to bringing our customers the best cutting-edge technologies available in mobile computing and barcode scanning / data acquisition.
Panasonic is investing heavily into its rugged handheld offerings, with recent launches such as the Toughbook FZ-T1, a handheld running Android Oreo:
https://cssi.com/2018/07/panasonic-launches-toughbook-fz-t1/
To learn more about Panasonic rugged handheld offerings available through CSSI Technologies, contact us today.