TAAP Provides Signature Capture On iPhone And Windows Phone

TAAP is pleased to announce that its signature capture applications will now be available on Windows Phone and iPhone devices as well as other devices with capacitive screens. The mobile application system specialist is now able to offer a tested device/stylus combination which works effectively with its applications that require signature capture.

Many existing devices have an integral stylus so that signatures can be captured, however, newer devices with capacitive screens have proved more difficult for producing an acceptable signature, because of the way they use finger control. Now that more suitable styluses are being released, TAAP is able to offer its existing 'field service' applications such as delivery, inspections, data capture, vehicle collection/delivery, repairs & maintenance and so on for the newer devices.

Using signature capture, TAAP's applications allow organisations to validate transactions they have undertaken, whether it is an inspection, a delivery, a service visit, a donation, and so on. The captured signature is then transposed into an electronic version of the form the operator has filled in on the mobile device, which is viewed within the client's secure web portal. The electronic document can then be printed or emailed to a client. The electronic document also contains all the other data collected such as text, photographs, and annotations.

Allowing rich data such as this to be collected means that paper forms can largely be eliminated, customer service is improved because managers and staff have access to real-time data, and operating costs are reduced due to a reduction in administration and duplication.

In addition, TAAP has released its Advantage applications, which are available to download from marketplaces such as Microsoft MarketPlace and app stores, so that users of Windows Phones and iPhones can start using these apps on their own devices and capture signatures. Because the 'Bring Your Own Device' culture of employees using their own mobile handsets at work keeps growing, it enables organisations to take advantage of the flexibility workers are increasingly getting used to. Any data that is captured in the application can then be sent as a PDF file by email so that the organisation can save and store it, or forward it on to a customer.

Paul George, Business Development Manager, commented "By giving additional functionality to devices on which it has proven difficult to capture signatures, because of the lack of integral stylus, TAAP ensures that its customers have a wider choice of devices to use when they are collecting, sending, and transferring business-critical data. Specific styluses have been difficult to source as some of them we previously tested have created less than satisfactory results, but we are now confident that new models are being released which give more credible results."

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Website: www.ontaap.com

TAAP announces Windows 8 versions of tablet applications

TAAP – the field service software application specialist – plans to offer its technology on tablets running the Windows 8 operating system, when it is released in Autumn next year, and is currently developing on the test platform.

This is in addition to its current offering which encompasses applications for tablets such as the Apple iPad, Motion CL900 and a proliferation of mobile PDAs. TAAP currently supplies clients within the utilities and construction sector with applications which use Microsoft Silverlight technology and operate on the Windows Phone 7 operating system and the Motion CL900 tablet.

Reportedly with two touch keyboards – one which operates in ‘split’ mode so that users can type with their thumbs – the Windows 8 operating system will make it easy for users who type messages or fill in forms whilst walking for example, so they can still hold their mobile device securely.

The new user interface design will allow operators to use touch-screen functionality to navigate and use apps, to use gestures to control how the interface behaves, and to use enhanced internet browser attributes, amongst other features.

In response to customer demand for tablet-based applications, TAAP plans to provide a number of its established applications on the new operating system, including vehicle inspections; data capture; job allocation & scheduling; deliveries; repairs & maintenance.

TAAP is currently offering applications on Windows 6.5 and the Windows Phone 7.5 Metro operating systems, as well as iPad/iPhone. TAAP’s Windows Phone 7 applications, which run on handsets such as the Nokia Lumia 800, the HTC Radar, and the Samsung Omnia W, allow users to navigate through screens using gesture controls to complete job details easily and quickly. The interface is clear and easy to use which assists field service personnel to complete jobs more easily.

TAAP’s applications will also work on devices such as the HTC Titan and the forthcoming iPhone 5 (rumoured), which have larger screens than a traditional mobile phone, but are not quite as large as a tablet.

These particular applications are available through the Microsoft Market Place as well as directly from TAAP, which will enable users to download an application straight to their existing handset and start using it immediately. This means applications such as TAAP Advantage Lite can be used instantly for electronically documenting the delivery of a product or service.

Applications don’t just operate solely using a device – any information captured or sent is saved within a secure web portal which can be configured to display reports in the form of graphs and charts. Customers can easily build their own reports within the system to show management information such as productivity levels or outstanding issues. These ‘back-office’ solutions make use of Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2011 online, for which TAAP is committed to providing off-the-shelf and customised systems.

This functionality will also be available on the new Windows 8 operating system when it is released next year, so clients can look forward to increased flexibility and easy to use monitoring tools.

Steve Higgon, Product Architect commented:  "Windows 8 is an ideal platform for TAAP’s software solutions as they are designed with data collection and information sharing/transfer in mind. Being able to use the same operating system on different devices makes it easier to develop applications that behave the same on tablets, PDAs, and PCs, as users only need to become familiar with the software and not with different operating systems.

"Windows 8 will give users iPad-like performance with the flexibility to use all your office applications on the same device. This means information transfer using TAAP’s software could be even more streamlined than it already is.”

TAAP is a leading provider of software solutions which allow organisations to mobilise their operations using hand held computers.

Tel: +44 (0) 845 230 9787
Email: angela.walker@ontaap.com
Website: www.ontaap.com