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Supply Chain Management.

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Summary of Product

This product is a cell phone utility program kit that allows for management and transferability of contact information between an assortment of cell phones from differing manufactures from a single database. The most functional application is the ability to synch addresses from one program to a wide range of cell phones. According to avn.com " The software works with leading Personal Information Managers (PIMs) to quickly and easily transfer names and numbers between your desktop PC or laptop, and your digital mobile phone.  Data can be transferred collectively or selectively between the PC and the cell phone with just two clicks of a mouse." DataPilot also allows users to import from PIMs such as Microsoft Outlook or from any text or .csv file, to edit phone-data and perform alphanumeric sorts then redistribute memory-numbers. There is a renumbering function which allows the user to eliminate duplicates and blank lines.

            Susteen’s DataPilot supports a wide range of cell phones from all of the major cell phone manufactures. It’s also the only utility of this kind that actively supports Nextel phones, because of Nextel’s use of an encrypted SIM card to store the phonebook other utilities of this sort come up short to provide support for Nextel made phones.

            DataPilot also comes with several other features, though not all of them work with every cell phone. These additional features include a utility that lets your laptop connect to the Internet through your cell phone, along with an SMS manager and ring tone composer. The software is also set up to enable multiple mobile-phone users to synchronize and maintain data on either identical or as many as 50 separate lists. Overall, the system will store up to 10,000 address-book entries. These entries can be managed effortlessly, yielding access to names, phone numbers, e-mail addresses, and other vital contact information, all with simple point-and-click ease; once stored, this data is preserved no matter what condition the cell phone is in — gone are the days of entering and re-entering contact and phone numbers every time a new model hits the shelf or an old one bites the dust.

            DataPilot lets the user back up and synchronize entries between your cell phone and computer/ laptop seamlessly. This is done through DataPilot’s phone book manager that features a user interface that mimics a cell phone on your computer. It also incorporates pop-up balloon help as you move the mouse over the various buttons. The data transfer is fast according to September 2003 issue of LAPTOP magazine. LAPTOP magazine also cites that DataPilot can work directly with Microsoft Outlook, and can transfer between cell phone and Palm OS based PDA’s. I see this as very productive since I know first hand the difficulties of keeping your phone and PDA contact info up-to-date. On numerous occasions I find myself trying to determine which list is accurate. 

            The benefits that can be found from the integrating DataPilot into a system such as the Naval Medical Center, would be that this organization with many department contacts that are continuously changing as staff are moved or ship out to other duty stations, and with so many of the staff’s cell phones differing from manufactures. This would be a great utility that would be able to keep the communication channels up to date and make the tasks of ensuring that data is as correct as possible.

            For an organization where doctors need to be able to communicate with medical support and administration staff members in a time critical environment this could be a vital utility at a very cost efficient price. Since DataPilot will strengthen our communication channels to increase productivity and personal care for the patients this product has a high priority for implementation within the pediatric department. The licensing agreement also allows for a single purchase of the software for the entire department. All clinics will have access to the DataPilot software via command laptop and cables.

            Since the laptop is Bluetooth and IRA supported, those phones that use a compatible connection have instant access to the program. The command must then decide if separate cables will be purchased for the other phones or we can have staff members agree with each other to purchase their own cables.

This product can be purchased from the manufacture online at: www.datapilot.com or by calling 800-282-3678.

 

        Benefit statement

        Here at Naval Medical Center San Diego (NMCSD), communication between the Providers and staff is extremely important. The pediatric department is no exception. Many of the medical providers whether they are Civilian or Military doctors, have to be in contact with a wide range of departments within and outside of the hospital. This goes without saying that the amount of contact information for staff members can be enormous. Department provided two way pagers are already updated on a regular basis during meetings. However, not all providers are given 2-way pagers that can be updated. By allowing contacts to be saved within staff personnel's mobile phones will only strengthen the communication network. This will be done by providing another source to contact information.

        When analyzing software for this purpose, the major obstacle to over come is the issue of compatibility between phones and software. Since the phones are going to be personal and not NMCSD issued the problem of compatibility arises due to the differentiating phone models. DataPilot can transfer data between numerous cell phones and popular software packages (e.g. ACT, Outlook). It has a built-in editor so you don't need any other software. It is relatively low cost for what it claims it can do. Since Susteen was nominated for best product productivity software at retail vision I can assume that this software would strengthen productivity within NMCSD.

        When looking at other possible software utilities that could be used DataPilot showed the most promise. I came to this conclusion because, it comes in a complete kit which includes either a USB or serial data cable for $59. The software by itself runs for $34. It is also the only utility that actively supports Nextel phones. The software will also allow a phone to be used to connect a laptop to the internet. Another feature that DataPilot includes is a ring tone composer, this could be used to create a specific ring tone to distinguish department phone calls from personal calls. The extra functions that I feel will be put to use make the value of the DataPilot the best value. Other competing utilities include:

 

       

   

User Requirements

DataPilot USB or Serial Requirements

  1. Microsoft Windows 98 (Second Edition Only), 2000, ME, XP

  2. Pentium 100 MHz or higher CPU

  3. 32MB minimum RAM

  4. 15MB of free HDD space

  5. 800x600 or higher resolution, 256 colors or higher

  6. USB or Serial port

  7. CD-ROM drive

Requirements for Dial Up Features:

  1. 9600 or higher baud modem
    Web-browsing software
    Internet access

  2. Internet SMTP/POP3 or other MAPI Compliant Messaging Software

Of course users of this software need to have compatible phones since I am interested in multiple phones this software was recommended for supporting multiple phone manufactures.

DataPilot lists on there website the manufactures that they are compatible with. Those manufactures supported include:

 

  • AudioVox

  • Kyocera

  • Motorola

  • Samsung

 

  • Sony Ericson

  • Sanyo

  • Nokia

  • LG.

 

 

           Compatibility and Flexibility

        The license only allows you to use the software on one computer however, it does not specify a limit on number of users or phones on that computer though. Their license specifically mentions that just installing the software is considered use, so you can't install it on a work machine and a home machine even if you never use both at the same time. This will be okay since it will be used on the laptop we use to update the 2-way pagers with. The software works with Windows; 98, 2000, NT and XP. Because DataPilot can interface with the Palm desktop and other PDA software this provides another avenue for putting contact information. Network capability concerns are not important since this will only be used on one computer in the department. Compatibility between phones is limited on what cables are needed for each phone.

 

           Setup, installation, configuration, and customization concerns and Implementation:
       
I have not had the chance to actually install the software onto a PC myself. I did find that on the Susteen homepage that they have support for tech, customer service and sales. The homepage also has an FAQ page that might help with any of the problems you may run into. Overall it seems to be as easy as any other software. The customization problems that seem to occur is getting other phones to connect to the PC. There is also technical support over the phone if problems can not be resolved over the web.

     The product comes with a user manual to help with the installation and implementation of DataPilot. Using the manual is a necessity to get the most out of the software, as the additional functions are not as intuitive as the phonebook manager. Bizarrely there is a voice "guide" when you read or write data from the phone. It is a female voice with strange cadence. I have no idea what purpose this is supposed to serve. It is really easy to turn off in the dialog, and you can amuse yourself by replacing the wav files with your own. The installation can be done by anyone and there is telephone and web support. I don't think it would take a techie to install this software onto a computer. As far as training and implementation goes, I think becoming acquainted with the user manual would suffice.

    It is important to note that Susteen offers basic tech support information on their web site via downloads and FAQ.  And if you still need more help, you can call telephone support however, there is no "800" number, so you'll pay long distance charges where they apply. The telephone support can be reached on Mondays through Fridays between the hours of 8 AM to 5 PM Pacific time.

 

            User Interface / Security, backup and recovery

         DataPilot utilizes a GUI interface. This simplifies many of the tasks of entering the data. The user interface on the program is very clever. DataPilot's user interface mimics a cell phone and pop up balloon help is available as you move the mouse over various button. This is beneficial to the users in my opinion because it makes the environment where you manage contacts as familiar as possible. The icons are familiar to those found on a cell phone and PDA interface. Pull down menus also simplified the process of navigating your way around the program, this will be useful if you need to transfer your contacts to a text file since this is a very tedious task.

 

            Security: The security is decent. You can have the program request password before giving access to the contact information. This is a feature that I find very important since at the hospital HIPPA laws are taken very serious. The fact that its on a laptop that also requires logon information to access the computer will also provide more security for the contact information.

            The backup and recovery can be done very easily. The program allows the contact information to be saved on a backup disc or on one of the many other contact programs that DataPilot integrates with.

 

            How it worked

        DataPilot is deceptively simple. Its main view is a table of contacts. You can read in contacts from a phone or you can read in data from an external program (eg Act, Outlook). You can then write out what you are looking at. It does allow selective reading/writing to the phone (ie only the entry numbers you have chosen). For external programs it writes out everything.

        Whenever it reads or writes from the phone, the phone is rebooted. This is presumably the way LG wrote the specifications that Susteen followed. Nevertheless it is somewhat irritating.

        I found the Outlook and Outlook Express import/export to be poor. The main reason is because DataPilot imports EVERYTHING. This includes ALL entries in the Windows Address Book, which by default is populated with every email address you have ever replied to. (This even happened when just importing Outlook. Outlook Express uses the WAB for its data so it is expected for that). Fortunately it only writes out entries to the phone that have at least one phone number (although it takes the opportunity to point this out on every write).

        With Outlook, I previously used TrueSync and a Motorola phone. I added a category to the contacts I wanted in my phone (imaginatively named 'Phone'). TrueSync would then only sync entries with that category. (Outlook allows multiple categories per entry, so this system worked well). DataPilot doesn't support doing it this more natural way.

        Given the lack of synchronization features, and the rather brute force nature of import/export from other programs, DataPilot is best considered as a good mechanism to do the initial population of data in the phone, and a good alternative to entering or changing data in the phone. It is also a very good way of making backups.

 

            Total Costs

        The total cost for the software and cable kit is $59.95. I recommend that if the Pediatric department chooses to purchase this kit, I would also strongly suggest buying the cables for the three most highly used phone models. These models are Nokia, Motorola and Sony Ericsson phones. These extra cables will run an extra 89.95. This would bring the subtotal to $149.80.

         

              Other reviews

        Laptop magazine rated this software as their choice in the field of data management utilities. Also www.avnonline.com says that the utility is reasonably priced and gave it a pretty decent review.

 

            Summary and General Recommendation

        Since the License for DataPilot only allows installation onto one PC, but can be connected to as many phones as you can hook up to that PC, I suggest that the Pediatric department purchase the one software and install it onto the department laptop. Installing onto the laptop will give the software portability so updates can be done not just in the department but at meetings or morning and noon report. I also suggest that the laptop be used since it has Bluetooth and IR technology that will make full use of the software's potential. I would also recommend the department purchase cables for the 3 main phones used by staff. This can be done by taking a census of what phones are in use, otherwise all staff members can pool money together and purchase the cables for themselves to share. This program will be easily integrated into the current system used for pager upgrades and would follow similar procedures. The purchase of this software would be a useful utility to keep staff and doctors well connected to hospital contact information.