Hardware
The PestFriend system will run on any PC, Laptop, Tablet PC or Netbook which has either Windows XP, Windows Vista or Windows 7 as it's operating system. There are three specific hardware solutions which we at Friendly Data Solutions recommend as possible options for the Mobile system.
The first of these is the Samsung Q1 Ultra tablet PC. This machine was the first machine to fill the gap between the limited display on a PDA and the smallest laptops. PestFriend was designed to make full use of the screen area available on this highly portable machine.
Since the very start of PestFriend, our original company has been using Q1 Ultra's to great effect. As the system will usually have all of your customers and pests and recommendations pre-loaded there is little need for a full size keyboard. The only typing needed while using the system is for your own comments. Therefore the Q1's small keyboard on either side of the screen is perfect for using quick, easy data entry. The ability to point and click with the pen is also quicker than using a mouse.
The Samsung Q1 is available as one of 3 specifications with various functions. The higher models have cameras which allow the ability for technicians to capture images if the need arises.
Since the introduction of the Samsung Q1 Ultra machines, a number of alternatives have appeared in the market offering a similar screen size / resolution whilst also being ultra portable.
A lower cost alternative to the Samsung Q1's is a Netbook machine.
If you feel the Q1 is too expensive or will not benefit you, the EeePC series of Netbooks could meet your needs. For a basic machine, consider an ASUS EeePC901. In common with most current Netbooks, these machines are not supplied with a touch screen which means the mouse / touchpad has to be used to make selections.
The simple Netbooks are popular with some of our customers especially in the early stages of using PestFriend. They are very small laptop style computer and are ideal for the mobile side of the system. With a full Qwerty keyboard and a 8.9 inch LCD display the ASUS EeePc 901 is perfect for PestFriend.
A further alternative has now filled the gap between the Samsung Q1 and the basic Netbooks in the form of a Tablet Netbook. The Tablet Netbook offers all the ease of use of a touch screen whilst providing a full Qwerty keyboard and touchpad. The ASUS T91 offers an ideal platform to run PestFriend with a very clear touch screen. The touch screen can be used in the conventional position for a Netbook or swiveled 180 degrees and used as a tablet with the keyboard hidden below the screen.
Since its introduction in 2009, the ASUS T91 has proved the most popular machine with our new customers and those that are adding extra Mobile machines.
Touch screen enabled machines enable the PestFriend Report Signature feature to be used. This allows the customer to sign the screen to show acceptance of the Site Report and the entered signature then to be shown on printed versions of the Site Report.
While these three computers series are the main ones which we can supply to customers, the PestFriend System is supported on all Windows XP, Windows Vista or Windows 7 machines. This means any laptop, netbook or tablet PC can run the system leaving choice of machine to be based on easy of use / cost.
We are equally happy to supply machines to customers or give buying advice to them on suitable machines to run PestFriend.
As new machines are constantly being introduced and the features of the current machines enhanced, this page is intended as an overview guide. Please contact us for the latest information about suitable machines.
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