Mobile Epiphany Certifies Panasonic Devices for Its Next Generation Geospatial Inspection Software

Aurora, CO, March 28, 2010 --(PR.com)-- Mobile Epiphany (www.mobileepiphany.com), the creators of the first-of-its-kind 100% finger-touch, geospatial asset inspection technology called Touch Inspect, has certified the Panasonic Toughbook® line of rugged, touch screen computers as fully compatible with its next generation solution. As a result, Panasonic is one of the first hardware manufacturers to be awarded the status of “Mobile Epiphany Authorized Hardware Supplier” for the Touch Inspect solution portfolio.

The rigorous testing of Toughbook computers, in conjunction with Touch Inspect, was done at iBeta’s quality assurance and hardware testing labs in Aurora, Colorado. Additionally, custom development performed by Mobile Epiphany’s engineers was completed during the process to ensure that the wide selection of advanced features found in the Panasonic Toughbook line, including GPS, RFID reader, Barcode scanner, Autofocus camera and finger-friendly touch screens, will function seamlessly with Mobile Epiphany’s cutting edge geospatial inspection and data collection technology.

“We could not be more excited to have successfully completed the certification process on the Toughbook line of touch screen rugged mobile computers” stated Glenn Kletzky, Mobile Epiphany’s CEO. “Panasonic has created one of the most reliable mobile computing platforms in the world, and our team of developers customized our solution portfolio to ensure a perfect match between our respective technologies. At this time, we have fully certified the Toughbook U1, Panasonic’s industry leading UMPC, as well as the Toughbook 19 convertible tablet and the H1 Field rugged handheld tablet. Soon, we will be working to complete the certification process across their entire line. Our efforts ensure that Toughbook computer owners now have access to the best geospatial asset inspection solution available, with full integration into the line’s advanced capabilities.”

Touch Inspect (whose handheld mobile edition runs on the Windows Mobile operating system and whose Mobile PC, UMPC and tablet edition runs on Windows XP, Vista, and Windows 7) was designed to collect a wide variety of data types in the field using capabilities far beyond simple forms and barcode scans. The application uses GPS to allow workers to map the location of individual assets as well as search for them by proximity to the user or by the properties of the asset itself. Using an array of multimedia features, users can gather more detailed visual information about assets as well. And the interface, inspired by the best of breed video game interface concepts, is more approachable that any other interface ever developed for this type of enterprise application.

As an example of Touch Inspect’s widely required capabilities, a utility inspector can easily locate, using the on board mapping capabilities of touch inspect, a particular power pole required for inspection. He can then take a picture of a metal power pole and then use the drawing tool to circle rust spots in the picture and save it to the inspection history. Inspectors who see the pole at some later date could then call up the picture for comparison, to see if the rust spots have grown, and decide whether or not to recommend maintenance. Mobile epiphany refers to this as one part of field decision support. All the while, a central database secures all data and images for full reporting capability. Additionally, this data, along with all other collected data, is shared wirelessly and automatically among members of the team of inspectors as well as at the office.

The new application also solves data problems associated with other solutions. Data loss is prevented by storing information on the handheld device itself, then transmitting it to the database when a connection is available. Even if the connection is lost, the data is safely stored on the device for later transmission. Another important feature is the ability to transmit data in real time and auto-generate reports in moments.

Unlike other applications which require server setup time and cost (not to mention that everyone doesn’t have their own IT department), Touch Inspect allows their system to be purchased monthly (Software as a Subscription) or hosted quarterly, meaning the users do not have to even think about server technology. That approach makes functionality that was traditionally only available to the largest of corporations now readily available to small and medium size business users as well. It is designed to be configured in hours and start running almost immediately. Long development cycles are completely eliminated. And for the larger enterprises that insist on housing their own servers, Mobile Epiphany makes the technology available in that format as well.

As the name implies, the interface is finger-touch based with large, color-coded graphics and minimal, but bold and easy-to-read text for faster navigation. Other design features such as multi-function buttons keep the screen uncluttered while still allowing for high levels of intuitive functionality. And because Touch Inspect™ is easily configurable, it allows users to define their own work flow, meaning that the application can be specifically tailored to any industry that needs enterprise level asset inspection among a host of many other mobile data needs.

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