In field laptop/tablet use?
Does anyone use a tablet/laptop remotely in the field? What I am looking for is the best tablet/laptop that I can dial in remotely using wifi/hot spot and get into my desktop in the field. I have tried to look at the Surface Pro models, but the resolution is horribly small.
I want to be able to be at a customer and take a picture, upload that picture, edit that picture on the tablet portion and upload it again.
Thoughts???
Comments
Short answer, surface pro sucks because the resolution messes with ESC display and can make it look all jumbled and tight. You can adjust the lines to make it look okay again, but in my opinion not worth the money. I really enjoy the Lenovo Yoga 900 laptops as they can flip the whole way but are full 13 inch laptops. If you were to use this you would have to VPN back to your server environment so that you can access your desktop but I have had a lot of luck using VPN with ESC and working remotely.
If you do something like this then you are pretty unlimited to applications as it is a full desktop. The only issue is the taking photos. I feel like that would be a bit awkward with a laptop, but you could always take a pic with your phone on google drive and it would automatically sync to your computer for whatever editing you need to do.
Just some thoughts.
We use the mobile app and use ipads. It has been working really well for us for almost a year now. We email the customer their invoice right after the service, but have considered mobile printers as well.
Tina Harter, I am just getting my techs set up with the mobile app and we are looking to use ipads. I would love to get some input from you if possible.
Hi Nikki,
If I could add just a few thoughts, one of the most important features we implemented when we launched our IPads was a Mobile Device Manager (MDM) to control the use of our IPads and what apps could be installed. It also allows us to remotely shutdown, lock, or wipe the IPad.
I have had a lot of success using the Meraki System Management (MSM) system, which is free to use. Here is a link to a quick setup https://meraki.cisco.com/blog/2012/03/100-free-mobile-device-management-in-2-easy-steps/ .
This system can integrate with a Device Enrollment Program (DEP) if you purchase your devices directly from apple or verizon. This means that when you purchase a device from them it will automatically be added into your MSM and you can load profiles on the IPad that can never be erased because the device is actually registered with Apple or Verizon, even if it is stolen and wiped clean.
Let me know if you have any other questions concerning this as some of the setup can be a little complicated, but the end result is fantastic. Others might use different MDM's and it will benefit you to listen to their experience because I only have detailed experience with this one, but I do really like it!
Have a good day
Thank you for the great information, Luke. Based on some other feedback, we may just have them use their iPhones instead, as the iPads may be a little too big and cumbersome on the job.
IPhones as well as android phones an a few other things can be managed as well through the MDM. :)
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