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Hi
I have just replaced my old laptop with a shiny new one and was wondering how many off you actually take them out with you ?
I have been using a palm pda for the last few years, and have also changed that for a smartphone (Combined phone pda) which is great but was wondering what advantages if any I would have using a laptop?
What sort of info do would you have on a laptop that you cant get on a pda. My new phone has a diary and word/excell and a database programe on it.
Apart from having Spareslink installed on the laptop, what other programe (s) do you use?Regards
Toni PazRe: Using Laptops in the field
Hi Tony,
I use my Laptop at all times, although nothing special (Acer Travelmate) its always in the van & an esential tool for me to use.
I get a lot of my jobs via e-mail, I log in a few times during the day to read & send e-mails.
I also use it for looking up parts diagrams, fault codes, technical documents etc & ordering parts online.
I use software on it to diagose & repair Miele appliances via optical interface.Re: Using Laptops in the field
I use my PDA phone (O2 XDA Exec) for most of my Internet connection. I usually look up parts on the Connect website and sometimes browse the UKW site for help.
The XDA is great for use as a diary and part numbers etc can easily be copied and pasted from the customers’ notes to the Internet browser for ordering parts etc.
I have all my stock and customer details listed in excel format on an SD card that I can read at any time on my XDA.
I only really use my laptop now for TDS disk.
Bob
Re: Using Laptops in the field
Along with a few other engineers I know who use laptops I wold be lost without mine, Stolen ? well you could apply that to your Sat Nav, Tools, or come to that Van ? Having a laptop stolen outweighs in my opionion the many benefits that a computer brings to a modern business.
I use mine for all my administration, invoicing, accounts, Customer Retention, looking up spare parts via TDS, TESS, Partfinder, SIOS, Connections, Spareslink, as well as a huge amount of pdf manuals for GDA. If I were to carry this lot using paper I would need another van! In fact when I used to carry hardcopy manuals just for one brand they took up a hell of a lot of room on the van.
A PDA is fine, but veiwing the internet via a mobile or small screen is not my choice and the laptop is an important tool for me lke any other tool I use in my day to day job.
Re: Using Laptops in the field
I don’t believe that laptops, other than those designed for the task and are ruggedised, should be used in the field.
They’re bulky, fragile, prone to being “lost” or stolen, often slow and unless locked down open for abuse. Of course I’m not using them in that situation myself, instead I would be handing them to others.
Some of these problems can be gotten around by using the likes of the Toshiba Toughbook series, but that’s not a cheap solution. Or, to get around the size issue then you can use the likes of the OQO machines, like this one as engineers are a lazy bunch, if we don’t need it it will be left in the van.
I know that at least Smeg, F&P and Miele diagnostics stuff need a laptop but that doesn’t mean that I have to go along with having to shell out money just to read a stupid fault code. To me I think to myself, “Yeah okay, so you want me to fork out to read your fault codes to help you and your customers? And, I get what out this?” TBH much of this is just lazy programmers that don’t want to work on a mobile platform taking the easy Windows route instead.
TDS and most other info could easily be ported to a mobile platform if the manufacturers decided to do so.
But other than the guys that are doing Miele how often is it actually needed as in it isn’t an option, you must have the laptop. On very few occasions I expect.
As Bob says, the vast bulk of what we require can be done on a smartphone or PDA which is far more reliable as there are no moving parts, less open to abuse and saves carting about a laptop everywhere.
I can see the attraction, I just don’t think that it’s the answer.
K.
Re: Using Laptops in the field
I carry one all the time, mainly for pricing info. Its better to quote an exact price at the time of the visit rather than the “ill phone you this evening with the price” way, by which time customer has thought about it, talked to neigbour and bought a Indesti for £150. I would also use it for invoicing if I could find a reliable way of printing out the customer copy. As it is I hand write reciepts and then input it into the pc when i get home…all a bit time consuming and the hand scrawled reciepts unproffessional IMO.
As for the SMEG diagnosis system……certainly not worth the efort of carrying a laptop as yet as many would have seen at the last meeting how awkward it is to set up.
What Ken says is true though, Laptops are not up to the job of carrying around unless its in a seperate case and then thats just another thing to carry around.
A usefull tool right now but not yet an essential item.A friend runs a wholesale motorcycle parts business, and we set him up with an inverter in the lorry to run a small laserprinter. Whilst most of his invoicing is done in the warehouse, this enables him to sell additional van stock without the hassle of having to transfer hand-written dockets onto his system. There are very few printers that can run directly off 12v…
Re: Using Laptops in the field
Between me and GB senior, whoever is going to a outside job, takes the laptop. The case is big enough for a printer and a good set of tools too!
It looks professional, and is full of parts info. Not to mention that the work is then processed once, in the customers house at the end of the job, so it cuts down on admin 😀
As for it getting stolen :eeek: Whoever has it, knows that to lose it, would be a moral sin, punishable by dismemberment! The solution is simple…
Never let go of it!
Never!
Re: Using Laptops in the field
Goatboy wrote:
It looks professional, and is full of parts info. Not to mention that the work is then processed once, in the customers house at the end of the job, so it cuts down on admin 😀and how do you get over the printer problem?
Re: Using Laptops in the field
What printer problem?
Goatboy wrote:The case is big enough for a printer and a good set of tools too!
Re: Using Laptops in the field
Why would you want to use a laptop in a field (Goatboy excluded 😀 )anyway 😆
Greg
Re: Using Laptops in the field
ha ha
yes not realy needed now but i think the time will come.
one wp looked at getting engs lap tops foc till they found out the price then dropped the idea.
Re: Using Laptops in the field
eastlmark wrote:II would also use it for invoicing if I could find a reliable way of printing out the customer copy.
I recently saw a trial of Brother mobile printers and this one looked good.
http://www.brother-store.co.uk/product_ … ucts_id/71
I just noticed this company selling A grade ones at 25{e5d1b7155a01ef1f3b9c9968eaba33524ee81600d00d4be2b4d93ac2e58cec2d} off.
http://www.hagger-direct.co.uk/c,view,B … GRADE.html
John
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