Rugged Handheld, Bluetooth Connectivity Increases Productivity

By Sarah Howland, Integrated Solutions magazine

Elby Gifts is a wholesaler that specializes in the giftware market, including wedding favors, anniversary gifts, tableware, décor, and wine accessories. The company employs 18 sales reps who are responsible for a customer base of 15,000. While working their territories, the reps use handheld computers to take orders, add new customers, print orders, and update inventory. Recently, Elby Gifts chose to upgrade its handheld device to gain functionality, including a color display and Bluetooth printing.

Elby Gifts turned to SL Datakatch, a provider of SFA (sales force automation) solutions, to upgrade its software application at the same time. SL Datakatch's OrderStream and OS Catalogue Web-based software provides the ability to scan, create, revise, print, and track orders while on-site at customer locations. Elby Gifts chose to deploy the SL Datakatch software on XP30 handheld computers from Janam. The Janam XP30 provides the color display and Bluetooth connectivity the company was looking for, as well as bar code scanning, a choice of keyboards — backlit numeric or PDA-style — to accommodate various types of data entry, and the ability to withstand multiple drops to concrete.

Today, sales reps use the Janam XP30 and OrderStream to download the latest inventory and pricing and then go from location to location scanning orders from the catalog, checking pricing, printing orders, setting up new customers, and changing shipping preferences. At any time, a rep may receive a rush order from a customer. With the new solution, reps are able to respond more quickly to these requests. "With the Janam XP30 and OrderStream solution, our sales reps always have the most current information and access to customers' profiles and order history, which makes their day-to-day work more productive," says Sue Dion, sales coordinator for Elby Gifts. "With the XP30's Bluetooth capabilities, sales reps can quickly print an order at the point of sale. This gives them the ability to focus more time on the customer, which can increase sales."

Used with permission from Integrated Solutions magazine.