Garage door industry magazine for garage door dealers, garage door manufacturers, garage door distributors, garage door installers, loading docks, garage door operators and openers, gates, and tools for the door industry.
Issue link: https://idoi.epubxp.com/i/95501
MEMBERSHIP By Jane Treiber, Membership and Affi liate Relations Manager MEMBERS HAVE A GROWING APPETITE FOR 'APPS ' The dictionary defi nition of App – short for application – is a program (as a word processor or a spreadsheet) that performs one of the major tasks for which a computer is used. The fi rst known usage of the abbreviation "app" was in 1987, although the launch of Apple's App Store didn't occur until July 2008. In recent years, "app" has specifi cally come to mean application software written for mobile devices, with the abbreviation in particular representing both the smaller size and smaller scope of the software. IDA members were recently asked to tell us about their favorite business apps so we could share their answers with others via International Door & Operator Industry magazine. One thing for sure, IDA members love their Smart phones and computers! And for good reason – IDA members use multiple devices to keep on top of the daily workload. From navigation Apps, email, Notes and Facebook – apps are here to stay. The most frequently cited app among those who answered the survey was the SSC Mobile Spring Engineering Software called Solutions Mobile. The Solutions Mobile App is designed internally by Service Spring Corp. for Smart phones, tablets, the iPod Touch, and other similar equipment. Solutions Mobile is a next generation tool from the existing Solutions CD program for Windows and Apple computers. According to Mike McAlear, Service Spring CEO, the App works like this: "While on the job site, a dealer or technician can review the specifi cations of a current door's counter balance assembly and spring(s), convert a spring(s), upgrade cycle life, and much more. All of this in the palm of your hand and on the job site, thus reducing calls or trips back to their shop or offi ce, which in turn increases the dealers' profi tability." Member Andy Klark, Penn Central Door LLC, Dubois, Pennsylvania, explains, "While on a job site, I can use this app to convert springs, engineer springs, or double check cable lengths and turns. If I am not at a job but my techs are, they can call me and I will always have the answer." Member Jean Baril, Les Portes Baril Inc, Victoriaville, Quebec, Canada, uses the app every day. Jean says the app is "very user friendly; fantastic." The Solutions Mobile App is only available to purchase through the Android or Apple App Stores. If you want more information, check out the SSC Solutions Mobile web page that explains this info and has links for purchasing: http://www.sscorp.com/pages/appsupport.html. No surprise here, but according to member responses, Google Maps, MapQuest, iPhone maps, Yelp directions and GPS apps are the second most popular in the door and access systems industry. Used for navigation to jobs and for fi nding suppliers or, as Daniel Ducharme, Overhead Door West of Waterford, Michigan, says "to get by every s, day in this crazy business world!" For in-house use, Tony Price of Price Overhead Door, Amarillo, ss world!" Texas, cited the Fleetmatics GPS fl eet tracking solution, which offers a vast array of reports, alerts and other tools that allow the user to monitor the movement and activity of all the vehicles in a fl eet. Fleet Maintenance Reports is one such utility that can keep a fl eet productive by extending the life of its vehicles. Another feature that has benefi ted Tony is that through Live Fleet he knows exactly where his trucks are at any time. d Following maps, IDA members use calendar apps for scheduling and appoint- ments, and weather apps for scheduling and tracking severe weather alerts. - Amanda Gamble, president of Door & Gate USA, Dover, Delaware, says her company uses quite a few apps, the favorite being Corrigo's Work Track, a work order management solution. She says it is most effi cient and easy to use Continued on page 85 82 International Door & Operator Industry™