Client Side Development (user interface on the phone)

Options were discussed with the customer related to what type of phone and development operating

system they desired for entering information on a hand set. This included discussions around the

Wireless Application Protocol (WAP), Java 2 Micro Edition (J2ME), Pocket PC from Microsoft

and the Palm operating system. It was decided based on the budget for new phones, the expected

replacement costs if phones were lost or stolen, the way in which the data and database needed

to be managed and the type of information that was being tracked that the Motorola i58sr

using WAP was the best overall platform for the customer. This model phone also supports GPS

capabilities offering Valley Couriers the ability to add on new map tracking services at a later

date if desired. Using WAP, the concept for the field force worker was quite straightforward.

The user would select the location in which they are either picking something up or dropping

something off, note what is being picked up or dropping off and how many.

Similar to how most phones work in selecting from lists like news, weather or sports, this

interface would quickly enable a worker to enter in all relevant data and in the order in which

their route would take place. As each location was selected and information entered, the next

location would migrate to the top of the list once the pervious one was completed.

The simple migration concept was to help achieve an optimal workflow scenario for the drivers in

the field. In addition, by keeping all locations available to the field worker (i.e. dropping completed

jobs to the bottom of the list), each worker would have the ability to go back and overwrite

information in case information was accidentally entered in incorrectly. The migration of locations

in the list will significantly increase the speed in which the data would be entered into the phone.