Unique technological advancement delivers self-contained, portable business process automation to handheld devices; "Active Platform" allows greater productivity through delivery of task-completion-driven software solution

TREVOSE, Pa., Sept. 15 -- AirClic(R), a leading provider of mobile business solutions, today announced the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has awarded AirClic with a new patent for a mobile process automation software method. Through its Active Platform approach, mobile devices are transformed -- adapting information according to the

"state" of the business process within the current active environment, recognizing changing events, roles and processes and guiding mobile workers based upon predefined business rules. Through this approach, AirClic's solution allows mobile workers to drive tasks to completion, and react to real-time changes in the business.

 

 "Existing mobile process automation solutions required bulky, expensive equipment and only allowed for rigid process models that were difficult to keep processes synchronized with the actual business. Additionally, GPS-based solutions only provide location information on the people and assets, rather than what is happening and what next steps might be required, said Tim Bradley, CEO, AirClic. "With our approach, we created an affordable solution that allows mobile workers to be more informed, action-oriented, and in synch with the entire business."

 

The technology within the AirClic MP 5 hosted platform, developed by the AirClic research and development (R&D) team, encompasses MP Designer, MP Capture, MP Harvester and MP OnDemand. Through this patented technology, the solution delivers the following benefits:

 

----Creates a workflow aware mobile device: Remote devices communicate with a central server in order to receive and provide event tracking information pertaining to a business process. With AirClic's approach, software -- including the underlying operating application, entire pre-defined business process and the current "state" of multiple events within the process -- is downloaded from the central server to the mobile device. This creates a workflow-aware device, more powerful than traditional "dumb devices."

 

-----Addresses multiple business event scenarios and multiple roles: In creating a cognitive mobile device, AirClic delivers an adaptive solution that directs end users through the appropriate business process based on the scenario they are presented with at that moment in time. In the event that the mobile worker faces an unanticipated business process, the application automatically connects with the central server which will provide an updated business process. Additionally, as the role of a mobile worker changes throughout the process, the application recognizes the change and delivers required actions. By taking this approach, mobile workers are able to complete tasks, where before they would have encountered a "process-paralyzing" event where they would have been uncertain on the approved steps to complete the business process.

 

-----Creates specific solutions according to the process and device environment: With most approaches, mobile solutions are developed based on "macro-level" workflow models. The AirClic solution allows for "micro-level" workflow development allowing for greater specificity of actions within the business process. This in turn leads to greater depth in solutions regarding the types of processes that can be implemented on a mobile device and the types of devices that a solution can be deployed upon. Additionally, organizations can use different types of mobile devices within their workforce and be assured that each device will be presented with the same business process application -- but adapted to be optimized for the specific mobile device.

 

-----Automatically negotiates communication with central server and eliminates IT involvement with mobile devices: With the AirClic solution, the communication negotiation between the mobile device and the central server is conducted by the application telling the mobile devices how "to act and communicate" on the network, allowing the mobile worker to focus on the business process. Additionally any application updates – whether related to the underlying operating application, or business process application -- are downloaded to the mobile device automatically, eliminating the need for IT to gain physical access to the device in order to install updates.

 

AirClic's Hosted Platform Captures Business-Critical Information in the Field

 

AirClic MP -- AirClic's flagship platform -- is an on-demand mobile process platform that offers companies a cost-effective, end-to-end solution for instantly capturing and exchanging business-critical information with mobile workers. AirClic MP 5.8 gives companies the ability to provide mobile users with advanced, two-way data exchange capabilities normally only available on expensive and more complicated ruggedized mobile computers. As a result, field workers have an easy-to-use solution that provides them with direct and immediate access to data needed to complete their tasks directly on their mobile phone. By combining sophisticated application design tools, patented data-capture technology, integration with existing backend systems, and real-time web-based reporting on critical field activities, AirClic MP accelerates the flow of information, people, and materials, thus optimizing an organization's mobile processes.

 

The AirClic MP platform consists of integrated technologies that provide a flexible solution for automating mobile processes:

 

----AirClic MP Designer - AirClic's innovative, proprietary design system lets process designers graphically depict processes. An application designer creates a process diagram and, with a single click, that diagram is transformed into a fully functioning AirClic MP application and transmitted to the mobile phone for immediate use.

 

----AirClic MP Capture - Equipped with an AirClic MP Capture device, mobile

workers can use one device to scan virtually any standard bar code.

 

----AirClic MP OnDemand - At the back office operations, service representatives, managers and analysts can view the real-time movement and activities of people and assets, and make informed decisions that improve efficiencies and drive revenue. Additionally, MP OnDemand provides enterprise administration capabilities that help organizations manage large numbers of users and devices in the field.

 

----AirClic MP Harvester - AirClic MP includes back-end server utilities for Microsoft(R) Windows(R), Linux(R) and UNIX that can deliver captured data in multiple formats, including CSV/text, Microsoft(R) Access(R), SQL, and Oracle(R), and others for export to billing, time, asset-management, auditing, ERP, CRM, SCM and other business systems.

 

    About AirClic(R)

 

Headquartered in Trevose, PA, AirClic is a leading provider of mobile business solutions that offer organizations real-time visibility to the "who, what, where, when and why" of their entire field operations. Using AirClic-enabled wireless devices, managers and workers can easily and

economically capture, exchange and access critical data that represent people, assets and activity. With its unsurpassed user-adoption rate, AirClic is driving new levels of accountability and improved customer service for many of the world's leading companies.

 

AirClic is a registered trademark and AirClic MP is a trademark of AirClic, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries. All other trademarks or registered trademarks are property of their respective holders.