by TimStone » Mon Oct 06, 2014 11:28 pm
James,
First, I have all my clients on Win 8.1 u1 without any frustration. They exercise the option to boot to desktop, and then it is very easy for them.
Actually, the issue here is "tablet" and not touch. In my application there are times when the guys want to grab a tablet off the counter and walk out to a vehicle. They can use it to start workorders, while doing an interview with the customer. They also like them for inventory checks. The software needs to be sensitive to these uses and make them very easy.
With a windows tablet ( like the surface ) this is an easy and powerful opportunity. The tablet stays in a docking station, and has an automatic mode that pushes the output to a large screen monitor. I suggest a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse, so working on it is just like any other workstation. However, if they want to walk out with a client, take some photos of the work to be performed, and create an estimate while in a face to face conversation, it immediately switches to wifi, and of course it is fully charged ( having been in the dock ). They do the work and send the customer inside to sign an estimate, and take off. They can go from one client to another this way.
Another great place to use a tablet is in a store when you want to accompany a customer while they are looking. You can check stock on an item, and enter their sales, never losing that face to face interaction. It updates the data files on the server through wireless. It is a wonderful way to provide far more personalized service.
All of this can be done easily, and effectively, with FWH programming.