Field of Vision
from the editor
Tech-Savvy
by Penny Stacey
I’ve always considered myself rather technologically savvy. I catch on
pretty quickly to anything computer-related and don’t leave home without
my iPOD.
But then one day I received a call from a reader who proved me to be anything
but tech-savvy—at least in today’s world of gadgets.
“I’m hoping to upgrade my phone to maybe a BlackBerry® or iPhone,”
said this particular reader. “You know, something I can use on the road
pretty easily. What do you recommend? What kind of PDA do you use?”
I looked down at my purse and had to chuckle. You see, as much as I love
my iPOD, my cell phone is the simplest, most economical Nokia you can
purchase. It doesn’t take pictures; it doesn’t have e-mail access; and
it definitely doesn’t have a keyboard.
So, I transferred the caller to a co-worker who is a veritable expert
in smart phones and started to do some research of my own. As I looked
into all the devices available to mobile technicians and auto glass shop
owners, I realized that there is a lot out there—and it’s not easy to
sort through.
There are also a variety of GPS systems out there ranging from all prices
and with a variety of functions. There is even auto glass software that
links into the GPS systems, and software designed for mobile devices such
as the BlackBerry available.
I started asking around to find out what mobile devices, including GPS
systems, other readers find handy, and I soon realized there’s a need
for this information in the industry. On page 50,
you’ll see a compilation of these devices.
Even if you’re set by way of GPS units and software, the thing I hear
repeatedly in our own “Driving Technology” column and in the various Internet
seminars I’ve attended are three key points:
• In today’s business world, you have to have a website;
• And, if you have a website, you have to give potential customers a way
to contact you—preferably by e-mail, as, if they’ve come to the web for
their auto glass needs, they might just want to continue to seek work
on the web; and
• Finally, if a potential customer e-mails you and you don’t get back
to them quickly, chances are, they’ll have taken their business elsewhere
by the time you reply.
Fortunately, the variety of devices featured on page
50 makes it possible for you to do all of these things. They truly
do seem to be an investment in your business—and hopefully this section
will help you to invest wisely when and if you decide to take this technological
plunge. Also, several insurers recently have been promoting applications
for reporting first notice of loss via smart phone; sending photos; and
more. Who knows what might be next in this arena?
The annual AGRR Buyer’s Guide also is included in this issue on page
40. This section also is designed to help you grow your business,
as it gathers all the industry’s manufacturers and suppliers, their contact
information and listings of the products they make and supply all in one
place. Hopefully you’ll find this convenient listing helpful, and, if
there are other items you would like to see included in next year’s guide,
please e-mail me at pstacey@glass.com.
Penny Stacey is the editor of AGRR magazine/glassBYTEs.comTM.
AGRR
© Copyright 2009 Key Communications Inc. All rights reserved.
No reproduction of any type without expressed written permission.
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