It is a conclusive new step for the Companion® Suite, as CIS Group announces the successful implementation of its software for a number of clients who chose Android devices.

While the sturdiness of professional, rugged devices remains a sure value when it comes to the exacting conditions implied by Direct Store Delivery activities, a trend is emerging in many industries, showing a shift toward consumer devices.

To accommodate freedom of choice, intensive efforts were deployed for testing and certification of the application on these types of devices. It was also essential to ensure compatibility with the camera so that it can be used to scan barcodes.

Every new device will need to be tested, as each manufacturer has their own flavor of Android. The same is true of testing that will be carried out with each newly released version of Android.

As always, integration with SOTI solutions greatly helps to ensure the security and management of mobile units, whatever the device, the form-factor, or the operating system.

Already, successful implementation projects can be reported, for example at Consolidated Bakeries, in the Caribbean, where they work with the Samsung Galaxy Tab A. In the case of the dairy company, La Pinte in Southern Quebec, the devices chosen were Galaxy S7 phones.

“Since the appeal of consumer devices is a growing trend among more price-conscious clients, we want them to know that the Companion application can run on an ever-broader range of devices, says Nicolas Racine, Sales Manager, US, and the Caribbean. We make it a point, though, to always give them the whole picture with thorough information, since enterprise/rugged hand-held computers, being covered by a comprehensive maintenance plan, most often end up offering a Total Cost of Ownership that is significantly lower.”