Starting with version 2.3.903 of OnTime desktop applications, built-in network diagnostic tools will offer access to troubleshooting from within OnTime programs. The test in the utility will help to diagnose the source of any issues regarding network or internet connectivity. This information will also help Vesigo technical support personnel resolve connectivity issues.
If you suspect problems with your connection to the OnTime service, run this utility test, then contact Vesigo technical support with the details. Here’s how to run a network diagnostics test:
- Start OnTime Management Suite or OnTime Dispatch.
- Select the Help tab and choose Troubleshoot Network Problems.
- From the resulting window, click the Start Test button. The test may take a few minutes to complete.
Since its release in 2006, OnTime has been ahead of the curve: running in the cloud since the beginning and continuously contributing to the improvement of that technology. OnTime can help most businesses quickly save dramatic amounts of money. To help put these savings into perspective, we’ve launched the OnTime Savings Calculator.
Answer a few basic questions to see how much OnTime can save your courier business.
OnTime Mobile can instantly send and receive notifications regarding modifications made to order assignment and status. Instant updates eliminate the necessity for frequent synchronizations to access changes made in the system.
This new feature is fully integrated on devices with the Windows Mobile 5/6 operating system. If you are using a device with the Windows Mobile 2003 or 2003 SE operating system, notifications will appear but not be integrated into OnTime. Before attempting to use any new features, ensure that copies of OnTime Management Suite and OnTime Mobile are up-to-date.
The instant update feature may be implemented on a user-by-user basis, allowing you to only activate the feature for users that have compatible devices. To offer a user access to the feature, open the OnTime Management Suite and select the users section. Check the option to enable SMS text messaging notifications for the user and enter the SMS address for the user. Every carrier has a different setup for the SMS addresses, so if you are not sure of the appropriate SMS email address, contact the user's cell carrier. The address will usually be formatted like "6781231234@messaging.sprintpcs.com."
Note: Because these notifications are sent via text message, any fees for text messages on cellular plans will apply. One or two text messages are commonly sent per order. When planning text message volume, ensure that you are aware overage charges
The vital link with your people in the field is accomplished through OnTime Mobile. In addition to OnTime Mobile Web’s rich HTML5 interface and native apps for smartphones, there are two other ways that driver data can be accessed in the field: The Windows Mobile 5/6 platform and WAP enabled devices.
Windows Mobile 5/6
A robust method of access is with a Windows Mobile 5, 6, or 6.5 enabled phone. These are also referred to as Pocket PC devices. You have access to a wide range of the data that may be needed in the field, such as customer and address lookup. Since the screens on these devices are larger, we can fit a lot more information on them at one time without having to scroll around. The largest advantage of the Pocket PC phones is that OnTime can run an offline database which allows the driver to fade in and out of cell service without ever missing a beat. Other features, such as the ability to capture digital signatures, are only available on the Pocket PC because of it's touch screen nature. Smart synchronization efficiently moves data back and forth in a way that conserves data bandwidth, a plus for those with data plans that are metered.
WAP Enabled Devices
Many other cell phones support wireless application protocol (WAP) to display web content. Even many "free" phones support this technology, so it is not difficult to make this available to your drivers. OnTime Mobile supports 10 different variations of WAP, which means that it will work and look its best on every device on the market today. You will get most of the same information as you see in the Pocket PC version, but there are some limitations. For instance, you will not have the ability to capture digital signatures since there will generally be no touch screen available. Another drawback is the need to be online all the time. Since WAP requires a constant internet connection, you will need at anytime you want to refresh data. So while the experience is not as comprehensive, it is an affordable, and in many cases, sufficient alternative to more expensive PDA phones.
Advancements in modern technology have dramatically altered the expectations of your customers; they have become accustomed to having real-time information at their fingertips. Further advancements are enabling carriers to manage their resources more efficiently than ever. If your company is not taking full advantage of the technology available today, significant business opportunities and profits may pass you by.
The Internet is an integral part of any connected system. This communication channel enables real-time information about your entire operation to be accessible and affected by management, drivers, dispatchers, and customers. A connection to this information will help you to provide unparalleled services and benefits to current and potential customers, ensuring loyalty and continued growth.
Often, “web applications” are suggested as sources of reliable connectivity. A web application is, essentially, just a web page. While these applications have many advantages over traditional server based systems, many problems and limitations are also inherent. OnTime's Smart Clients employ superior technology to traditional server based systems and web applications.
Our Smart Client Technology combines the productivity and performance of desktop applications with the real-time connectivity of the Internet. The OnTime Dispatch and Management programs are not just web pages, but applications run on your local computer, thus providing a rich and responsive experience to users. At the same time, the OnTime programs automatically exchange real-time data via the Internet to other users, partners, and customers.
OnTime Smart Client technology offers incomparable reliability. If you temporarily lose your connection to the Internet, OnTime will gracefully fall into offline mode. While you may lose access to real-time updates for a short time, critical business functions will still be accessible.
We designed the OnTime Suite of applications to be suited to position-specific tasks and functions. Utilizing the capabilities of the Internet to its fullest, OnTime's Smart Client technology enables you to offer unparalleled service to your customers.
OnTime offers a smart way to help your company achieve virtually unlimited growth by utilizing advanced technological tools.
Version 2 of OnTime has been adjusted to better fit the expectations of courier, shipping, and other businesses. Advanced, personal customization is an important component that helps users to become comfortable with the system. In OnTime version 2, nearly everything is customizable, including terminology. Common terms, like customers, are often referred to by different names in different organizations. Some may use the term shippers, some clients, while others simply use customers. Using the right term for your business will make the OnTime software comfortable for your users. To customize the terminology used by OnTime, follow these steps:
- Open OnTime Management Suite.
- Go to the Tools menu and choose General Options.
- Select the Terminology tab.
- We offer some common terms in this area; however, you are free to change the terminology to best fit your business.
- Click the OK button to save the changes and then perform a Synchronization. Everyone in your organization will start seeing your new terms appear throughout the OnTime applications.
Starting with the release of version 2.3.301, route stops that span multiple days may be created within OnTime. In previous versions, OnTime allowed the pickup and delivery times for a route stop to be set, but because only times could be set, there was no way to set the number of days involved.
OnTime now offers the ability to set the number of days that a route stop should span. This flexible approach allows OnTime to calculate the amount of time between the latest pickup time and the latest delivery time, including the number of days. To continue using routes stops that are same-day, enter a zero in the days box. This value indicates that no days should elapse between the pickup and delivery times. To have one or more days elapse between the pickup and delivery times, enter that number of day(s) in the days box.
Regular updates to the OnTime suite of programs continuously feed our users' demand for features that improve the efficiency of everyday tasks. We continue to implement features that allow carriers to take on different types of assignments, which helps to diversify the potential range of work. For some time, we have received requests to start posting information about these new features, ensuring that they are not missed. We will also take time to describe already existent features between releases.
As always, we look forward to hearing your feedback, sharing with our ever-expanding community, and implementing features that will further empower our courier software users.