Samaritan's Purse
Socket has donated 100 units of the Mobile Power Pack to Samaritan's Purse, a Christian relief and evangelism organization, for use in Haiti earthquake aid operations. The portable battery pack is being used by the organization's medical personnel to power mobile phones, USB-based mobile medical devices and computers.
Many power lines and other critical infrastructure have been destoyed by the devastating earthquake, making any available power source extremely valuable. Besides providing medical staff and other emergency personnel, the organization is flying planes daily to Haiti to offer critical supplies such as medicine, water purifying systems, temporary shelters, and hygiene kits.
Chuck Furedy, Senior Vice President of Worldwide Sales at Socket Mobile, has been actively involved with Samaritan's Purse for more than 10 years, as a partner and supporter of Operation Christmas Child.
Photo courtesy of Samaritan's Purse
Government Health Agency
A government health agency has deployed dozens of the the SoMo® 650 handheld computer and Socket Bluetooth® barcode scanners to evaluate malaria prevention programs and track the efficacy of meningitis vaccines in Africa and Asia. Traveling health workers use the equipment with a GPS receiver during household surveys as well as while mapping mosquito breeding habitats. The Socket barcode scanners are used to track blood smears collected during household visits. The solution is currently being deployed in multiple countries, including Burkina Faso, Indonesia, Kenya, Tanzania, and Zambia.
Initially, the agency deployed PDAs from two leading manufacturers, but the devices had insufficient battery power for the GPS receiver, resulting in dropped connections. With the SoMo 650 equipped with an Extended Battery, health workers have reliable access to GPS data.
Due to the agency's success with Socket equipment, health ministries from several African countries have expressed interest in using Socket products for national malaria surveys. International health organizations and other non-governmental organizations are also looking at the solution.
Charleroi Sports Stadium - Belgium
This month, the 25,000 capacity soccer stadium in the city of Charleroi, Belgium began piloting a handheld ticketing system based on the SoMo 650 handheld computer and Pro Active SpringCard smart card reader. Instead of hassling with a printed ticket, sports fans can now buy tickets online then use their electronic ID card as proof of purchase to enter the stadium, helping to save paper and reduce waste. All Belgians over 12 years old have an electronic ID card.
The handheld system enables security staff to check electronic ID cards to prevent illegal ticket sales as well as the sale of tickets to persons who are known security threats. The mobile system is being used in conjunction with kiosk stations where IDs can also be verified. The arena in Bruges, Belgium also plans to pilot the system.
An official from the professional soccer league joined Minister of Economic Affairs Vincent Van Quickenborne to demonstrate the solution to local media on January 12.
Read a news article and watch a video about the launch (French).
Blount Memorial Hospital
Patients at Blount Memorial Hospital in Tennessee who need certain blood tests no longer need to wait for a laboratory to process their blood samples thanks to a bedside blood analysis system from Epocal. The portable system, which incorporates the SoMo 650 handheld computer and a Socket barcode scanner, provides accurate results for blood gas and electrolyte testing in only 30 seconds.
Citizen Watch - Mexico
Citizens de Mexico SA, which makes and distributes fashion watches and other consumer products throughout Mexico, has deployed Socket barcode scanners with Palm® Treo® smartphones for sales force automation. Using Socket barcode scanners to enter part numbers and other line items in sales orders has resulted in a 50-percent reduction in data entry errors.
Ostbye and Anderson
Ostbye and Anderson, a Minneapolis-based manufacturer of bridal and related jewelry serving fine jewelers throughout the U.S., Canada, and Europe, has deployed the SoMo 650 handheld computer and Socket barcode scanners for sales force automation. The mobile technology replaces paper-based processes, resulting in faster order fulfillment, improved customer service, and lower administrative costs.
Dairy Farms
Dairy farms are using the SoMo 650 handheld computer with portable RFID readers to track cattle, reduce improper drug use in livestock, and facilitate veterinary checks. The handheld system enables technicians to look up an animal's history, diet restrictions, and veterinary appointments as well as input data directly at cowside.
