Mobile Printing for ioS® and android™ PlatforMS

White Paper on Operating Systems

As it becomes simpler and less expensive for organizations of every size to deploy mobile sales and field service applications, the potential combination of mobile devices and operating systems has exploded. In the past, field service and delivery deployments involved the use of purpose-built, rugged and semi-rugged mobile computers, the majority of which ran on some iteration of the Windows® operating system. Increasingly, however, these companies are turning to a wider mix of rugged and consumer-grade phones and tablets. Since many of these applications may not involve exposure to harsh environments, iOS® and Android™-based smartphones have become the devices of choice because they are small, affordable, and end users are already familiar with the mobile interface.

And adoption in the enterprise is increasing. According to a 2013 survey from cloud service company Citrix, iOS accounted for 62% of new enterprise smart device enrollment, followed by Android with 35%.

While the majority of these devices are used primarily to access files and send corporate e-mail, many companies are now using smartphones and tablets for line-of-business applications: field service, asset management, direct store delivery, logistics. From an enterprise standpoint, however, that presents a problem. When these iOS and Android platforms were originally designed, there was not much thought (or programming investment) put into providing printer drivers or mobile print capabilities.

End users want to take advantage of the advanced capabilities of these new devices, as well as the improved ease-of-use and lower deployment costs they present, but employees also need to be able to print using the same types of mobile and stationary printers found in traditional warehouse, field service, and other enterprise environments.

It has been up to peripheral device manufacturers and application developers to fill the void when it comes to mobile printing with these devices, a capability that is critical for a variety of reasons. Field service professionals who utilize an advanced iOS printing solution can more easily and efficiently print professional documents in the field, providing a quick return on the investment as end users now have a reliable way to print from iOS devices, without the added time and inefficiencies associated with cobbling together a workaround to enable the print function.

This white paper will describe the challenges associated with printing from iOS and Android devices in the field, potential solutions for enabling this type of printing, and describe the benefits associated with providing field service professionals with the freedom to print anywhere.

introduction

Until recently, mobile line-of-business applications were dominated by Windows-based laptops, tablets, and hand-held computers running WindowsMobile. With the advent of advanced and relatively low-cost mobile devices based on alternative operating systems, companies have been unshackled in terms of options for developing better field-based solutions. While this trend has expanded the range of new application opportunities for these businesses, the peripheral hardware component – specifically, the mobile printer – has become an afterthought.

In the Windows world, mobile printer integration was straightforward and relied on standard printer drivers built on a well-understood platform. With the introduction of iOS and Android devices (and frequently, a combination of two or more platforms in one environment), end users have lost the guarantee that their chosen devices will work with any given mobile printer.

Further complicating these deployments is the fact that iOS-based devices rely on an Apple®-specific approach to Bluetooth® connectivity that is incompatible with other standard Bluetooth equipment. For companies that rely on cable-free Bluetooth connections between their mobile devices and printers, this can be a significant obstacle.

Apple has offered a feature called AirPrint™ in its products beginning with iOS 4.2, for printing using a wireless LAN to AirPrint-compatible printers. However, these are typically consumer-grade desktop printers, and not suitable for the types of mobile printing applications being discussed here.

This means that the printers on the market that are inherently iOS compatible are generally not suited for field service or other line-of-business applications, while the majority of the purpose-built peripherals either don’t support iOS (or Android) or can’t communicate via Apple’s proprietary Bluetooth protocol.

The mobile printer industry has responded in a variety of ways. Some peripheral manufacturers have incorporated and licensed Apple’s Bluetooth stack into their products so that their devices can work with iOS phones and tablets. Others have taken a different approach, and utilize alternative wireless technologies to communicate between mobile printers and Apple devices. Brother Mobile, for example, uses Wi-Fi® to address wireless communications with its iOS printers, the PocketJet® 673 or the RuggedJet™ RJ4040. Most have released development tools that allow their printers to work with iOS and/or Android phones and tablets.

the new Mobility landScaPe

One of the primary reasons that iOS and Android devices lack embedded printer functionality is that they were developed in the context of an increasingly paperless world. In fact, one of the primary reasons these types of field services, sales, and delivery automation solution are deployed is to eliminate paper forms in the field.

Although many previously paper-based processes have now been converted to faster and more efficient paperless systems, there is still a need for printing in the field. In fact, the use of these very flexible mobile devices has identified new printing requirements for processes that simply didn’t exist before, but are enabled by the use of mobile tablet devices.

AQUA BLUE POOLSAqua Blue Pools, a Taylors, S.C.-based pool service and construction company, deployed iPads to its field sales reps and construction managers, providing them with a way to present photos, schematics, and product contracts to prospective customers in the field, as well as to access corporate data and perform project management tasks. In the past, these activities required the use of pre-preprinted forms and brochures. Using the mobile technology, employees are able to conduct most of these transactions on the iPad.

However, the company needed a way to print professional looking documents in the field, a capability that is not inherent in the iPad platform. The company has deployed Brother’s PocketJet 673 iOS-compatible mobile thermal printer to generate estimates, quotes, service agreements, and contracts. In this instance, some pre-printed paper forms have been eliminated, while the ability to print new, custom documents at the customer site has helped improve service and increase sales.

If the mobile device used for a given application can’t work with a printer, companies can face a significant obstacle in a number of vertical markets that would otherwise benefit from the use of iOS or Android tablets and phones. Companies in the healthcare, pest control, commercial HVAC repair, and delivery industries can improve productivity, increase compliance with service level agreement obligations, and collect better data in the field using these devices. For smaller companies, or those without substantial IT support resources, using iPhones or iPads can speed deployment and reduce the initial cost of the system, particularly in environments where the use of a rugged, purpose-built device may not be warranted.

But the absence of printer functionality for this group of users would greatly reduce the effectiveness of the application, and weaken the business case for deploying the entire mobile technology solution in the first place. Without the ability to print forms and documents in the field, mobile employees would be forced to either carry pre-printed materials, or worse, wait until they returned to a home office or central office to print needed documents.

MUNICIPAL USEWhen the city of Tigard, Oregon, deployed iPads for its building inspectors, officials were not aware of the printing challenges associated with the devices. Inspectors had previously utilized rugged laptops and portable printers, but when it was time to upgrade their technology, the inspection division opted to deploy iPads because they were easier to use and could run an iOS-based inspection app from software vendor Accela. While most of their inspection reports are e-mailed to building owners, some do require printed reports, so the inspectors needed to have a mobile printer for those instances.

“There is still a need for printing in the field.”

the world iSn’t PaPerleSS

Initially, the division attempted to connect their existing Bluetooth printers to the devices. When they discovered that would not work, they approached Apple for assistance in locating a mobile printer that supported AirPrint, only to discover there were no compatible devices that met their needs. The city deployed the Brother PocketJet 673, which allows the inspectors to print PDF copies of the reports from their e-mail program. Currently, the inspection division is working with the software vendor to enable printing directly from the application.

Similarly, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Emergency Services Detail deployed iPads for use in emergency medical scenarios for paramedics working in vehicles, helicopters and even boats. In most instances, personnel use the iPads to collect medical information and then transmit patient reports to hospitals electronically

when patients are transferred to hospitals. In the field, though, these reports must often be printed and physically handed off to other paramedics.

Again, finding a portable, iPad-compatible printer proved to be a challenge. The department has deployed Brother PocketJet 673 devices, capturing images of the information on the mobile device screen in order to print the forms during patient transfers.

Peripheral device manufacturers and application developers have created a number of ways to accommodate printing in Android and iOS deployments. Generally, this requires a three-pronged approach that involves cooperation among the printer manufacturers, application developers, and end users.

In some cases, this has required a core redesign of the printing hardware. Brother Mobile, for instance, took this approach when it developed its iOS-specific printer, which works exclusively with that platform.

Software development kits (SDKs) and application programming interface (API) tools are also an integral part of enabling printer connectivity for this new generation of devices. Using SDKs, for instance, also allows companies to accommodate application- or user-driven printer requirements. For end users, that means finding a printer manufacturer that makes specific tools available for creating printer connectivity, along with clear instructions and support resources.

Printer manufacturers that serve line-of-business applications have developed a number of tools to assist with deploying these types of solutions on iOS and Android devices. In addition to SDKs developed for specific mobile printers, other companies have released tools for printing from mobile phones to networked point-of-sale printers, desktop bar code and label printers, and other types of receipt printers.

These tools should be readily available to the developer population, and be up-to-date with the latest version of each OS. In the case of Android (which, as an open platform, has been deployed in a number of concurrent iterations), developers should be aware of the revision level of the OS on the device. The development tools used for the mobile application and the printing element should be compatible with the OS version of the device.

Finally, printer manufacturers have had to invest in additional internal resources to assist customers with mobile printer integration, particularly in deployments where multiple operating systems may be involved. Manufacturers should offer sufficient support capabilities, both online and in the form of technicians and engineers that can be available to work with application developers and end users to solve these incompatibility issues.

Solving the Mobile Printer challenge

“Peripheral device manufacturers and application developers have created a number of ways to accommodate printing in Android and iOS deployments.”

Brother develops mobile printers to interface with the evolving array of operating systems deployed by field workforces across a variety of verticals.

The Brother PocketJet® 673 mobile printer delivers high quality full-page thermal documents and receipts from the iPhone® and iPad® iOS-based devices, while the PocketJet 662 and 663 print from Android tablets, smartphones and Windows operating systems. Sleek, lightweight and durable, the acclaimed PocketJet series features a compact design, fast, high-resolution, full-page output, and reliable performance – making it a preferred choice in field service, public safety, utilities, insurance and home healthcare vertical markets.

The Brother RuggedJet™ series print 2” to 4” documents and labels at up to 5 ips. They connect wirelessly to handhelds, tablets and laptops with the models that are compatible with iOS or Android and Windows operating systems. Both the RJ-4030 and RJ4040 are known for fast print speeds, IP54 certification and a 2 year “bumper-to-bumper” warranty. These tested-tough, smaller format printers are available with a variety of optional accessories that make them a preferred choice for route accounting and direct store delivery operations, public safety, warehouse, pest control and other rugged and semi-rugged field service verticals.

about brother Mobile PrinterS for ioS, android & windowS deviceS

The ability to print documents and receipts in the field remains a core capability of mobile field service, sales, and delivery applications. The availability of advanced, flexible tablets, smartphones, and other devices has made it possible for organizations both small and large to improve efficiency, cut costs, and enhance customer service by enabling easy-to-use, low-cost mobile automation in the field. At the same time, these new platforms have complicated the mobile print function.

By working closely with systems integrators, application developers, and internal IT resources, companies that want to leverage Android and iOS devices in their field deployments can print professional documents from rugged mobile printers by selecting compatible hardware and utilizing platform-specific development tools. By doing so, they can accelerate the deployment of their mobile solution, as well as the potential return on investment in their mobile printing solution.

concluSion

Brother Mobile Solutions offers a wide range of mobile printing and mobile and desktop labeling solutions designed to help improve performance and efficiency on the road, on the shop floor and in the warehouse.

Through its network of authorized partners and ISVs it creates and delivers customized solutions designed specifically to meet the mobile printing and mobile and desktop labeling needs of customers in key markets. These markets include public safety, route accounting, field service, pest management, public utility field operations, insurance, manufacturing, warehousing, datacom and telecom services, and healthcare/laboratories.

Its solutions for these markets are built on its own product line, which currently includes reliable, compact, mobile thermal full-page printers; rugged small-format thermal receipt and label printers; handheld and desktop laminated label printers; and wide-format, desktop thermal paper label printers.

A variety of media and accessories for these products are available through authorized Brother Mobile Solutions partners.Custom engineering and enhanced technical and field support directly from Brother Mobile Solutions help its authorized partners and ISVs craft the ideal mobile printing and mobile and desktop labeling solutions for their customers.

Headquartered in Broomfield, CO., Brother Mobile Solutions, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Brother International Corporation, which in turn is a business unit of the Global Brother Group of companies that employs over 14,000 people worldwide in design, engineering, manufacturing and sales functions.

To learn more, contact Brother Mobile Solutions at:

100 Technology Drive Suite 250ABroomfield, CO 80021-3498

Phone: 1-800-543-6144Local: 1-303-460-1659

about brother Mobile SolutionS, inc.