Concentric Software Introduces First End User Shrink-Wrapped Application Software for GRiDPAD Pen Computers
SAN DIEGO — November 25, 1991 — Concentric Software Monday introduced dataNOW!, the computer industry's first shrink-wrapped, end-user application software for GRiDPAD pen computers manufactured by GRiD Systems Corp.
dataNOW! utilizes an on-screen, object-oriented graphical interface that allows a customer with no computer programming knowledge to develop a complete data-collection application within minutes. dataNOW!'s built-in high-speed data communications moves data from a user's form to an MS-DOS computer where it can be seamlessly imported to many DOS packages such as dBase, Paradox and Excel.
dataNOW! is available immediately through Concentric Software and there are plans to distribute the product through computer retail outlets and GRiD's direct sales force.
Concentric President Tim White, said: ''We've tried to develop a product that will let anybody benefit from the power of pen computing. The GRiDPAD is such an effective way to use this amazing new technology that we wanted to make it accessible to anyone who wanted to use it — immediately.''
dataNOW! forms are ideal for such applications as order-entry, inventory, surveys, inspections or anything else that can be represented on a paper form. Information collected in the field with dataNOW! is converted from hand-printing to computer characters. This is accomplished using GRiD's PenRight software — a windowing graphical interface for the GRiDPAD that also handles character recognition.
By using electronic forms, field personnel can collect and disseminate data faster and more accurately than with paper forms.
Tedious and time-consuming transcriptions of paper-based forms are eliminated, as well as the associated expense. Data is moved into company databases much faster, allowing critical decisions to be based on up-to-the-minute information. One company already taking advantage of dataNOW!'s benefits is Jack in The Box restaurants, a division of Foodmaker Inc.
Ken Dulaney, GRiD's director of marketing for portable computers, said: ''A product such as dataNOW! is going to help extend the usefulness and appeal of pen computers to the masses. It allows people with no computer experience to develop applications right on the GRiDPAD.
''dataNOW! also shows how our PenRight software platform provides a flexible and robust foundation for the quick development of applications on a cost-effective system that uses a low-power processor. Tim White and his company have leveraged that usefulness by creating a package that makes all the work of application development transparent to the end user.''
dataNOW! can utilize all available space on a GRiDPAD for storing completed electronic forms. dataNOW! supports multiple data objects such as character fields, check boxes and graphical drawings. Users can capture volumes of information in each form's database. dataNOW! automatically installs itself on a GRiDPAD from any MS-DOS PC and configures the GRiDPAD for proper use.
''You don't need to know much about computers or anything about programming to get up and running with this system,'' White said. ''If you've got a GRiDPAD, a cable and box of dataNOW!, you can be collecting usable, paperless data in minutes. It's that easy.''
dataNOW! is available immediately and is priced at $399.
Concentric Software, based in San Diego, specializes in software systems for GRiD pen computers and is currently working on paperless information solutions for several companies including Jack in The Box restaurants, a division of Foodmaker Inc.
Note to Editors: dataNOW! is a trademark of Concentric Software. GRiD is a registered trademark of GRiD Systems Corp. Excel is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corp. DBase is a registered trademark of Ashton-Tate Corp. Paradox is a registered trademark of Borland International.
CONTACT:
Concentric Software, San Diego
Tim White, 619/546-8146
or
GRiD Systems, Fremont
Mike McGuire, 510/656-4700