A: While most products need a problem, Rapid-Ask by STS is very unique in the way it can be tailored to suit any organizations needs without any additional code. Remember, anything can be made into a question. Below are some of the reasons to implement Rapid-Ask by STS:

• VISIBILITY: They always say management gets what is inspected, not what is expected. Using Rapid-Ask by STS allows management to see what remote workers are doing real time.
• PRODUCTIVITY: Allowing immediate entry of data into a wireless device eliminates the double work and potential errors of entering data onto a paper form and then keying that same information into a database later.
• FLEXIBILITY: Questions and answers can be changed real time, any time.
• TIMELINESS: Real time data capture and reporting mean management gets real insight into the performance of the organization immediately.
• COST REDUCTION: Less double work means resources can be freed up to contribute elsewhere.
• INCREASED REVENUE: Management visibility into worker activity means more worker activity. Additionally, reporting can be done more quickly, allowing more calls to be performed.
• CUSTOMER SERVICE: When the back office has a real-time view into what workers in the field are doing, they can better answer customer questions.
• CUSTOMER RETENTION: Better customer service means customers stay with your company!

A: Rapid-Ask has the concept of "Answer Types" and these can be configured to restrict the input to a given question and force the device user to use certain criteria or format. Version 1.0 has the following formats:

• TEXT : anything can be entered into a text answer type
• NUMERIC : only numbers and decimal points can be entered
• LIST : allows selection of a single value from a multiple value drop down list configured by the Rapid-Ask administrator
• RADIO : as LIST but in a radio button display
• CHECKBOX : allows multiple values to be selected from a list of values configured by the Rapid-Ask administrator

Version 1.1 adds the following "Answer Types":

• DATE : any real date can be entered
• TIME : any real time can be entered, including am and pm
• DATETIME : combination of the above

A: A 10 minute web demonstration is available here to enable you to see the power, simplicity and ease of use of Rapid-Ask by STS. To arrange a live web-ex demonstration please contact us.

Read a case study on how West Valley Mosquito & Vector Control District are using Rapid-Ask to enhance their processes.

A: Absolutely. BlackBerry is one of the most secure of all of the mobile platforms. All wireless transmissions between the server and the device are encrypted. Also as no actual data is stored on the device then should a device be misplaced or stolen no confidential or secret data is at risk. The device can also be completely erased remotely should this be needed. From a user perspective they can only ever see what they have been assigned to.

A: No. While a faster data connection will result in a faster response, even at a slow connection we find the response to be more than adequate. Since Rapid-Ask by STS is a text-based application, there is not a lot of data passing between the device and the server as there would be with a graphics based web page.
As with the question above, if response times are a concern we are happy to attach a test BlackBerry to the application to let the user be the judge.

A: Rapid-Ask by STS has NO limits, although there is probably a limit to the number of questions your team realistically would answer. There is a 2 gigabyte size limit to the bundled version of SQL Server that comes with Rapid-Ask, after which you would need to upgrade to the paid version of SQL Server.

A: For Rapid-Ask by STS, the code lives on your server (see the next question) and you can do what you want to with it. A word of caution – if you take apart the code and make enhancements, you will need to reincorporate that into future versions if you choose to take upgrades.

A: Yes, you do need to have a BlackBerry Enterprise Server (BES) 4.1 or a BlackBerry Enterprise Server for MDS Application 4.1running. STS is happy to assist in your purchase and installation of BES.

A: Rapid-Ask by STS is only certified to operate on BES 4.1. STS can provide assistance to upgrade your environment contact us for details.

A: It depends on the number of users, but most customers can install all components on a single server. For larger user bases a 2-tier infrastructure is recommended. See Rapid-Ask System Requirements for more details.

A: Some organizations do not need or have a system capable of running full email or calendar integration that is provided by full BES, they just want to be able to run applications like Rapid-Ask by STS. For situations like this RIM provides a special BES server specifically for this scenario, BlackBerry Enterprise Server for MDS Applications.

A: Yes, but some integration work would be required. The client could do this themselves or STS’s Professional Services team would be happy to provide a proposal for so you can evaluate the cost versus the benefit.

A: Absolutely, although some integration work by the client would be required. STS’s Professional Services team would be happy to provide a proposal for doing this integration so you can evaluate the cost versus the benefit.

A: Unlike other companies we will not force you to fill out a form to get the Rapid-Ask by STS price. There is a one-time per server cost of $7,250 with optional annual maintenance to ensure support and upgrades are received. The maintenance is 20% of the full purchase price per year.

A: Yes, there is a 30 day money back guarantee. See what current customers think of the service provided by STS in our 2007 customer survey.

A: If you use MDS Control Center to view version information then any version number lower than 18 is Rapid-Ask 1.0 and 18.0.x is Rapid-Ask 1.1. You can also see the version of the Rapid-Ask client by clicking the menu and selecting "About Rapid-Ask".

A: No, to allow an off-line mode would disable the unique features of being able to change questions and answers at any time and of real-time reporting. If, however, a potential client is interested in Rapid-Ask by STS and has coverage concerns, we can attach a test device to our instance of the application and, if coverage issues truly exist, work to resolve those with the carrier or discuss development of an off-line version. All potential clients who have had this concern and then conduct testing find it is not an issue after all.

A: Often Rapid-Ask by STS is only implemented for certain groups within the organization, such as sales or the inspectors. The team using Rapid-Ask by STS would need to be BlackBerry users as well, but you may certainly have other users on other devices within your organization.
Using only BlackBerry helps protect the security of your data and keeps the cost of the solution low for all clients.