Do we need an internet connection in order to do mobile computing?
An internet connection is required to sync the mobile client in the field, as well as to access the Mobile Web and the Web Front Office.
Do I need any kind of “Data” plan? If so, what kind should I get?
You will need a data plan for syncing the mobile client in the field and for accessing the mobile web. An unlimited data plan is ideal. However, if ESC Mobile Computing or Mobile Web is the only things the data plan is used for, a “pay as you go” data plan will also work, since ESC does not transmit large amounts of data with its dispatches.
Can you us a barcode scanner? How?
ESC does support barcode scanners, both in the office and in the field. Users are able to scan barcodes to add items to invoices or take them out of inventory. Inventory managers are also able to use barcode scanners to put items into inventory.
Can we process credit cards in the field? What do we need in the way of hardware and software in order to perform this?
The ESC Mobile Client can process credit cards in the field, if you have a compatible card swiper and an Intuit Merchant Services or Merchant Warehouse Services Account.