Tag: techs | Page 2

AT&T response to critics of iPad-toting techs comes up short

December 5, 2015/in Internet Security

A post here Wednesday headlined “Networking pros slam AT&T for arming techs with iPads instead of laptops” was lacking a response from AT&T until one arrived yesterday afternoon. And while that reply was added to the post yesterday, I believe it’s worth repeating here for those who may have missed it.

“In 2010, we began transitioning our field technicians to handheld devices, such as smartphones and tablets. This made our techs more agile and moved their capabilities forward by enabling a suite of applications they could use on-site to increase efficiency and improve the customer experience. While a majority of our techs only use handheld devices, others who handle special services use a range of tools including laptops. In situations where a handheld device is not sufficient, we ensure our techs are able to get the tools and equipment needed.”

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Network World Paul McNamara

Networking pros slam AT&T for arming techs with iPads instead of laptops

December 3, 2015/in Internet Security

AT&T service technicians toting company-issued iPads instead of the laptops they once carried are ill-equipped to solve some customer problems, according to a parade of IT professionals criticizing what they say has been a wholesale switch to tablets.

Sparking a torrent of complaints on Reddit’s section devoted to networking was this anecdote:

“I work for a medium-large-sized networking company and I test and turn up new equipment on our various circuits. Today, the lady that sits next to me was on the phone for several hours with AT&T trying to get a resolution for an issue using a TeloIP device that combines the bandwidth of several DSL modems into one decent connection. … So we requested AT&T send a tech out.

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Network World Paul McNamara

The connected car: Tech’s next gold rush

October 23, 2014/in Computer Security

Although it seems like an innovation that should have occurred years ago, the stage appears to be setting for the connected car to come to fruition, opening up a market that could surpass $ 131 billion in the next six years, according to a new report from Transparency Market Research.

The signs of this growth, which TMR forecasts at a 34.7% compound annual growth rate from 2013 to 2019, have materialized in the market slowly in the past year or so, with Chevy boasting in-car 4G LTE in TV commercials this summer. General Motors was hardly the first car maker to offer in-car LTE or Wi-Fi, joining the likes of Ford, Chrysler, and Audi in the race to meet a suddenly burgeoning demand. A J.D. Power and Associates survey from earlier this year found that 38% of respondents in the market for U.S.-built cars identified “the latest technology features” as a key selling point.

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Network World Colin Neagle