MiFi: Mobile Wireless Access Point

Several major wireless carriers now carry a “MiFi” device which is essentially a mobile broadband (Internet access) device packaged up with a battery and a wireless access point. This device provides Internet access wherever you can reach your mobile carrier’s network. Simply power on the MiFi device (about the size of a deck of cards) and it connects to the Internet. The MiFi then broadcasts a WiFi signal (regular wireless access, as found in every modern laptop) to nearby Wifi-enabled devices.

In our testing, we have found that this device works well for basic web browsing and email, but for high-demand applications (database applications, large file transfers, etc.) it is clearly limited by the Internet access speed. For extended use, it should always be connected to a USB port for charging, as its internal battery is typically only sufficient for about one hour’s use.

Here are links to pages with more information about two carriers’ MiFi mobile devices:
http://reviews.sprint.com/5611v2/115/mifi-2200-by-novatel-wireless-reviews/reviews.htm

http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/mobilebroadband/?page=products_mifi

Adding Endicia to Starship to streamline shipping

C&G recently assisted two clients with the implementation of V-Technologies' Endicia add-on to the Starship shipping software. Starship allows companies to ship multiple carriers (UPS, FedEx, USPS, Spee-Dee, and Airborne) from the same interface. The Endicia add-on allows the clients to print postage directly on the shipping labels with 2-D barcodes and receive discounts on priority and express mail shipments over retail rates.