My participation in the Scanport Datamobile 2024 conference
I am a 1C programmer and I was invited to the Scanport partner conference, which took place on April 18, 2024 in a beautiful historical place – the Moscow Imperial Yacht Club.
My history with Datamobile
More recently, at the beginning of 2024, I was contacted by a client who needed to implement a data collection terminal (DCT) in a small chain of retail shoe stores at Retail 2.3, purely for inventory purposes. It was planned to use one TSD for several stores.
At that time, I had not been involved in TSD for five years, so I advised me to buy any device from Atoll, assuming that Atoll had already resolved the issues of integration with 1C.
The client purchased ATOL SMART.Lite at a price of about 35,000 rubles:
After the purchase, when we started connecting the TSD to 1C, it turned out that a lot has changed over the years and now it is no longer enough to connect the terminal to the computer via 1C-compatible drivers.
It is necessary to use software solutions for connecting the terminal and 1C, even if it is a terminal from Atoll. Which I used to always be of the opinion that you just need to download the drivers from the Atoll website, connect it and everything works out of the box. Alas, this is not the case for TSD.
I had to understand the topic and in the end I chose Datamobile. Because all the schemes from Cleverens used a server (local or cloud), which is completely unnecessary for our simple inventory task.
Affiliate questions
When the first TSD was successfully implemented, I felt the strength to implement it again and, just in case, I checked whether Scanport had an affiliate program.
Unfortunately, over the phone they told me that there is only resale. I receive products at a discount and then sell them to clients at retail prices. But with my simplified tax system, I immediately lose 6% of my income on taxes, while the reward at the initial stage is about 10%. This scheme doesn’t make much sense; I would prefer a percentage of sales to the clients I referred.
At the conference, I once again had the opportunity to meet with managers and we already discussed this scheme live. The question is not so much about me, but about the fact that numerous implementers would more often bring clients to Scanport if they were motivated by partner rewards. The managers promised to think about my scheme.
Technical issues
I also managed to communicate with technical specialists, fortunately they were open to dialogue and interested in it. I discussed a number of issues with them.
Using extensions for online exchange with TSD
The client implemented offline exchange of 1c and TSD via FTP. This is not very convenient, because the item with characteristics is unloaded for 3-5 minutes before inventory can be done. The client would prefer online exchange.
But for Retail 2.3, Datamobile integrates with 1C only by combining the 1C configuration with the online exchange configuration; the configuration has to be removed from the lock. This is not suitable for databases hosted on the cloud. And in general, extensions are now widely accepted.
I have erroneous opinion, that Datamobile always uses aggregation of configurations, but I was told that extensions are already used for modern configurations and they are even audited by Fresh and other clouds. It’s just that for old configurations they no longer began to rewrite them with extensions, because There are few such requests. Not effective.
After this I breathed a sigh of reliefbecause extensions allow you to use TSD even for clients on the clouds.
Prices for offline and online solutions
Just in case, I clarified how much more expensive online solutions are than offline ones. And I found out that for inventory purposes there is Online Light, which is almost equal in price to offline. In fact, there the product data is taken directly by a request in 1C. Light version, because the change is not immediately displayed visually in the document, and the already generated inventory document is uploaded to 1C. I think this is ideal for small campaigns to start with.
FTP for Datamobile clients
I made a proposal that Datamobile clients be provided with FTP on the Datamobile server – for a fee or free of charge, at the discretion of Scanport.
The fact is that in the instructions for setting up FTP, for some reason the client is asked to set up a local FTP server, purely for exchanging with TSD via Filezilla. For what? After all, it’s much easier to use a ready-made one. I created and issued a separate FTP to the client on my website. The instructions should be supplemented with information that you can use a third-party external FTP. After all, I myself started downloading Filezilla according to the instructions and only then it dawned on me that I didn’t need it to set up a local FTP server.
I think Datamobile could also distribute FTP, which would simplify the use of FTP. For example, in your personal account, check the box “I need an FTP server from DataMobile” and the client would have a directory created on FTP and given the login and password for it.
Although now Datamobile is starting to use exchange through Yandex disk, which all users usually have and which is easy to set up. I also learned about this at the conference.
Displaying product information on Android
I also asked Datamobile to think about the possibility of writing a program on Android that could scan a product, after which it would send a request to the 1C server with an HTTP request and display the resulting HTML response in the form of information about the product.
I have and have implemented a similar program, made on my own, at a client, but I would be willing to pay for it to a supplier who would provide its support for new versions of Android.
The program would perhaps also be useful to customers who could download it on their phone via QR in the sales area and receive information about the product.
I thought that DM.Price checkerwhich I first heard about at a conference – it’s about this, but no, it’s about a stationary device that is placed on the sales floor, and to which buyers bring the product to check the price.
Why does a dog need a fifth leg?
I asked the Datamobile specialists if their integration schemes with 1C use a server, like in Cleverens, where you can’t do without it. They answered no. I also don’t understand why use an extra intermediate link – a server. Can you explain it to me? But I'm glad that you can do without the north – it simplifies the use and maintenance of solutions. The client does not need to administer the server or pay for hosting it on the cloud.
All that remains is to attend the Cleverens conference and find out live from them, why a server??
Hardware solutions from Datamobile
At a hardware exhibition I saw a simple Mertech S40 data acquisition terminal:
It costs cheaper ATOL SMART.Lite (30,000 rubles) and most importantly – on it already worth it Datamobile. I remember how long it took me to explain via video conference how to install this application via an APK file on the TSD!
Alternative 1C configurations
Implementers spoke at the conference.
I learned that there is a 1C Dalion configuration for retail and wholesale trade. I once heard about her before, but forgot. Sometimes I have to make decisions about what configurations to offer to clients during deployments. I usually consider UT, UNF and Retail. They all have their drawbacks, the most important of which is the inability to reach 1C with your wishes. Therefore, it will be interesting to consider Dallion as a possible alternative, with more live feedback. I spoke personally with a representative of the Dalion affiliate network, I will keep this configuration in mind. I have not yet heard of other alternatives to standard products.
By the way, there was a funny case when complex automation was introduced to a client, but the accountant demanded that he keep records in a separate BP3, where he would be the undivided owner. But UT11 could not be implemented, because Some spacecraft capabilities were in demand (probably in the field of mini-production). Perhaps we need to pay attention to CA as something between a simple CNF and a monstrous ERP?
A little about the event
I rarely attend conferences like this, so I really enjoyed it. All employees are competent and friendly, which is also important.
I attended the event with my wife:
At the entrance we were given gifts – a mug, tea and sweets.
It all started with an interesting excursion around the island near the yacht club:
After which delicious snacks for the coffee break were offered:
The speakers' presentations were interesting and informative:
After I asked all the questions that interested me, I left, missing the second part and the buffet table. Unfortunately, I’m very busy – a lot of work with clients. Time is money. I left a warm impression of the event, thanks to the organizers!
