It's been a busy couple of weeks and I feel a little behind on my blogging, so just wanted to catch up with some cool stories that crossed my desk over the past couple weeks, with several blog posts as I find the time. At least our November issue is out the door and our 2012/2013 Handbook & Directory is more than half-way done! What a relief. Now onto December.
One of the more notable stories came from Bosch Rexroth Corp. Like Eaton Corp. a couple months ago, Bosch Rexroth has developed an app for the iPad—The Rexroth GoTo eBook. It combines all current GoTo Focused Delivery Program catalogs into an easy-to-use digital format, with added features such as embedded videos, helpful white papers and links to online Rexroth resources.
Not having seen the eBook in action, I can't really say how effective or useful it really is, but the release states that it offers users a lot of information in one place. And I imagine that this will just be the second of a long line of iPad apps coming from major fluid power manufacturers. More reason for me to get an iPad!
The GoTo eBook contains the same information as the print catalogs: all product descriptions, product photos, system specifications and other data needed to select and specify required products. What it adds is the convenience of a single, integrated digital resource that puts a wide range of Rexroth product information at users‘ fingertips.
The GoTo eBook has been optimized for use on the Apple iPad, supporting multimedia features such as videos and touchscreen control. Additional, more basic versions are available for E-reader platforms like the Kindle, Nook and other system, with functionality limited to the specific reader capabilities. The download page is www.boschrexroth-us.com/gotoebook.
Rexroth designed the new GoTo eBook to make effective use of digital e-book features:
• All individual GoTo catalogs can be accessed from the eBook Quick Links and Resources page
• Individual product listings digitally link product pages with one click or finger tap – no more paging through multiple pages
• Search functions let users enter product names or other terms to find products in any catalog
• Product and part number tables are expandable so users can view specific product details
• Prominently placed links connect users with Web access to product-specific GoTo program web pages for up-to-date information
In addition, the GoTo eBook has added informational resources: For iPad users there are multiple video segments that include system demos and operational training information. There are also links to informative Rexroth case studies and technical papers, to help engineers and systems designers make the most effective use of the Rexroth GoTo products they specify.
