Switching on


With a wireless connection, construction projects can benefi t from broadband access right from the start of site operations


Instant broadband on the building site


F


or construction contractor GB Building Solutions, a wireless broadband package is helping to get new projects up and


running quickly and effi ciently. Users on-site benefi t from near-instant deployment of broadband access, with speeds comparable to those delivered by fi xed line. After trialling several alternatives to fi xed-line access, GB Building


Solutions chose the Mobile Access Management (MAM) system provided and managed by the Internet service provider Timico. This resolves a problem which has plagued the construction industry – how to obtain reliable network access prior to the arrival of fi xed lines. “A perennial problem in the construction industry is just how to


deliver network access to teams on new sites at short notice”, explains Mark Hardcastle, of GB Building Solutions. “Fixed-line deployment can take over a month to deploy, particularly when the service provider needs to negotiate provision to temporary buildings and offi ces. This can be ‘dead time’ in terms of productivity as access problems signifi cantly slow down progress.”


Private access Instead of a fi xed connection, MAM provides wireless access via a 3G router. This can easily be relocated later to alternative sites if necessary, or kept in place as a permanent back-up after the installation of a fi xed line connection. “We had tried several solutions previously but all had suffered


speed and connectivity problems, leading to inconsistent performance, particularly when we tried to overlay the VPN”, Hardcastle said. “The MAM solution connects us directly to the network without needing VPN access, so the initial costs are minimal. New sites can be set up in a matter of hours rather than weeks or months and, in addition, the solution allows us to set up from one IP address which can be transferred to the subsequent fi xed-line access from day one, further reducing costs and increasing effi ciencies. “More importantly, the feedback has been consistently positive since


we began working with Timico.” Trefor Davies, chief technical offi cer of Timico said: “The MAM ’s


service is underpinned by high-speed, private access into O2


network using an Access Point Name (APN) to deliver business-grade connectivity with all the fl exibility that corporate customers require, including the option to have a static IP address. For businesses who rely on rapid deployment of new sites, it’s the perfect solution.”


8


assessment processes. In the Solar PlayBook project – described as the fi rst of its kind in the industry – Aviva’s risk assessment team will replace pen and paper assessment processes with BlackBerry PlayBooks loaded with a risk assessment application. Developed by Formicary Collaboration Group, a provider of real-time team collaboration solutions, and Float, a digital ideas company, the programme is aimed at bringing better effi ciency to the risk assessment teams, improving reporting to underwriters and reducing customer resolution times.


Risk assessors try out a tablet app A


T e Solar PlayBook App enables Aviva’s 120 risk advisers, who make technical risk assessments of commercial premises across the UK, to process information on site. No longer needing to return to their desk before each assessments, they are immediately free to move on to the next customer.


Aviva drew up the specifi cation for a bespoke risk assessment digital application app in recognition of the


time-saving benefi ts that processing and submitting


reports while on site could bring. T e app was required to operate on Aviva’s tablet of choice, the BlackBerry PlayBook; work off -line in commercial


properties where online connectivity is not always available;


accommodate the entire assessment process end-to-end and allow images to be embedded in reports. It also needed to be attractive to risk assessors accustomed to using paper-based reporting methods, and easy to use, to encourage its adoption.


Aviva reviewed a number of solution providers before selecting


Formicary Collaboration Group and Float to provide the content processing and user interface elements of the app respectively. Formicary and Float worked with Aviva’s risk advisers to understand their level of IT competency; how they conduct surveys and interact with customers; and identify areas where improvements could be made. Paul Heybourne, senior project manager with Aviva, said: “Of the


solution providers we considered, Formicary and Float were the only ones with BlackBerry PlayBook expertise. Additionally, the two companies have proven expertise working together on other similar projects. “By taking the time to understand how our assessors operate,


Formicary and Float have created an app which doesn’t just meet the original IT specifi cation but which will positively impact the bottom line of Aviva’s risk assessment business. It brings improved workload management to our advisers, faster resolution times to our customers and higher calibre reporting for our underwriters.” T e app makes the process of recording survey data easy through a


layout that is intuitive to navigate and complete. Forms consisting of text entry, selectable options and sliders are used to enter the core data. T ere are additional options to make free-form notes and to take photos for embedding in the fi nal report to underwriters. A group of Aviva risk advisers have been piloting the programme in


recent weeks, and a full roll-out is expected soon. Above: tablet for professional users – the BlackBerry Playbook


LAND mobile January 2012


viva Risk Management Solutions, a division of the insurance group, has been piloting a new mobile IT programme to streamline its risk


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