Analysis Auto ID end user report
IT-500 handheld systems. These were then procurement and development. “Prior to As a limited company within a group plc,
replaced in 2008 with the Casio DT-X7. The this, we were heavily reliant on paper-based each company chose their own IT solution
move to DT-X7 was technology-based (.net systems,” said Trotman. “This involved print for their business needs. Trotman continued:
2.0, with the potential to move to .net 3.5). outs of work schedules being sent to the “We were therefore reliant on selecting a
We needed a robust, lightweight warehouse remote service technicians via fax. The strategic business partner for the IT solution
device with a small form factor (without a technician then arriving on site completing that could: develop our existing SQL
touch screen) that we could port our existing an audit inspection form; this form was then database SAFE, deliver a wider variety of
client application to with the minimum of fuss. posted at the end of the week back to Head functionality – particularly customer facing
We had been happy with our original choice Office. Manual data input was transferred reports; advise on the selection of hardware;
of Casio, so started to talk to them from the audit inspection report into a SQL supply and maintain the hardware; deliver
immediately about a replacement.” database named SAFE (Statistics Analysis a mobile software solution; deliver asset
Facts and Evidence). From this data catch, tracking and vehicle tracking solutions; and
Ovenden added that the client software net reports were sent to operational develop a customer web-based portal for
figleaves.com had was compatible with the personnel to ensure service compliance and real-time transparent reporting.”
new device and the only major changes
necessary were in the client interface;
moving from a touch screen to a key-coded
input system. Casio recommended a third-
“
RFID tagging technology offers the ability to include large amounts of
customer-specific data on the label, whilst maintaining the same form factor
party software house for implementation and
as the original barcode labels.”
after several project initiation meetings the
– Peter Lai, NGF Europe.
work was undertaken.
a variety of customer facing reports were Over a three-month process, MITIE surveyed
sent through to qualify work status and KPI’s. the market and found a number of specialist
Critical field service This process was heavily reliant on manual suppliers; many which had specialist strengths
data input, technicians diligently posting in a number of these areas but few that could
And what about companies supplying critical work back, the postal system delivering all deliver the whole package as a one-stop
services in the field? MITIE is a strategic sent items and the head office personnel shop. According to Trotman, Codegate had
outsourcing and asset management selecting the right pieces of information for specialty in mobile software solutions while
company employing 49,000 personnel data entry. Throughout this process there also having competence in all the other
throughout the UK. MITIE self-delivers a were many areas that could fail and at the areas. The company was therefore were
range of soft services, including the very best would only allow us to have selected on the basis of its ability to form
specialist activity of pest control. A little over accurate information that was two weeks old.” a strategic alliance. “All personnel were
100 mobile technicians – usually working involved in this project,” said Trotman.
solo and some in pairs – are supplied with “Office staff and operational managers
data capture devices. Primarily, each service welcomed the principals that the system
technician is issued with a handheld could deliver. Service technicians were
Honeywell Dolphin 7900, selected by the initially resistant to change; however, they
company for their robustness, ease of use soon realised the feature benefits of the
and long battery life. Additionally, supervisors software solution and the way they were able
and service managers are supplied with to speed up their work activities and reduce
Motorola MC35 mobile handheld computers. paper-based reports. They accepted the
These were selected due to their proven solution and played an active part in the
ability to capture quality colour photographs. software development functionality.
The Dolphin units use the scanners’ ability to
capture basic black and white photographs. A road show of training and user acceptance
was undertaken. However, in hindsight,
“Our sales offering has moved from the Trotman felt this was inadequate to gain
technical ability of the on-site technicians the required quality of data input, and a
to the transfer of management information significant level of follow-up training was
in real time,” explained MITIE’s managing delivered. “Due to the advanced automation
director, Peter Trotman. “This information has of our processes, the correct data entry is
many recommendations and management now vital for business activities and an online
interactions which our customers are reliant training system has been developed for the
upon to ensure pest free premises. Many use of data capture,” he explained. “The >>
of our customers view this data transfer
now as the most valuable aspect of the
service delivery.”
Sean Sherwin-Smith: “The downturn has
MITIE’s data capture programme went live
definitely focused us to a greater degree
towards innovation.”
in February 2007, following six months’
www.logisticsit.com
MANUFACTURING
March 2009 &LOGISTICSIT
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