automatic
point of
data capture
sale
Spirit ‘wastes’ no
CASE STUDY
time in helping BIFFA
Organisations with large vehicle
fleets and field workers often
rely on mobile computing
solutions to enable them
to capture data quickly and
effectively. One such company
is Biffa Waste Services, which
has been using automated
data collection for some time.
When it decided to upgrade
recently, it first went through
a very thorough evaluation
process. Ultimately, it selected
the M3 Sky, a versatile device
supplied by Spirit Data Capture.
The M3 Sky rugged, IP64-rated PDA-
style mobile computer has been fitted
into all of Biffa’s service vehicles and is
now being used on a daily basis.
iffa Waste Services is a confirmation of its services to its
B
market leader in the UK’s customers, via the corporate intranet. previously purchased the XDAs, one of
waste management sector. Each servicing depot was also able the suppliers it had considered was an
The company provides to follow the progress of its trucks and independent consultancy, Spirit Data
waste collection, treatment, the status of each job on a specially Capture. Although Biffa had chosen
recycling and disposal services to designed screen. a solution from another supplier, the
industrial, commercial and local company had been impressed by
government customers. This includes Spirit’s professionalism and technical
the collection of waste from over A fresh approach expertise. It therefore selected them
70,000 customers and around a million BINS was developed from an SMS as one of a group of potential suppliers.
households. Biffa is also a significant messaging service, which then
provider of renewable energy. progressed to XDAs (Windows Mobile “Spirit soon proved themselves as
PDA phones), with GPRS-activated being more than capable, and were
The company runs a fleet of some SIM cards and integral cameras. This quickly selected as our sole supplier,”
1200 waste collection trucks. Some provided the company with real-time commented Brian Lancaster, business
years ago, these were fitted with Biffa’s service information, including photos. systems analyst for Biffa Waste Services.
own data collection system, BINS Unfortunately, the hardware was unable “We wanted a device that would give
(Biffa In Cab Notification System). to cope with the rigours of a harsh us all of the functionality of the XDA,
This enabled Biffa to provide real-time working environment and became but which would be more suitable and
unreliable. Biffa’s Traffic Office personnel more reliable. We also wanted a unit
and its drivers often struggled to keep that used a Windows Mobile operating
the devices functional. system and incorporated GPS and
WiFi capabilities. It needed to have a
The company therefore started looking good screen size, to be rugged but
for alternative solutions. When it had compact, and also easy to use.” >>
14 IT RESELLER – APRIL/MAY 2009
www.itrportal.com
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