NEWS


EWS


EDIT R’S CHOIC


ITOR’S CHOICE BOOST SERVICE FLEET


OPERATIONS WITH MOBILE APPS B


technology


obst, the global packaging equipment and services company, has introduced the latest mobile workforce management gy from BigChange to improve its customer service


offering. The app-based system has eliminated traditional paper timesheets and Bobst Technicians and product specialists now manage all work activities and travelling time on their smartphones. The workforce app links in real-time to the BigChange cloud-based back-office management software that handles everything from work scheduling and routing, to fleet tracking and machinery safety alerts.


Thirty Bobst personnel operating across UK, Ireland and Scandinavia, are using BigChange-equipped smartphones. The introduction of electronic timesheets has boosted customer service for Bobst, as well as saving considerable time and ensuring quicker, more accurate invoicing. Previously they completed paper carbon-copy-type timesheets that were posted to the office by the field service personnel and manually transcribed by a team of three people, prior to invoicing. “The introduction of the BigChange system to replace pape based processes has had a significant and far-reaching impact across the business and especially in customer service,” says A Letford, Head of Customer Services, Bobst UK and Ireland. “We now have up to the minute, accurate data reporting, wi Time sheets signed-off b y customers on the app. That mean s can send an immediate confirmation to the customer and raise an invoice straight away.


ENERGY GUIDE With the spotlight firmly on energy


consumption within the manufacturing industry, temperature control specialist, ICS Cool Energy, has


unveiled a new, free-to-access guide with the aimof helping industrial end- users to reduce carbon emissions and energy costs.


With industrial cooling and


refrigeration equipment (including pumps, chillers and fans) accounting for a significant proportion of a plant’s total electricity cost, there is clearly a need for industrial activity to be undertaken in as efficient a way as possible for ultimate savings alongside minimal environmental impact.


‘How to reduce your energy costs: A guide to temperature control


lan r-


we th


Timesheets and job-cards are automated saving a huge amount of time. Previously it could take up to three weeks to get an invoice processed; now it is pretty much instantaneous. There is less ambiguity now and invoice disputes have been reduced as everything is much clearer from a customer perspective.” Bobst Technicians all drive company cars and BigChange incorporates vehicle tracking giving customer service teams a real time view of the whereabouts of all the company fleet. Soon customers will receive automated notifications on the expected arrival time of their Technician. The tracking also allows business versus personal mileage to be recorded at the touch of a button and monitors driving behaviour from a duty of care perspective when on the road.


With Technicians maintaining equipment at customer sites, health and safety is an important aspect of the customer care provided by Bobst UK and Ireland. Alan Letford is also Head of Health and Safety at Bobst and has taken a lead in introducing safety procedures. Recentl Contractor ‘member, Bobs


t has developed health and safety y accredited as an Alcumus ‘Safe


functionality within BigChange. This allows Field Service Technicians to send confirmation using the correct PPE, Risk assessments and any identified safety issues - such as a serious Health and Safetymachine defect - direct fromtheir smartphones. www.bigchangeapps.com


efficiencies’ highlights several short and long-termactions that can be easily implemented to start delivering more efficient systems that will reduce both carbon emissions and utility bills. Included in the guide, arem ore detail s on several techniques and considerations to improve the efficiency of temperature control equipment used in industrial


“Support is available from on energy usage and therefo


applications, including free cooling, heat recovery and refrigerant choice. Richard Metcalfe, Sales Director at ICS Cool Energy, says: “Inefficient or under-performing temperature control equipment can have a dramatic impact re costs.


equipment manufacturers and funding such as The Carbon Trust’s Green Business Fund. This particular scheme is designed to help small andmedium sized businesses to identify energy saving opportunities and offers grant funding for energy efficient equipment, helping themto reduce carbon emissions.


To download a copy of ‘How to reduce your energy costs: A guide to


temperature control efficiencies’, visit : www.icscoolenergy.co m


FIFE COUNCIL SAVE NEARLY £190K


Fife Council has saved £189,000 on its annual fuel bill by working with employees to encourage a safer, more efficient driving style. Carbon emissions were also substantially reduced in 2017, with CO2 output being cut by 3,400 tonnes compared to the previous year, thanks to a 15 per cent improvement in mpg. This was achieved through the


successful implementation of a driver improvement programme across the Council’s Building Services and Direct Response teams, underpinned by WEBFLEET, the Software-as-a-Service fleet management solution from TomTom Telematics. Performance data provided by


WEBFLEET – which scores drivers based on eight performance indicators, including harsh steering, sudden braking and speeding – is used to identify potential issues, and targeted driver training offered to help employees improve. “We have seen our staff become


much more motivated to improve their driving style and encouraged to drive with more consideration,” said Jennifer Thain, Operations Officer at Fife Council. “As well as cutting fuel consumption, this ultimately reduces wear and tear on tyres, brakes and clutches.” Mike McQueen, Transportation


GOLD EDITIOITION COBOT GIVEAWAY


To celebrate the sale of 25,000 cobotsworldwide, Universal


free of cost, to the lucky customerwho orders the 25,000th cobot.


Robots is giving away its first and only Gold Edition cobot, shipped ky


ly


“With this historicmilestone, we celebrate not just the success of Universal Robots in


empowering customers, but also the successes of our customers in


6


innovating and changing their workplacewith collaborative robots,” said Jürgen vonHollen, President of Universal Robots. “The Gold Edition robot reflects our continued commitment towardsmaking the unlimited potential of robotics accessible for all.”


Unlike conventional robotic solutions, Universal Robots’ cobots are designed towork


hand-in-handwith operators withmaximumefficiency,


opening upmore opportunities for human-robot collaboration in theworkplacemaking them a viable option for businesses. To stand a chance towin the world’s only Gold Edition


To


Universal Robots’ cobot, place an order at https://wwww .u robots.com/gold


www niversal- www.universal-robots.com APRI MA 201 APRIL/MAY 2018 | IRISH MAN RISH MANUFAC ACTURI RING


Officer at the Council, added: “Our Demand Responsive Transport service team provide essential transport for the elderly and disabled members of our community, so safe, smooth and comfortable driving is absolutely paramount. The TomTom Telematics solution has proved very effective at motivating all our staff by providing objective monitoring and recognition of their high driving standards.” The reduction in fuel cost has also


been aided by more efficient response to public call-outs. Fife Council runs a fleet of 1,600 vehicles across 13 departments.


www.tomtom.com / HSIRI IRISHMANUF MANUFACTURING FACTURING


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