Field/Work Force Automation
Field service operations, in such industries as air conditioning, plumbing, electrical, and equipment manufacturing, increasingly rely on wireless mobile computers used by technicians to record their service transactions. The results of each service call can immediately be sent via wireless data communication back to the depot for billing, and to post Web-based updates of completed transactions.
Implementation of mobile computing requires analysis to determine each company’s unique operational and business requirements and the mobile technology that best matches those requirements. Plan b can assist companies with field service operations to identify and deploy mobile technologies that best match operational and business requirements of each unique service operation.
At Plan b, we define the components of a Mobile Service Technicians – Automated Work Orders project in the following categories:
Mobile Needs Assessment
The Mobile Needs Assessment is a business and operations analysis assembled by an experienced Plan b engineer working onsite with our client. Our engineer will work with our client’s managers and staff to develop and document a complete understanding of how the operation currently works and the business challenges and goals that are driving interest in mobile computing. Then, the engineer will provide a detailed report recommending a complete mobility solution, designed specifically to solve the business challenges and goals as defined by the client.
The completed Mobile Needs Assessment will include some or all of the following:
-
Detailed analysis of how the operation currently does business.
-
Summary of key business goals and operational challenges.
-
Analysis that details how the best of current mobile computing-based technologies can be applied to the client’s operation.
-
High level cost summary of those proposed mobile computing-based technologies.
-
Return on Investment (ROI) that calculates the estimated payback period for the costs incurred in the mobile computing deployment.
-
Schedule for deploying each element of the mobile computing solution.
We will also detail the best current mobile computing-based technologies for your business. Examples include:
-
Automated dispatch including dynamic, real time routing.
-
Mobile software application, uniquely configured for use by our client
-
Rugged, wireless handheld computer with barcode scanner and signature capture
-
Vehicle cradles
-
Mobile receipt printers
-
Wireless data transmission
-
Remote device management
-
Automated Vehicle Location (or AVL, which provides vehicle location and driver productivity information)
-
Integration of the mobility solution into the client’s host computing systems
Mobility Solution Deployment
Plan b can provide complete mobile computing solutions for any size of fleet, in any location in North America.
The Mobile Needs Assessment serves as the roadmap for the design and deployment of the entire mobile computing solution. Guided by the Assessment, the deployment stage includes:
-
Design, development, and test of the mobile application.
-
System integration.
-
Mobile computing hardware provisioning: charge, configure optimal power usage settings, load software, activate wireless communications, and test.
-
Installation of vehicle cradles
-
Training
Long Term Support
After successful deployment, Plan b will provide ongoing support of your mobile computing solution. This can include:
In summary, Plan b Solutions is a complete resource for your customized mobile proof of delivery project. From the needs assessment, through deployment and long-term support, we can support your mobility needs as your business changes and evolves over time – and in any economy.
Field/Work Force Automation
Field service operations, in such industries as air conditioning, plumbing, electrical, and equipment manufacturing, increasingly rely on wireless mobile computers used by technicians to record their service transactions. The results of each service call can immediately be sent via wireless data communication back to the depot for billing, and to post Web-based updates of completed transactions.
Implementation of mobile computing requires analysis to determine each company’s unique operational and business requirements and the mobile technology that best matches those requirements. Plan b can assist companies with field service operations to identify and deploy mobile technologies that best match operational and business requirements of each unique service operation.
At Plan b, we define the components of a Mobile Service Technicians – Automated Work Orders project in the following categories:
Mobile Needs Assessment
The Mobile Needs Assessment is a business and operations analysis assembled by an experienced Plan b engineer working onsite with our client. Our engineer will work with our client’s managers and staff to develop and document a complete understanding of how the operation currently works and the business challenges and goals that are driving interest in mobile computing. Then, the engineer will provide a detailed report recommending a complete mobility solution, designed specifically to solve the business challenges and goals as defined by the client.
The completed Mobile Needs Assessment will include some or all of the following:
-
Detailed analysis of how the operation currently does business.
-
Summary of key business goals and operational challenges.
-
Analysis that details how the best of current mobile computing-based technologies can be applied to the client’s operation.
-
High level cost summary of those proposed mobile computing-based technologies.
-
Return on Investment (ROI) that calculates the estimated payback period for the costs incurred in the mobile computing deployment.
-
Schedule for deploying each element of the mobile computing solution.
We will also detail the best current mobile computing-based technologies for your business. Examples include:
-
Automated dispatch including dynamic, real time routing.
-
Mobile software application, uniquely configured for use by our client
-
Rugged, wireless handheld computer with barcode scanner and signature capture
-
Vehicle cradles
-
Mobile receipt printers
-
Wireless data transmission
-
Remote device management
-
Automated Vehicle Location (or AVL, which provides vehicle location and driver productivity information)
-
Integration of the mobility solution into the client’s host computing systems
Mobility Solution Deployment
Plan b can provide complete mobile computing solutions for any size of fleet, in any location in North America.
The Mobile Needs Assessment serves as the roadmap for the design and deployment of the entire mobile computing solution. Guided by the Assessment, the deployment stage includes:
-
Design, development, and test of the mobile application.
-
System integration.
-
Mobile computing hardware provisioning: charge, configure optimal power usage settings, load software, activate wireless communications, and test.
-
Installation of vehicle cradles
-
Training
Long Term Support
After successful deployment, Plan b will provide ongoing support of your mobile computing solution. This can include:
In summary, Plan b Solutions is a complete resource for your customized mobile proof of delivery project. From the needs assessment, through deployment and long-term support, we can support your mobility needs as your business changes and evolves over time – and in any economy.