Posts Tagged ‘Mobile Computing’
Friday, January 22nd, 2010
Because of the large volume of calls WMATA’s MetroAccess Paratransit receives every day, management wanted an automated scheduling system to improve the efficiency of the call center. Real-time, accurate fleet data was also needed to effectively measure the performance of the fleet. And MetroAccess was also looking for technology that would improve system productivity with instant driver-dispatcher communication.
To improve their operations WMATA choose to implement a Paratransit ITS solution. Christian Kent, Director of MetroAccess, says: “The immediate benefit of the system is that we know exactly where our vehicles are and can examine this data either in real time or after the fact. This increases our credibility with the customer and makes it possible for us to give quick and accurate information on trip status, or to facilitate the investigation of a customer service complaint. For example, if a customer tells us that a driver didn’t show up at the scheduled pickup time, we can review the AVL data and confirm. With this objective data, we can respond to the customer’s concerns with greater certainty.”
Click here to read the full story about the benefits of WMATA’s Paratransit ITS Solution.
Wednesday, December 16th, 2009
Before you equip your fleet vehicles with some sort of mobile computer, have you done enough research into which mobile computing system is right for your business—a smartphone or a rugged mobile computer?
When considering adding a mobile computing system, it is not only important to consider how the device will work with your existing or future software needs, how user-friendly it will be for your staff, and if it will help you achieve your objectives, but the device’s Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) as well.
Usually, the upfront cost is what you consider when making a mobile computing purchase, but considering the TCO will reveal what the device is really going to cost you during its life cycle.
A five-year TCO study, entitled “TCO Insights on Rugged Mobile Computers,” completed by Venture Development Corp., suggests that a low upfront cost does not translate into a low lifetime cost of mobile computers. “VDC’s research reveals that the soft costs associated with mobile computing solutions— device failure and downtime, productivity loss and maintenance/support costs—represent the most significant contribution to overall TCO.”
Learn about the benefits of rugged mobile computers over commercial-grade smartphones to make an informed purchasing decision by reading this free whitepaper.
Monday, December 7th, 2009
Keystone Excavating
Keystone Excavating Ltd., of Calgary, Alberta, is regarded as a leader, not only for its strong hold on the excavating market over the past 30 years, but for its decision to implement a mobile workforce solution. They wanted a solution that would let them streamline job costing, billing and timesheet management. The chosen solution includes in-vehicle computers installed in their more than 250-pieces of heavy equipment, which work together with mobile resource and process management software.
The Challenges
Before installing this new technology, Keystone’s manual paper processes and radio communications were no longer making the cut when it came to managing workflow in relation to employees, hours, clients, locations, and equipment. As Holly Goulard, Keystone’s Controller, explains, “When I started at Keystone, one timesheet was handled 11 times before being filed.” In another example, truck tickets and timesheets could be lost or submitted after the client was billed for the job, and Keystone would have to absorb those costs.
The Results
Since installing the mobile workforce solution, Holly says that one of the biggest benefits is the ability to capture real-time information. “We see real-time hours and know where every piece of equipment is. We’re billing the real deal. Our HR department knows who worked when and can verify that information.
In addition to reducing the number of people reviewing job codes and hours worked, Keystone has also been able to downsize scheduler staffing requirements, removing four full-time scheduler positions.
It was originally thought that this technology would save about 20 minutes per piece of equipment each day due to better time management, so each operator would get to their next job 20 minutes earlier. In reality, Holly believes the system is exceeding this number. She has also seen a quick return on investment. “The money we invested in this technology was expected to be returned in three years, and it has been returned in one. That isn’t even accounting for the overtime hours we’re saving.”
Because subcontractors make up 30 to 40 percent of Keystone’s business, Holly hopes that round two of this technology implementation will include these subcontractors adopting electronic devices in their vehicles in order to improve efficiencies in this segment of the business as well. But for now, mobile workforce management technology is helping Keystone streamline its operations and minimize its staffing requirements in order to remain competitive, regardless of the economic climate.
To read the full case study about Keystone Excavating, click here.
Thursday, October 29th, 2009
Microsoft Shuttle, which provides fixed-route and demand response service on Microsoft’s Redmond, Washington campus, wanted to take their GPS to the next level and support it with Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) software, automated communication, and data collection processes. Ultimately, Shuttle wanted to increase on-time fleet activity in order to reduce parking, single occupancy vehicles, and traffic congestion on campus.
Since implementing a GPS/AVL and mobile computing system, Microsoft Shuttle has been able to meet their response time requirements of four to ten minutes, and customer complaints have decreased. The technology helps drivers get to their destination faster, improves the collection of trip statistics, such as response times and passenger counts, and allows for better route planning.
Click here to read more about Microsoft Shuttle’s improved operations.
Monday, October 5th, 2009
Access Calgary
Since 2001, Access Calgary, in Alberta, Canada, has been providing shared-ride, door-to-door transportation for people with disabilities who are unable to ride transit buses and trains. Dispatching trips to its various service providers, which include paratransit buses and taxi cabs, Access Calgary wanted a more efficient way to communicate with all of these providers, so they turned to an ITS solution. Karim Rayani, Manager at Access Calgary, reveals the highlights and challenges of ITS adoption.
1. Why did you decide to invest in an ITS solution?
You have to provide your employees with the tools to do the job well or you can’t expect them to deliver. Before ITS, we were relying on 2-way radios for communication. When you’re managing 230 vehicles in rush hour it’s challenging with a limited staff. We had no way of knowing the location of our vehicles so when a customer called to find out where their vehicle was it took a long time to get an ETA.
To meet customer expectations we needed to minimize wait times and provide them with accurate information on a bus’s location, rather than giving them a generic response. We saw an opportunity to improve efficiencies with better communication and real-time vehicle location information.
2. Can you give us an overview of how your ITS solution works?
We installed rugged in-vehicle computers in our paratransit vehicles. Drivers use the computer to login, get trip information or changes, and enter job details. That information is sent in real-time to our head office. The computer’s GPS gives our dispatchers an accurate view of every vehicle’s location.
3. How has your organization changed since implementing this technology?
Before, we relied on a driver sample size of 10 percent. Whatever those drivers had written in their daily manifest is all the information we had. Now all vehicle and driver information is automatically delivered to us, so we can look through historical data to see issues that need to be addressed or areas to improve efficiencies. Communication is faster and voice traffic has dropped significantly.
4. What do these changes mean to your organization?
On-time performance is one of the biggest benefits. We’ve been able to increase our productivity and minimize our budget. If we didn’t have this system we’d be paying more for the same number of trips.
Data entry time has been significantly reduced with the canned messages. Now drivers can just enter a couple of key strokes and messages are sent and received. Also, with a reduction in radio traffic we’re more productive.
5. What has been the response from your staff and customers?
Drives were initially concerned about the big brother aspect of the system, but now they appreciate not having to worry about paperwork. Instead, they just press a button on the keypad and it helps them do their job. This system makes work more manageable with fewer errors. Our staff appreciates that, and so do our customers. We’re able to give our customers more accurate ETAs so they can better plan their time. Everyone, from dispatchers, support staff, drivers, and customers are also enjoying a quieter work and vehicle environment with less radio chatter.
To learn more about Access Calgary’s technology solution, click here.
Wednesday, August 5th, 2009
According to the findings of a new survey from Cognito, despite the trend towards business mobility, many UK enterprises lack the expertise needed to implement a comprehensive mobile strategy.
While 86% of IT departments have been charged with the responsibility of implementing a mobile strategy to help improve employee productivity and business efficiency, nearly a half of IT directors say that their team lacks the skills needed to integrate a range of business critical applications with mobile devices.
Click here to Read More
Thursday, July 30th, 2009
Fast and efficient communication is necessary in an emergency situation. With in-vehicle mobile computers, drivers and dispatchers can communicate using text messages in real-time. This eliminates reliance on radio communication and keeps vital lines of communication open.
