Pinnacle Group has transformed its customer experience and increased operational efficiency following the implementation of the latest field service management software from BigChange.Supporting over 300,000 homes, 200 schools and 100 public and private buildings, Pinnacle is one of the UK’s largest facilities management providers. Using BigChange, Pinnacle has achieved a significant improvement in transparency and communication with clients by delivering live operational information and has overcome challenges resulting from the pandemic which saw a reduced workforce facing an increased workload.

USING BIGCHANGE'S FIELD SERVICE SOFTWARE, PINNACLE CAN RECORD, MONITOR AND CONTROL EVERY TASK IN REAL-TIME

“Since implementing BigChange we have seen real time savings and productivity gains resulting in better quality of service, reduced resources and costs, and increased client and customer satisfaction,” commented Raaj Bharania, Pinnacle Group Business Manager. “This can be directly translated into contract extensions and new contract awards.”

Pinnacle is a community-facing, people-first business that delivers, manages and maintains communities and places – including multi-tenure housing, schools, open spaces, public and private buildings, retail schemes, distribution centres, manufacturing plants, utilities and broadband networks – as well as a range of complementary employment and wellbeing outcomes. Formed in 1994, Pinnacle operates nationwide with major hubs in London, Chelmsford, Slough, Birmingham, Leeds, Morecambe, Stoke and Carlisle. Pinnacle provides integrated Facilities Management across all sectors and the frontline operation makes around 1,400 call outs per day with an 80/20 split between scheduled and reactive.

Since implementing the complete job management solution, which incorporates customer relationship management (CRM), job scheduling, live tracking, field resource management, financial management and business intelligence in one simple to use and easy to integrate platform, Pinnacle can record, monitor and control every task in real-time. Details of site inspections and service delivery visits are captured, recorded and reported, complete with before and after photos, using a traffic light system allowing operatives to self-certify works.

“By giving clients access to the BigChange platform we have been able to reduce the time spent monitoring and reporting as they can access the information they need when they need it,” said Area Manager Marcin Rosiak whilst Business Manager Seundouss Laroussi added, “BigChange has been transformational for us, and our clients, and we cannot imagine our operation without it!”

BigChange has already been deployed on over 90 percent of Pinnacles soft FM contracts where it has been tailored to meet specific KPIs, SLAs and reporting requirements and roll out on the remaining 10 percent is ongoing. Further planned work includes the transition to a completely paperless operation and the use of BigChange to improve workforce engagement and health and safety management.

Further Reading:

• Read more about Digital Transformation @ www.fieldservicenews.com/digital-transformation
• Read more about Field Service Management @ www.fieldservicenews.com/field-service-management
• Read more about BigChange on Field Service News @ www.fieldservicenews.com/bigchange
• Learn more about BigChange @ www.bigchange.com
• Find out more about Pinnacle Group @ www.pinnaclegroup.co.uk
• Follow BigChange on Twitter @ twitter.com/bigchangeapps

Getac has announced the launch of its ZX10 fully rugged tablet, a versatile new 10-inch device built around the Android 11 operating system (OS).

The ZX10 will sit alongside Getac’s popular ZX70 fully rugged 7-inch Android tablet, giving customers in industries such as public safety, utilities, energy, transport & logistics, manufacturing, automotive, and defence more options when choosing rugged Android devices that best suit their operational needs.

Powerful Operational Efficiency

The ZX10’s combination of Android 11 OS, Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 Mobile Platform, and Adreno™ 512 GPU delivers a seamless user experience, enabling efficient workflow in a wide range of field scenarios. Dual hot-swappable batteries ensure full-shift operation, while the LumiBond® sunlight readable display (boasting 800nits of brightness) with rain and glove touch capability helps maintain productivity in a range of weather conditions. The ZX10 also has options of up to 6GB LPDDR4 RAM and 128GB storage to help customers prepare for future industry demands.

Excellent Field Communications

An 8MP front camera and best-in-class 16MP rear camera deliver exceptionally high-quality photo/video capture, while dual integrated microphones filter out loud background noise for enhanced audio quality. Elsewhere, Wi-Fi 802.11 ac, Bluetooth (v5.0), dedicated GPS and an optional 4G LTE module offers rapid data transfer and location positioning capabilities in remote field locations. Dual LTE SIM card slots allow field workers to quickly switch between two 4G network carriers. The support to CBRS private network further increases operational flexibility.

Industry Leading Rugged Reliability

Like all Getac devices, the ZX10 is built rugged from the ground up to provide exceptional reliability and peace of mind. MIL-STD-810H and IP66 certification means it can easily withstand drops of up to six feet, shocks, rain, vibration, dust, and liquid spillages. Furthermore, an operating temperature range of -29°C to 63°C (-20°F~145°F) delivers year-round usability. With all these built-in rugged features, the ZX10 is still only 17.9mm thick and weighs just over 1kg, offering excellent portability and mobility in the field.

Ideally Suited to Key Industry Applications

The ZX10 is designed to meet the needs of public safety, utilities, energy, transport & logistics, manufacturing, automotive, and defence professionals who utilise Android-based devices. As part of Getac Select®, it is available in a range of industry specific builds that combine different features, accessories, and software utilities to help customers quickly solve everyday challenges. Below are some example use cases:

Data capture and ePCR access for emergency first responders

Emergency first responders require real-time access to electronic patient health records (ePCRs) to deliver appropriate care and medication, often in high pressure environments. The ZX10’s powerful connectivity options allow them to quickly access this information, while optional barcode/RFID and smart card readers help verify IDs, check operational procedures, and ensure patient confidentiality.

Rugged, full-shift reliability for field utilities engineers

When conducting outdoor activities like GIS mapping, utilities engineers need devices they can rely on in a variety of weather conditions. Furthermore, a lack of access to charging facilities while working in remote locations means long battery life is vitally important. The ZX10’s fully rugged design, dedicated GPS, versatile LumiBond® display with rain and glove touch capability, and dual hot-swappable battery design gives field engineers the peace of mind they need, wherever their duties take them.

Remote communications and asset maintenance for energy workers

Energy workers must regularly inspect and maintain assets in the field, but often require remote support from experts to do so effectively. The ZX10’s mobile connectivity, best-in-class 8MP front camera and 16MP rear camera and dedicated GPS lets workers interact with colleagues around the world in real-time, quickly share/exchange information, and complete tasks at the first time of asking. Dual LTE SIM card slots also let them quickly switch between two different carrier networks without having to swap SIM cards and staying connected conveniently.

Optimising efficiency for warehouse employees and forklift drivers

Warehouse employees and forklift drivers need to collect and move goods between multiple different environments, ranging from internal cold storage and climate-controlled areas to external yards that are exposed to the weather and elements. The ZX10’s compact yet rugged design and wide operating temperature range means it can seamlessly transition between these environments without fear of damage or disruption. Additionally, the optional barcode/RFID-reader and range of programmable buttons makes it quick and easy to identify/process items in a matter of seconds.

“As Android continues to gain popularity, a growing number of organisations are looking for rugged Android solutions that enable them to enjoy the versatility it has to offer, even when working in harsh and/or challenging environments,” says Rick Hwang, President of Getac Technology Corporation. “The ZX10 does exactly that, expanding our line-up of Android-based solutions and helping customers optimise their operational efficiency, while also hitting all-important total cost of ownership targets.”

Availability:

The ZX10 will be available in March.

Three-quarters (74 per cent) of UK fleets have adopted more digital solutions since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, new research has revealed.

A pan-European study conducted by Webfleet Solutions among 1,050 fleet decision-makers found that in the UK, smaller fleets of up to 50 vehicles led the charge, accounting for 80 per cent of the tech adopters.

SME BUSINESSES HAVE RECOGNIZED THE VITAL ROLE THAT TECHNOLOGY CAN PLAY IN OVERCOMING THE FINANCIAL AND LOGISTICAL CHALLENGES

Electronic signature tech (60 per cent) topped the list of the new digital solutions, followed by mobile apps (50 per cent) and digital document systems, such as paperless invoicing (44 per cent). In every case, the uptick in digitisation was found to have helped their businesses deal with the pandemic.

“COVID-19 continues to have a dramatic impact on the way we live and work, making operational flexibility, smart customer interactions, risk management and cost control more important than ever,” said Beverley Wise, Sales Director UK and Ireland, Webfleet Solutions.

“SME businesses, in particular, have had the agility to respond quickly to the ever-changing commercial landscape and have recognised the vital role that technology can play in overcoming the financial and logistical challenges – improving the efficient flow of information, supporting remote working and minimising person-to-person interactions.”

Indeed, the drive to increase efficiency was found to be top reason for UK fleets adopting more digital solutions, cited by more than half (55 per cent) of those surveyed. This was closely followed by efforts to reduce the spread of infection (51 per cent) and a continued commitment to sustainability (49 per cent).

Of those that haven’t adopted more digital solutions, 28 per cent cited cost as a barrier, 28 per cent said they had enough in place, while 22 per cent said they lacked the time or resources to implement new systems.

The Netherlands led the digitisation trend with 85 per cent adopting new digital solutions, followed by Italy and Spain (both 77 per cent).

For an overview of the findings, download the infographic here.

Further Reading:

• Read more about Digital Transformation @ www.fieldservicenews.com/service-innovation-and-design 
• Read more about Fleet Technology @ www.fieldservicenews.com/fleet-technology
• Learn more about Webfleet Solutions  @ www.webfleet.com
• Read more about Webfleet Solutions on FSN @ www.fieldservicenews.com/webfleet-solutions
• Follow WebFleet Solutions on Twitter @ twitter.com/Webfleetnews

The cyber landscape is constantly evolving; that’s why organisations across every sector need reliable, cutting-edge devices that can keep pace.

Durabook trusts Microsoft Windows to deliver an OS platform that meets the most stringent security and enterprise management requirements while providing those controls in a transparent way to the end user, enhancing and improving productivity.

POWERFUL MARKET LEADER IN DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION

Microsoft is committed to delivering innovation. Its comprehensive technology stack can be leveraged to create solutions that are relevant to today’s demanding and rapidly evolving industry needs, redefining business models to deliver real value. AI-powered insights enable faster decisions and actions that deliver reliable and predictable performance improvements.Durabook’s Windows-based tablets use cutting-edge CPUs, while the Windows platform was designed to evolve and exceed its previous generation in computing power, performance, functionality and versatility, from off-line age to today’s internet era. Windows OS has evolved so much that it can be found on mainframe data centers, cloud servers, industry-specific professional and corporate office workstations, personal and portable computers and edge computing devices. None of this could be achieved without the fundamental element - computing power.

COMPLIANCE EXPERTISE

Durabook knows that compliance is a continuous process, that’s why Microsoft’s solutions provide an end-to-end differentiated set of values to help customers:

• Intelligently protect and govern data anywhere it lives

• Identify and remediate critical insider risks;

• Quickly investigate and respond with relevant data

• Simplify and automate risk assessments.

Today, Microsoft is the only major cloud provider that provides customers with in-depth security, compliance (regulatory, audit, litigation, etc.), and privacy information, to assess the Microsoft Cloud with the Services Trust Portal (STP).

security specialists

Microsoft is committed to investing in privacy and control, compliance and transparency, and especially those features that matter the most to its customers, such as compliance certifications and best-in-class encryption.In today’s “zero-trust environment”, Microsoft enables businesses to protect data and keep it within their control by implementing industry-leading identity, security and compliance functionality to:

• Provide security and data privacy in the trusted Microsoft Cloud;

• Grant user access that allows only the levels of information required to do their jobs;

• Meet strict industry and governmental regulations for organizational and customer data privacy.

MULTI-TASKING CAPABILITIES

Windows OS is set apart from others by its multi-window and multi-tasking capability. Multi-tasking is most effective when multiple apps can be on the tablet screen at the same time, so Windows OS is designed to simultaneously perform multiple complex calculations in one computing cycle. Having sight of multiple windows at the same time allows more tasks to be performed at once, boosts efficiency. In addition, the introduction of high-definition hardware video output, such as Display port and HDMI port, allows Windows platform users to connect multiple external displays to mirror or expand their desktop workspace. Combining these features creates a powerful and versatile platform that greatly enhances user experiences and productivity across every working environment.

flexible, tailored solutions

Beyond Durabook’s own product range, Windows 10 Pro comes pre-installed on the world’s largest selection of business devices from leading manufacturers. These devices can meet the most exacting standards in performance, security, design and experience. For example, modern devices are cloud-ready and activate Windows 10 Pro features like longer battery life, fast WiFi, and better video conferencing for seamless functionality.

Windows-based tablets can run apps similar to those on PCs, making working and sharing files between the devices a seamless user experience. In addition, these tablets are renowned for their ‘Plug and Play’ capabilities. Whether in an office, manufacturing facility or in the field, the user can simply plug in expansion devices such as external monitors and detachable keyboards, to convert their device into a mini-PC system so they can perform their desired job function with ease.

More options are also presented to the enterprise regarding accessories, meaning greater cost flexibility. For example, users can customise R11 by installing different expansion modules suitable for unique field requirements. It features a host of integrated data-capture modules to retrieve and transmit information on the move. Optional features include RJ45, RFID reader, smart card reader, RFID reader and Magnet Strip Reader. This is just one example of how Durabook’s Windows-based devices can offer infinite possibilities in providing a total solution for every industry.

For more information: www.durabook.com/en/durabook-and-microsoft-windows-the-ultimate-partnership/

Further Reading:

• Read more about Digital Transformation @ www.fieldservicenews.com/digital-transformation
• Find out more about Durabook @ www.durabook.com/
• Read more about Durabook on Field Service News @ www.fieldservicenews.com/all-about-durabook
• Learn more about Durabook and Microsoft Windows @ www.durabook.com/durabook-and-microsoft/
• Follow Durabook on Twitter @ twitter.com/Durabook
• Follow Durabook on LinkedIn @ www.linkedin.com/company/durabook/

The construction sector accounts for a significant amount of CO2 emissions worldwide, and is still far behind in the green transition. With all Volvo machines now available in ABAX Smart Connect, the digitalisation of the industry can accelerate and help reduce climate emissions - using technology that is already installed and ready for use.

CHEAPER SOLUTIONS OVER SUSTAINABLE

A new report conducted by Ramirent* in Sweden shows that cheap alternatives are often chosen in favour of sustainable solutions, even though the cheap alternatives rarely prove to be cost-saving. With the right sustainability measures, which can be easily implemented, climate emissions from the construction industry can be drastically reduced.

TOP FOUR LEADING HEAVY EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURES AVAILABLE

ABAX is a telematics company that has minimised the digital threshold for the construction industry. With ABAX Smart Connect, they have made it easier for fleet owners to be aware of their emissions. 

The top leading manufacturers** such as Catepillar, Hitachi and John Deere are already connected to ABAX Smart Connect. When Volvo now joins, the service will be available for a significant number of machine fleets worldwide. Through ABAX Smart Connect, construction companies receive ongoing status updates on their machines. In practice, this means greater control of unnecessary operating and service costs, and a daily status update on consumption and compilation of CO2 footprints. The technology is already installed in all Volvo machines, and the only thing required to use the digital tool is a connection to ABAX Smart Connect.

Volvo is a significant supplier of machines to the Scandinavian market. The opportunity to be able to connect to technology that is already installed in Volvo's machines will enable major gains for both the environment and costs. We must all take responsibility and take advantage of the development opportunities that exist, not least in an industry with a major impact on society. We want to inspire others in the industry to make a difference and expand their digital services, says Paul Walsh, CTO of ABAX.

According to the Paris Agreement, today's emissions of greenhouse gases will be reduced by 40 % by 2030. Emissions from the construction industry have a direct impact on how all of the individual countries will contribute to the common goal for the EU. A prominent method of improvement is digitisation.

Further Reading:

• Read more about Service Innovation and Design @ www.fieldservicenews.com/service-innovation-and-design
• Read more about Sustainability on Field Service News @ www.fieldservicenews.com/automation
• Read more about Volvo CE on Field Service News @ www.fieldservicenews.com/topcon
• Find out more more about Volvo CE @ www.volvoce.com 
• Learn more about ABAX @ www.abax.com
• Follow ABAX on Twitter @ twitter.com/ABAXUK