AUTHOR ARCHIVES: Sharon Clancy

What should businesses consider when deciding whether an On-Premise or a Cloud solution is the best fit for their business? In Part One, we explored the attractions of the Cloud. In Part Two we take at look at why some field service companies still prefer an on-premise solution.

Judging by the amount of publicity recently about the Cloud and its benefits for business, you might think that every company is planning to migrate IT systems to it, including ERP and field service software, or at least thinking about it.

Filter out the noise, though, and it becomes apparent that there is resistance out there and for reasons other than mere reluctance to adopt a new way of managing the company's IT infrastructure. So why might on-premise still be best for your company?

Connectivity

A hosted cloud-based field service may not suit your business, advises Simon Spriggs, account manager Exel Computer Systems. "One reason many companies retain an on-premise ERP solution is the unreliability of their broadband connection. Broadband speed has a major impact on the efficient running of the business. It's not just field-service data going to and fro down that pipe, but everything the company does electronically. If the connection to the Internet fails, you won't be able to communicate with your engineers, manage workflows or give customers real-time information."

[quote float="left"]One reason many companies retain an on-premise ERP solution is the unreliability of their broadband connection.

 

Legacy systems

"Organisations which have made a big investment in data flows are naturally reluctant to migrate all their activities to the Cloud," points out Steve Mason, Vice President International Sales for Streetsmart, Click Software's service management app for SMEs and SMBs. While Click has been one of the pioneers of Cloud solutions, it also has a long heritage of providing on-premise solutions to customers who prefer to keep their activities behind the company walls. Mason likens the current debate to similar discussions that took place when companies migrated from investing in their own mainframes to having virtual servers. "It took time to build trust in those virtual systems. Moving all your processes to the Cloud is a major step: it takes time and people to plan it without disrupting normal business activities. Companies may well have more urgent priorities."

Larger companies will have made a significant investment in Enterprise-class software ERP and won't want that diluted by going to the cloud, accepts Mason. "Companies will have customised legacy software they are reluctant to adapt or processes they are not yet ready to change. They may also have a long-term contractual commitment to their systems integrator or software supplier."

When ERP systems were developed the need to incorporate mobile workforces was minimal" points out Neil Lewis, Consulting Director, EMEA Sales, ServiceMax. "Mobility projects were silos within a company. Today, not only are there much larger numbers of mobile workers, they need greater integration with those on-premise ERP systems from customer databases to accounts."

 

ERP solution providers have bought mobile solution providers to bridge the gap between ERP and mobile, he points out, but integrating old and new technologies is never straightforward. "How do you ensure the same employee can access the ERP from the office and from their mobile device. It might require modifications to the ERP or to the mobile system to get it to work and that is trickier with some ERP system than others. ServiceMax operate a single platform that automatically takes care of any device the field engineer is using. Configuration is done in one place and automatically deployed to the various devices."

Half-way house

Some companies have adopted a half-way house strategy in which they retain on-premise ERP, but migrate some activities to the Cloud, particularly those with a large customer-facing elements such as CRM and field service. "CRM was in the first way of Cloud migration because the need to deliver excellent customer service required greater integration with internal data silos than is often possible with legacy ERP systems," points out Mason. "Start with those apps which will leverage the most immediate gains to the business, make data streams more agile and easily-accessible from mobile devices, " advises Mason.

The complexities of integrating mobile workflow processes into legacy data streams is one reason field service solutions are often in the Cloud while ERP systems. "If your field service solution is browser-based, a lot of the integration issues are taken care of," remarks Spriggs. "It also future-proofs your investment."

Most of the field service software companies can integrate a Cloud-based field service app or platform with on-premise ERP systems. "Solarvista LIVE will connect to virtually any on-premise system via our NET technology which is designed to connect on-premise systems (private) to systems in the cloud (public)," points out Paul Adams, Marketing and Development Director, Solarvista. "Our connection tools support the major communication protocols, so you can be sure your data is secure."

"We have found that the service management industry is a diverse bunch with different requirements so we offer the ability to Pick ‘n’ Mix," says Colin Brown, Managing Director, Tesseract. "Some customers take the rental and support option but would rather install the software on their own server; other customers require remote hosting and support but they prefer to buy the software and others want the whole SaaS package of hosting, rental and support. With all three options, the internet and/or an intranet are the delivery routes."

 

Whether on-premise or Cloud solution, productivity will be affected if engineers are unable to work unless they are connected, so any mobile app should facilitate that, says Adams. "Our Mobile apps are designed for field-based users and operate on an occasionally-connected basis."

It's a mistake to assume that all field service platform solutions include off-line capability and automatic synchronisation, warns Lewis. "Engineers need to be able to download their jobs for the day, update schedules and customer history, for example, without being connected, and to have all that data automatically synchronised without manual intervention when communications are restored."

Security

While concerns over security have abated somewhat, some organisations remain sensitive about their data being in the hands of a third-party. With on-premise-solutions, all software resides behind that wall. Your own IT people can check authorization attempts and manage system access. There's always some risk involved in moving systems and data outside the physical walls of the business, which is there is so much emphasis on choosing the right Cloud platform provider and on service level agreements if you do go that route.

Some service organisations operate in industries where there are strict compliance and regulatory rules. Some sectors require high levels of access security, making on-premise solutions the pragmatic solution. However, bear in mind that asking mobile workers to go through myriad layers of protection to gain access to the system will have a detrimental effect on productivity.

 

IT resources

Don't under-estimate the IT skills and cost of investing in an on-premise solution, advise our experts. "Do you have the resources to manage IT requirements internally, including server management? What is the budget and the available IT resource to manage things on-premise going forward?" These are key questions, says Simon Spriggs. "If there are any concerns about the level of IT commitment required, the Cloud may be the way to go. However, it is worth remembering that the service model is always a more expensive option long-term than the outright purchase mode." This is especially true if you already have server agreements in place, he adds.

In conclusion

As with many aspects of field service, the starting point when deciding whether to adopt an on-premise or Cloud strategy for your IT needs should be to ensure you have a full understanding of your business processes and requirements and those of your customers.  Do listen to the pros and cons but ultimately only you can decide which is best for your organisation.

 

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M2M managed services provider Wireless Logic has achieved impressive annual growth of over 30% in the past eight years and in 2015 reached the landmark figure of over 2 million SIM subscriptions. Following a root-and-branch review of its customer service capabilities, expectations and experience, the company is now embarking on a major customer service enhancement programme to sure its delivers quality service right, first time.

With a customer base now exceeding 1,000 solution providers across Europe, the need for quality customer services has never been greater yet the sheer mass of business being processed meant the company has always been in catch-up mode in the drive for service excellence, acknowledges Director of Operations, Matthew Tate, who joined the company from Research in Motion 14 months ago.

“We have been surprisingly good in our service delivery given the dynamics of the market and our make-up, but to ensure sustainability in excellence I wanted to look at ourselves in greater depth,” he explains. A group-wide audit was undertaken with Wireless Logic investing in a broad customer insight campaign that included customer interviews, mystery shopping and a review of operational platforms.

 

Wireless Logic is horizontally positioned and works with hundreds of vertical applications - these include asset and vehicle tracking, telematics, metering, security, electronic payment, m-healthcare and a range of enterprise solutions. All services operate across a single unified technology platform and are designed to meet the specific needs of connected assets within the global markets of M2M and the Internet of Things (IoT).

Continuous investment in technology has enabled Wireless Logic to provide an increasing range of value-added services which include specialist mapping solutions from Google and HERE, device management platforms and end-to-end security encryption services.

Implementing improvements

The service implementation programme is already underway with a number of initiatives already in place, including certification to ISO 9001 Quality Management - vitally important to customers whose own quality programmes expect such standards, says Tate.  “Achieving ISO 9001 has been a journey that has really explored every corner of our operational service and delivery. With this standard in place, there is a real spirit of confidence knowing that our processes have been scrutinised and passed fit for purpose.”

 

A new customer engagement and information platform from Zendesk has been introduced which is creating a new approach to how the organisation manages and interacts with customers. A root and branch change to staff training will see team members receive ongoing development and support across all facets of the business as it evolves to meet the needs of current and future users of its M2M services.

Zendesk has enabled Wireless Logic to integrate customer intelligence, dialogue and communication channels seamlessly – a major step towards delivering service excellence, says Tate.

Further investment is being made across SIMPro, the company’s SIM management platform now used by over 95% of its solution provider customers. It now has a SIMPro easy-to-use cloud interface. Over the coming months, Wireless Logic plans to roll-out more self-service modules to empower customers to order, provision and manage entire SIM bases across multiple mobile networks, all in real-time.

 

“With ambitious sales targets across the next three years, ensuring our own store is in order has been a major driver as we progress through our first year with our new private equity partners CVC Capital Partners on board,” concludes Tate. “We have service front of mind in the operation which will mean more contented customers, an entirely better user journey, and an ability to continue our growth curve with assurance.”

Oliver Tucker, CEO and Co-founder, Wireless Logic said: “With the M2M and IoT market in its ascendancy, the sector has to tailor its services to be more responsive and flexible. Our own experiences across the UK and in Europe suggest that customers expect a ‘right first time, every time’ mind-set; there is little room for error. We are pleased with progress made so far as we reshape the way we work with customers, and will continue to analyse feedback as we aim for excellence across the group.”

Enterprise applications company IFS has announced that Kanes Foods one of the UK’s leading suppliers of fresh prepared foods, has chosen IFS Applications 9 to replace its legacy ERP systems.

Founded in 1990, Kanes Foods now has an annual turnover in excess of £100m and supplies over 3.2 million packs of fresh produce to the UK’s leading supermarkets every week. In order to support its rapid growth, Kanes Foods needs to update its current landscape of disparate systems with one, fully integrated ERP solution.

“With IFS Applications 9 we will have a system that supports the business through the entire supply chain – from procurement, raw material handling, production and final shipment to our customers,” commented Mark Harris, Production Director at Kanes Foods. “In addition, IFS Applications 9 will allow us to replace a number of stand-alone systems, such as quality management, plant maintenance, payroll, HR and time & attendance giving complete visibility across the business.”

 

Kanes Foods operate in a fresh produce environment, with much of the product arriving, being processed and dispatched within the same day; as a result speed and accuracy of data capture is imperative. That is why the deployment of a number of IFS mobile solutions will be critical to the implementation project. Kanes Foods will use IFS Warehouse Data Collection for the reporting of all movement of goods throughout the process. In addition, IFS’s mobile solution will be utilised by over 100 maintenance and quality technicians – to allow real time reporting on the shop floor.

Paul Massey, Managing Director of IFS Europe West, said “we are excited to welcome Kanes Foods into our growing list of food customers. It is encouraging to hear that the breadth of the IFS solution, along with our ability to deploy functionality to a mobile workforce, were key factors in the company’s decision to work with IFS. We look forward to a long and successful partnership.”

 

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Water control systems and plumbing company Reliance Worldwide Corporation (UK) Ltd has improved mileage logging and slashed administration times after implementing a telematics system from Masternaut.

Reliance Worldwide has  implemented Masternaut telematics across its fleet of 26 cars, to accurately and effortlessly log all private and business mileage for its field sales team.

Reports are automatically sent to the administration manager on a weekly basis, breaking down the total mileage into business and personal, based on agreed cut off times for business related mileage. Employees use a fuel card to purchase all fuel, both private and personal, and a deduction is made from monthly pay in line with HMRC Fuel Advisory rates for any private mileage recorded. As such the process is HMRC compliant.

The Masternaut system has benefited the whole business, from the finance department to individual drivers, enabling authentication of business and private mileage, whilst storing data for regulatory compliance. This provides absolute transparency and avoids any over-claim issues.

 As a result of having the technology installed in all 26 vehicles, Reliance Worldwide has also managed to reduce insurance premiums across the fleet.

 “Expense and mileage logging is a heavy admin burden on any business, but the data and technology provided by Masternaut has helped us to eliminate that burden for our sales team,” commented Sally Pearson, administration aanager, Reliance Worldwide. “The support provided by the Masternaut team is excellent. We have reduced the company car drivers’ admin workload, eliminating the pain of manually logging their mileage. The reporting process gives total transparency on mileage across the business, giving a far more accurate picture on private mileage. By streamlining the process, we’ve given time back to our employees and saved them from an additional administration headache.”

Steve Towe, Chief Commercial Officer and UK Managing Director, Masternaut added, “Fleet car drivers are more likely to use their vehicles for both personal and work use, not something typically seen with vans or LCVs. Reliance Worldwide now has transparency on the actual mileage drivers have done allowing for a far more accurate picture of business versus private mileage. For many drivers, handling tax and expense claims can be a complex and time-consuming task, providing a real challenge to get everything right. Telematics is helping to reduce this burden.”

 

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Construction technology systems specialist SITECH UK and Ireland is to distribute Trimble' s Field Service Management solutions to the heavy civil construction market.

Construction technology systems specialist SITECH UK and Ireland has become a distributor for Trimble's Field Service Management (FSM) solution for the heavy civil construction sector in the UK and Ireland.

"We are delighted that SITECH UK and Ireland will be adding Trimble's broad range of FSM solutions to their portfolio of solutions that they offer for heavy civil contractors," said John Cameron, general manager of Trimble's FSM Division. "We recently integrated our GeoManager Fleet Management with our VisionLink solution to provide construction businesses with the ability to centralise the management of on-site operations for improved productivity, efficiency and cost savings."

Trimble's GeoManager Fleet Management solution offers contractors visibility into their fleet service needs by providing real-time location updates of vehicles for service from VisionLink, as well as vehicle status and reports. Overall fleet productivity can be improved through optimised routing of service vehicles to VisionLink-based assets while maintenance schedules can also be managed, which can reduce fleet downtime and costs. The optimisation of service vehicle routing and work orders is based on the location and health information that is shared from VisionLink into GeoManager. Construction managers using VisionLink can thus ensure that their fleet is being serviced in an optimal location/health/time approach.

[quote float="left"]Construction managers using VisionLink can thus ensure that their fleet is being serviced in an optimal location/health/time approach.[/quote]The integration of GeoManager Fleet Management with VisionLink offers contractors a dynamic, all-encompassing solution. They can also integrate site productivity, material quantities and materials movement with asset and fleet management, to create a holistic view of their fleet in one place and on one platform, enabling them to make intelligent business decisions and streamline operations.

The global network of SITECH technology dealers represent Trimble and Caterpillar machine control systems for a contractor's entire fleet of heavy equipment and Trimble's portfolio of Connected Site site-positioning systems, construction asset management services, software and wireless and Internet-based site communications infrastructure.

"We are focused on providing contractors with the best technology available that will enable them to meet their project needs, said Erica Parkinson, business manager of SITECH UK and Ireland. The integration of Trimble solutions provides contractors with a truly unique end-to-end solution. Never before have contractors been able to view and manage their assets, vehicles, maintenance and jobs in one place and on one platform."

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In the latest version of its Glass wearable technology, Google is aiming squarely at the enterprise market, say reports from the US.

Reports in the US Wall Street Journal that Google has developed a new version of its Google Glass wearable technology has got the newswires humming, not least because it is said to be firmly targeted at the enterprise sector not the consumer market as was the case with the now discontinued first version.

Google is reported to be distributing Glass 2 to software partners to enable them to develop programs that will use Glass 2 for enterprise tasks in sectors that include manufacturing, health and energy,

The Glass 2 design is said to include a longer, thinner cubeless prism to improve the display and a different frame that opens up the possibility of the technology being used with regular spectacles. The WSJ says the latest version has  a faster Intel processor and boasts improved battery life and better wireless internet connectivity.

By focusing on enterprise private workplaces rather than consumers, Google seems to be attempting to allay fears, widely aired in the US,  over privacy,  stemming from the fact that the public would not know whether they were being filmed. Other concerns include the potential cyber threat to enterprise.

FSN view

[quote float="left"]Whether Google Glass 2 does become a valuable enterprise tool  might depend on finding the right context.

 

 

Whether Google Glass 2 does become a valuable enterprise tool remains to be seen. Reaction to the Google Glass technology has been mixed and might depend on finding the right context. Airline Virgin Atlantic, for example, has trialled it for Upper Class passengers and has reported positive response from both passengers and staff. We discussed the benefits smart glasses might have in the field service sector in Part 2 of our recent series The 2020 Field Engineers Toolkit. 

What is true, however, is that technology that was once way out there in the realms of science fiction is now becoming a reality.  It's easy to forget that smartphones and tablets began as consumer devices but were  quickly harnessed for enterprise, or that security concerns over earlier versions of Google's Android OS meant it was once deemed "unfit-for-enterprise".

Google and its developers have worked to address those fears, so there's no reason to doubt they will do the same for solutions that use Glass 2 for data capture.

 

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The new Cat S40 rugged smartphone is designed to address the unreliability of consumer devices in outdoor environments.

Smartphones may be a popular low-cost choice for many companies migrating from paper to digital to manage their mobile workers, but they can prove unreliable in service - life can be tough for a smartphone in an outdoor environment. The Cat S40 rugged smartphone from Caterpillar Inc. has been designed to address these problems by combing superior rugged and smartphone performance while retaining the looks of a stylish handset.

The S40 will compete in a fast-growing sector: the rugged smartphone market grew to 10m units in 2014, according to UK company Bullitt Mobile, which has held the global licence to design, manufacture and distribute rugged phones and accessories for Caterpillar Inc. under the Cat phones brand since 2012.

The S40 is tough: it can survive a drop-test to concrete from 1.8 metres and exceeds the US MIL-STD 810G for shock. It has an impressive IP68 certification against water and dust ingress - the S40 will survive in 1 metre of water for up to 60 minutes and there is a sensor that alerts users if the phone is not waterproof, complete with an animated guide on how to correct this.

 

The S40 is typical smartphone size at 145mm x 74mm x 12.5mm and weighs 185g - small and slim enough to slip into a pocket. The 470mm qHD IPS display is readable in direct sunlight and the Corning Gorilla Glass 4 screen ensures it is resistant to scratches, knocks and drops.

Of particular interest to service organisations whose employees are working in outdoor environments will be the S40's innovative  "wet finger tracking" technology. This optimises the capacitive touchscreen to respond effectively to input made even when the user’s fingers are wet: water (or, indeed, gloves), explains Bullit, creates a barrier that hampers the phones normal ability to understand and react to the input.

The S40 also sports the latest Android 5.1 Lollipop operating system, teamed with a Qualcomm MSM8909 1.1Ghz Quadcore processor. There is 16GB ROM Flash memory and 1GB RAM, with extended storage via a 64GB Micro SD.

The 3000 MAh non-removable battery is said to be good for 18 hours talk-time, 39 days in stand-by. There is an 8 megapixel autofocus front camera and a 2 megapixel rear camera, with video capture capability. The communications options include 2,3 and 4G.

"Too many people are being let down and left out-of-pocket by damaged smartphones due to them being used in work environments they were not built for,” says Oliver Schulte, CEO of Bullitt Mobile. “We recognised the need to use our expertise to launch a stylish, rugged smartphone that offers protection alongside style and performance. With the refined rugged design of the S40 we’re offering a device that looks great, runs the latest version of Android and offers the levels of protection our customers need."

 

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What should businesses consider when deciding whether an On-Premise or a Cloud solution is the best fit for their business?  In this two-part series, Sharon Clancy gets some advice from the experts.  First up, we explore the attractions of the Cloud... 

There's been a lot of publicity recently about cloud platforms: for enterprises it's been about whether you migrate legacy business functions to it; for SMEs and SMBs it's about using the Cloud to become more competitive. There's also been a lot of talk about browser-based field service management apps - software-as-a-service, or SaaS.

Is it all just noise, or something your company needs to get to grips with?

Let's start with defining what we are talking about: Cloud and SaaS can be used as  interchangeable terms, but there is a difference. A Cloud solution is when some or all of your IT requirements are hosted by a platform provider who takes care of all the necessary infrastructure, including security, server stability and maintenance, data storage and so on. SaaS is another layer on a Cloud platform.  A permutation that has been adopted by some field service organisations is to have on-premise legacy IT and ERP systems integrated with a Cloud-based service management SaaS solution. SMEs and SMBs, on the other hand, might use a Cloud  platform for all their business functions, including accounting, HR and service management software.

Be agile

One business trend is that companies of all sizes need to be more agile in responding to their customers' changing needs, and agility is one thing the Cloud delivers in spades.

"For SMEs, Cloud-based solutions give them access to great technology, making them more agile. For many, it also allows them to ramp up their operations, and grow the business quickly, even to International level," says Steve Mason, Vice President International Sales for StreetSmart, Click Software's web-based management app for SMEs and SMBs. "For larger organisations, a Cloud solution can liberating, allowing much faster reactions to changing business requirements."

 

On-premise can mean less agility, points out Neil Lewis, Consulting Director, EMEA Sales, ServiceMax."Deployments of new services and processes are slower. When an old business process needs to change or a new one introduced, it takes much longer to do it internally, from getting the project on the internal IT roadmap to actually developing the app. There are typically many layers of the on-premise architecture that need to be changed in order to implement the processes. This in turn has an adverse effect on the companies' abilities to introduce new products and services quickly."

In many sectors, the business model is changing from being based around product life-cycles to a servitization model and predictive rather than reactive service, he continues. "That transforms field service into a agile, responsive customer-focused operation which can have a real impact on the bottom-line."

The Cloud means smaller companies can now access affordable solutions without the overhead of enterprise class software, points out Paul Adams, Marketing and Development Director, Solarvista.

Outsourcing IT

Enterprises are now looking at moving their entire structure to the cloud because it eliminates the need to manage a large IT infrastructure in-house," says Mason.

"On-premise solutions demand investment in infrastructure upkeep including databases, applications, coding and system upgrades. In the Cloud, all these issues go away," points out Lewis.

SaaS: a perfect fit for service management

SaaS is actually a good practical fit for service management, says Colin Brown, Managing Director, Tesseract. "Most independent service companies have recurring revenue streams which actually fit neatly with renting the software. Relatively small companies can now compete with larger rivals."

 

A browser-based field service solution is essential, regardless of whether you opt for an on-premise or a cloud-based platform, advises Simon Spriggs, account manager at Exel Computer Systems. "This will future-proof your investment should you decide to move business activities to the cloud in future. It will also help eliminate many integration problems."

Don't be lured into thinking that a Cloud solution is the answer to everything, warns Spriggs.  "Key questions to ask include: what is the budget, what is the available IT resource and what is the reliability and bandwidth of the Internet connection."

Reliable broadband: not an optional extra

The reliability and bandwidth or your Internet connection is crucial for any Cloud implementation, our experts agreed. "Some companies have an unreliable or slow broadband connection and that impacts on delivering cloud-based services," points out Spriggs. "If the basic connection to the Internet fails, it doesn't matter what back-up the hosted platform provider has - you won't be able to communicate with your engineers, manage workflows or give customers real-time information."

 

Security

Most companies will conduct financial due diligence before choosing a Cloud partner. However, all the field service experts we spoke with emphasised that it is equally essential to thoroughly check the IT capabilities of the company hosting those cloud services. "You are outsourcing the running of your business systems to the Cloud, not abdicating responsibility for them, so make sure your provider is fully compliant with the latest security standards " urges Steve Mason. "A public cloud platform will give you baseline protection - indeed, the level of security is much higher than most individual companies could afford because the companies invest a huge amount and employ security experts to keep up to speed with the latest threats."

A public Cloud platform as other advantages says Mason. her "Business continuity is crucial for mission-critical apps such as field service. On a public Cloud, the infrastructure is multi-layered so there is built-in resilience should one site go down which in turn means there will be no impact on your business.

 

There is a natural nervousness about hosting FS apps externally, the need to keep confidential data in the cloud and also about the complexities of integrating those cloud-based apps with internal ERP systems, admits Lewis. "However these concerns are not relevant any more with the evidence of many large organisations globally who have strategically moved to the cloud in the last 5 to 10 years. These range from governmental organisations to large global banks.

The Cloud is, in effect, a hosted server platform, points out Colin Brown. "Cloud data centres handle all the expensive, complex fire walls and demilitarized zones that keep information safe. If you are concerned about resilience, our advice is to invest in back-up servers.

It's important to think about what happens if servers goes down, agrees Neil Lewis. "Smaller vendors may be able to host your app but check if there is seamless back-up to ensure workflows continue as normal? Indeed, is there any back-up at all?"

Resilience is critical for mission-critical operations such as field service. For SMEs, cloud solutions provides a sophisticated level of IT infrastructure management including backup, disaster recovery, security and environmental concerns that they could never achieve otherwise, points out Paul Adams.

 

Asking what IT roadmap your provider has will whittle out some of the less capable vendors, advises Lewis. "Smaller platform hosts may not have the resources to invest in platform development, so ask what their roadmap is - for example, to develop the platform to integrate with multiple ERP environments to handle new technology."

Finally, businesses shouldn't undervalue the support offered by SaaS providers, says Colin Brown.  "Access to the software is controlled by the supplier, so all the software upgrades are installed and installed correctly and often, as is the case for Tesseract customers, free-of-charge of charge. Furthermore, as the data as it is hosted remotely, employees are no longer able to “play” with it, which reduces system errors

Look out for Part 2, where we'll  exploring the benefits of on-premise solutions and how they  integrate with field service management solutions.

 

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Improving its engineers' driving skills with TomTom Telematics Optidrive 360  has helped ventilation product manufacturer EnviroVent cut its annual fuel bill by £36,000.

Ventilation product manufacturer EnviroVent has cut fuel consumption by 10 per cent using TomTom Telematics Optidrive 360 technology to improve driver behaviour, making annual fuel savings of £36,000.

The company is using TomTom's OptiDrive 360 to establish a performance improvement initiative across its nationwide fleet of 45 vans.

“Empowering our drivers with advice and feedback on how to drive more safely and fuel-efficiently led to immediate fuel saving and by introducing a programme to incentivise further improvements we expect to realise even greater benefits over the coming months,” said Jane McLean, Fleet Manager, EnviroVent.

“Our van drivers receive monthly performance reports and have already become quite competitive. We now plan to award prizes to the best performing regional teams to cut fuel consumption further, reduce vehicle maintenance costs and improve our carbon footprint, in line with our commitment to sustainability.”

OptiDrive 360 scores drivers based on a range of key performance indicators including speeding, driving events, idling and gear shifting and constant speed. All performance data is made available to managers and drivers in Webfleet, the fleet management software from TomTom Telematics, with direct feedback and driving advice offered to drivers via their in-vehicle driver terminals.

EnviroVent is also using Webfleet  to improve customer response times by allocating jobs to its engineers and installers and routing them to customers more quickly and efficiently.

 

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