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This is the incredible statistic that US water utilities organisation Fort Bend County Municipal Utility District No. 25(FBCM25) announced after they eliminated a paper-based workflow and moved to work with Motion Computing's  J3500 Tablet PCs

Now they are fully equipped with the J3500 Tablet PCs, FBCM25 is not only benefitting from using the technology onsite at their sewage and drainage facilities but also in the field as mobile workforce carry out meter readings, inspections and repairs.

“We’ve gone from a manual paper process to a greener, paperless environment,” said Steve Kim, director, information technology, FBCM25. “Now, the Field Operations’ workflow depends on completely electronic service orders, which can be created, sent, uploaded and processed in real time. All the information collected in the field feeds back to the central database and updates the billing software in real time, meaning our billing department has access to the same information.”

A key benefit of using Tablet PCs (or any form of mobile hardware) is that the process happens in real time while the field  staff is are on the actual job site. This has allowed FBCM25 to cut out unnecessary tasks, resulting in a boost in efficiency and a reduction of man hours dedicated to each job. Another advantage that FBCM25 are finding is that the billing department is now able to update and dispatch new service orders throughout the day as and when they come in from the field staff who no longer need to return to base to file the orders. Again this has resulted in significant increases in the numbers of jobs undertaken each day.

Leonela Ruvalcaba, manager, billing and collections, FBCM25, notes, “The Field Operations team, billing department and customers benefit from the real-time access to information and improved collaboration. With the paper process, if a customer called and inquired about their service, the billing department provided the information the next day at the earliest. Now, the billing staff is able to research anything the customer wants to know while still on the phone.”

Taking care of the environment is also an important initiative for FBCM25. The District regularly develops new programs and works to educate customers on ways to reduce, reuse and recycle as well as conserve water. According to Kim, “FBCM25 is responsible for increasing awareness and finding new ways to reduce our footprint. We were able to lead by example and eliminate a paper-based workflow with the Motion Tablet PCs, while reducing vehicle miles, which validates our commitment to being green, saving over 7,000 pieces of paper a year on service orders alone.”

 J3500 Product Tour:

Masternaut one of Europe's largest providers of telematics solutions, has been selected by the UK government to be part of the "Future Fifty" – a government led fast-track  programme which offers support to aid growth in both the public and private sectors, with the aim to improve employment and add significant impact to the much maligned economic growth within the UK.

Run by Tech City UK, an organisation launched by UK Prime Minister David Cameron and Chancellor George Osborne, the Future Fifty is made up of the UK's most exciting, high potential growth businesses. The aim is to promote innovative and successful organisations oversees and to represent the rapidly growing number of high-tech companies based in Europe.

Masternaut, a leader in telematics and enterprise-grade across Europe also offer a cloud-based mobile resource management solution and their patented modular platform aims to deliver strong and demonstrated ROI for their clients through advanced business intelligence solutions. Listed benefits include enabling fuel savings, reduction in vehicle emissions, improved driver behaviour, and higher mobile workforce utilisation. Now with its inclusion in the future fifty the company is entitled it to tailored support and expertise in order to further accelerate its growth.

Martin Hiscox, Masternaut’s Chairman and CEO, says: “The Future Fifty is a fantastic programme and a real testament to the government’s commitment to supporting UK business growth. We are very proud to have been selected for the programme – it’s not only recognition of Masternaut’s achievements to date, but of the whole telematics industry’s potential to shape the UK’s business landscape”.

“2013 has been a busy year for Masternaut – we’ve launched our brand new telematics platform, Masternaut Connect, made a significant acquisition and are seeing rapid ongoing expansion across Europe. The support we will receive from the Future Fifty scheme will be invaluable as we continue to expand, innovate and develop our product portfolio and enter new geographic markets. We will be continuing to invest heavily in R&D, delivering our customers more ways to drive tangible business benefits through the use of telematics solutions.”

The rigorous selection process conducted by a 13-strong advisory panel of industry experts, investors, advisors and entrepreneurs saw judges select companies through a combination of quantitative and qualitative criteria, including financial performance, competitive positioning, product offering and strength of leadership team. Other companies listed alongside Masternaut include: Mimecast, NeoMobile, Horizon Discovery and Acturis.

The Future Fifty will provide concierge-style support to address key business needs along with a continuous programme of modular ‘opt-in’ business support and educational content and bespoke events.

ServicePower have shown a further investment in their product platform, as a result of continued growth in the European market, by implementing extensions to its German and the Czech solutions as well as the US Territory of Puerto Rico, supporting recent customer wins in these regions and expansion with existing customers.

ServiceScheduling, which uses a proprietary artificial intelligence-based algorithm to route and optimise employed or dedicated field resources, previously supported travel calculation in North America, including the US and Canada, and in Europe, including Austria, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Denmark, Finland, France, Italy, Norway, Ireland, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the UK.  Now it has been further upgraded to support travel logic in Germany, including the new pre calculated, in memory travel data to support real time field service environments.

Also the system has been improved and now includes support for complete application translation to the German language, ensuring a fully localised user experience. This latest release will also support multiple languages within the same deployment, including on premise or hosted instances, a key requirement for the Company’s multinational client base.

ServiceMobility has been enhanced to support complete localisation, including language, and other critical data such as dates, times and user location information, for the Czech Republic. This extension, as well as several additional planned geographical deployment expansions, enhances ServicePower’s ability to support its international clients, as well as improve its penetration outside the North American and UK markets.  Mobility will also be extended to field based teams in Puerto Rico.

Marne Martin, CEO of ServicePower, commented, "ServicePower continues to invest in our platform, driving innovation and improved market penetration for our shareholders.

“ServiceScheduling, our flagship optimised routing product, continues to outperform competitive products, with proven superiority in real time optimisation, part scheduling, in memory travel calculation and M2M data utilisation, as well as growing multinational support. ServiceMobility is enjoying similar success, providing new features and support of diverse device deployments within employed or third party field service networks. Our investment decisions continue to position ServicePower well for future market growth.”

A recently published study from Aberdeen Group commissioned by Trimble FSM has found that the best-performing field service organisations are extremely focused on improving service, and to achieve that, they are leveraging performance analytics to launch new initiatives and enhance existing ones. As a result, they are reaching higher levels of customer satisfaction and loyalty.

The report, Secrets to Optimize Field Service for Better Customer Experience, written by Aberdeen analyst Aly Pinder, revealed that top performers exceed customer expectations and SLA goals in their efforts to retain valuable customers, and that customer satisfaction is a leading contributor to their success.

Streamlining service in the field and improving efficiency are key objectives of today's executives, the report stated. Customer experience is a top priority, and organisations are leveraging analytics to drive quality and enhance customer interactions. More than 50 per cent of the organisations surveyed say they use performance data to evaluate the effectiveness of their service.

The field service organisation traditionally has been evaluated based on operational metrics such as workforce utilisation and overtime costs.

This model worked best when field service pursued a break/fix strategy but is no longer the only path to service differentiation and success, the report found. Customer experience must now be at the centre of the entire service operation's strategy.

Organisations meeting 80 per cent of their customer service requirements for issue resolution times on average are able to retain 12 per cent more customers than those that meet only half of their customer requirements, the report says. With service a key factor in customer loyalty and a leading indicator of field service success, it is critical that companies deliver on what they've promised, when they've promised it. For businesses with mobile workers in the field, it becomes even more important to achieve excellence in delivering services

 The report is available here (registration required) 

New updated range of rugged tablets  makes working in the field, at the warehouse or with the patient easier, faster and more accurate than ever claim Motion Computing...

Motion Computing, a leading global provider of rugged tablets and mobile technology built for business, recently  announced the expansion of its mobile technology platform.  Motion launched new image sharing & documentation software, an asset and inventory management UHF RFID reader*, workflow-enabling accessories and the latest generation of Motion F5 and C5-series Rugged Tablets.

“With this launch, Motion continues to fulfill the mission we set forth 12 years ago,” said Peter Poulin, vice president, marketing at Motion.

“To provide the mobile workforce tools to complete their work easier, faster and more accurately.   As we strive to deliver innovative technology, we never lose sight of our customers – the mobile workers.  Their needs remain at the forefront of all our offerings.”

Motion’s new software, SNAPWORKS by Motion is an intuitive, touch-based camera application that provides mobile workers an easy way to capture, annotate and share images. The new EasyConnect RFID Long Range Reader transforms Motion Rugged Tablets into long range UHF RFID tag readers for obtaining and processing critical asset data from a distance - ideal for an oil rig, rail transportation or warehouse environment.   And, the just released Multi-Bay Battery Charger accessory charges up to 5 batteries at the same time.  The charger is ideal for multi-user work group that facilitates a team-based, pooled work environment.

In addition to the software, RFID reader and charger, Motion has released the latest generations of the F5 and C5-series Rugged Tablets.  The Motion F5te and C5te offer uncompromising levels of power, security and manageability with integrated field tools that improve documentation and collaboration.  Running Microsoft Windows, the tablets are designed to optimize the performance of mobile workers across industries like utility, insurance, public safety, retail and healthcare. The convenience of touch navigation, accuracy of pen input, durability of Corning Gorilla Glass and visibility of View Anywhere Display Durability provide functionality without the extra weight and price associated with traditional fully-rugged devices.  Motion offers convenient options for enhanced mobility including tailored docking, mounting and charging solutions.  Powerful Intel Core™ i3 or i5 & i7 vPro™ options with Intel Hyper-Threading technology provide higher performance.  New features include 10-point touch panel with Windows 8 Pro support, SNAPWORKS by Motion,  Multi-Bay Battery Charger and EasyConnect RFID Reader.

*The UHF RFID Reader will be available late Q4 2013.

Driven by substantial year-over-year growth in 2012 and a large and rapidly growing multi-billion dollar market, Telogis was listed among Deloitte’s Technology Fast 500 for the sixth consecutive year.

The company, which has its UK operations based in Bracknell, once again topped the list in the location-based technology industry. Telogis provides a comprehensive SaaS-based location intelligence platform for companies that require commercial navigation, real-time work order management, dynamic routing, telematics and mobile integration services for their mobile workforces.

“The 2013 Deloitte Technology Fast 500 companies are exemplary cases of those spurring growth in a tough market through innovation,” said Eric Openshaw, vice chairman, Deloitte LLP and U.S. technology, media and telecommunications leader. “This year’s list is a who’s who of companies behind the most exciting and innovative products and services in the technology space. We congratulate the Fast 500 companies and look forward to what they do next.”

“As the world’s mobile workforces grow exponentially over the coming years, demand for sophisticated location-based technology and services such as those offered by Telogis will become increasingly mission critical to businesses with workers outside the four walls,” said David Cozzens, CEO, Telogis. “Our ranking on Deloitte’s Technology Fast 500 for six consecutive years represents our continued commitment to innovation and delivering crucial data and insights that drive our customers’ bottom lines.”

Telogis recently secured a $93 million institutional financing round led by Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers (KPCB). Telogis intends to use the investment to further capitalise on the market and continue to focus on providing technologies and solutions that enable enterprises and organisations to optimise the management of their mobile assets including better data collection and analysis. In the UK this will translate into investment in the current product line to target new markets, and a significant increase in staff numbers and office space to provide local support for its growing customer base.

“The fastest growing companies in the U.S. are drivers of constant innovation and operate with the agility to stay ahead of a quickly evolving marketplace, and software, biotech/pharma and internet companies continue to be at the forefront,” added James Atwell, national managing partner of the Emerging Growth Company practice, Deloitte Services LP. “Companies that are excelling in these sectors have a startup mentality that allows them to be nimble and adapt quickly, which is why they consistently lead the list of fast-growing companies each year.”

New service uses the telematics provider’s contactless CANbus connectivity to stream accurate data live from the vehicle or crane unit.

Masternaut, one of Europe’s largest telematics providers, is now offering remote monitoring for commercial cranes and heavy lifting equipment operators. Fully integrated with Masternaut’s core fleet product, the service enables fleet and construction plant managers to access real time utilisation and productivity data to improve asset management performance.

The solution combines asset management functionality for crane and construction equipment operators and fleet management intelligence for vehicles. Assets are installed with Masternaut’s patented MuxyGPS hardware, featuring contactless CANbus connectivity, to provide unparalleled accuracy.

The data – which is both streamed in real time and aggregated into tailored customer reports – consists of asset details including temperature, water and oil levels, pressure values and weight carried. Through live alerts, equipment operators have the ability to monitor the condition of the crane remotely, facilitating predictive maintenance scheduling and the proactive deployment of engineers help address malfunctions faster.

The use of telematics-based geofencing also creates a virtual security field around the asset and site, and, over time, can be used in collaboration with insurers to create bespoke policies and reduce premiums.

In addition to live insight on static assets, the technology is able to transmit driver performance intelligence for mobile and crawler cranes, including RPM, speed, braking and acceleration, assisting in the monitoring of driver safety and ensuring that the workforce is fully compliant with health and safety regulations.

European Managing Director of Masternaut, Steve Towe, comments: “Our commercial crane and heavy lifting equipment offering is far more technical than standard fleet installations. However, combining our experience in fleet management with cutting-edge technology means that we’re able to offer telematics deployment on manufacturers including the Leibherr and Terex ranges, as well as equipment with Mercedes and Iveco ECUs.  Having finalised the proof of concept with these OEMs we are now able to extend the range of equipment covered, rapidly bringing to market this new service for crane rental companies, owner-operators and construction businesses.”

Cavalier Carpets, one of the UK’s premier carpet manufacturers, has increased the number of appointments its insurance team ‘Renew’ makes by 25% using Masternaut’s Three X telematics solution.

With a large team of mobile inspectors responsible for verifying claims for damaged flooring and furniture items, Renew brought on Masternaut’s telematics solutions to support logistics and improve efficiency, as well as to generate an audit record of all information recorded on jobs.

Masternaut’s Three X solution addresses the Renew team’s scheduling needs in one. It is fully integrated with the company’s UNIX platform software and is used by both the mobile workforce and staff based at Cavalier Carpets’ Service Centre in the North West.

Chris Sutton, Services Director, Renew says: “With an average 25% increase in the number of appointments taking place each day, Renew is able to process insurance claims more quickly, to the obvious advantage of our clients.

“From an HR perspective, the solution helps us manage the performance of our inspectors and identify where pressure points are for strategic resource planning.”

Masternaut’s chairman and CEO, Martin Hiscox, adds: “Our team of expert consultants configured the solution to provide Renew with real-time prompts; ensuring employees gather the correct level of information when on site, creating a full audit trail should customer queries later arise.”

Purchases were made per license user and Masternaut offered a support team which worked with Renew’s IT team to make sure the integration ran smoothly.

Masternaut’s Three X solution also provides managers at the Renew Service Centre with instant access to inspector reports as soon as they have left a site visit. This allows rapid response in the event of a customer query.

Toronto-based tyre repair service JF Tire Service  eliminate paper processing, centralise scheduling and speed up invoicing with Motion Computing and KMP Designs

Motion Computing, recently announced that JF Tire Service, a leading tyre repair service provider in the Greater Toronto Area , is saving money and improving customer satisfaction with a mobile work order processing solution from Motion and KMP Designs.  Motion’s F5t Rugged Tablets run KMP Designs Work Order Automation Software to centralise scheduling and dispatching, reduce documentation and tracking time for field technicians, and speed invoicing.

“From our initial discussions with KMP Designs, it was clear tablet PCs were the obvious solution to run the work order automation software,” said Jan Francis, President, JF Tire Service.  “I was cautious about adopting an entirely new method of doing business, but once we had the opportunity to trial the the Motion rugged tablets and see firsthand how rugged and easy to use they were, we were sold.  The ergonomic design and integrated features of Motion F5t far surpassed any other tablets we trialed.”

Before the mobile solution was in place, JF Tire Service utilised an extensive paper-based work order system.  As the company grew, so did the amount of paper.  JF Tire Service determined it was losing $20,000-30,000 per year in revenue due to lost paperwork.  In addition, invoicing took 4-6 weeks from the time of service, technicians didn’t have any access to unit histories and a lot of field time was spent manually documenting work.

Now with Motion rugged tablets easily running KMP Designs software and two-way data synchronisation, a formalised information flow is in place. Work orders captured in the field are automatically synchronised to the central SQL Server database along with the customer’s electronic signature.  The ability to capture data electronically and synchronise throughout the day has reduced invoicing times from 6 weeks to less than a day from the time of service.  Productivity has improved due to streamlined dispatching and the costs associated with manual data entry, transcription errors, and chasing paper, have been eliminated.

“The Motion and KMP system has created a significant competitive advantage for JF Tire within the tire service industry,” said Francis. “The results have been realised across operations, billing and especially customer service.  Clients now have access to a secure website to track work order histories, job status and billing details.”