Software firm create 'Oneserve Community' to help key workers during pandemic.

Oneserve is offering a streamlined version of its job management software free to key workers during the COVID-19 outbreak.

'Oneserve Community' is a quick-start pre-configured solution aimed at key workers from the care sector; those that carry out emergency repairs within properties; those that keep utilities networks operating or those overseeing a voluntary group delivering essential supplies, the company says.

Service Management

Managers of key worker teams can use the application-based platform on a mobile or desktop to share jobs created and completed, avoiding paperwork, emails or phone calls. Users can check daily schedules and access specific job information with just one click. Everyone can see what is expected of them and by when. The work they carry out is then recorded within the system to create an automatic audit trail. 

Oneserve work with public and private sector firms who provide essential services and this relationship, CEO Chris Proctor says, combined with the current crisis influenced the decision to create the new platform. "We recognised the contribution they [essential service] made to keeping our nation running before we were in the middle of a global crisis, but now this service is accentuated to a completely new level," he said.

“For this reason, we were very keen to support the critical roles our key workers are undertaking. At the end of the day, the easier it is for these key workers to carry out their tasks, the more people they can support.

"These are unprecedented times, times which require a different way of thinking, a different way of supporting one another. For all of us at Oneserve, we see this free solution as a token of our gratitude to those who continue to support and protect us all.”

For more information and to request access to this free offer visit oneserve.co.uk/oneserve-community.

A whitepaper from the UK Drone Delivery group says implementing testing grounds for the technology could accelerate a potentially successful UK drone industry.

The UK Drone Delivery Group says a mass-participation commercial drone testing programme would be a significant step in bringing the drones or Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) to the country's skies.

In a recently published white paper the group, made up of 300 senior leaders, calls for the development of new testing grounds which it says will contribute to the UK becoming a world leader in the drone industry.

Service delivery

The publication of the white paper comes as the use of UAVs for commercial purposes such as parcel and service deliveries continues to be plagued with issues around legislation and regulation.

Currently UAVs operating Beyond Visual Line of Site (BVLOS) require permission from the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to operate. There is also ambiguity on Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) and the development of an Unmanned Air Traffic Management System (UTM) - Air Traffic Control for drones - continues.

The group formed in 2018 by drone industry expert Robert Garbett is ultimately seeking to agree on a solution that covers all BVLOS, VTOL and (UTM) issues and to eventually lobby government in establishing a clear path to a UK-wide commercial drone industry.

Garbett says implementing the could bring substantial benefits to the country but indicated the need for testing areas needed to happen swiftly. "Facilitating a world leading UK commercial drone industry will bring immense benefits to UK plc, driving innovation, wealth creation and employment opportunities right across the economy," he said.

"...we need to act now. We are keen to identify new testing grounds to be used for take-off and landing, ideally including airports and airfields, but also forests, remote coastal areas and ports through to residential areas and other dense urban environments."

The whitepaper will now undergo a period of consultation followed by a review with full completion expected by the end of June. A draft of the white paper can be found here, which includes a facility for comments. Feedback is required by the 31 May.

In service, the use of drones has been discussed as a way to assist in final-mile delivery particularly in traffic-dense urban areas. Amazon have been hinting at a drone delivery service since 2013. Amazon Prime Air was showcased at last year's re:MARS conference but it remains grounded due to aviation regulations.

Manufacturing Services and Software Provider offers free-use of data monitoring tool Enact® to firms throughout pandemic.

InfinityQS has joined the growing list of companies offering free use of their products during the Covid-19 pandemic by giving manufacturers access to its Enact Quality Intelligence platform.

REMOTE WORKERS

Manufacturers can utilise the platform for three months, at no charge and with no commitment, but must enrol by June 30, 2020.

Enact operates real-time insights on processes, across individual plants and entire enterprises, the firm says. Importantly, during this time of social-distancing the software can support remote workers through its cloud-based monitoring feature.

Michael Lyle, President and CEO at InfinityQS said the solution can contribute to staff safety. "The Covid-19 pandemic is having a profound effect on each of us, on our families and friends, and on how we work and socialise," he explained. "Enact is a tool that can ensure the quality of the products you produce while also helping you protect your most valuable resource - your people."

Click here to see Field Service News' full list of industry solution providers offering support to the field service and manufacturing sectors during Covid-19.

Research by Zebra indicates firms will increase use of rugged devices in next five years.

The use of rugged mobile devices will increase significantly amongst field service providers over the next five years, a study has revealed.

Study shows Rugged Computers will remain key to field service management

Research by Zebra has found rugged tablets and rugged smartphones will be the most prevalent type of enterprise device for service companies globally.

The study surveyed 1,200 key decision makers across the telecommunications, manufacturing, construction, mining and agricultural industries revealing 93 per cent of those surveyed will adopt rugged mobile devices by 2025.

Currently, 76 per cent of service providers use mobile devices instead of laptops and 86 per cent agreed that the advent of faster 4G and 5G networks will influence investment in technologies, with nine in ten providers indicating they intend to specifically utilise remote monitoring and reporting.

Alex Cooper, Director of Government and Critical Field Service Technologies at Zebra Technologies says rugged devices will form a key part of service strategy going forward. "With increased focus on streamlining workflows and getting tasks done right the first time, service providers in the telecommunications and technical industries are increasingly, equipping their front-line workers with mobile technologies," he said. "Faster mobile connectivity, combined with purpose-built rugged devices and advanced applications, will enable enterprises to keep essential services uninterrupted, safe and efficient."

The research is very much in line with the findings of previous research by fieldservicenews.com that also identified the crucial role that rugged hardware continues to play in field service management. The essential mission-critical nature of field service delivery demands that we empower our field service engineers and technicians with the tools that can allow them to meet the ever-increasing demands of both customers and the boardroom.

While in some environments consumer grade devices may be suitable, the truth remains that the durability, additional battery life and enterprise level security that is baked into rugged tablets, laptops and smart phones makes rugged the pragmatic choice for field service organisations. 

Covid-19 affected client influences swift deployment of Merged Reality remote assistance solution.

A software solution using Merged-Reality (MR) has been made available by IFS after a customer affected by the impact of Covid-19 required a remote solution to remain operating.

Impact of Pandemic on the Field Service Sector

The technology's route to market came in record time following a request from one of IFS' long-standing customers, Munters, who had been monitoring the spread of the outbreak.

At the beginning of March and with the knock-on effect of global travel restrictions soon to take hold, the global supplier of sustainable air-treatment solutions, realised a solution would be required if service tasks were to continue.

“Our President Peter is in Italy, and as Coronavirus began to spread, he saw the immediate need to leverage remote assistance to help support both our field and manufacturing operations,” says Roel Rentmeesters, Munters Director of Global Customer Service. “By the beginning of March, it became urgent for us to get this technology in place to continue to be able to serve our customers and support our manufacturing operations.”

Rentmeesters contacted IFS on 6 March and the company were training staff six days later on the technology.

Currently, the firm are expanding the use of the technology to more than 200 users globally, which it hopes to complete within a fortnight.

IFS Remote Assistance utilises MR technology to create a real-life situational context that engineers can share with appropriate product experts operating remotely.

The solution blends to real-time video streams into an interactive environment for mobile devices. The app also includes, telestration, document sharing, three-party calls, screen capture, recording, call tagging and satisfaction surveys.

Further Reading: 

• Find out more about IFS' remote assistance solutions @ https://www.ifs.com/corp/solutions/service-management/remote-assistance/
• Read a detailed overview of this case study @ https://blog.ifs.com/2020/03/munters-rolls-out-ifs-remote-assistance/

Research from Verizon Connect shows some managers not utilising technology to offset basic tasks.

A survey into the behaviour of UK fleet managers has found the majority spend time on admin preventing them from focusing on daily tasks.

Interviewed

The research commissioned by Verizon Connect and conducted by Opinium interviewed UK 201 fleet managers who operate fleets of between three and 250 vehicles.

It revealed that two fifths of those interviewed spend 14 hours a week on general administrative tasks including route and schedule planning, the monitoring of driver behaviour and daily vehicle inspections.

The study also showed that less than half (47%) use fleet management technology to automate such tasks which Verizon says is the equivalent of nearly two full working days.

Fuel costs were highlighted as a particular concern for managers as was the search to find reliable drivers.

Derek Bryan, VP EMEA at Verizon Connect acknowledged that time pressure plays a huge part in fleet managers' day-to-day but said the use of technology can help negate this. "We know time is critical for fleet managers and many are tasked with trying to juggle lots of different tasks at one," he said. The introduction of a few simple technology tools can really make their life easier and help improve business efficiency."

Collaboration aimed at Industrial Firms targeting swift and large-scale digital transformation.

The software solutions provider Parsable have announced a partnership with Boston Management Consultancy Group (BCG).

Industrial Sector

Although not an exclusive arrangement, the collaboration will focus on the industrial sector and at firms looking to accelerate their digital transformation journey.

The two firms hope BCG's approach of impact driven strategies combined with Parsable's ability to deliver bespoke digital solutions will help industrial companies increase productivity through the use of digital tools.

Ben Cheng, Parsable's VP of Global Customer Operations explained how the collaboration would benefit those in the industrial sector. "This partnership brings together two game-changing competitive advantages for industrial companies: Parsable's deep industry knowledge and proven ability to quickly scale at a global level, and BCG's ability to drive large digital transformations for impact," he said.

Organisation create online interactive safety courses for remote workers.

The British Safety Council have developed and launched a series of interactive online courses for remote workers looking to continue their health, safety and environmental learning during the Covid-19 outbreak.

Same Tutors

'Live-Online' allows students to connect remotely to the courses using a PC, laptop or tablet and interact with the same tutors who deliver the British Safety Council's face-to-face teaching.

The enhanced modules were developed following student feedback to an original suite of learning delivered at the start of the pandemic. Mike Robinson, the British Safety Council's Chief Executive explained how the comments influenced their decision to make the modules interactive with real-time tutor assistance.

“At the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis the British Safety Council launched a series of free online resources to help employers and employees adapt to new ways of working and the feedback we received has been very positive." he said. "Live Online now takes that one step further, for people that want structured support from a tutor without having to be in a classroom."

WorkWaves's Route Manager made free for six weeks in UK and Ireland.

A collaboration between Leadent Digital and WorkWave means suppliers of critical goods and services in the UK and Ireland can access the fleet-management's route-planning software free of charge.

Swift Implementation

For six weeks essential industries will be able to utilise WorkWave's Route Manager platform which can be implemented in hours, the two companies say.

Firms on the front line are having to expand swiftly to meet demand for home deliveries and other services and it is hoped use of the software can help companies optimise their resources and support new and inexperienced drivers.

Leadent Digital's CEO Alastair Clifford-Jones said seeing the growth of essential industries during the Covid-19 outbreak influenced the collaboration. "When we saw so many organisations working so hard in these unprecedented times, we needed to help and this seemed the best way of using our skills and resources to support the national effort. We have seen companies growing very rapidly to meet demand and this could really help them cope."

For more details about the offer click here.