PDA's for engineers

[hotdog]

Howdee

We are presently trying to streamline and make our reactive maintenance department more efficient. The one thing that seems to be weak link is the info coming back from engineers.

At present they have to give the customer a signed worksheet. The customer keeps a copy, we keep a copy. This is fine and works well.

The problem arises when additional works are required. The engineer has to take pictures and also fill in a remedial work form which gets sent back to the office for quotation and filing. we need something to streamline this process. This sometimes takes days as the engineers don't come back to the offcie very often.

Ideally we need a device that can take the pictures, attach them to a report form on the device and then transmit this completed form back to the office. Eventually we need to be able to have the capacity to produce the work form electronically so the customer signs for the work in a similar fashion to having a parcel delivery signed for.

Looking at these at the moment:

http://www.igroupltd.co.uk/solutions/mobile/iField-service/field-engineers.html

Anyone else used this kit or got any other ideas??

[Soapsuds]

Hotdog,

Feel free to PM me if you want to discuss on the phone about this - i have had c. 5 years experience in solutions design and sales, through to my current Business Development position, all around Mobile Working Technology. Dont worry, i wont try and sell you something as we are not in the Field Engineer sector (used to be, but pulled out).

The problems you face are very common and there are various ways around them. These include PDA software and also the use of Digital Pen technology, which has come on leaps and bounds..... if you want to PM me some more in-depth details around day-to-day workings, or PM me for my email addy, i can have a think and give you a call - i have a small handful of Technology Partners that we use to supply us with software (currently to allow Energy Assessors to complete Energy Performance Certificates at a property, including photo capture / notes etc.) so i am well placed to give you some advice.

Drop me a note and we can take it from there! PS - i have not come across this group before, but as they are a Microsoft Gold Certified partner, I'm sure they are pretty good - but it all comes down to price vs. functionality.

Speak soon