| United
Utilities: MDUK-Forms
As
with the majority of data collection processes the previous
United Utilities process for Tree Cutters was paper
based. This brought all the expected problems associated
with a system relying on manual input and interpretation
of vital information. The previous system did not provide
the accuracy and reliability needed in their demanding
environment. Increasing H&S concerns and commitment
to the public meant that it was paramount that the data
collected on trees close to electricity lines was accurate
and up to data and that any safety issues were reported
back to the office immediately.
United
Utilities sought a mobile solution which would accurately
capture the information recorded by the tree cutters
but would not mean expensive associated hardware costs.
MobileDataUK were contracted with providing a complete
mobile system to capture data from the tree cutters
in the North West. The system was not just about recording
simple information in the field, but needed to be capable
of holding complex serial numbers and data for 160,000
electricity poles.
This
application was very successfully implemented by MobileDataUK
in 2007. Using a suite of question sets available on
mobile phones the cutters can easily identify the pole
number, and input timely, consistent and reliable information
on the tree status. The information on the phone is
available even if there is not a mobile signal in the
immediate area, which is a regular occurrence due to
the nature of this work and remoteness of electricity
poles. The information is stored and sent once the phone
picks up a signal. The administrator can change the
question sets at any time, which are pushed down to
the mobile phones seamlessly providing the flexibility
and control needed by United Utilities.
The
findings are fed back to the server and the system generates
reports to managers highlighting work progress, Health
and Safety issues and data on when the tree should be
revisited. This provides the accountability and visibility
necessary to United Utilities and also assists with
job flow processes. The sophisticated reporting suite
means that reports can be generated ad hoc or scheduled
at pre-determined times and sent to in-box’s.
This provides a complete management solution rather
than a simple data capture process. |
